Lesson One-Romans 1: 1-1 7
We triumph in the gospel
INTRODUCTORYSTATMENTS
1:1-7 Paul greets the Romans
Paul's greeting will help us know Paul better.
Get into small groups. Either fill in the blanks or answer this question:
Why are these words KEY words?
Verse 1 Paul introduces himself.
Keywords:
•Paul
• servant
• Christ
• Jesus
• called
• apostle
Verses 2-4 Paul tells us about Jesus, who is the heart of the gospel Paul preached. Jesus was a human
being. He descended from David through Mary. And he is the Son of God, as was shown by his
resurrection from the dead.
Keywords:
•
•
•
•
•
•
gospel
prophets
Holy Scriptures
Jesus
Christ
Lord
Verse 5 Paul tells us his ministry is
• through
and for the sake of _ _ __
• initiated by Christ's
and authorized by _ _ _ _ _ _ __
• directed toward calling the
to the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Verses 6, 7 The letter is addressed to the Christian churches in the city of Rome. Paul salutes them
with the perfect Christian greeting: grace and peace.
Keywords:
• saint
• grace
•peace
Over all, what is Paul establishing with these key words at the very beginning of the letter?
1:8-15 Paul tells about his plans to visit Rome
Verses 8-10 For Paul, God is the source of every blessing. Pick out at least three phrases in this
section that express Paul's thankfulness, humility, and dependence on God.
Verses 11-15 Paul's primary purpose in life was to serve God by serving others with the gospel.
Verse 11 Paul wants to give the Romans
to make them - - -. What is he talking
about?
Verse 12: What is the encouragement for us today with these words as we gather together as a
church?
----~
Verse 13 Paul wants to have a - - -
among the Romans. Why do you think this is so?
Verse 15 Paul is eager to preach the _ _ _ to them.
Why did Paul write a doctrinal book to the Roman church?
,
As a preacher to the Gentiles, Paul considered the Romans to be under his care. He had never met
them, so his first task was to give them a complete overview of his teaching.
But Paul's purpose went deeper. He planned to continue his missionary work westward into Spain
(15:28). The Romans would play an important part in this work. Recall how the church at Antioch
was Paul's missionary base for his journeys into Asia Minor and Greece (Acts 13: 1-3). Rome was to
be his missionary base for the thrust westward. What a privilege! But what a great responsibility.
This letter was designed to prepare the Romans for Paul's visit on his way to Spain. It would
strengthen them and put them on the same wavelength as Paul so they could give him the moral,
spiritual, and even financial support he would need.
The book of Romans is a doctrinal treatise with a missionary goal. Sound doctrine and solid
missionary work go hand in hand.
1:16,17 The gospel of Jesus Christ
Separate into two groups by the aisle and study these verses:
Verse 16 Paul gives us the goal of the gospel.
Key words/phrases:
• Not ashamed
• Gospel
• Power(Greek: dynamis - think dynamite) of God
• salvation
51
Why does Paul say ] /or the Jew then for the Gentile?
Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by pennission.
Verse 17 Paul defines the gospel. Each phrase helps us understand it.
The gospel is
• a ----• from
• that is ____ (Why is this one extremely important and key?)
• and comes through _ __
How more powerful is it that Paul is not ashamed ofthis gospel?
u
J
s
T
I
F
I
c
A
T
I
0
N
This is God declaring we are NOT guilty. All who believe are saved by Jesus Christ.
This is the last we hear of the gospel message until 3:21, where Paul will describe it more fully. For
the next two chapters, we will hear not about the revelation of God's righteousness, but about the
revelation of his wrath over sin.
Summary
Paul introduces himself, his mission, and his message: the gospel of forgiveness.
For next time
1. Read the following introductions from some of Paul's other letters. How do they parallel Paul' s
attitude as expressed in his introduction to Romans?
a. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9
b. Ephesians 1
c. Philippians 1:3-11
d. Colossians 1:3-14
e. 1 Thessalonians 1 :2-10
2. Read l :18-2:5. As you read, think about the following questions:
a. Why is God's wrath revealed?
b. What is the truth that people suppress?
c. How many people suppress this truth?
d. What sin does this suppression of truth lead people to commit?
e. What is the purpose of Paul's discussion of homosexuality, and why does he give us a long
list of other sins?
f.
