A STUDY OF ROMANS

The author of Romans is Paul. Its vocabulary, style, logic and theological development are all consistent with Paul’s other epistles. He wrote Romans in AD 57, near the end of his third missionary journey during his three-months stay in Greece (Ac 20:3-6), more specifically, in Corinth. The church in Rome was well- known and it had been established for several years by the time of this letter. The believers were probably numerous and they met in several places. The historian Tacitus even referred to the Christians who were persecuted there under Nero in AD 64 as an “immense multitude”. The gospel filled the gap left by the defunct polytheism of Roman religion.

Key Verses: Romans 1:16-17; 3:20, 3:23; 8:38,39; 10:9,10:13,10:17, 12:2,

Theme: Most scholars feel that Paul probably wrote this letter from Corinth, shortly before going to Jerusalem with the relief funds for the believers there. At this point in his life and ministry, his theology has been fully developed through years of study and interaction with people as he preached the gospel. Romans systematically explains what Christ did, why he did it, and what happened as a result. It speaks to what we are as humans and how God has interacted with us through Christ. It lays out God’s plan for the world, clarifying what has happened and what is still happening in biblical history. In this way, Paul forces us to deal with all the false versions of reality inspired by our fallen human nature as opposed to God’s gracious sustaining plan.

ROMANS

The Gospel Exalted

1:5     It is through Christ that we have received grace and our apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for his name sake among the Gentiles.

1:7     I am writing to you saints (God’s people) to be set apart (sanctified) [for God and His purpose].

1:11   I want to share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you.

1:12   That we might be mutually encouraged and comforted by each other’s faith.

1:14   I have a duty and debt to perform to the cultured and the uncultured, to the wise and to the foolish.

1:16   I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes in Christ as Savior—1^st the Jews and then to the Greek.

1:17   For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed both springing from faith and leading to faith (disclosed in a way that awakens more faith).

Unbelief and Its Consequences

1:18   God does not overlook sin.

1:21   Even though they knew God, they did not honor Him or give thanks. They became worthless and godless.

1:22   Claiming to be wise, they became fools.

1:23   God gave them to the lust of their own hearts. Ny choice they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and served by creature and not by creator.

1:26   God gave them over to degrading and vile passions.

1:28   God gave the over to a depraved mind to do things that were improper or repulsive.

1:32   They not only did things that deserve wrath, but enthusiastically approved, and tolerated others who practiced them.

The Impartiality of God

2:1     People are hypocrites for they judge people on doing things that they do themselves.

2:3     When they do, do they think they will escape God’s judgment?

2:6     God will pay back to each person according to his deeds.

2:9     There will tribulation and anguish to every soul who permits or does evil.

2:11   God shows no partiality (favoritism) Deut. 10: 17; Chr. 19:7.

2:13   You are not righteous by just hearing the word. You have to obey the word to be justified.

2:16   On judgment day God will judge the secret hidden thoughts, and concealed sins of men.

The Jew is Condemned by the Law

2:25   Circumcision only means something if you practice the law.

All the World Guilty

3:4     Let God be found true, though every man is a liar.

3:10   There is none righteous, not even one. [Ps14:3]

3:12   There is none, who does good, no, not one.

3:18   There is no fear of God (And His awesome power) before their eyes. [Ps 36:1]

3:20   No person will be justified in His sight trying to do the works of the law.

Justification by Faith

3:21   The righteousness of God has been clearly revealed apart from the law even though it is actually confirmed by the law.

3:22   This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe and trust in Him as God’s son. There is no distinction [1 Cor. 12:13, Gal. 3:28]

3:23   Because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

3:24   And are being justified by his grace through the redemption which is provided in Jesus Christ.

3:29   God is God of the Jews and Gentiles.

3:31   We establish and uphold the law because it convicts us all of sin, pointing to the need of salvation.

Justification by Faith Evidenced in the Old Testament

4:3     Abraham’s belief in (trust and reliance) was credited as righteousness [Gen. 15:6]

4:5     The one who does not try to earn his salvation by doing good, but believes and completely trusts in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited to him as righteousness.

4:13   The promise to Abraham that he would be heir of the world was not through his observance of the requirements of the law. But through the righteousness of faith.

4:15   The law results in God’s wrath against sin.

4:16   Inheriting the promise depends entirely on faith.

4:20   Abraham did not doubt or waver in unbelief concerning the promise of God. He grew strong and empowered by faith, giving glory to God.

4:21   He was convinced that God had the power to do what He promised.

4:22   Therefore his faith was credited to him as righteousness.

4:24   For our sake also—to whom righteousness will be credited as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

Results of Justification

5:1     Because we have been justified, w have peace with God.

5:2     Through Him (Jesus) we have access by faith into ths grace in which we securely stand.

5:3     And endurance proves character, character hope and confident assurance (of eternal salvation)

5:4     Hope in God’s promises never disappoint us.

5:8     God shows and proves His love for us—while w were still sinners, Christ died for us.

5:10   Having been reconciled, w will be saved from the consequences of sin by His life

5:14   Adam brought destruction; Christ brought Salvation.

5:19   Through a man’s disobedience many were made sinners and through the obedience of a man many were made righteous and acceptable to God and brought into right standing with Him.

5:20   The law came to increase the awareness of sin but whereas sin increased, God’s gracious gift of grace surpassed it.

5:21   As sin reigned in death, so grace would reign in righteousness which brings eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Believers Are Dead to Sin, Alive to God

6:3     All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death.

6:4     We have been buried with him that we might walk habitually in newness of life.

6:5     If we have become one with him in the likeness of death, we will also be in the likeness of His resurrection.

