Romans Studies

ROMANS

Apart from the introductory statements in Romans 1:1-17, and the closing comments in Romans 15:14 - 16:27, Romans has four major divisioOthers said that, even if quoted correctly, Dr Maslowski’s six-year projection for near-ice-free conditions is at the extreme end of the scale. Most climate scientists agree that a 20 to 30-year timescale is more likely for the near-disappearance of sea ice.ns in the body of the epistle. Those first and last things are covered in our study. For the purpose of the outline here, I wish to focus on the body of the Epistle to the Romans.

HUMANITY'S NEED FOR GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
1.Condemnation of the Gentiles.Romans 1:18-32
2.Condemnation of the Jews.Romans 2:1-3:9a
3.Condemnation of all of Humanity.Romans3:9b-20

SECOND DIVISION: Romans 3:21 - 8:39
HOW GOD PROVIDES HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
1.Through Justification.Romans 3:21-5:21
2.Through Sanctification.Romans 6:1-8:17
3.Through Glorification.Romans 8:18-39

THIRD DIVISION: Romans 9:1 - 11:36
GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS SUPPORTED BY HIS SOVERIEGNTY AND HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY
1.Does Paul have no concern for Israel? Romans 9:1-5
2.Why has Isreal been rejected and Gentiles called? Romans 9:6-10:21
---God's Sovereignty---Romans 9:6-30
---Human Responsibility---Romans 9:31-10:21
3.Will all Israel be rejected?Romans 11:1-10
4.Will Israel be rejected forever?Romans 11:11-36

FOURTH DIVISION: Romans 12:1 - 15:32
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF RECEIVING GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS.
1.Believer's Duties To God.Romans 12:1-2
2.Believer's Duties To The Church.Romans 12:3-8
3.Believer's Duties To Society.Romans 12:9-21
4.Believer's Duties To The State. Romans 13
5.Believer's Duties To Believers.Romans 14:1-15:13
Now, enjoy a "guided tour" through Romans, using this outline.

Michael L. Gill
Pastor, Rupert Free Will Baptist Church
(209) 436-3593

The entertainment industries understand what themes attract and satisfy most people. Apparently, the threat of injustice, injury, and death inspires the rise of larger-than-life heroes and saviors. Even comedies run along similar ideas of mishaps followed by happy endings. Perhaps we are hoping that there is a savior who will help us in our real life tragedies.

The book of Romans in the Bible reveals humanity’s very real need to be restored to an approved relationship with God. Because people restrain truth (Romans 1:18), God stops restraining mankind’s evil practices (Romans 1:24,26,28). A short list of religious, sexual, and social perversions is traced to the fact that when people knew God, they refused Him (Romans 1:21) and did not like to retain the knowledge of God (Romans 1:28). Mankind has now rejected that uniform standard of right that was given by God, and is guided by personal agendas of power, pleasure, and pride. Death itself is shown to be the consequence of Adam’s informed decision to invent for him self a new standard that allowed him to do what God told him to not do (Romans 5:12 - 21). We must admit that we find ourselves doing and saying things we know are wrong and hurtful; not doing and saying what we know is good (Romans 7:14 – 25). Since we are our own worst enemy, abusing nature as well as ourselves, who from among us could possibly save us from ourselves?
Our failing to resist selfish pride, pleasure, and power; and do good shows that we do not need correction. We need forgiveness. The one person who never sinned, and so needed no forgiveness, is the Jesus Christ of the Bible. He took our guilt away from us and paid for it as if He was guilty of all the sins ever committed by all humanity over all time (Romans 5:8 & 12-21). We may judge and condemn each other, but Jesus came to redeem, rescue, restore, and forgive! He came to free us from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2), emancipate sin’s slaves (Romans 6:7 – 18), adopting us as chosen and beloved children (Romans 8:14 – 17).
Let go of the weight of your failures and guilt, of others’ injuries against you, or of your need for vindication. Acknowledge God’s gift of love, which is perfect Jesus dieing to restore imperfect you into God’s joyful heart (Romans 10: 9-10)! Liberty is in forgiveness.

