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CHAPTER 1

WEEK 1: OVERVIEW

Getting Acquainted

The apostle Paul's letter to the Romans is the longest of his letters and is brimming with his exhilarating captivation with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans can be seen as an epic in one sense, not just because of its length but because of its breadth and sweep. Paul begins his instruction with words about creation and the natural order, and then proceeds to show how mankind's disobedience brought disruption to them. Then Paul moves methodically — but beautifully — through the story of the Bible itself, recounting God's justice and grace throughout history, from the days of the patriarchs until the time of his writing. At the same time, Paul lays out the "anatomy" of salvation, telling both the wide-lens story of God's work in history to restore fallen creation and the finer, narrow-lens story of how God saves sinners through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son Jesus Christ. Readers of Romans see both the wide-angle view and the close-up view of salvation.

All of this is even more remarkable when we consider that Paul probably wrote this letter in response to specific doctrinal and practical questions. How does law relate to faith? How do we as Christians relate to the pre-Christian era? How were those who came before Christ saved? How does gospel ministry to the Gentiles affect the Jews' standing with God? What unifies Jews and Gentiles in Christian practice? What divides them?

Paul's letter to the Romans sounds many minor notes (which does not mean they are insignificant) but every note serves to create the symphony revealing God's righteousness brought to bear in history through the saving work of Jesus. The major theme throughout this masterpiece is the powerful message of the cross of Christ, where God's wrath for sin and mercy on sinners finds its fulfillment and unity.

Placing It in the Larger Story

While Romans is not the earliest of Paul's epistles (letters) to appear in the canon of Scripture (1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Galatians were probably written earlier) it serves as a foundation of sorts for all his other letters. This is one reason, in addition to its length, why it appears first in the canon's epistles. The major ideas of all of Paul's other letters — sin, Christ, and the gospel — find their fullest expression in Romans, even though there are some major ideas explored in the shorter letters which are not explored in Romans (doctrines of the church, the nature of Christ, the end times, etc.).

The letter of Romans serves as a grand theological blueprint for the gospel doctrine undergirding the rest of the New Testament. This includes the letters of Peter and the letter of James, who at first glance may appear to diverge from Paul's teaching on justification. Appearing in the New Testament immediately after the four Gospels and Acts, Paul's letter to the Romans unpacks the significance of who Jesus is and what he did. Paul takes the Gospel narratives of Jesus and his apostles — as well as the Old Testament revelation they fulfilled — and reveals their doctrinal implications. In other words, Paul explains the theological meaning of the overarching story stretching from Genesis to Jesus and beyond, into the future.

Key Passage

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith." (Rom. 3:23–25)

Date and Historical Background

Paul most likely wrote his letter to the Romans in AD 57, while on his third missionary journey (see Acts 20:2–3), probably while in Corinth. Notes left by copyists at the end of two early manuscripts identify Corinth as its place of composition. Also, both Phoebe (Rom. 16:1–2) and Gaius (v. 23) had connections to Corinth.

The epistle to the Romans is one of at least two letters Paul wrote to a church he had not visited or founded. Perhaps the church had been founded by inhabitants of Rome who had been in Jerusalem at Pentecost in Acts 2, had become believers, and had then returned to Rome (see Acts 2:10).

The circumstances giving rise to the letter are not entirely clear, but it seems that Paul was addressing theological questions that had been posed to him. One main cause for these questions was simmering hostility between Jewish and Gentile believers in the Roman church. Paul intended to visit Rome (Rom. 1:11–13), and this letter was meant to serve as an introduction to his teaching. Paul also hoped his letter would give rise to a broader missionary operation with Rome as its home base.

At the time of Paul's writing, Nero was emperor. Rome was not just the base of the Roman empire but was considered the base of civilization itself. It is no wonder that Paul hoped to see his readers' world turned upside down for the sake of God's kingdom. Politics and paganism freely merged in the capital city. In its day, Rome was New York, Los Angeles, London, and Paris rolled into one. But in every way the claims of Paul's gospel transcended those of imperial Rome.

Outline

I. The Gospel as the Revelation of the Righteousness of God (1:1–17)

II. God's Righteousness in His Wrath against Sinners (1:18–3:20)

III. The Saving Righteousness of God (3:21–4:25)

IV. Hope as a Result of Righteousness by Faith (5:1–8:39)

V. God's Righteousness Extended to Israel and to the Gentiles (9:1–11:36)

VI. God's Righteousness in Everyday Life (12:1–15:13)

VII. The Extension of God's Righteousness through the Pauline Mission (15:14–16:23)

VIII. Final Summary of the Gospel of the Righteousness of God (16:25–27)

As You Get Started ...

