A Study In Romans

The book of Acts showed the spread of the gospel from
Jerusalem to Rome, and the beginning of local churches. The
rest of the NT is letters of doctrine and instruction for
these churches. Romans was written to believers in Rome, to
explain the full meaning of the gospel.

Book: Romans

Key passage:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of
God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first
and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is
revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE
RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." (1:16-17, NAS).

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God:

Outline:

1. In Condemnation (1:18-3:20)
A) Of Pagans (1:18-32)
B) Of Moral men (2:1-16)
C) Of Jews (2:17 - 3:8)
D) Of all men (3:9-20)

2. In Justification (3:21-5:21)
A) Through faith in Christ (3:21-26)
B) Apart from works (3:27 - 4:25)
C) Unto Peace with God (5:1-11)
D) Unto life (5:12-21)

3. In Sanctification (6:1-8:17)
A) Of Position (6:1-11)
B) Of Practice (6:12 - 7:25)
C) Of Body (8:1-39)

4. In Election (9-11)
A) Of Ancient Israel (9:1 - 11:10)
B) Of Gentiles (11:11-24)
C) Of Future Israel (11:25-36)

5. In Transformation (12-16)
A) Towards the Church (12:1-16)
B) Towards Society (12:17 - 13:14)
C) Towards Weak Brothers (14:1 - 15:33)
D) Towards Faithful Brothers (16:1-16)
E) Towards those who cause dissension (16:17-23)

Text: Romans 1

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God:

Outline:

1. In Condemnation (1:18-3:20)
A) Of Pagans (1:18-32)

Paul introduced himself as the servant and apostle of Christ,
and his theme as the gospel of God's righteousness. This good
news centers on the human nature (Son of David), divine nature
(Son of God), and resurrection of Jesus Christ, teaching
salvation through faith in Him (1-17).

After greeting Roman believers, thanking God for their
testimony of faith, and sharing his wish to visit them, Paul
began to show God's righteousness in the condemnation of
pagans (18-32). Since God has revealed Himself to all men
through creation (19-20) and conscience (32), even Pagans are
"without excuse", because they suppress this knowledge with
their unrighteous deeds (e.g., worshipping creation instead of
the Creator, idolatry, lack of gratitude, etc.--21-32).

For this reason, God gave them over to their depraved desires,
including homosexuality and general ungodliness (24-32). The
gospel reveals the righteousness of God in the condemnation
of pagans, since they sin against the knowledge of God in
creation (19-20) and conscience (32).

Text: Romans 2

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God:

1. In Condemnation (1:18-3:20)
B. Of Moral Men (2:1-17)
C. Of Jews (2:18-29)

The gospel reveals the righteousness of God in the
condemnation of the moral man (1-17), and Jew (18-29).

Though he condemns the actions of the pagan, the moral man
also deserves God's wrath because 1) he does the same things
(1-3), and 2) he sins against the knowledge of God in his
conscience (14-16; cf. 1:32).

Though he has the ten commandments from God, the Jew, too,
deserves God's wrath for failing to keep them (17-29).

Both the morally upright man and the Jew deserve God's wrath
for sinning against the knowledge of God.

Text: Romans 3

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God:

1. In Condemnation (1:18-3:20)
C) Of Jews (2:17 - 3:8)
D) Of all men (3:9-20)
2. In Justification (3:21-5:21)
A) Through faith in Christ (3:21-26)

Chapter three shows God is right to condemn "all men" (1-20),
and justify those who trust Christ (21-31).

How can a just God condemn men? Since the pagan sins against
the knowledge of God in creation (1:18-32), the moral man
against the knowledge in his conscience (2:1-3; 14-16), and
the Jew against the knowledge in the OT (2:17 - 3:8), "all
men" are "under sin" (9). This is evident in their ungodly
deeds (10-18), means they deserve God's wrath (5, 8) and that
they are without ability to merit God's righteousness (19-20;
23).

