Rightly Dividing Paul

      Many that believe and practice right division have a hard time with the idea of rightly dividing Paul's writings.  Some will even call you a "hyper dispensationalist" for saying Paul must be rightly divided.  2 Timothy 2:15 states,

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

If Paul's writings are the "word of truth," then in order to obey the verse the Pauline Epistles must also be rightly divided.  The common motto for many right dividers is Romans through Philemon is all doctrine for the Body of Christ.  I know many after reading this next statement will blow their fuses and trip their circuit breakers.  Not everything in Romans through Philemon is doctrine for the Body of Christ.  This is true no matter what your favorite "Grace Teacher or Preacher" says.  Take the book of Romans for example.

Romans 2:17 states, "Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,"  If I were to apply this verse doctrinally to the Body of Christ, then I would have to conclude that the Body of Christ replaces Israel and is now called Jews.  

Romans 11:13-22 must be rightly divided or else you will have to make the Gentiles in Romans 11 the Body of Christ.  If one makes these Gentiles the Body of Christ, then the Body of Christ is in danger of being cut off and losing salvation if it fails to continue in God's goodness (note especially vs 22).  This is not grace doctrine for the Body of Christ.  No Way!

[13] For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
[14] If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
[15] For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
[16] For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
[17] And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;
[18] Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
[19] Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
[20] Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
[21] For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
[22] Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.

     In summary some of the book of Romans is for the Jews, some is for the Gentiles, and some is for the Body of Christ.  Romans, along with the other writings of Paul must be rightly divided!