If l: 18-32 is spoken to Gentiles, to whom is chapter 2 spoken?
Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Lesson Two-Romans 1:18-2:5
Without the gospel, God's wrath triumphs over all who suppress the truth
Here starts the LAW section
There are 3 categories Paul is making here:
1) Open and coarse sinners (1 : 18-32)
2) Moralists who feel they are right with God because they are more moral than others (2:1-16)
3) Those who assume they are right with God because their "father" is Abraham (2:17-3:9)
1:18-23 Mankind's reaction to the truth about God as revealed in nature
Split up into groups and discuss these verses
Verse 18 Verse 18 forms a striking contrast with verse 17. According to verse 17, God reveals his
But according to verse 18, God also reveals his _ __
God reveals his wrath because people suppress the truth. Suppressing the truth is what Paul terms
"godlessness and wickedness." "The progression of Paul' s thought is this: If there is to be any
righteousness for fallen mankind it has to come from God because ' the wrath of God ... revealed from
heaven' is the only thing unrighteous people can reasonable expect on the basis of what they have done
and continue to do." (The People's Bible Romans page 24-25).
Question: Verse 14-21 are connected with causal conjunctions in Greek (but not in English), why is this
important to remember? How might this change your thoughts on this section?
Verse 19 What is the truth that people suppress?
Question: Our human mind has difficulty accepting God's wrath for all mankind is equal. We think,
"Shouldn't there be some God loves more/less because of what they have done?" How does this all apply
to us today? Do we have an excuse?
Verse 20 Paul says that God' s invisible qualities can be understood from what is visible, that is, God's
creation.
How can even an unbeliever learn to know God' s eternal power from his creation?
How can God' s divine nature be seen from creation?
Sometimes people say, "God would never condemn a person for not believing what he doesn't know."
What insight does verse 20 give us for answering this challenge?
People extinguish the light of nature's testimony about God, a testimony that should lead them to glorify
God and give him thanks.
Question: We have the natural knowledge of God added by the knowledge of the created world, but what
do we choose to do with that knowledge? We suppress it. So, is knowledge a good thing or bad?
Verse 21 Instead of allowing the light of God's truth to shine in their hearts, all people shut that light out
of their hearts.
Although people know about God,
• they do not ___ him
• or - - - - - to him.
Rather,
• their thinking becomes - - - -·' and their foolish hearts are _ _ _ __
Questions:
1) Verse 21-23, the verbs describing the Gentiles and sinners are all in the passive voice.
Importance? Who is doing what?
2) Application to us today?
Verses 22,23 What, specifically, do godless people do? - They needed a god to explain all this creation,
so ...
The sin Paul mentions is called idolatry.
How did idolatry show itself in the past, in the culture of Paul' s day?
How does idolatry show itself in the present, in non-Christian societies?
How does idolatry show itself in modem, scientifically developed nations?
Instead of worshiping God as they see him revealed in creation, all people suppress this truth and
create their own gods to worship.
1:24-32 How God reveals his wrath on those who suppress the truth
Verses 24-27 God punishes idolatry by giving people over to various sins and allowing the results of their
sins to serve as his way of punishing them. This is how God reveals his wrath.
What is the "main" sin God sends on idolaters because of their idolatry?
Note: Although God is opposed to sin, he does NOT force people to stop sinning. How eye opening to
our own sin!
Verses 28-31 This sin, however, is just one of the sins God uses. Note the other sins. What do they all
have in common?
Are you in this group? Is homosexuality worse than our sin?
Verse 32 Besides God's power and divine nature, people know something else naturally. What is that?
Question: Look at verse 32b. Do you see any proof of this still happening today?
What do people do with the natural knowledge of right and wrong and with the natural know ledge that
God will judge sin?
People are without excuse because they deny the evidence of God in nature and because they silence the
testimony of their consciences.
God reveals his wrath by letting people sink into various sins and suffer the consequences.
2:1-5 God's warning to those who judge others
In the previous verses, Paul has spoken about the Gentiles in particular. Most of them would agree they
were sinful when they heard Paul's description of them. At this point, however, Paul begins talking to all
who refuse to accept the fact that they also deserve God's wrath. The Jews in particular fall into this
category.