What is your general understanding of the role of Paul's letter to the Romans? What do you think this letter uniquely contributes? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

How do you understand the contribution of Romans to Christian theology? From your current knowledge of Romans, what does Paul teach us about God, humanity, sin, redemption, and other doctrines? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Some of Christianity's more "famous" Bible verses come from the book of Romans. Which ones are you familiar with? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Romans contains some of the more provocative teachings of the Bible as well. Paul teaches on election and predestination, for instance, as well as the way of salvation for the Jewish people and his plan for Israel in the future. What perplexes you about Romans? Are there any confusing parts to this letter that you would like to resolve as you begin this study? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

As You Finish This Unit ...

Take a moment to ask for the Lord's blessing and help as you engage in this study of Romans.

Definitions

Righteousness – The quality of being morally right and without sin; one of God's distinctive attributes. God imputes righteousness to (i.e., justifies) those who trust in Jesus Christ.

Justification – The act of God's grace in declaring sinners fully acquitted and counting them as righteous before him on the basis of the finished work of Christ, received through faith alone.

Kingdom of God – The rule of God manifested in the long- awaited restoration of his people and indeed the whole world. When Jesus came two thousand years ago, he announced that the kingdom of God had arrived (Mark 1:15; Luke 17:20–21). Yet because of ongoing rebellion and rejection of Jesus and his rule, the kingdom still awaits its final consummation and fulfillment in Jesus' second coming (Mark 14:25). For this reason we pray for the kingdom to come (Matt. 6:10).

WEEK 2: THE GOSPEL AS THE REVELATION OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD

Romans 1:1–17

The Place of the Passage

This opening passage to Paul's letter sets the stage for all that comes after. In his customary style, a mix of theological richness and passionate self-disclosure, Paul incorporates the flavor of worship even in the way he greets the Roman church. He appears always to be exulting in the truth and power of the gospel. He even manages to give a soaring summary of the good news between his identification of himself (1:1) and his addressing of his recipients (1:7). The description of the gospel in 1:16–17 then serves as the theme statement for the whole letter.

The Big Picture

In Romans 1:1–17, Paul expresses his desire to come to Rome and gives a stirring description of the power of the gospel.

Reflection and Discussion

Read through the complete passage for this study, Romans 1:1–17. Then review the shorter passages below and write your own notes on the following questions. (For further background, see the ESV Study Bible, pages 2157–2158; also available online at www.esvbible.org.)

1. A Gospel Greeting (1:1–7)

In 1:2–3, Paul references the Old Testament and its promise of Jesus. Jesus himself explained that he was the culmination of the whole Old Testament (Luke 24:25–27, 44–47; see also John 5:39–47). What are some Old Testament passages you can think of that promise or anticipate the coming of Christ? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Paul speaks of "the obedience of faith" in 1:5 (note also 10:16; 16:26). Most Christians are accustomed to speaking of faith and obedience as completely separate categories, and for very good biblical reason. What might Paul mean by "the obedience of faith"? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Paul is writing to the church in Rome in part to strategically carry out his desire to spread Christ's name among all the nations (1:5). From what else you know about Paul and this specific letter, what are some other evidences of this desire of Paul's? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

2. Paul's Gospel Obligations (1:8–15)

When we trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, being justified2 by God's grace in Christ received through faith, we are set free from the obligations of the law for justification. At the same time, we are set free to the obligations of the law for witness to God's faithfulness. In other words, we are saved, not by good works but for them (Matt. 5:16; Eph. 2:10). What does Paul feel obligated to do "first" (Rom. 1:8)? How does this first impulse of his reflect the message of the good news? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Paul is never shy about sharing his feelings in his letters. But the feelings he expresses — whether joy or sadness or even anger — are always shaped by his ultimate desire. According to 1:11–15, what are some reasons he longs to visit Rome, and what is his ultimate desire? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Why would Paul, a Jew, believe he is "under obligation" to Greeks and barbarians (1:14)? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Reviewing 1:8–14, why does Paul say in 1:15 that he is eager to preach the gospel to the Romans? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

3. The Righteous Shall Live by Faith (1:16–17)

Why is Paul "not ashamed of the gospel" (1:16)? How does this answer undercut shame, practically speaking? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

How is the "righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel (1:17)? ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________

Read through the following three sections on Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections , and Theological Soundings. Then take time to reflect on the Personal Implications these sections may have for your walk with the Lord.