How can a righteous God justify sinners? Public crucifixion
of Christ showed God's righteousness by exacting the bloody
death penalty for all sins previously "passed over" (25), and
by giving God a righteous grounds to justify the one who
relies on Jesus as Savior (26). To exclude boasting (27) God
justifies sinners by grace, through faith in Christ's
atonement (24), apart from the law, or any other merit system
(21; 27-31).

Chapter three shows God is right to condemn "all men" (1-20),
and justify those who trust Christ (21-31).

Text: Romans 4

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God:

2. In Justification (3:21-5:21)
B) Apart from works (3:27 - 4:25)

By the example of Abraham (1-5, 9-25) and king David (6-8),
chapter 4 shows men have always been justified by faith, apart
from works.

God justified Abraham by faith before He gave him the sign of
circumcision, and well before giving Israel the OT law. King
David noted that God gave forgiveness, and covering of sins to
those who commit "lawless deeds". Thus both show that God has
always justified by faith, apart from works. Galatians 3:8
agrees that even today, God makes those righteous who "believe
in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was
delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised for
our justification" (Romans 4:24-25).

By the example of Abraham and king David, chapter 4 shows men
have always been justified by faith in Christ, apart from
works.

Text: Romans 5

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God

2. In Justification (3:21-5:21)
C) Unto Peace with God (5:1-11)
D) Unto life (5:12-21)

Having shown that a person is justified by faith in Christ,
apart from works (1-4), chapter five explains the benefits of
this justification: namely, peace with God (5:1-11), and life
(5:12-21).

Justification through faith in Christ results in peace with
God (1-11). This includes a standing in grace (2), hope of
glory (3-5), assurance of God's love (5-11), and
reconciliation (5-11). Peace with God is not something one
has to make, but a benefit which he may enjoy when God
declares him righteous through faith in Christ.

Justification changes a person's standing before God, so that
he is in a position of grace, rather than under God's wrath.
Even pressures and trials (3-5) only serve to foster hope, as
the believer first abides under them, then sees God develop
character in his life through them, then comes to know God
will deliver him from them (cf. Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:17-30; 2
Cor. 4:17; Col. 3:4; 2 Thes. 2:14; Heb. 2:10; 1 Peter 5:1,
10). This process assures believers of God's love through the
Holy Spirit which indwells them (cf. Ephesians 1:13ff.).

God also assures the believer of his love, in that he provided
reconciliation through the death of Christ. Reconciliation is
a change which harmonizes two opposing parties. The death of
Christ for "all men" satisfied God's righteous demands against
sin, and thus changed the world to a position where they may
be saved. Since God provided this reconciliation when the
believer was still an "ungodly", "enemy", how much more will
He continue to save the believer from wrath, through the
living ministry of Christ, since the believer has become
harmonized with God through Christ? Justification through
faith in Christ results in peace with God.

Justification also results in life (12-21). The excellence of
this benefit in Christ is seen by contrasting it with the
sinners lot in Adam. Since all believers were present in the
loins of Adam when he sinned (cf. Hebrews 7:9-10, where the
tribe of Levi was credited with paying tithes to Melchizedek
since they were in Abraham's loins when he tithed), God puts
this transgression to each individuals account.

This is confirmed by the fact that men died between the time
of Adam and the OT law, even though men did not break any
commandments (12-14). As a result of Adam's one trespass,
many died, while by Christ's grace, the gift of righteousness
abounds to many(v15-16).

Through Adam's one sin, death has reigned, but because of
Christ's one work of righteousness, all who believe can have
eternal life (18), become righteous (19), and reign in life
(20-21). The law only revealed and provoked more sin in men
(20). Therefore, God's gift is seen to abound all the more
when He provided justification through faith in Christ, to
those who transgressed the law. Justification results in the
believer's reign in eternal life with Christ.

Justification through faith results in peace with God, and
eternal life in Christ.