Verses 1-3 If you judge someone else, what are you doing to yourself? Why? Would we be any better
than those of the open and coarse sinning group?
Question: Then, should WE ever judge?
To whom should we always compare ourselves?
Verse 4 God may withhold his wrath from some. Sadly, many misinterpret this. What conclusion do they
arrive at when God does not punish them right away for their sins?
What is God's real intent in withholding his wrath from some?
Verse 5 If people are spared God's wrath now, yet refuse to repent, what they are spared now will be
poured out on them in full in eternity.
No one has the right to judge others and interpret God's patience with them as his stamp of approval
on their lives. If people judge others, they will bring eternal judgment on themselves.
Summary
God reveals his wrath against idolatry by allowing people to sink into sins of perversion and pay the
penalty for those sins. No one is exempt from God's judgment-even those who do not feel his wrath
in this life.
For next time
1. Read Romans 2:6-29. Is Paul teaching work-righteousness in these verses?
2. Read about the covenant of circumcision in Genesis 17.
3. Read Isaiah 3-5 for a sample description oflsrael's wickedness.
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 1-8
Lesson Three-Page I
Lesson Three-Romans 2:6-29
Those who keep the law will be saved, not merely those who hear it
2:6-11 God judges impartially
In this section and the next, Paul makes one
basic point. He says that people can talk all
they want about obeying the law, they can
resolve to quit sinning, they can make every
good resolution they want, and in a misguided
way they can show their zeal for the law by
judging the sins of others. But unless they
obey the law, they will be condemned as
lawbreakers.
Focus on the contrast in these verses. Describe
each of the phrases that tell about the way of
life of the good person and what he or she will
receive.
1. Some, by persistence in doing _ __
seek
•
We must be very careful when we interpret
this section.
Paul is not instructing a Christian on how to
earn eternal life. This section is law. Paul tells
us that all people will be judged on the basis of
what they do. The gentile sinner is warned.
The Jew who depends on his religious
heritage should also take this warning to heart.
However, in verse 7 Paul is describing a
Christian. In verse 6 Paul quotes from Psalm
62, where David clearly puts himself into the
category of a person whom God will reward
according to what he has done. How this is to
be understood will become more clear when
we study the beginning of chapter 8.
Verse 10 Note: Paul repeats the phrase he
used in 1: 16, "first for the Jew, then for the
Gentile." What does Paul mean by that
phrase?
•
•
For them, the result will be
•
God will condemn all who do evil and
reward all who do good. Jews and Gentiles
alike stand under this law .
• ____ ____,and _ _ __
2:12-16 God will judge all people impartially
2.
Verse 12 Who are the people "apart from the
law"? Who are those "under the law"?
On the other hand, those who do _ _
•
•
•
For them, the result will be
•
Verses 14,15 Even though the Gentiles did
not receive God's law written on tablets of
stone as Israel did, they still have the law. We
all have two natural qualities:
1. The
2.
written in our _ _ __
A voice called the,_ _ _ __
•
Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Lesson Three-Page 2
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 1-8
How do these two interplay?
God will judge Jews and Gentiles
impartially on the basis of whether or not
they have kept his law.
2:17-24 Paul indicts the Jews
Verses 17-23 Paul parrots the Jews' boast
about their knowledge and the privileged
position in which this knowledge puts them.
Verse 24 How does the Old Testament
passage Paul quotes answer all the previous
questions?
Is our faith based on the first principle or the
second? How is it possible to slip into a
religion that is "by the written code"?
Verse 29 Read Matthew 6: 16-18 in the light
of this passage. Why do those who shape their
religion "by the written code" receive their
praise from men? Why are those who live "by
the Spirit" content to have God alone praise
them?
Only circumcision done by the Spirit
makes a person a true Jew and one who
can truly serve God.
Summary
Jewish history proves that knowing the
law and obeying it are two different things.
2:25-29 Real circumcision
The Jews boasted about the law but did not
keep it. Only circumcision done by the
Spirit can enable a person to be righteous
before God. The Gentile who has become
a true Jew will condemn the Jew who lives
as if he were a Gentile.
