Colossians

While the apostle Paul was preaching in Ephesus, all of Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus through his leadership (Acts 19:10). Colosse was in that region, but evidently Paul himself did not start the church at Colosse (2:1). It was likely Epaphras, a fellow-laborer of Paul, who started the church (1:1-8; 4:12-13; Phile. 23). It was Epaphras who told Paul about the condition of the church which led to him writing this letter by inspiration of God while a prisoner in Rome. The church needed to be corrected because they were in danger of being spoiled and beguiled by false teaching that detracted from the supremacy and all-sufficiency of Christ as Head of the church and the blessed truth that all the members of His body are complete in Him (2:8-10). 

Just as Galatians was written to correct doctrine contrary to that which is presented in Romans, so Colossians is written to correct doctrine contrary to that which is presented in Ephesians. In Ephesians the emphasis is on the Body of Christ but in Colossians it is on the Head of that Body. The work of the Holy Spirit is mentioned throughout Ephesians (every chapter) but He is only mentioned once in Colossians (1:8). Philippians is a letter of reproof for not holding the members of the Body in the right regard but Colossians is a letter of correction for not holding the Head of the Body (2:19). 

In chapter 2 Paul warns about different kinds of false teaching: 

 Philosophy (v.8) - love of worldly wisdom 

 Legalism (vs.16-17) – trying to be made righteous by the works of the law 

 Mysticism (vs.18-19) – pursuit of higher and hidden knowledge in the spirit realm 

 Asceticism (vs.20-23) – severe self-discipline and denial of the flesh for religious purposes 

The bottom line is that all false teaching denies the deity of Christ and/or His sufficiency to make us complete. All false teaching exalts the works of the flesh over the perfect work of Christ. 

"The Epistle attacks and destroys man's way of holiness by lacerations, adoration of angels, performances of sacraments and self-willed efforts of the carnal nature to improve and sanctify “the flesh” which God has condemned to death. The Epistle points out God’s way of holiness as opposed to man’s way.” (E.W. Bullinger) 

“The Church finds her full life in her Head. When this is recognized the uselessness and mischievousness of carnal ceremonies which appeal to the natural heart, are recognized. All that is needed for a complete Christian life of worship, service and intellectual progress, is found in Christ. All riches and all perfection are found in Him for the enrichment of His members and their maintenance in the full practical enjoyment of fellowship with Him.” (G. Williams) 

I. The Preeminence of Christ (1)

II. Our Position in Christ (2)

III. Our Practical Walk in Christ (3-4) 

Highlights in Colossians 

Chapter One

• Hope (v.5, 23, 27) 

• Paul’s prayer (vs.9-20) 

• Paul’s twofold ministry:

1) To every creature with the gospel (vs.21-23)

2) To the church with the mystery (vs.24-29) 

Chapter Two

• Beware lest any man beguile, spoil, or judge you (vs.4, 8, 16, 18)

• We are complete (v.10), not by carnal ordinances and ceremonies, but by SPIRITUAL:

1) Circumcision (v.11)

2) Baptism (v.12)

Chapter Three 

• The old man vs. the new man (vs.1-17)

• The Christian home (vs.18-21)

Chapter Four 

• Prayer must be:

1) Faithful (v.2)

2) Watchful (v.2)

3) Thankful (v.2) 

4) Purposeful (vs.3-4, 12-13)

Philippians

The historical record of how the Lord used the apostle Paul to start the church at Philippi during his second missionary journey is found in Acts 16. This short epistle of 4 chapters, 104 verses, and 2,183 words was written in the early 60’s AD when Paul was a prisoner in Rome. This present dispensation began with Paul’s ministry in the book of Acts, but there is a distinction between the epistles he wrote during Acts and afterwards due to the transitional nature (prophecy program of Israel phasing out, mystery program of Body of Christ phasing in) of the Acts period. For example, he was going to the Jew first and the sign gifts were in effect during his Acts ministry. When he writes his prison epistles, he writes as a prisoner of Jesus Christ for us Gentiles and the full revelation of this present age is known (Eph. 3:1-13). 

The prison epistles of Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians form a trilogy concerning the church which is the Body of Christ. 