Text: Romans 6

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

3. In Sanctification (6:1-8:17)
A) Of Position (6:1-11)
B) Of Practice (6:12 - 7:25)

Chapters 3b - 5 talked about "justification", which is God
saving us from the "penalty" of sin (hell) through faith in
Christ. Chapter 6 now speaks of "sanctification", which is
God saving believers from the "power" of sin in their daily
lives. Sanctification involves the process of separating a
believer from sin, and consecrating him to God's service.
A believer is first sanctified in his position in Christ, then
in his practice on earth. Like justification, sanctification
comes through faith in Christ's death and resurrection, apart
from human merit.

Sanctification of position (1-11). When a person trusts
Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit baptizes him into the body
of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). This act of God so unites (5) the
believer with the person and work of Christ, that he is said
to have been buried with Him in His death to sin, and raised
with Him to newness of life (1-6). This is the believer's
position, regardless of his behavior, and forms the basis for
sanctification of practice. To gain victory over the power
of sin in his daily life, the believer must first "know" his
position in Christ.

Sanctification of practice (12-13). Chapter 5 showed that the
grace of God appears more abundant when it is given to those
who are greater sinners. One may reason that if our sin
magnifies God's grace, and if we are free from condemnation,
why not sin all the more? Chapter 6 reminds us that a person
is the slave of the one he serves, that slavery to sin results
in death, but that slavery to righteousness results in eternal
life (15-23). To gain victory over the power of sin in his
daily life, the believer must "count" his position in Christ
to be true (that is that he has died to sin and been raised to
newness of life in Christ), and then "yield" his members as
instruments of righteousness to God (12-14).

Even victory over the power of sin in daily life comes through
faith in Christ's death and resurrection, apart from human
merit. Having been united with Christ in His death to sin
and resurrection to newness of life (positional
sanctification), the believer gains victory over the
power of sin in his daily walk as he "knows" his position,
"counts" it to be true, and "yield's" his members as
instruments of righteousness to God (sanctification of
practice). This is all by faith in Christ's death and
resurrection, apart from human merit.

Text: Romans 7

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

3. In Sanctification (6:1-8:17)
B) Of Practice (6:12 - 7:25)

As death frees one from obligation to marriage, so the death
of Christ frees believers from obligation to the law, enabling
them to bear fruit for God (1-6). Though the law is just and
good, man's sin nature prevents him from keeping it, actually
provoking him to sin more, since it naturally opposes anything
it knows to be God's will. Thus, as he fails to keep it, the
law only makes man more aware of his sin and the death penalty
he deserves.

When someone trusts Christ as Savior, he is born from above
(John 3), receives a new, spiritual nature from God (cf. 2
Cor. 5:17), and is indwelt by the Holy Spirit (cf. John 14;
17; Ephesians 1:13ff). With this new nature, however, the
believer also retains his old, fallen, sin nature. On the one
hand, his spiritual mind knows God's will and wants to do it.
On the other, his "carnal" mind opposes God's will and
keeps him from it. As a result, believers constantly struggle
within themselves, unable to obey God in the strength of their
flesh. Only when Jesus redeems their bodies (cf. 8:1-25),
will believers finally be delivered from this "wretched"
struggle with their two opposing natures.

The believer's death to sin and resurrection to newness of
life in Christ, however, frees them from the Law, enabling
them to bear fruit for God. This is possible by the power of
the indwelling Holy Spirit--and not their flesh--as they know
their position in Christ, count it to be true, then yield
their members as instruments of righteousness to God (cf.
6:1-23).

Text: Romans 8

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

3. In Sanctification (6:1-8:17)
C) Of Body (8:1-39)

Since Christ's death bore the condemnation of the Law (1-3),
and since the Spirit which raised Christ indwells believers
(11), believers, unable to serve God in the power of their
flesh (7:14-8:8), are now free from all condemnation (1-5) and
obligation to their sin nature (12) to serve God by the power
of the Spirit (8:1-17).