Verse 25 What was the meaning of
circumcision for the Old Testament Israelites?
For next time
1.
Verse 26 With that meaning in mind, discuss
how Gentiles (most of us are Gentiles) can
become "circumcised" and true Jews.
Verse 29 Describe these two phrases and
contrast them:
• "by the Spirit"
• "by the written code"
Read Psalm 62 and compare David's
words in verse 12 with how Paul uses
them in Romans 2:6.
2. Read Romans 3: 1-20 and think about the
following:
a Try to make as much sense as
possible out of verses 1-8. See if you
can isolate the four Jewish arguments
and how Paul answers each one.
b. Use your Bible's cross reference
guide to find the psalms Paul quotes
in verses 10-18. How many of these
psalms refer to Gentiles and how
many refer to Jews?
c. Note verse 20. It seems to be a direct
contradiction to 2:13 (as well as 2:7).
Can you explain this puzzle?
Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 1-8
Lesson Four-Page 1
Lesson Four-Romans 3:1-20
All have sinned; no one can triumph by keeping the law
3:1-8 Jewish arguments against Paul and
how Paul responds to them
3:9-20 All people are sinners; no one is
justified by the law
Paul has backed the Jews up against a wall.
He has revealed their sins and condemned
them. But they will not go down without a
fight.
In this section Paul concludes his preaching of
the law. Paul calls us all sinners.
Paul anticipates their arguments (after all, he
had been a Pharisee himself) and answers
each one.
List the four arguments and givdla"uFs
answer to each one.
I.
Verses 10-19 Paul quotes from the Old
Testament, mostly from the psalms. Some of
the Old Testament quotations condemn all
unbelievers, while some specifically condemn
the Jews.
Why was it important for Paul to include
quotations in which the Jews alone were
condemned?
(verses 1,2)
Paul's answer
2.
(verses 3,4)
Paul's answer
3.
(verses 5,6)
This section teaches the total depravity of
mankind, a watershed doctrine of Scripture.
While many Christians understand and believe
this teaching, only the Lutheran church teaches
it according to Scripture.
Does Paul leave any room for people to lay
claim to possessing a remnant of goodness in
them?
To answer this question, list the "no one"
statements that describe what people do not
do.
Paul's answer
Now list the inclusive statements that tell us
what all people have done.
4.
(verses 7,8)
Paul's answer
Some verses don't say "no one" or "all."
However, verse 19 helps us interpret these
verses also. Explain how.
The Jews twist Paul's words against him
and make him seem to speak against God.
Paul, however, answers their arguments
from Scripture and proves he is right.
Scripture is from THE HOLY BJBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Lesson Four-Page 2
The Triumph of Grace: Romans 1-8
Point of doctrine
All Scripture teaches the total depravity of the
human race. How a Christian defines "total
depravity" will have bearing on his or her
entire life of faith.
Agree or disagree: God may reward the
religious yearnings of the heathen and reveal
himself to them.
Review what the Catholic and Arrninian
churches teach.
Verse 20 What can't the law do? What alone
can it do?
Review what the Calvinistic Reformed
churches teach.
All have sinned. In fact, there is nothing
good within us. For that reason the law
cannot declare us righteous. It can only
make us conscious of sin.
Review what Luther and Scripture teach.
Summary
God is fair when he judges sinners, and
that includes everyone for all are totally
corrupt. All people stand before God as
wicked and unrighteous.
React to this statement: "I was searching for
God all my life, and now I have found him."
For next time
I
I
1.
2.
3.
Read Romans 3:21-31.
Read the book of Galatians. Especially
note chapters 2-4, which are parallel to
Romans 3.
Read Becker's commentary on Romans
3.
Scripture is from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION.
© 1997 Northwestern Publishing House. All rights reserved. Used by pennission.
Lesson Five-Romans 3 :21-31
Christ has prepared a righteousness for us that is ours by faith
So far we have studied that no one can provide the righteousness God demands for salvation. Today
however, is the BUT of this section ...
3:21-25 Paul describes God's righteousness apart from the law
Paul has concluded his discussion on the law and God's condemnation of the lawbreaker by saying that
the law does nothing but reveal our sins and our accountability to God.