1) Ephesians – doctrine of the Body of Christ

2) Philippians – reproof for not walking according to the doctrine of Ephesians 

3) Colossians – correction for listening to doctrine contrary to the doctrine of Ephesians 

Philippians is a very practical book. Like most churches today, the church at Philippi was having trouble keeping the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:1-6; Phil. 1:27; 2:1-3, 14-15; 4:2). 

The worthy walk of our HIGH calling is a LOWLY walk of service! Paul gives 4 great examples in this epistle (Christ, Timothy, Epaphroditus, and himself). 

Philippians is known as the joy book because joy is referred to18 times. Paul was joyful as a prisoner who had endured much suffering. How so? True and lasting joy is found in Christ (1:21, “Christ” mentioned 37 times) and in the pathway of sacrificial service. No wonder most people have no joy! 

Key verses

I. Christ our Life (1:21)

II. Christ our Mind (2:5)

III. Christ our Goal (3:14)

IV. Christ our Strength (4:13)

Outline

A. Salutation – “Grace be unto you” (1:1-2)

      B. Paul’s concern for the Philippians (1:3-26)

                 C. Exhortation: Example of Christ (1:27-2:16)

                     D. Example of Timothy (2:17-24)

                     D. Example of Epaphroditus (2:25-30)

                 C. Exhortation: Example of Paul (3:1-4:9)

            B. Philippians concern for Paul (4:10-20)

      A. Salutation – “Grace be with you” (4:21-23)

Highlights in Philippians:

Chapter One 

• Emphasis on the gospel (6 times):

1) Fellowship of the gospel (1:3-6)

2) Furtherance of the gospel (1:12)

3) Faith of the gospel (1:27)

• Paul's prayer:

1) Request (v.9)

2) Reason (v.10)

3) Result (v.11) 

Chapter Two 

• Exhortation to lowliness of mind (2:1-3)

• Examples of sacrificial service (2:4-30)

1) Christ (vs.5-11)

2) Paul (vs.12-18)

3) Timothy (vs.19-24)

4) Epaphroditus (vs.25-30)

Chapter Three 

• Justification (vs.1-9)

• Sanctification (vs.10-19)

• Glorification (vs.20-21)

Chapter Four 

• Conditions for experiencing the peace of God:

1) Rejoicing (v.4)

2) Moderation (v.5)

3) Prayer (vs.6-7)

4) Right thinking (v.8)

5) Right living (v.9)

 

• Contentment:

1) It must be learned (vs.10-11)

2) It is not based on circumstances (v.12)

3) It is found in Christ (v.13)

• A note upon the bank of faith (v.19)

1) My God – the name of the Banker

2) Shall supply – the promise to pay

3) All your need – The value of the note 

4) According to his riches – the capitol of the bank 

5) In glory – the address of the bank 

6) By Christ Jesus – the signature without which the note is worthless 

Ephesians

The apostle Paul's work at Ephesus is recorded in Acts 18:18-20:38. Ephesus was the capitol city of Asia minor and had a population of about 300,000 people. Thanks to its large harbor Ephesus grew very wealthy on trade; and, thanks to the Temple of Diana it attracted many visitors who wanted to come see one of the seven wonders of the world. The temple was 418' x 239' and had 100 columns that stood 50 feet high. It housed an image of Diana (goddess of fertility) that supposedly fell from heaven. Like the temple of Aphrodite in Corinth, the temple of Diana had hundreds of temple prostitutes. 

In spite of much opposition the Lord gave Paul a great ministry at Ephesus that spanned over two years. In that short time the book of Acts records that “all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:10). We cannot make people believe the word, but are responsible to make sure that everyone in our area at least hear it! His ministry was so influential it caused a riot because the idol-makers were losing money. 

Ephesians is the second of the great text-books of doctrinal instruction for believers in this present age of grace. In Romans is set forth the truth concerning the standing of the sinner in Christ, as having died and risen with Him. Now we are taken a further stage and taught that the sinner not only died and rose again in Christ, but that he is now in God’s sight and purpose seated with Christ in heavenly places. Romans ends with a reference to the revelation of the mystery (16:25); Ephesians takes up that subject and unfolds it to us. It is therefore, the pinnacle of divine revelation for the Body of Christ, like the Book of Revelation is for Israel. 

