New Testament survey (06): Romans

For 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.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. (Romans 1:16-18)

Overview

[1] Romans, from Thru The Bible Radio with Dr. J. Vernon McGee ©, with free downloads Notes & Outlines (PDF), Complete 5-Year Study (MP3), The Cross is God's Christmas Tree (PDF), Living the Christian Life God's Way (PDF) and One Hour in Romans (PDF)

As we approach this great epistle, I feel totally inadequate because of its great theme, which is the righteousness of God. It is a message that I have attempted over the years to proclaim. And it is the message, by the way, that the world today as a whole does not want to hear, nor does it want to accept it. The world likes to hear, friend, about the glory of mankind. It likes to have mankind rather than God exalted. Now I am convinced in my own mind that any ministry today that attempts to teach the glory of man—which does not present the total depravity of the human family and does not reveal that man is totally corrupt and is a ruined creature, any teaching that does not deal with this great truth—will not lift mankind, nor will it offer a remedy. The only remedy for man’s sin is the perfect remedy that we have in Christ, that which God has provided for a lost race. This is the great message of Romans.

Friend, may I say to you that the thief on the cross had been declared unfit to live in the Roman Empire and was being executed. But the Lord Jesus said that He was going to make him fit for heaven and told him, “… Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). God takes lost sinners—like I am, like you are—and He brings them into the family of God and makes them sons of God. And He does it because of Christ’s death upon the Cross—not because there is any merit in us whatsoever. This is the great message of Romans. (Read the complete article)

[2] Book of Romans, from gotquestions.org (this website is also available in Afrikaans, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese-Myanmar, Cebuano, Chinese - Simplified, Chinese – Traditional, Hausa, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Khmer, Korean, Malaysian, Persian-Farsi, Portuguese, Quechua, Sesotho, Spanish, Swahili, Tagalog, Tamil, Thai, Urdu, Vietnamese, Zulu, and 70 other languages)

Paul uses several Old Testament people and events as illustrations of the glorious truths in the book of Romans. Abraham believed and righteousness was imputed to him by his faith, not by his works (Romans 4:1-5). In Romans 4:6-9, Paul refers to David who reiterated the same truth: “Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will never count against him." Paul uses Adam to explain to the Romans the doctrine of inherited sin and he uses the story of Sarah and Isaac, the child of promise, to illustrate the principle of Christians being the children of the promise of the divine grace of God through Christ. In chapters 9–11, Paul recounts the history of the nation of Israel and declares that God has not completely and finally rejected Israel (Romans 11:11-12), but has allowed them to “stumble” only until the full number of the Gentiles will be brought to salvation. (Read the complete article)

[3] The Epistle to the Romans, from Blue Letter Bible

The greatest and most evident theme in the epistle is the subject of the gospel. Paul begins his letter by stating that he was called to be an apostle for the gospel's sake (Romans 1:1). Paul's dedication belonged to Christ and his gospel as he preached it with his whole heart (Romans 1:9). The gospel is also portrayed as the power of God unto salvation—that is able to save those who believe (Romans 1:16). This same gospel was not accepted by all the Israelites (Romans 10:16), yet graciously (and fortunately) includes the gentiles as well (Romans 15:16).

God's righteousness is being revealed in this gospel from faith to faith (Romans 1:17). The only way this righteousness may be accessed is through faith. Sola Fide—it is by faith alone. Man can never make himself righteous, nor will a single ounce of merit do anything in regards to salvation (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Paul adds to this and says that the one who is righteous by faith shall live (Romans 1:17). And this is his gospel which he develops throughout Romans. In this letter Paul shows why it is necessary to be justified by faith. Because of man's sin, man needs to be justified, and therefore, as a result, (eternal) life will come. Matthew Black rendered it as follows: "'The just-by-faith (in Christ) shall live (now and for ever)'—and the words, of course, mean enjoy fullness of life, now and fore ever." It has an eternal consequence—everlasting life: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). (Read the complete article)

[4] Romans, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917 Edition)

WRITER: The Apostle Paul (Romans 1:1).

