One Body In Christ
Lesson 8: Adoption into the Family (People) of God
Reading
Romans 8:13-37
Romans 9-11
St. Paul used another great metaphor in Romans chapter 8 to describe the new relationship between Christians and God: he
contrasted being slaves under the Law to being free as adopted “sons of God”. Led by the Spirit of God, we become heirs of God, co-heirs of Christ, and sharers in His suffering. As previously mentioned, nearly thirty percent of the Roman population were slaves during the period when the Book of Romans was written, so they could easily understand the concept of bondage.
The legal process of adoption was very serious and complicated with the ceremony of adoption requiring seven witnesses. These witnesses would testify in any disputes regarding the adopted child’s inheritance rights. St. Paul said that the Spirit is our witness. St. Paul said that those who lived under the Law were like slaves who lived in fear of their Master – God. Those who were now adopted children of God were sharers in Christ’s glory and suffering – Deification. (Romans 8:13-17) St. Paul foresaw fulfillment of God’s greater plan: the redemption of all creation.
The children of God, by faith, are the first fruits of the new age to come. The current suffering and chaos will disappear and pass away. The old world that is decaying and dying is to be replaced by an eternal day of God’s freedom and glory. (Romans 8:18-30)
St. Paul wrote that the current age of suffering filled with tribulation and distress will be overcome by the love of God which is in Christ Jesus. It is one of the most lyrical passages he ever wrote. It is also one of his most important, establishing the basis of an early creed: Christ died; He rose again; and He sits at the right hand of God the Father. Knowing this, he says that our current suffering will work together as part of God’s plan for the good to those who love God. No power in the universe can separate us from the love of Christ. (Romans 8:31-39)
In Chapters 9-11, St. Paul expressed his sorrow for his own people, the Israelites, who accused him of disloyalty. He called them children of the promise because they were direct descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Because he was also a Jew, the situation was heartbreaking to him. He said he would gladly lay down his life to bring his countrymen to Christ. He said they hold a special position in the salvation of mankind. The Jewish rejection of Christ opened the door for the salvation of the Gentiles and through them, the entire world.
The point St. Paul made was that the Jews put their faith in the Law and prioritized obedience to the Law (their own efforts in obeying the Law) above all else, while the Gentiles did not pursue the Law but instead put their faith in Christ above all else. Still, as an Apostle to the Gentiles, St. Paul said the Gentiles should not boast. He calls them wild olive shoots grafted into a garden olive tree, allegorically illustrating the Gentiles’ dependence on the faith heritage provided by the Jews. Because of this rich faith heritage, the Gentiles should be grateful and respectful of the Jews.
God’s plan of salvation is a mystery and a paradox. Eventually, salvation will come to the Jews through the Gentile Christians, which reveals God’s will: that everyone and all creation be saved.
Discussion & Reflection
Q1: St. Paul contrasts the position of being enslaved with that of being a family member free of bondage. What was the difference? How does Paul use this to describe being “sons of God”?
A1: In ancient Rome, family members had legal rights including entitlement to inheritance rights. Slaves had no rights. They were subject to the whims and conditions of the master. They were often mistreated and subject to physical and sexual abuse.
As "sons of God" we are inheritors of both His suffering and His glory. The Spirit ofGod also gives us hope and strength. Can you imagine your life without the hope and strength our faith in Christ provides?
Q2: St. Paul writes, “All things work together for good to those who love God. ” Do you agree with his statement?
A2: St. Paul sees the suffering of Christ as freeing believers from sin and death. He sees his, and our own, suffering as our ultimate participation with Christ in saving mankind. Thus, he sees the suffering and tribulation of the current age as a continuance of God’s plan. While pain and trouble are painful in the short term, in the long term they will bring about God’s victory of love and salvation.
Q3: Why was St. Paul grieved?
A3: He was grieved because his countrymen, the Jews, rejected Christ. Instead of accepting God’s invitation of adoption, they ignored Christ’s message and continued to follow the Mosaic Law, stubbornly thinking that the works of the Law could save them.
Q4: Should the Gentile Christians boast that they are now heirs of God’s promise?
A4: St. Paul says they should not be boastful or look down on the Jews. The gentiles are inheritors of the rich faith heritage that the Jews have provided them: the faith of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the Prophets. He says they are wild olive shoots grafted into a garden olive tree.
Resources
- The Orthodox Study Bible, The Epistle to the Romans
- Explanation of the Descent into Hades icon (Resurrection icon), Orthodox Road, Fr. Jeremy, December 2, 2012, www.orthodoxroad.com/christs-descent-into-hell-
- icon-explanation/
- Podcast: "The Whole Counsel of God" Romans, Chapter 8, Chapter 9, Chapter 10, and Chapter 11 by Fr. Stephen De Young
- (www.antientfaith.org/podcasts/wholecounsel)
Meditation & Activity
Family Activity
Materials: poster board, markers, glue, one photo of each family member, (optional) printed icon of Christ
Visually divide the poster in half vertically. On the left side, glue down a picture of each family member. On the right side, write “God’s Love”. Optional: attach a printed icon of Christ beside the text. In the middle of the poster, write a list of life problems each family member is experiencing. Examples might be illness, peer pressure, money, arguments, unemployment. After looking at the poster, each family member should take turns drawing a neat, red Cross through each problem to illustrate how nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Church Wisdom
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all
things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only-begotten, Begotten of the
Father before all worlds, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made;
of one essence with the Father; by whom all things were made:
Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man;
And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures;
And ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father;
And He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, Whose
kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the
Father, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who
spake by the Prophets;
And I believe in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
I look for the Resurrection of the dead,
And the Life of the world to come, Amen.