The Book of Revelation is known for its sevens but did you know that Ephesians is also marked by that divine number of perfection? It opens with seven spiritual blessings, it closes with seven pieces of the spiritual armor, and in the middle we find the sevenfold unity of the Spirit. 

The Trinity is in every chapter:

 Salvation (1:3-14) 

 Access (2:18)

 Prayer (3:14-17)

 Unity (4:4-6)

 Fulness (5:18-21)

 Prayer (6:18; 3:14; 5:20)

Emphasis on the Holy Spirit (He worked in other ages but not like now, Num. 11:29; 1 Sam. 16:14): 

1) Sealed (1:13)

2) Earnest (1:14)

3) Access (2:18)

4) Temple (2:22)

5) Revelation (3:5)

6) Might in the inner man (3:16)

7) Unity of (4:3)

8) Grieve not (4:30)

9) Fruit (5:9)

10) Filled (5:18)

11) Sword (6:17)

12) Praying (6:18)

The 6 chapters of Ephesians are naturally divided in half into two main sections (Eph. 1:3; 4:1):

Ephesians 1-3         Ephesians 4-6

    Wealth                      Walk

   Standing              State 

     Calling            Conduct

    Blessings            Behavior 

     Riches        Responsibilities 

Practical application must be based on the foundation sound doctrine in order for it to be effectual in our lives (Phil. 1:9-11; Col. 1:9-11; Titus 2:1, 10). Paul always begins with doctrine and then makes the proper applications. 

Contrast Law and Grace (1:3; Deut. 28). Most think they are God’s earthly people in a covenant relationship! They claim the blessings of Deut. 28 (vs.1-14) but conveniently forget about all the curses (vs.15-68).

        Israel                                  Body of Christ

Material Blessings              Spiritual Blessings 

On Earth                             In Heavenly Places

Based on Performance     Based on Position

Galatians

In his epistle to the Galatians the apostle Paul passionately defends the gospel he received by revelation of Jesus Christ against the error of legalism (performance-based religious system). He deals with this error in relation to both justification and sanctification. Legalism is still a very prevalent error today. 

Key verses: 2:16, 20 

There were false teachers that always came in behind Paul’s ministry in an area to try and influence the churches he established away from his message of grace. They taught the people that they must be circumcised and do the works of the law to be saved and/or to stay saved. They were having success in Galatia. 

The scripture not only reveals doctrine, it also reproves and corrects for failure to believe and live by the doctrine. A balanced Bible-based ministry both teaches (positive aspect) and reproves and corrects (negative aspect). Although the apostle Paul wrote Galatians before Romans, it follows Romans in the order of the church epistles because it is a letter of correction for doctrinal failure. The churches at Galatia were listening to doctrine contrary to the doctrine of salvation by grace as laid out in Romans. The Corinthian letters contain reproof for practical failure; their conduct was not in line with the doctrine of Romans. 

Doctrinal and moral failure is not to be tolerated in the church because it takes just a little leaven to leaven the whole lump. Leaven represents corruption that spreads (1 Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). Doctrinal corruption produces moral corruption (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Tim. 2:15-18). Sound doctrine produces godliness when it is truly believed (Titus 1:1). 

It is important to notice exactly how the letter is addressed (1:1-2). He is writing to local churches in the region of Galatia. He is careful not to say “to the saints” (Eph. 1:1). There are no lost people in the church which is the Body of Christ but there are usually some lost people in the local church. This explains what Paul meant by, "fallen from grace" (5:4). He did not say, "fallen out of grace." Those who are in the Body of Christ cannot lose salvation (Rom. 8:35-39). Those who are seek to be justified by the law have not trusted in Christ. There were some in Galatia that heard the message of grace, but chose rather to put themselves under the law. 

I. Personal (1-2) – Defense of Paul’s Distinct Message and Ministry

II. Doctrinal (3-4) – Grace and the Law do not Mix (Rom. 11:6)

III. Practical (5-6) – The Grace Life 

The first two chapters clearly establish that Christ gave Paul a message and ministry that was distinct from the 12 apostles. 

Paul shows the precedent of God imputing righteousness by faith with the case of Abraham. We are children of Abraham in the sense that we are also counted righteous by faith (3:6-4:7). 