Did you know that more commentaries have been written about Romans than about any other book of the Bible? My main references for this study are the "Thompson's Chain Reference Bible", "Romans Verse By Verse"-by William Newell, and "Outline Study of Romans"-by Roy Gingrich. My purpose is to create a study of Romans in 12 parts for your use. I hope that this study will make this letter from the apostle Paul to the Romans understandable to you and re-teachable by you to others. Since this book, with Galatians, teaches the foundational New Testament theology "Justification By Faith" and since a right understanding of this letter (especially chapters 1-3) will inoculate you against errors and heresies concerning salvation, it is one of the most IMPORTANT studies you will ever undertake! The letters to Romans and Galatians sparked the Reformation and every major spiritual revival since. May they spark a personal spiritual revival in you as well!

Romans chapter one

Simple Outline of the book:
Romans 1:1-14 Salutation
 1:15-18 Paul's Purpose
 1:18-3:20 The Need For God's Righteousness
 3:21-8:39 The Provisions Of God's Righteousness
 9 - 11 The Defense Of God's Righteousness
 12:1-15:13 The Practice Of God's Righteousness
 15:14-end Closing Personal Remarks
As you study Romans, remain aware of where you are by this "map" of the book. The Apostle Paul is building a solid case for the Gospel by logical progression. Try to NOT ISOLATE verses or thoughts from the whole case.

Also, please remember that there is a world of difference between interpretation and application of scripture. II Peter 1:16-21 plainly states that scripture is not of any private, or personal, interpretation. We must ask first,"What does it say?" before we can begin to ask,"What does it mean to me?" Mis-interpretation will certainly lead to mis-application!

STUDY OF THE TEXT
1:1-7
Paul is Servant -- bond slave ref. I Corinthians 6:19-20
Paul is Called -- an apostle, "apo"=forth, "stello"=sent
 ref. John 20:21
Paul is Separated --
 The Gospel is God's Good News(v1. Gospel of God)ref.I Cor.15:3-8
 The Gospel is Promised, Predicted(v2)
 The Gospel is Concerning Jesus (v3) 

 Jesus is God's Son (v3) "DIVINE"
 Jesus is Our Lord
 Jesus is Seed of David "HUMAN"
 Jesus is Powerful (v4)
 Jesus is Holy
 Jesus is Resurrected 

 We are receivers of grace
 We are sent forth also "apostlship"
 We are obedient (believing gospel affects life)
 We are for His name (we are His reputation) 
 The Romans are beloved of God

 The Romans are called saints (similar to v1)
 
Everyone is introduced now! Paul, Gospel, Jesus, Romans. The next set of verses will introduce the apostle's relationship to the Romans and his purpose for writing. 
1:8-15 
Paul is <align="center">Thankful(v8) 
 Praying (v9) 
 Longing (v11) </align> 

Paul's Purpose, His interest in the Romans:
 (1)To Impart spiritual gift (v11) not gifts of the Holy Spirit, but as from our pastor John Ziulkowski, I receive from him refreshing of faith, refocusing on Jesus.
 (2)To Find Mutual Comfort(sumparakaleo) the Holy Spirit's name shows up here.
 (3)To Be Fruitful (v13)
 (4)To Preach (v15)
 

If the Gospel is good news, then there must first be some bad news for which it is the remedy. The text of Romans can be seen in verses 16 & 17.

 1st Gospel
 2nd Saving Power of the Gospel
 3rd Secret of that Power is God's Righteousness given
 4th Old Testament support
 

DIVIDE ROMANS 1:18 - 3:20 INTO THREE SECTIONS 
(remember where we are on our "map")
 1st section Condemnation of Gentiles 1:18-32
 2nd section Condemnation of Jews 2:1-3:9a
 3rd section Condemnation of World 3:9b-20
 

Paul is ready to preach the Gospel (v15) because:
 (v16) He is not ashamed(same word in Romans 6:21)
 (v16) Gospel is power of God to save
 (v17) Gospel reveals God's righteousness by faith
 not works
 (v18) Gospel rescues from God's wrath against
 man's ungodliness and unrighteousness.
 

Two Great Revelations
 God's wrath against man's impiety and immorality
 God's existance and power and Godhead via creation
 
These things are known by all but ignored or denied by many. Gods Wrath (repeated in Romans 2:8) exampled in Genesis 19:24, predicted in Acts 17:21. Romans 3:5 depicts Gods justifiable abhorrance, anger, indignation against man's unrighteousness. ARE YOU AFRAID TO SIN? What do you fear? What should you fear? ref. Matthew 10:26,28,31.
 