DATE: Romans, the sixth in chronological order of Paul's Epistles, was written from Corinth during the apostle's third visit to that city. 2 Corinthians 13:1 in A.D. 60. The Epistle has its occasion in the intention of the apostle soon to visit Rome. Naturally, he would wish to announce before his coming the distinctive truths which had been revealed to and through him. He would desire the Christians in Rome to have his own statement of the great doctrines of grace so bitterly assailed everywhere by legalistic teachers.

THEME: The theme of Romans is "the Gospel of God" (Romans 1:1), the very widest possible designation of the whole body of redemption truth, for it is He with whom is "no respect of persons"; and who is not "the God of the Jews only," but "of the Gentiles also" ; Romans 2:11; 3:29. Accordingly, "all the world" is found guilty Romans 3:19, and a redemption is revealed as wide as the need, upon the alone condition of faith. Not only does Romans embody in the fullest way the doctrines of grace in relation to salvation, but in three remarkable chapters (9-11.) the great promises to Israel are reconciled with the promises concerning the Gentiles, and the fulfilment of the former shown to await the completion of the church and coming of the Deliverer out of Zion Romans 11:25-27. The key-phrase is "the righteousness of God" ; Romans 1:17; 3:21,22.

The Epistle, exclusive of the introduction (Romans 1:1-17), is in seven parts.

1. The whole world guilty before God, Romans 1:18-3:20.
2. Justification through the righteousness of God by faith, the Gospel remedy for guilt, Romans 3:21-5:11.
3. Crucifixion with Christ, the resurrection life of Christ, and the walk in the Spirit, the Gospel provision for inherent sin, Romans 5:12-8:13.
4. The full result in blessing of the Gospel, Romans 8:14-39.
5. Parenthesis: the Gospel does not abolish the covenant promises to Israel, Romans 9:1-11:36.
6. Christian life and service, Romans 12:1-15:33.
7. The outflow of Christian love, Romans 16:1-27.

Discussion

[1] The apostle Paul wrote Romans in AD 56-58, through an assistant named Tertius (Romans 1:1; 16:22). He also wrote twelve other books in the New Testament.

[2] Key verses: Romans 1:16; 3:9-11, 21, 23; 5:8; 6:23; 8:9, 28, 37-39; 10:9-10; 12:1; 16:17

[3] Summary of Apostle Paul’s life (known as Saul before his conversion)

• Paul (played by Doug Whitley, from Preachers of the Past)
  
  
  
• Born as an Israelite in Tarsus of Cilicia (Acts 22:3; Philippians 3:5).
• Studied under Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3) and became a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5)
• Present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58; 8:1)
• Became a persecutor of the church (Acts 8:1-3; Philippians 3:6).
• Converted on the road to Damascus as Christ appeared to him (Acts 9:1-9; 10-19).
• Went to Arabia for some time (Galatians 1:17) before returning to Jerusalem (Acts 9:26-29; Galatians 1:18).
• First missionary journey, with Barnabas, between 44 to 50 AD, from Antioch (Acts 11:25-26; 14:28).
• Second missionary journey, with Silas, 51 AD (Acts 15:36-41)
• Third journey begins in Galatia (central region of Turkey) possibly in the spring of 54 AD and then to Phrygia (Acts 18:23 – 21:16).
• The third journey ends at Jerusalem in 58 AD. Paul is beaten by Jews, preaches to them (Acts 22:1-21), and is brought before Sanhedrin.