Many that preach salvation by grace teach sanctification by works. Putting believers under the law does not stop sin, it actually increases it (Rom. 6:14; 1 Cor. 15:56)! The grace life is lived on a higher plan than the law system (5:13-26). We are not under the law of Moses, but the law of Christ and of sowing and reaping still apply today (6:1-10). 

2 Corinthians

The apostle Paul wrote this second inspired epistle to the church at Corinth around 58-59 AD from Macedonia not long after he wrote the first epistle (Acts 20:1). This epistle is in direct contrast to the tone of 1 Corinthians, it is intensely personal and filled with the deep emotions of the dedicated apostle. 

Paul had sent Titus to Corinth to see how they would respond to his first letter which was full of rebuke and correction. He had told them that he would visit them himself but circumstances were such that he was delayed along the way (1 Cor. 16:5-7). He had hoped to meet Titus at Troas but that didn’t work out either (2 Cor. 2:12-13). Paul preached at Troas and then made his way to Macedonia (probably Philippi) where he finally met up with Titus and heard the good report that the majority of the church had responded in obedience to his first letter which prompted him to write this second letter (7:5-13). There was still a rebellious and disobedient element in the church (12:20-13:3). 

We can glean from the letter itself that Paul had several purposes in mind when he wrote it:

 To explain why he had not visited them yet like he planned to (1:15-24)

 To commend the church for disciplining the man living in fornication (1 Cor. 5) and encourage them to forgive and receive him since he repented (2:1-11)

 To answer those who accused him of wrong motives (4:1-2) 

 To encourage them to follow through on their promise to participate in the collection for the poor saints at Jerusalem (8-9)

 To defend his apostolic authority (10-12)

 To prepare them for his visit (13) 

Simple outline:

I. Explanation of Ministry (1-7)

II. Exhortation for Giving (8-9)

III. Vindication of Apostleship (10-13)  

It must be vital that we recognize Paul’s distinct message and ministry as the apostle to the Gentiles because the Lord inspired Paul to write much scripture defending his apostleship (see Gal. 1-2 for another example).  

This epistle is all about the ministry. It provides a real and honest picture of what a faithful ministry in this present age of grace looks like and it is not glamorous (6:1-10). This epistle emphasizes the suffering Paul endured in the path of OBEDIENCE (1:3-11; 4:7-12; 11:22-33; 12:7-10; Col. 1:24). 

Since Paul was persecuted for preaching the doctrines that Christ revealed through him, what should we expect if we are going to follow his doctrine and pattern (2 Tim. 3:10-17)? Yet, most ministries in America seem to think gain is godliness (1 Tim. 6:3-6)! Satan’s focus is always on opposing what God is doing. He is working to blind the lost to the gospel of Christ (4:3-4) and to blind believers to the truth of the mystery (Eph. 1:18). Those who are faithfully working to preach the gospel of the grace of God and ground believers in the truth of the mystery know what spiritual warfare is all about (10:3-5; 11:1-4, 13-15). 

This epistle contains the Great Commission of the Body of Christ (5:14-21). Ambassadors are:

1) Sent to a foreign land in time of peace

2) Entrusted with an important message 

3) Represent their king and homeland 

4) Brought home before war is declared (pre-tribulation rapture)

We are not sufficient for the ministry, our sufficiency is of God (2:14-17; 3:5; 4:7; 9:8; 12:9). 

1 Corinthians

The apostle Paul wrote this letter by inspiration of God at the close of his three year ministry at Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:5-8) in about 58 AD. It is the longest epistle in the NT with 16 chapters, 437 verses, and 9,489 words. The record of how the Lord used him to start the church at Corinth during his second missionary journey is found in Acts 18. It was started next door to the Jewish synagogue. God gave the church all the sign gifts to provoke the unbelieving Jews to jealousy (Rom. 11). It became probably one of the largest and wealthiest churches that Paul started and yet it was the most carnal. Remember that Romans through Galatians go together concerning the doctrine of salvation. This is a letter of reproof dealing with conduct that is not in line with the doctrine set forth in Romans. However, there are great doctrinal passages found in this epistle as well (examples: judgment seat of Christ in chapter 3 and resurrection in chapter 15). 