Though believers now groan and travail with the conflict of
their old nature and "sufferings of this present time" (18),
God assures them of future glory (12-39) when He will redeem
their body and free them from their sinful nature (18-26).
Assurance of this hope comes from seeing the fruit of the
Spirit in our lives (15-17), knowing the Spirit prays on our
behalf (26-27), and God's plan to glorify every believer he
ever saves in the first place (28-30). This plan is so sure
to occur that it is spoke of in the past tense, as having
already been accomplished, and means that nothing (in the
broadest possible sense) is able to separate believers from
the love of God.

Text: Romans 9

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

4. In Election (9-11)
A) Of Ancient Israel (9:1 - 11:10)

Chapter 9 shows that personal salvation does not depend on
man's heritage (1-5, 9-13), will, or personal merit (6-18,
30-33), but entirely on God's sovereign choice (16, 18). This
truth is illustrated by several examples.

Though Jews are part of God's chosen nation and have a blessed
heritage, yet not all receive personal salvation (1-8). In
the same way, Isaac--not Ishmael the firstborn (9)--and
Jacob--not Esau the firstborn twin (10-13)--were God's choice
for personal blessing. By God's choice, Pharaoh hardened his
own heart against God (Ex. 4:21; 7:3; 9:12; 10:27; 14:4,8; cf.
14:17).

Even if someone objects, God is righteous in preparing some
for hell (because of their sin) and others for salvation (to
show His mercy), because He is sovereign over His creation
(19-23). Finally, God, though He still saves a "remnant" of
and will yet restore His chosen nation Israel, chose to make
Gentiles the main subjects of His salvation in this church
age. This final example of election demonstrates that God
makes people righteous on the basis of faith in Christ, rather
than through keeping the OT Law (30-33). Thus, personal
righteousness depends entirely on God's choice, and not man's
heritage, will, or personal merit.

Text: Romans 10

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

4. In Election (9-11)
A) Of Ancient Israel (9:1 - 11:10)

Though she is God's chosen people, Israel has not yet been
spiritually saved as a nation, because she seeks to establish
her own righteous by keeping the Law, rather than subject
herself to the righteousness of God through faith in Christ
(1-3). The Law was designed to make men see their inability
to meet God's standards, and need for a sin-bearing substitute
(Christ) to die in their place (4).

Apart from the Law, God's righteousness comes through faith in
Christ, when men hear the gospel, believe God raised Jesus
from the dead, and confess He is God (5-13). Since God saves
men by faith, which comes from "hearing...the [preached] word
of Christ" (14-17), missionaries must evangelize the lost. By
temporarily hardening Israel against the gospel (18-21; cf.
9:14-18; 11:7), while choosing to save Gentiles (who did not
even seek after God's righteousness), God is provoking Israel
to jealousy, and showing that His righteousness comes by
grace, through faith, apart from human merit (18-21).

Text: Romans 11

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

4. In Election (9-11)
A) Of Ancient Israel (9:1 - 11:10)
B) Of Gentiles (11:11-24)
C) Of Future Israel (11:25-36)

Chapter 11 shows God has not rejected His chosen people
Israel. As in the days of Elijah, God is saving a remnant
today (1-5). The reason He presently hardens Israel to the
gospel (7-10), is to show that salvation comes by His
sovereign, gracious election, rather than human merit (6), to
open the door of salvation to the Gentiles (11-16), and
to provoke Israel to jealousy (11, 14). When the full number
of Gentiles has "come in", God will resume His covenants with,
and save the entire nation of Israel (25-32). This plan shows
God's wisdom exceeds our understanding and results in His
glory (33-36).

Text: Romans 12

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

5. In Transformation (12-16)
A) Towards the Church (12:1-16)
B) Towards Society (12:17 - 13:14)

Chapters 1-11 teach righteousness through faith in Christ,
apart from human merit. Chapters 12-16 show how this doctrine
should transform our daily lives.