[4] Outline of Romans based on the topic “righteousness” (from Dr. Griffith Thomas, quoted by Dr. J. Vernon McGee)

• Righteousness needed by sinful men (Romans 1:17 - 3:20)
• Righteousness provided by God (Romans 3:21-26)
• Righteousness received through faith (Romans 3:27 - 4:25)
• Righteousness experienced in the soul (Romans 5:1 - 8:17)
• Righteousness guaranteed as permanent blessing (Romans 8:18-39)
• Righteousness rejected by the Jewish nation (Romans 9 - 11)
• Righteousness manifested in practical life (Romans 12 - 16)

[5] The word “righteousness” is mentioned over 30 times in Romans (Romans 1:17; 2:26; 3:5, 21, 22, 25, 26; 4:3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 22; 5:17, 18, 21; 6:13, 16, 18, 19, 20; 8:4, 10; 9:28, 30, 31; 10:3, 4, 5, 6, 10; 14:17).

[6] God’s express or implied promises to the righteous:

Genesis 15:1; 22:17; Exodus 23:22; Leviticus 26:5,6,10; Deuteronomy 28:1-13; 33:27; 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Chronicles 16:9; Ezra 8:22; Job 5:11-27; 8:4-7,20,21; 11:15-20; 22:21-30; 36:7-12;

Psalm 4:3; 5:12; 15:2-5; 23:6; 25:10-14; 28:8; 29:11; 32:6-8,10; 33:18,19; 34:9,10,15,17; 37:3-5,9,18,23-29,34; 41:1,2; 50:15; 55:22; 58:11; 62:8; 65:4; 73:24; 81:10; 84:11; 85:9; 91:1,3-7,9-12; 94:17,18; 97:10,11; 111:5; 112:6; 121:3-8; 125:1-3; 128:1-6; 145:18-21; Proverbs 1:33; 2:21; 3:1-10,25,26; 10:3; 12:2; 14:26; 15:29; 16:7; 21:21; 28:25; 29:25; Ecclesiastes 7:18; 8:5;

Isaiah 4:5,6; 11:6-9; 25:8; 26:3; 33:16,21,22,24; 35:10; 40:10,11,29,31; 41:10,11,13; 43:2; 44:2,3; 49:9-12; 50:7-9; 51:11; 54:1-17; 56:2-8; 57:1,2; 58:8-14; 59:20,21; 64:4; 65:13,14,17-25; 66:13,14; Jeremiah 17:7,8; Ezekiel 18:5-9,19,20; 34:11-17,22-31; Daniel 12:1-3; Hosea 6:3; Nahum 1:7; Haggai 1:13; 2:4,5; Zechariah 3:7; Malachi 3:12,16-18; 4:2,3;

Matthew 5:3-12; 7:7,8; 8:11; 10:28-32; 13:43; 18:10,19,20; 19:29; 24:21,22; 25:21,33,34,46; 28:20; Mark 3:35; 8:35; 9:41; 10:21,29,30; 11:23,24; 13:13,27; Luke 3:17; 6:20-23; 10:20; 11:9,10; 12:7,32; 16:22-25; 18:29,30; 20:35,36; 21:18,27,28; 22:29,30; 23:43; John 3:15-18,36; 4:14; 5:24,29; 6:39,40; 8:12,51; 9:31; 10:27-29; 12:25,26; 13:36; 14:1-3,12-21,23; 16:33; 17:2,22,24;

Acts 10:4, 31; 20:32; 26:18;

Romans 2:7,10; 5:9-11,17; 6:22,23; 8:14-18,28,32-39; 9:33; 10:9,11-13; 13:11; 1 Corinthians 1:8,9; 2:9; 3:21-23; 6:2,3; 8:3; 13:10-12; 15:48-57; 2 Corinthians 1:20-22; 4:14,15,17; 7:1; Galatians 3:29; 6:8,9; Ephesians 1:18; 2:7; 6:8; Philippians 4:7,19; Colossians 1:5,12; 3:4,24; 1 Thessalonians 2:12; 3:12,13; 4:15-18; 5:9-11; 2 Thessalonians 1:5-7; 2:13,14; 1 Timothy 1:16; 4:8; 2 Timothy 1:12; 2:10-12,19; 4:8; Titus 2:11-14; 3:7; Hebrews 1:14; 2:10,15; 4:9,15,16; 6:10,16-20; 9:15,28; 10:34-36; 11:16; 12:22,23,28; 13:5,6;