Corinth was the capitol city of the Roman province of Achaia, the 4th largest city in the Roman Empire. It had a population of about 200,000 (primarily Greek, Roman, and Oriental). Located on the narrow isthmus between the Aegean and Adriatic Seas, having a harbor on each side it was a port city and wealthy commercial center. It had an outdoor theater that could sit 20,000 people where it hosted athletic games that were second only to the Olympic Games. It also had a great temple dedicated to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexuality. The temple had a thousand prostitutes and fornication was part of their pagan worship. Corinth was so notorious for its immorality that there was actually a term in the Greek language for fornicators that meant to “act the Corinthian.” Corinth was known for its commerce, culture, and corruption. Today it is just a small fishing village (the fashion of this world passes away, 7:31). The church at Corinth was being more conformed to the world around them than they were being transformed by the truth Paul had taught them. We too live in the midst of a corrupt culture but we are to shine as lights in this dark world (Phil. 2:12-16). 

Paul had already written at least one letter to this church (5:9), not everything he wrote was inspired of God (13 epistles were and we have them perfectly preserved in the KJB). He wrote this letter for two primary reasons: to address to problems he heard about in the church (1:11; 5:1) and to answer the questions they had written to him about (7:1; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1). Before he answers their questions he deals with the problems and gets to the root of it all: they were carnal (3:1-3). Sound doctrine can only be lived out by the power of the Spirit. There are 3 kinds of people:

1. The natural (2:14) – those without the Spirit

2. The spiritual (2:15-16) – those in the Spirit that also walk in the Spirit

3. The carnal (3:1-3) – those in the Spirit that walk after the flesh

Every chapter deals with a problem. Although it is a very negative letter it does start out with a positive introduction (1:1-9). Thank God that a wrong state cannot affect our right standing in Christ. Paul doesn’t thank God for their conduct (like he does for the Thessalonians) but for the grace God has given them (1:4). 

1 Corinthians has been called the troubleshooting manual of the local church. I don’t think God put this letter in the Bible so the errors of the church at Corinth would be remembered forever but because He knew these same problems would exist in the local church throughout the present dispensation of grace, especially in the last days (2 Tim. 3:1-5). 

I. Introduction (1:1-9)

II. Addressing Problems and Answering Questions (1:10-16:4)

III. Conclusion (16:5-24)

Problems:

1) Division in the church (1-3) 

2) Influence of worldly wisdom (1-3) 

3) Wrong perspective of the ministry (3-4) 

4) Fornication (5-6) – 

5) Inability to judge and solve disputes between brethren (6) 

6) Women not showing submission (11) 

7) Abuse of the Lord’s Supper (11) 

8) False doctrine, denying bodily resurrection (15) 

Questions:

1) Marriage, divorce, and remarriage (7)

2) Eating meat offered to idols (8-10) – issue of personal liberty 

3) Spiritual gifts (12-14) – purpose, motive, and order

4) The collection (16) 

Great dispensational passages:

1) The mystery – 2:6-16

2) The judgment seat of Christ (3:10-17)

3) Following Paul – 4:16-17; 7:17; 11:1; 14:37

4) The Body of Christ – 12:12-13

5) Sign gifts shall cease – 13:8-13

6) The gospel – 15:1-4

7) The rapture – 15:51-52

Principles that should govern our decisions: 

1) Is it expedient? (6:12a)

2) Can it bring me under bondage? (6:12b)

3) Will it be a stumbling-block to others? (8:9) 

4) Is it spiritually edifying? (10:23)

5) Does it glorify God? (10:31)

Romans

Romans is the 45th book of the Bible and it is the first one that we come to that was written directly to Gentiles by the apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Without the book of Acts demonstrating God's transition away from Israel to Paul's special ministry among the Gentiles how strange it would be to go from the Gospel records right into an epistle to the Romans from an apostle with a Gentile name! 

The apostle Paul wrote this epistle around 60 A.D. from Corinth during his 3 month stay in Greece after his departure from Ephesus (Acts 20:1-3). It was not his first inspired epistle but it is placed first in order because it is the foundational book of doctrine for the Grace Age. In Romans we learn that we are crucified, buried, and risen with Christ. The mystery of the Body of Christ is alluded to but not explained (12:4-5). The end of Romans sets us up for the next great doctrinal book: Ephesians (in which we learn that we are ascended up and seated with Christ in heavenly places). 