In light of God's mercy--which includes salvation from the
penalty (chapters 1-5), power (6-7), and presence of sin (8)
through faith in Christ, apart from human merit (3-4;
9-11)--God begs us to commit ourselves to His service
(12:1-2). This is not something we have to do to get or stay
saved, but what we should do since God has been merciful to
us.

Believers should evaluate themselves according to sober
judgment, neither over estimating themselves nor denying God's
work on their behalf. Everyone receives a gift by which to
serve the other believers in the body of Christ (cf. 1 Cor.
12:13ff), and should apply their gift accordingly (3-8). In
relation to both the church, and society, believers should
overcome evil with good, showing love to all men (9-21).

Text: Romans 13

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

5. In Transformation (12-16)
B) Towards Society (12:17 - 13:14)

Since God established them (1), to avoid punishment, and for
the sake of conscience (2-5) believers should submit to
governing authorities (cf. 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 5:29) by
doing good (3-5), paying taxes (6), and giving them honor (7).

Towards society, believers should let no debt remain
outstanding (8), love their neighbor (8b-10), lay aside
immoral conduct (11-13), put on Christ, and "make no provision
for the flesh" (avoid packing a sack lunch which makes it
easier and more tempting for you to commit sin--14).

Text: Romans 14

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

5. In Transformation (12-16)
C) Towards Weak Brothers (14:1 - 15:33)

Mature Christians understand their liberty in Christ to do
those things the Bible does not prohibit. For example, they
know they are free to eat meat offered to idols, or today,
perhaps, to drink root-beer. On the other hand, a weak
christian's conscience tells him it's wrong to exercise such
liberties. As a result, strong and weak christians tend to
judge each other regarding the exercise of liberty (1-3).

Since Christ is our only judge, believers should stop judging
each other about matters of personal convictions which the
Bible does not address (4-12). Also, Mature believers, though
free in Christ, should avoid exercising their liberty in a way
which will cause the weak christian to sin against his
conscience (13-23).

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

5. In Transformation (12-16)
C) Towards Weak Brothers (14:1 - 15:33)

Chapter 15 continues the theme that strong Christians (those
who understand their liberty to do things the Bible does not
forbid) should put up with the convictions of weak Christians
(those whose consciences will not allow them to do things the
Bible allows), and discusses Paul's plans for ministry
(14-33).

Strong Christians should put up with the convictions of weak
christians because it builds them up in the faith (2), because
Jesus endured wrong to please God and benefit others (3),
because God--through perseverance and the comfort of
Scripture--gives hope to those who do (4-5), and because it
glorifies God when believers praise Him in harmony (6-13).

Paul wrote this letter as a reminder (14-15), in keeping with
his God ordained ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles
(16-19). He was hindered from visiting the Romans by the
desire to preach only where Christ had never been taught
(20-22), but hoped to visit them during a future trip to Spain
(23-24). Heading to Jerusalem, he asked the Romans to pray
God would deliver him from trouble and give him an acceptable
ministry there (25-33).

Text: Romans 16

Theme: The gospel reveals the righteousness of God...

5. In Transformation (12-16)
D) Towards Faithful Brothers (16:1-16)
E) Towards those who cause dissension (16:17-23)

Paul showed his gratitude and respect towards those who helped
him with gospel work, asking Roman believers to greet them
(means to "draw near", "embrace", "kiss": 1-16). He also
warned them to keep an eye on and avoid false teachers who
cause divisions, are slaves of their own appetites, and who
deceive with smooth and flattering speech (17-20). In
conclusion, he sent greetings from the brethren who were
with him (21-23), and praised the God and Savior whose gospel
he proclaimed (24-27).

--
Have you heard Christ died for our sins, and God raised Him
from the dead? Did you know God saves you from hell and
gives you eternal life through faith in this finished work alone,
not your merits (Jn. 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-10; 2 Thess.
1:8-9)? This is so man cannot boast, and God alone gets the
glory (Eph. 2:8-9).
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