Preface To The Letter Of St. Paul To The Romans by Martin Luther

What two English words can the German word "gerecht" translate to?
Two English words that the German word "gerecht" can translate to are:

  1. Just.
  2. Righteous.

What two English words can the German word "Glaube" translate to?
Two English words that the German word "Glaube" can translate to are:

  1. Faith.
  2. Belief.

What two phrases are equivalent if they're being translated from the same German sentence?
Two phrases which are equivalent if they're being translated from the same German sentence are:

  1. "We are justified by faith."
  2. "We are made righteous by belief."

What is the most important piece of the New Testament according to Martin Luther and why?
According to Martin Luther, the most important piece of the New Testament is the letter of St. Paul to the Romans because it's purest Gospel.

What two things does Martin Luther say a Christian should do with the letter?
The two things Martin Luther says a Christian should do with the letter are:

  1. Memorize it word for word.
  2. Occupy with it daily as though it were the daily bread of the soul.

Why did Martin Luther write this preface to Romans?
Martin Luther wrote this preface to Romans to provide an introduction to the letter so that everyone can gain the fullest possible understanding of it.

What words need to be properly defined before you're able to understand Romans?
Before you're able to understand Romans, the words that need to be properly defined include:

  • Law.
  • Sin.
  • Grace.
  • Faith.
  • Justice.
  • Flesh.
  • Spirit.

What are human laws?
Human laws are a regulation about what sort of works must be done or must not be done.

How does human law work differently from God's law?
Human law works differently from God's law in that you satisfy the demands of human law with works regardless of whether your heart is in it or not.

What does God judge which human law can't judge?
God judges what is in the depths of the heart which human law can't judge.

What does God's law punish as hypocrisy and lies?
God's law punishes as hypocrisy and lies all works done apart from the depths of the heart.

In what book and chapter are human beings called liars?
Human beings are called liars in Psalms 116.

What two things does everyone find inside themselves?
Two things that everyone finds inside themselves are:

  1. An aversion to good.
  2. A craving for evil.

Is someone following God's law if they don't have a free desire for good?
No, someone isn't following God's law if they don't have a free desire for good.

Is someone following God's law if they have merely done good works and have the appearance of living an honorable life?
No, someone isn't following God's law if they have merely done good works and have the appearance of living an honorable life.

What does St. Paul mean in chapter two of Romans when he says the Jews are all sinners except for the doers of the law?
In chapter two of Romans, when St. Paul says the Jews are all sinners except for the doers of the law, he means that no one is a doer of the law by works.

Quote by Martin Luther in describing what St. Paul was saying in Romans 2

Outwardly you live quite properly in the works of the law and judge those who do not live the same way; you know how to teach everybody. You see the speck in another's eye but do not notice the beam in your own.

Outwardly you keep the law with works out of ... of ... or love of ...
Outwardly, you keep the law with works out of fear of punishment or love of gain.

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What does St. Paul say that God's law is in chapter seven of Romans?
In chapter seven of Romans, St. Paul says that God's law is spiritual.

Why is God's law spiritual?
God's law is spiritual because no one can satisfy it unless everything they do springs from the depths of the heart.

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You must get used to the idea that it is one thing ... ... the works of the law and quite another to ... ...
You must get used to the idea that it is one thing to do the works of the law and quite another to fulfill it.

What are the works of the law?
The works of the law are everything a person does or can do of their own free will and by their own powers to obey the law.

...

What does it mean to fulfill the law?
To fulfill the law means to do its work eagerly, lovingly, and freely without the constraint of the law (as though there were no law or punishment).

What puts the eagerness of unconstrained love into the heart?
The eagerness of unconstrained love is put into the heart by the Holy Spirit.

What is the only way the Holy Spirit is given?
The only way the Holy Spirit is given is in, with, and through faith in Jesus Christ.

What is the only way that faith is given?
The only way that faith is given is through the word of God, or the Gospel, which preaches Jesus Christ.

What do the Scriptures consider sin?
The Scriptures consider sin to be external works of the body and the motivations within us to do them.

What brings the desire to do evil works?
The desire to do evil works is brought by unbelief.

What is the only thing called sin by Jesus Christ in chapter sixteen of John?
The only thing called sin by Jesus Christ in chapter sixteen of John is unbelief.

What do the Scriptures call unbelief?
The Scriptures call unbelief the head of the serpent and of the ancient dragon which the offspring of the woman (Jesus Christ) must crush.

What two things define grace?
The two things which define grace are:

  1. God's kindness or favor toward us.
  2. God's disposition to pour Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit with his gifts into us.

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