Against the backdrop of our own unrighteousness, Paul tells us the good news that God has prepared
another righteousness for us, which he gives us as a gift.
Focus on the following phrases or words taken from this section. In your own words, jot down their
meanings.
1. righteousness
2. apart from law (significance of no definite article??)
3. made known
4. through faith
5. to all who believe (is this addressing the "for whom" or the "how"? Explain)
6. There is no difference
7. the glory of God
8. justified (who is this for? Look at the context and you will see)
9. grace
10. redemption
11. sacrifice
12. atonement
Question: Why is the word WSTIFIED such a great word which gives rich meaning to this section?
(Look at tense)
Question: Here Scripture says ALL are sinners and ALL are justified. How can that be? Does that
mean ALL will be in heaven? (universalism). What awesome (read: NOT awesome) power do humans
still have? How is that evident in recent history?
Question: How does this concept of justification for the whole world help with evangelism work?
Note: Look how active God is in our justification. Explain the concept of OT sacrifice (2 different
lambs). That was symbolic; Christ's sacrifice is not.
\
\
Now paraphrase these verses by filling in the blanks:
But now - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -, from God has been
- - - - - - -. This is
nothing new. In fact, the law and the prophets
---------
. This
comes to us through
anyone can be saved because all
in Jesus Christ. This is the only way
and cannot measure up to
. In Christ, all are
without any cost, strictly
-------------~
because of God's - - - - - -- . In Jesus Christ God
----------~
. God sent his Son
to the cross to die - - - -- -, making us - - - with him through faith in - -- - Jesus shed from
the cross.
What the law could not do, Jesus Christ did. By his sacrifice he prepared righteousness and
forgiveness for all people. This gift is ours by faith.
3:25,26 God can now forgive all people and be just at the same time
Forgiving the sinner and showing justice to the sinner are mutually exclusive actions. How can God
forgive and be just, and how can he be just and still forgive? Paul answers this question: It all hinges on
the cross.
Was God unjust in not punishing every sin in the Old Testament?
Is God even serious about sin? If so, then how do we know?
What is the warning for us?
Why is God just even though he does not punish our sins?
God can be just and at the same time forgive sin because the demands of his justice were satisfied by
Jesus Christ. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin so God could justify the guilty.
3:27-30 Jews and Gentiles are saved by faith; neither can boast
Let's start this section with this question - if you were to die today, and you stand at heaven' s gate with
God asking you, "Why should I let you into my kingdom," what do you say?
In this section Paul pulls everything together. Jews and Gentiles are saved in the same way-by faith. No
one can boast about his own righteousness, for righteousness comes to us as a gift of God in Christ.
Why does faith nullify a person's right to boast?
Why are Jews and Gentiles equally qualified to be children of God?
Faith removes a Christian's right to boast. The only necessary qualification for eternal life is being a
sinner who believes in God's justification of the sinner in Christ.
3:31 Only the doctrine offaith upholds the law
Verse 31 All the talk about faith seems to imply that God's law is worthless and foolish. However, it is
just the opposite.
How does the teaching of faith uphold the law when we think about Jesus' work?
How does the teaching of faith uphold the law when we think about the new creation God has made of
us?
In church each week, you hear both the Law and the Gospel. But, if we are preaching to a group of
people who know the Gospel and have been justified by Jesus through faith, why do we even bother with
the Law? What does the Law do to/for the Gospel? Why is it important to PROPERLY distinguish the
two?
Faith upholds the law. Christ has fulfilled the law for us, and through faith we begin for the first time
to truly serve God.
Summary
God has prepared a righteousness for us in Christ. We are saved through faith in this righteousness and
not by keeping the law.
For next time
1. In chapter 4 Paul quotes from a psalm of David. Read Psalm 32. Also read Psalm 51 and Psalm 130.
These are all psalms asking for forgiveness.
2. Become familiar with the life of Abraham. Read Genesis 12- 23.
Also note the following stories:
a. Genesis 15: God considers Abraham righteous. Especially note Genesis 15:6.
b. Genesis 17: God gives Abraham the covenant of circumcision.
c. Note the promises of a son and Abraham' s reaction to those promises.