6:9     Death has no longer power over Christ.

6:10   He died to sin ending its power and paying sinners’ debt. Now he lives to glorify God in unbroken fellowship.

6:12   Do not let sin reign in your mortal body.

6:14   Sin will not be a master over you because you are not under the law, but under grace.

6:16   Sin leads to death. Obedience leads to righteousness.      

6:18   Set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness (conforming to God’s will and purpose)

6:19   Offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

6:23   The wages f sin is death, but the free gift of God [His grace] is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Believers United to Christ

7:2     While he is alive, a woman is bound to her husband.

7:3     If he dies, she is free.

7:6     We have been released from the Law having dies through Christ and serve God in the newness of the spirit and not in the oldness of the letter of the law.

7:7     The law is still important because it helps us to recognize sin.

7:13   Sin in order to be revealed as sin was producing death in me by using the good thing as a weapon so that through the commandment sin would become exceedingly sinful.

The Conflict of Two Natures

7:18   The willingness is there, but the doing isn’t.

7:20   If I do want, I don’t want to do it, it is my sinful nature that is acting.

7:25   Thanks be to God for my deliverance.

Escape from Bondage 

8:2     The law of the spirit life (which is) in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and death.

8:3     What the law couldn’t do, God did. 

8:6     The mind of the flesh is death 

8:7     The mind of the flesh is hostile to God and does not submit itself to God’s law.

8:8     Those who live in the flesh cannot please God.

8:9     If anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to and is not a child of God. [8:14]

8:13b If you are living by the power of the Holy Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, and you will live forever.

8:14   If you are allowing yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit, you are the sons of God.

Our Victory in Christ

8:33   Who will bring anything against God’s elect?

8:35   Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ?

8:37   We are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us.

8:38,39 Nothing will be able to separate us from the (unlimited) love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Concerns for Israel

9:5     To the Israelites belong the patriarchs and from them, came the Christ (the Messiah) He who is exalted and supreme over all, God blessed forever.

9:8     It is the children of the promise who are counted as (Abraham’s descendants)

9:11,12 It was in God’s plan that Jacob would be in Jesus’ bloodline and that his older brother Esau would serve him.

9:16   God’s choice is not dependent on man’s will, but on God’s mercy. It is his sovereign gift.

9:23-26 God blesses whoever He wants. [Hosea 2:23; Hos.1;10]

9:33   People who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Him will not be disappointed.

The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

10: 1-3 I pray for Israel’s salvation because they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

10:4   Christ is the end of the law.

10:8   The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.

10:9   Because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

10:11 Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed [in his expectations]

10:12 There is no distinction between Jews and gentiles for the same Lord is Lord of all.

10:13 Whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved [Joel 2:32]

10:17 faith comes from hearing (what is told) and what is heard comes by the [preaching of the] message concerning Christ.

Israel is Not Cast Away

11:11 By their transgression [rejection of the Messiah] salvation has come to the Gentiles.

11:20 Do not be conceited but rather stand in great awe of God and fear Him.

11:22 Continue in His kindness [by faith and obedience to Him] otherwise you too will be cut off.

11:25 A partial hardening has happened to Israel until the full number of Gentiles has come in.

11:26 And so, (at that time) all Jews who have a personal faith in Jesus as Messiah will be saved. [Is. 59:20, 21; Is. 27:9; Jer. 31:33]

11:29 The gifts of God and calling of God are irrevocable

11:30 Those who were once disobedient can now receive mercy.

11:36 From Him all things originate and through Him all things live and exist and to Him are all things directed.

Dedicated Service

12:1   Present your bodies as a living sacrifice to God

12:2b Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  

12:5   We who are many are one body in Christ.

12:6   Use your gift according to the grace given you accordingly.

12:9   Live is to be sincere and active.

12:11 Serve the Lord enthusiastically.

12:12 Constantly rejoice in hope.

12:14 Bless those who persecute you.

12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice

12:16 Live in harmony with one another

12:17 Don’t repay evil for evil.

12:18 Live in peace with one another

12:19 Never avenge yourselves

12:20 Feed your enemy

12:21 Overcome evil with good.

Be Subject to the Government

13:1   Be subject to governing authorities properly

13:3   Do what is good,

13:7   Pay all what is due.

13:8   Owe nothing to anyone

13:9   Remember the commandments

13:13 Conduct yourself properly and honorably.

Principles of Conscience

14:3   Do not criticize or be judgmental

14:8   Love for the Lord

14:13 Do not criticize or put a stumbling block in a believer’s way.

14:19 Pursue things that bring peace.

14:22 Do not condemn yourself.

Self-Denial in Behalf of Others

15:2   Please your neighbor.

15:5   May God grant you to have the mind.

15:7   Accept and welcome one another.

Greetings and Love Expressed

16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss.

16:17 Turn away from those who cause dissentions.

16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The [wonderful] grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

16:27 To the only wis God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forevermore. Amen.

CONCLUSION

Paul systematically explains what Christ did, why he did it, and what happened as a result. He emphasizes the fact that God is the god of all and shows no partiality.

He speaks about the importance of faith and that is in the will of God that we become saved. He prays for those in Israel that do not believe in Christ, the sinless lamb who was God the Father’s supreme sacrifice. He stresses that the saints in the church of Rome be of one mind. And he states that it is through our faith in and reliance on Christ that we have the righteousness of God and the opportunity to have eternal life.

Where do you stand? Have you repented of your sins and confessed with your mouth by a statement of faith (or sinners’ prayer) that you have made Jesus Lord of your life and have acknowledged that God the Father raised him from the dead? If not, this would be the best decision you could ever make.

Feel free to comment or give your testimony below.