Gospel Glimpses

THE GOSPEL CENTER. We see in this opening greeting from Paul to the church in Rome how the good news of Jesus functions as the centerpiece for the Christian's devotional life and evangelistic mission. In the very beginning, Paul says he is "set apart for the gospel" (Rom. 1:1), reinforcing what he has claimed elsewhere, that the gospel is "of first importance" (1 Cor. 15:3). All of Paul's life and ministry flows from this blessed fixation: Jesus Christ crucified, dead, and raised to glory. So for Paul in Romans and elsewhere, the first obedience is the "obedience of faith" (Rom. 1:5). In other words, the first imperative (the thing to do) is to focus on the indicative (the thing that is) and then respond accordingly. By asserting the centrality of the gospel, Paul is really just asserting the centrality of Jesus Christ himself. It is "through Jesus Christ" that he is able to offer thanksgiving to God (Rom. 1:8), for instance.

THE GOSPEL'S POWER. In Romans 1:9, Paul says that he serves with his spirit "in the gospel." He is implying here what he says explicitly elsewhere: the gospel is not just the power for salvation at conversion but the power that sustains the whole of the Christian life, "from faith for faith" (1:17). Paul did not view the gospel as something beyond which mature Christians graduate. Rather, the gospel is the very power that drives the maturing process, which is lifelong.

GRACE TO YOU. Paul's customary greeting is "grace to you" (Rom. 1:7). Paul knows that "faith comes from hearing" (10:17), and so as he is writing these sacred words breathed out by God, he is reminding believers who God is — as Peter puts it, "the God of all grace" (1 Pet. 5:10). In short, when Paul writes "grace to you" at the start of his letters, he is indicating that the preeminent message he brings is one of grace. This is why Paul then closes his letters with the words "grace be with you." Paul knows that the word of God's gospel is powerful, bringing the irresistible call of salvation to those who belong to God and supplying the strength of our faithful God to sustain them all the way to their glorification, so he confidently bookends his letters with "grace to you" and "grace ... with you" (Rom. 16:20).

Whole-Bible Connections

SON OF GOD. In Romans 1:4 Jesus is "declared to be [that is, disclosed as] the Son of God" through his resurrection from the dead. While the title "Son of God" is sometimes used (especially in John's Gospel) simply to refer to Christ's deity, the title here brings to fruition the Old Testament expectation of the son of God to come. In Luke 3:38 we learn that Adam was "the son of God." But we know that Jesus is the "true and better" Adam (see Rom. 5:19). The Father even designated Israel as his "firstborn son" (Ex. 4:22). But Jesus becomes the redemption for the failure of that "son" too. Indeed, John 1:12 tells us that it is only through the true Son of God that others can also qualify to be called children of God. Jesus is the true and eternal Son, now incarnate, and those who trust him become children of God by adoption (Rom. 8:15–17). The biblical hope of sonship to the Father reverberates throughout the father-son stories of the Old Testament and echoes into the New Testament parables of fathers and sons (most notably the famous "prodigal son" story). These all find their unity and fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who on the cross was rejected and forsaken by the Father (Matt. 27:46) so that we sinners could be accepted freely by the Father as his own sons and daughters (1 John 3:1).

"FOR THE SAKE OF HIS NAME AMONG ALL THE NATIONS." Paul expresses his missional concern in Romans 1:5. His desire in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus is that God's name would be exalted among all the nations of the world. In doing this, he is participating in God's ancient plan to make a name for himself in all the world. As early as the start of the Abrahamic covenant,4 God shares his plan that through the nation that comes from Abraham "all the nations of the earth shall be blessed" (Gen. 18:18). In Isaiah 49:6, we learn that Israel is to be "a light for the nations." This prophecy is picked up in Luke 2:32 and Acts 13:47 (and 26:23) and applied to the work of Jesus Christ, in whom there is neither Jew nor Greek, but all are one (Gal. 3:28). Paul's articulation of gospel mission in Romans 1:5 is not an innovation but is in full accord with the grand design of God's saving purposes down through history.

"THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." Salvation by grace received through faith, apart from works of the law, is not a New Testament invention. When Paul writes these words in Romans 1:17, he is quoting Habakkuk 2:4 and recalling the way of salvation from the beginning. As Paul will explain more fully in Romans 4, even for Abraham, the father of the Jewish people, it was not obedience but trusting faith that put him right with God (see also Galatians 3). When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ alone for the forgiveness of our sins, resisting the temptation to rely even in part on our own performance, we are "the sons of Abraham" (Gal. 3:7) and are blessed along with him (Gal. 3:9).

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Excerpted from "Knowing the Bible: Romans"
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