James 1:5,12,25; 2:5; 4:8; 1 Peter 1:2-5; 2:5,6,9,10; 3:9-12; 4:13; 5:4,6,7,10; 2 Peter 1:4,10,11; 2:9; 1 John 1:7,9; 2:17,25,28; 3:2,22; 5:13; Revelation 1:6; 2:7,10,11,17,26-28; 3:4,5,10,12,21; 7:3,4,9-17; 11:12,18; 14:1-5,13; 16:15; 20:4-6; 21:3-7,24; 22:4,5,7,12,14

[7] God’s past dealings with Israel (Romans 9); His present purpose (Romans 10) and future purpose (Romans 11) for Israel

[8] Justification by faith (Romans 3:21-31; Hebrews 9:5); justification by faith illustrated in the life of Abraham and David (Romans 4:1-25); results of justification by faith (Romans 5:1-11).

[9] Sanctification: positional sanctification (Romans 6:1-10) and practical sanctification (Romans 6:11-13); the struggle between the old and new natures (Romans 7:1-25); God’s provision for sanctification (Roman 8:1-39).

[10] The word “sanctification” is used five times in the KJV:

1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”

1 Thessalonians 4:3 “For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication”

1 Thessalonians 4:4 “That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour”

2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth”

1 Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Series on Romans, with 46 cartoons, by Dr. Joe McKeever (Preacher, Cartoonist, and the Director of Missions for the Baptist Association of Greater New Orleans)

[2] Materials by Allen Ross, Th.D., Ph.D.

• Introduction to the Book of Romans
• Series Title: The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans

[3] Materials by Bob Deffinbaugh, Th.M

• Introduction to Romans
• Exploring the Riches of the Book of Romans(Romans 1-16)

[4] An Audio Series From the Book of Romans, by Ken Boa (total of 61 articles)

[5] Understanding The Gospel Of The Righteousness Of God: Sermon Outlines On The Book Of Romans, by Paul Apple and Dan Broadwater

Sermons on Romans 1:16-18 (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] Sermons by by David Harp

• Right with God alone
• The Gospel: An Obligation without Shame

[2] Austin's Witness, by Rusty Russell

[3] Self-Sufficiency; Not All It Seems, by Phillip W. Mansfield

[4] Are You Ashamed? By Harry Swayne

[5] Why I am Proud of the Gospel, by Pastor Wesley Crouch

[6] Habakkuk 5, by Paul Hawkins

[7] Not Ashamed 2 - of the Gospel, by Richard DeRuiter

[8] The Heart of Romans, by Douglas James Wilson

[9] Not Ashamed Of The Gospel, by Alan Balatbat

[10] How Does the Gospel Save Believers, by Rev. Gregory S. Byrd

For other available sermons, please surf to Sermon / Preaching resources. Sermons are also available from South McGehee Baptist Church, McGehee, Arizona; Central Baptist Church, Lowesville; First Baptist Church, Mountain View, Missouri; Swift Creek Baptist Church; Word of Life Baptist Church, Pottsville, Philadelphia; Palm Springs Baptist Church, California; South Woods Baptist Church; Grove Baptist Church, Ulster; Dudley Baptist Church, United Kingdom; Independent Fundamental Baptist Sermons, Fundamental Christian Radio Broadcasts, Off-Site Audio Page and The Christian Radio Tuner

Notes: (1) This ministry does not necessarily endorse or share all the views and opinions expressed in the materials, resources or links mentioned in these posts. Please always refer to the Articles of Faith and Biblical distinctives of Baptists when you study these materials. (2) This lesson is part of the projected 300 plus lessons. From time to time, the lessons will be updated, revised, combined, formatted, and edited to comply with the VOA Simplified English word list. Later on, these lessons will be categorized, numbered sequentially, and made available as PDF downloads.