Romans - Lesson 1

The text of the New American Standard Bible for the book of Romans with an analytical outline by L. Deason (in bold print) inserted as an aid to study.

Outline:

The righteousness of God revealed: From faith to faith

I. Introduction

A. The Address 1:1-7

1. The Author 1:1-5

Chapter 1

1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle¹, set apart for the gospel² of God,

2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,

3 concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh,

4 who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord,

5 through whom we have received grace³ and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name's sake,

2. The destination is the church 1:6-7

6 among whom you also⁴ are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints⁵: Grace to you and peace⁶ from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. The occasion 1:8-15

1. Prayers 1:8-10

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,

10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God⁷ I may succeed in coming to you.

2. Purpose 1:11-13

11 For I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine.

13 And I do not want you to be unaware⁸, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented thus far) in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

3. Proclamation 1:14-16

14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

15 Thus, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power⁹ of God¹⁰ for salvation¹¹ to everyone who believes¹², to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

C. The Theme 1:16-17

1. The Gospel is powerful

2. The Gospel is “of God”

17 For in it the righteousness¹³ of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "But the righteous man shall live by faith."

II. Exposition: The righteousness of God: justification by faith

1:18 - 11:36

A. The righteousness of God proclaimed: “all under sin”

1:18-3:20

1. Man giving up God 1:18-23

a. God’s wrath revealed vs. 18

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

b. God’s existence revealed 19-20

19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

c. God’s awareness ignored and exchanged for idols 21-23

21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

2. God giving up man: guilt exploited 1:24-32

a. Wrong loving (idolatry) vss 24-25

24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them.

25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural,

27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

28 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

29 being filled with¹⁴ all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,

30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful;

32. and, although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Thought questions for Chapter 1

2. What does Paul say about the Gospel?

It is God’s power for salvation vs 16

3. How do we see the wrath of God today? Rom 12:19; 13:4

God is allowing those who will not follow him to store up wrath for themselves; God has yet to avenge.

3. Was it really necessary for Paul to go to Rome, or would this letter have been enough?

Although this letter probably would have been enough, yet Paul is told in the book of Acts that he must go to Rome, by none other than the Lord Jesus himself. Acts 23:11

3. From verses 18 to 20, how would you describe how God has revealed himself to everyone?

Through God’s creative acts, man and the world around him.

3. When Paul wrote this chapter, how do you think he felt?

Overwhelmed by the magnificance of God’s righteousness as expressed in the Gospel. When considerings something so incredible, it is natural to think of its opposite.

3. How can Christians today show that they feel exactly as Paul did in verse 16?

Exalt Jesus in every way possible. Speak highly of him to others, be an example in all that I do.

3. How could I compare my commitment to the Gospel of Christ to that of Paul?

See 1:14-16

Paul is a more driven man than I am. He was willing to sacrifice everything, I am not.

3. Has society changed for the better since Romans chapter one was written?

No! What has changed are the tools, the heart remains the same.

3. Paul was a missionary who began churches, why would he want to visit one already established?

Perhaps his mention of Spain (15:28) is an indication that he was planning to use Rome as a base of operations for the purpose of evangeliziation.

For further thought

1:1-17 What does the apostle say in these verses about himself? Vs. 1,5 and also 9 to

16. Note the “I” passages.

That he was an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God. He was often thinking of others, and these verses (chapter 1) show he was a man of prayer, sent by God with a mission to the gentiles; to share the precious Gospel of Christ. See also, vss. 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16.

How is God’s wrath said to manifest itself? Notice the three stages in verses 24, 26, and 28. See also Psa 81:12; Acts 7:42

Let them alone. Allowed then indulgence. Allowed them their own way. God’s wrath is against those who surpress the truth of God, and do “their own thing.

Is there anything unusual about verses 29-31? Is it complete?

It is a figure of speech called a Asyndeton. This lack of conjunctions means that all the adjectives are considered together collectively. No!

How does the list of evil in verses 29-31 compare with these other passages?

Mk 7:21-22; 1Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Rev 22:15

Mk 7:21-22; 1Cor 6:9-10 refer to people who are trying to follow God, Gal 5:19-21; Rev 22:15 do not.

Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel. Why would the Gospel be a source of shame?

See 1 Cor 1:18

Perhaps the language used in verse 16 is just use of the figure of speech called tapenosis (a lessening of something to enhanse it later on). It may also be a reaction to the attitude of the Gentiles (Jews) who do not truly understand or believe in the Gospel, and therefore belittle it.

By way of Illustration

George MacLeod wrote a poem that helps put a lot of things in perspective, helping to emphasize content rather than cosmetics, Christ rather than self, the gospel going beyond the church walls rather than simply being contained within them.

I simply argue that the cross be raised again

at the center of the market place

as well as on the steeple of the church,

I am recovering the claim that

Jesus was not crucified in a cathedral

between two candles:

But on a cross between two thieves;

on a town garbage heap;

At a crossroad of politics so cosmopolitan

that they had to write His title

in Hebrew and in Latin and in Greek...