I. Introduction (1:1-17) – why he is writing 

II. Condemnation (1:18-3:20) – FIRST the bad news 

III. Justification (3:21-5:21) – On basis of the blood of Christ thru FAITH ALONE 

IV. Identification (6-8) – one with Christ, the key to the Christian life, Spirit 

V. Dispensation (9-11) – Israel’s fall, not permanent, Gentiles blessed without Israel 

VI. Application (12-15) – conduct in relation to: God, church, enemies, gov, weaker brethren 

VII. Conclusion (16) – greetings, closing remarks 

Romans reveals great doctrines such as salvation, redemption, justification, imputation, propitiation, sanctification, identification, predestination, adoption, and glorification. All of this is and more is offered freely by the grace of God to all sinners everywhere on the basis of the perfect cross-work and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Every believer must be grounded in these doctrines. But most churches focus on the OT and Gospels because they have stories. 

The doctrine of this epistle answers the ancient question, "How can man be just with God?" (Job 9:2). The theme of Romans is stated in 1:16-17. Legalists hate the message of salvation by grace through faith plus nothing. Paul was not ashamed of the gospel Christ reveled to him (Gal. 1:11-12) even though he was slandered for preaching it (3:8). 

Romans systematically and logically explains how the righteous God can justify (declare righteous) unrighteous sinners by faith alone (Rom. 3:9-28). 

E.W. Bullinger wrote, "ROMANS comes first in order of the three great doctrinal epistles. And rightly so, for it contains the ABCs of the believer’s education. Until its lesson is learned, we know and can know nothing. The Holy Spirit has placed it first in Canonical order because it lies at the threshold of all "church" teaching, and if we wrong here we shall be wrong altogether... The great subject is the revelation of God’s wrath against sin, and of the ground upon which alone the sinner can stand in righteousness before Him. The fundamental text is "The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17), and it shows Jew and Gentile alike short of the standard of God's glory (Rom 3:23). All alike sinners, shut up under sin, and needing a Divine righteousness, the only difference being that to the Jew had been committed the oracles (utterances or revelations) of God… The prominent feature of the Epistle is the long doctrinal portion from Rom 1:16 to Rom 8:39. This shows that doctrine is the important part and dominates the whole. It reveals what God has done with "sins" and with "sin "; and how the saved sinner, taken out from the deepest degradation, is justified by faith, and united to Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection-life. It teaches him that though his "old Adam" nature continues with him till the end, in ever-present hostility to God, yet that for those in Christ there is no judgment and, consequently, no separation "from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord".

A.C. Gaebelein wrote, "No Christian can enjoy the Gospel and know true deliverance unless he knows the precious arguments of the first eight chapters of this epistle. It is the great need at the present time. So many professing Christians are ignorant of what redemption is and what it includes. Many have but a hazy view of justification and have little or no knowledge of a settled peace with God and lack the assurance of salvation. They are constantly striving to be something and to attain to something, which God in infinite grace has already supplied in the Gospel of His Son." 

Luther said, "It is the true masterpiece of the New Testament, and the very purest Gospel, which is well worth and deserving that a Christian man should not only learn it by heart, word for word, but also that he should daily deal with it as the daily bread of men's souls. For it can never be too much or too well read or studied; and the more it is handled the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes."

Martin Luther sure liked Romans a lot better than James! Because he didn’t know how to rightly divide the word of truth he couldn’t handle the fact that Paul and James contradicted each other (Rom. 3:28; Jam. 2:24). He wrote, “Many sweat to reconcile St. Paul and St. James, but in vain. “Faith justifies” and “faith does not justify” contradict each other flatly. If anyone can harmonize them I will give him my Doctor’s Hood and let him call me a fool.” The explanation is that James likely wrote his epistle before Paul was even saved and he wrote to the scattered 12 tribes of Israel. The gospel of the kingdom requires works to prove faith; a man is justified by his own faith (his faith must be tried and perfected). Under the gospel of the grace of God we are justified by the faith of Christ (already tried and perfect) and therefore no works whatseover are required to be justified in this age (Rom. 4:5).