Romans Lesson 01 (Text: 1:1-32)
Introduction to Romans
It is important to study God’s Word, the Bible. It is important to memorize verses and to think upon His Word. The Word of God never changes, even though we live in a world of constant change. Our friends and families change. Circumstances change. Our thoughts and attitudes change. And all around us we experience change every day. But the Word of God remains the same, and is sure and steadfast. We can always depend upon His Word. Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” Psalm 119:89 says, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven,” and in I Peter 1:23, we read that the Word of God lives and abides forever. In uncertain and changing times, we can always depend upon His Holy Word to give us comfort, strength, grace and power for each moment of our lives, regardless of our situations or our circumstances. The Word of God also helps newborn babies in Christ to grow spiritually. In I Peter 2:2 we read, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” We, as believers in Christ, are commanded in God’s Word to grow spiritually. II Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” The Word of God has always existed and will always exist. In John 1:1-2 we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.” Read the following verses from the Bible: Psalm 119: 2, 9, 11, 28, 50, 67, 71, 74, 92, 114, 130, 147, 148, 162 and 165. As you begin these study courses of God’s Word, please begin them with this thought and prayer found in Psalm 119:18, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” And in Psalm 119:105 we read: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” This tells us how to stand with God and how to go with God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17
ROMANS “The Great Doctrinal Platform”
KEY VERSES: ROMANS 1:16-17 – “16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
KEY WORDS: LAW – Found 78 times. FAITH – Found 62 times.
THEME: (1) The Righteousness of God through Jesus Christ. (2) Justification by Faith. (3) The Gospel (Good News) of Christ – the power of God to believers.
WRITER: The Apostle Paul.
WRITTEN To: Small group of Jewish believers at Rome (believed saved at Pentecost).
From: Corinth (on third missionary journey).
THE BOOK: Number in Bible – 45th book. Number of chapters – 16. Number of verses – 433. Number in order of writing: 6th Book of New Testament.
PURPOSE: 1) To set forth the cardinal doctrines of Christianity. 2) To tell of Paul’s coming visit to Rome.
DIVISIONS:
1) How The Gospel Relates to Sinners (Ch. 1-3).
2) How The Gospel Relates to Saints (Ch. 4-8).
3) How The Gospel Relates to Select (Jews) (Ch. 9-11).
4) How The Gospel Relates to Servant (Ch. 12-16).
OUTLINE: I. All Men Were Under Condemnation (1:18, 3:20):
1) The Gentiles Were Guilty (1:20)
a) Shunned the law of nature (1:20)
b) Shunned the law of conscience (2:14-16)
2) The Jews Were Guilty:
a) Had greater privileges than the Gentiles (3:2)
II. Salvation Came Through Faith in Christ (3;21;8:39):
1) It included Justification (3:21; 5:11)
a) God declaring men righteous
b) Came through Christ (3:24)
2) It included Sanctification (5:12; 8:13)
a) God making men righteous
b) Came through the obedience of Christ (5:19)
3) It included Glorification (8:14-39) a) Made believers heirs with God (8:17)
b) Provided for the redemption of all nature (8:21)
III. Jews Refused God’s Righteousness (Ch. 9-11):
1) They had great opportunities but failed (9:4 and 5)
2) God was working His will in them (9:16)
3) They deliberately rebelled against God (10:21)
4) Their failure brought in the Gentiles (11:11)
IV. Christians Were to Live Righteous Lives (Ch. 12-16):
1) Their bodies were to be dedicated to God (12:1-2)
2) They were to be righteous to those within (12:10)
3) They were to be righteous to those without (12:18)
4) They were to be obedient to civil authorities (13:1)
5) They were to be considerate of all (14:19)
6) They were to shun false teachers (16:17)
MISCELLANEOUS: The House of Romans:
1) The Vestibule (1:1-17)
2) The Room of Sin (1:18-3:31)
3) The Room of Justification (4-5:21)
4) The Room of Sanctification (6, 7)
5) The Room of Glorification (8-11)
6) The Room of Service (12-16)
ROMANS: 1) Oracles of God – Not opinions of Men
2) Meat of Word – Not Milk of Word
3) Front Page – Not Footnotes
4) Forethought – Not Afterthought
5) Church Truth – Not Kingdom Truth
6) Message of Grace – Not Message of Law
7) Lovely Saints in Christ – Not Lost Sheep of Israel
RIGHTEOUSNESS IN ROMANS:
1) Righteousness Required (Ch. 1-2)
2) Righteousness Revealed (Ch. 3)
3) Righteousness Received (Ch. 4-5)
4) Righteousness Rejected (Ch. 9-10)
5) Righteousness Reproduced (Ch. 12-16)
NOTE: There are more Old Testament quotations in Romans than in all of the other epistles put together. (70).
Simply click the “Take the Quiz” Button to the right. Have your KJV Bible with you, and look up the answers to the questions on the quiz. You can then answer the questions from the Bible, (Open Book Test).