And at the kind of place where cynics talk smut,

and thieves curse and soldiers gamble.

Because that is where He died,

and that is what He died about.

And that is where Christ's men ought to be,

and what church people ought to be about. -George MacLeod See: Mt 9:12-13; Lk19:10

A soap manufacturer and a pastor were walking together down a street in a large city. The soap manufacturer casually said, "The gospel you preach hasn't done much good, has it? Just observe. There is still a lot of wickedness in the world, and a lot of wicked people, too!" The pastor made no reply until they passed a dirty little child making mud pies in the gutter. Seizing the opportunity, the pastor said, "I see that soap hasn't done much good in the world; for there is much dirt, and many dirty people around." The soap manufacturer replied, "Oh, well, soap is only useful when it is applied." And the pastor said, "Exactly, so it is with the gospel." --James S. Hewett, Illustrations Unlimited (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc, 1988), p. 354.

The Gospel on a Hand (Romans)

1. The wagging finger Wrath 3:10-18, 23

2. The Thumb Our need of help 5:6-8

3. The tall finger God gave the highest help 1:16

4. Ring finger We can be joined to God 7:1-7

5. Little finger Shows the little bit we do 6:1-11

Gary

G-O-S-P-E-L

God’s one sanctifying person (yielding) eternal life

God’s one saving plan (for) eternal life

God’s one saving power (for) eternal life

The gospel is like a fresh, mild, and cool air in the extreme heat of summer, a solace and comfort in the anguish of the conscience. Martin Luther (1483-1546)

1 Apostle

One sent forth with orders

2 Gospel

The preaching of the interpretation of the historical fact of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. See 1:9, 15, 16; 2:16; 11:28; 15:16, 19, 20; 16:25

3 G-R-A-C-E

God’s riches at Christ’s Expense

4 Highlights in blue

Words highlighted in blue indicate emphasis from the original language (from the Discovery Bible by Gary Hill & Gleason A. Archer)

5 Saint

Separated for holy purposes

6 Grace

and apostleship 1:5

and peace 1:7

from God 1:7

a gift 1:7

justified 3:24

by faith 4:16

intro. By faith 5:2

Of God 5:15

Abundant 5:17

Abounding 5:20

Increasing 6:1

Under 6:14

Different gifts 12:6

Given 15:15

Of the Lord Jesus 16:20

Peace

1. From the Lord Psa 4:8; 29:11

2. Jesus our guide Lk 1:78; 1:79

3. Given to God pleasers Lk 2:13-14; Jn 20:19

4. The mind set on the spirit Rom 8:6

5. In the Holy Spirit Rom 14:17; Gal 1:3

6. The fruit of the Spirit Gal 5:22

7. Great Psa 119:165

8. Perfect Isa 26:3

9. From Christ Jn 14:27

10. Surpasses comprehension Phil 4:7

7 Will of God

Mk 3:35; Rom 8:27; Rom 12:2; 15:32; 1 Cor 1:1; 2Cor 1:1; 7:9; 7:10; 8:5; Eph 1:1; 6:6; Col 1:1; 4:12; 1 Thess 4:3; 2 Tim 1:1; Heb 10:36; 1 Pet 2:15; 1 Pet 4:2, 6, 19; 5:2; 1 Jn 2:17

8 Double negative indicates something important

1 Cor 10:1; 12:1; 2Cor 1:8; 1Thess 4:13

9 Power of God

Power to:

1. New birth 1Pet 1:23

2. Give salvation Eph 1:23

3. Impart grace Acts 20:24

4. Establish in the faith Rom 16:25

5. Generate faith Rom 10:17

6. Nourish spiritually 1 Pet 2:2

7. Set free Jn 8:31-36

8. Cleanse the church Eph 5:26

9. Impart immortality 2 Tim 1:10

10 God’s powerful word

1. Fire Jer 5:14; 23:29

2. Hammer Jer 23:29

3. Sword Eph 6:19

4. Salvation 1:16

5. Judges the heart Heb 4:12

11 Salvation

1. Saved from wrath 5:9

2. Saved by Jesus’ life 5:10

3. Saved in Hope 8:24

4. Remnant saved 9:27

5. By the deliverer 11:26

6. The power of God 1:16

12 Belief

1. Source and object 4:3; 6:8; 10:9

2. Defined: intense trust
3. Good News 10:16
4. Not works 4:5; 10:4
5. Through faith 3:22
6. Scope of 1:16
7. Example 4:11, 17
8. Attitude confidence 4:18
9. Attitude sincerity 10:9, 10
10. Reception 10:14
11. Results 15:13; 9:33; 10:11

13 Righteousness

“Holy and upright living in accordance with God’s standard; straightness.”

14 Asyndeton “no conjunctions”

All the adjectives are considered collectively as one.