Thursday, October 27, 2016

Scriptures of the prophets

If comparing Rom 1:5 with 16:26, is it not likely that the prophets spoken of in verse 26 are actually the prophets in the ministry of Paul? This is how I have come to understand it. How do you see it when comparing these verses?

Romans 1:5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 

Romans 16:26
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:


When comparing the two verses that you cited, it is my understanding that the prophets mentioned by our Apostle Paul in Romans 16:26 could not be the prophets in the ministry of Paul because there is NO evidence/verses which state that they wrote scripture.  Yes, those prophets identified Paul’s letters as scripture (1 Corinthians 14:37), and yes, they spoke God’s Word to the saints in the body by the Holy Ghost (Ephesians 3:5), but there is no evidence that they themselves wrote any scripture as the verse indicates. Paul’s epistles were actually written by himself (Galatians1:20), or by a scribe called an amanuensis (Tertius in Romans 16:22).

And when you look at the three other verses in the bible, pairing the words “scripture/prophet”, they ALL are talking about the O.T. scriptures.

Matthew 26:56
But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

Luke 24:27
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Romans 1:2
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Therefore, I see the scriptures of the prophets in Romans 16:26 to be in reference to the same old testament Jewish prophets of Israel that our Apostle Paul mentions earlier in Romans

Romans1:2
Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.

The old testament prophets wrote about our Lord.

Rom 3:21
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 15:3-4
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.


And even those old testament scriptures are for our learning.

1 Corinthians 10:6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:


Our Apostle Paul quotes the old testament scriptures a lot in Romans (as in all his epistles).

Rom 4:3
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Romans 9:17
For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

Romans10:11
For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 11:2
God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel saying,

Galatians 3:8, 22
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

Galatians 4:30
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

1 Tim 5:18
For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.


So, I see the “scriptures of the prophets” not a reference to the Body prophets, but to the old testament prophets. Although we need to know Paul’s doctrine first and foremost, we also need to know the rest of the bible rightly divided.


Hopefully this helps!
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