Romans Introduction

Of all the books in the New Testament, none are as complete in defining the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the Book of Romans. The Apostle Paul is undoubtedly the Author. It had been described as an Epistle from Heaven to Earth. Paul was the "chief" of the Apostles having labored more in the Lord's work than any other. His apprehension was quick and piercing. His expressions were fluent and to the point. His affections were warm and zealous. His message was bold and daring. He was a skilled preacher, rightly discerning the truth. We have 13 of his epistles in the canon, he probably wrote many more in the course of his ministry.

The Epistle to the Romans is placed first not because of the priority of it's date but because of the excellency of it's content. It can be said from some of the passages in the Epistle that it was written about AD 56 from Corinth while Paul made a short stay there (Acts 20:5). He stayed with a man by the name of Gaius who was a Corinthian. The great mysteries treated in this Epistle may be hard to understand. The first 11 chapters are doctrinal and the last 5 are practical.

Great doctrines are expounded in this book. Justification by faith, sanctification, perseverance of the saints, election, to name a few. All are expounded upon and explained for the believer.

The "doctrinal" part of this book instructs us in two areas that were a stumbling block to the Jews, i.e. Justification by Faith and the inclusion of the Gentile.

  1. The way of Salvation. The foundation for salvation is laid and it is not by good works for the Gentile nor is it by the works of the Law for the Jew, but for both, it is faith in Jesus Christ. Defined are the three steps in salvation, repentance and forgiveness, sanctification and finally, glorification.
  2. Who will be saved. Those who belong to the "election of Grace", Gentiles and Jews.

The "practical" part of this book instructs us, as Christians, in three areas.

  1. General instructions to all Christians.
  2. Instructions as to our behavior in society.
  3. Rules concerning our conduct toward one another.

As he brings the book to a close, he apologies for writing to them, gives them an account of his own affairs, promises them a visit, asks for their prayers, sends special greetings to his many friends there, warns against those who would cause divisions, sends greetings from those who are with him and ends with a benediction.

Paul wrote this book to a church that he had never visited. He was in Corinth at the time (AD 58) just prior to taking relief money back to Jerusalem. With this introduction to the book and a reminder that the theme of this book is "Justification by Faith", lets attempt, with the help of the Holy Spirit, digest the wonderful truths that are found in this book.

A Study of Paul's Letter to Romans

THE GOSPEL AS GOD'S POWER
Salutation1:1-7
Personal Concern1:8-15
The Righteousness of God1:16-17
God's Revelation1:18-20
The Response of the Gentile1:21-25
God's Judgment1:26-32
THE RESPONCE OF THE JEW
Presumption2:1-16
Pride and Hypocrisy2:17-29
THE PLACE OF SIN
The Advantage of the Jew3:1-8
The Power of Sin3:9-20
God Cannot Look Upon Sin3:21-31
UNDER THE LAW
Abraham, an O.T. Example4:1-8
The Meaning of Circumcision4:9-12
The Promise to Abraham4:13-25
MADE RIGHT WITH GOD
The Benefits5:1-11
The New Humanity5:12-21
CHANGED LIVES
Freedom from sin6:1-14
Bondage to Righteousness6:15-23
LIVING IN THE SPIRIT
Freedom from the Law7:1-12
Hope in Christ7:13-25
LIVING UNDER GRACE
Deliverance8:1-11
Sonship8:12-17
Hope8:18-25
Intercession8:26-27
Care8:28-30
Assurance8:31-39
ISRAEL, PROBLEM AND PROMISE
Paul's Lament9:1-5
God's Sovereignty9:6-13
Maintaining God's Sovereignty9:14-24
The Jew's Rejection, Prophesied9:25-29
Israel's Condition9:30-33
GOD HAS NOT REJECTED HIS PEOPLE
Justification by Faith10:1-11
Universality of Christ10:12-21.
GOD'S POSITION NOW
The Jews, Now11: 1-12
The Gentiles, Now11:13-36
THE CALL TO COMMITMENT
Gifts of the Spirit12:1-8
The Way of Love12:9-21
CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY
Responsible Citizenship13:1-7
The Importance of Love13:8-10
The End of the Age13:11-14
RELIGIOUS ETHICS
A Weak Brother14:1-4
Observance of days14:5-13
Food14:14-23
RELIGIOUS SCRUPLES
Paul Seeking Harmony15:1-13
Some Personal Comments15:14-33
FINAL THOUGHTS
Greetings and Commendations16:1-16
Warning About Trouble Makers16:17-20
Timothy, Tertius and Gaius16:21-24
Benediction16:25-27

REFERENCES:

  1. Romans, Everyman's Gospel, 1976, J. W. MacGorman, Southern Baptist
  2. Matthew Henry's Commentary, 1710, A Presbyterian Welshman who read the Bible when he was 3 years old.
  3. Matthew Henry's Condensed Commentary, 1961, Edited and reduced by: Dr. Leslie Church, Rev. Lester Johnson, Rev. F. S. Fitzsimmons
  4. Harper's Bible Dictionary.
  5. Young's Analytical Concordance.


Previous Chapter
Return to Outline
Ask Questions
Next Chapter