Romans 1:18
 ungodliness = impiety. (disregard for God)
 unrighteousness = wicked conduct
 hold down = restrain, as in II Thessalonians 2:6
 (please remember that last comment, as it ties in nicely to God's actions in verses 24, 26,&28) Restraining the Truth? Indeed, almost all men obey less truth than they know. How much do we know?
 

THAT WHICH MAY BE KNOWN OF GOD...
 manifest in them (v19)
 showed it to them (v19)
 clearly seen (v20)
 understood (v20)
 when they knew God (v21)
 Did not like to retain God in their knowledge (v28)
 Knowing God's judgement (v32)
 

Verses 24, 26, & 28 We cannot plead ignorance. God reveals...Men reject...
Because of man's impiety, irreverence, disregard of God...
God turned man over to immorality! The divine punishment for man's religious sin (rejecting God) is GOD REMOVING HIS RESTRAINT and turning man over to moral sin!
 

TWO GREAT RESTRAINERS!
 Men restrain (hold down) the Truth in unrighteousness(v18)
 God restrains the immorality of man (vs.24,26,28)
 
Though, here we see God turning man over to immorality, it can only be so if HE was holding back what HE now turns loose! What does God really expect from us? See Romans 1:21. Understand that God expected that man should glorify HIM as God and be thankful.
 

LIST some ways to glorify God as God.
 
LIST some ways to show thankfulness to God.
 

FIVE STEPS INTO IDOLATRY
 1st Rejected God (v21)
 2nd Lost Knowledge of God (v21)
 3rd Turned imagination, human philosophy (v21)
 4th Became proud (v22)
 5th Worshipped Idols (v23)
 -Man-
 -Bird-
 -Beast-
 -Creeping Things- (evolution's "primordeal goo"?)

 Since Evolution teaches the survival of the fittest, it should only produce the best killers and best escapers. How could it produce man's capacity for art?
 

VERSES 28 - 32 are not describing the finally damned, but the presently lost! Leading down to this great condemnation is the first result of idolatry in verses 24-25. LUST within natural designs. The next step down in verses 26-27 is LUST against natural designs and so against The Designer! Please recall where we are on our "map" of Romans. This is part of the section that is stating Man's Need For God's Righteousness. Paul is NOT saying that those who do such things cannot be saved. He is saying that those who do such things CANNOT SAVE THEMSELVES!

 
If our God is a loving God, why is there suffering in the world?
 
 Man restrained the truth in unrightesouness, so God removed His restraint on human immorality. The resulting suffering, injustice, and sickness is really our own responsibility.
 
 
Will God condemn those who have never heard the Gospel? 
 
Those who have never heard are nonetheless sinning against a flood of light (God's self-revelation through creation) and have fallen into darkness as a result of their rejection of that light.
 
END OF LESSON ONE
 

START OF LESSON TWO 
ROMANS 2:1 - 3:9a "CONDEMNATION OF THE JEWS" 
The first 16 verses of this chapter give six principles of God's judgement.
 
FIRST <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Rom/Rom002.html#top">Romans 2:1</a> God judges in accord with judgements we have made. Attention is focused on the word "judge". Ref. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat007.html#top">Matthew 7:1-5,</a> which says,"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, "Let me pull the mote out of thine eye." and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrit, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." He who condemns a deed and yet does the same deed, has already set the criteria for his own judgment. This sets a deep contrast to Romans 1:32 where sinners applaud the sin of others. Society tells people to live and let live; which really means to sin and let sin! Society tells Christians to allow sin and say nothing! This principle has been used to brow-beat Christians into silence regarding unrighteousness in society, in unbelievers, and even in the Church! Heed the words of Christ! Remove the "beam" from your eye! Deliver others from sin rather than condemn them for their sin! 

SECOND Romans 2:2-3 God judges in accord with deeds done! Attention is focused on the word "commit". These people obviously know that "these deeds" are wrong, in that they judge "these deeds". They adopt a false concept that judging sets them above being judged and condemned. People who know better than to "commit such things" and yet commit them will find greater judgement. ref.<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/2Ti/2Ti002.html#19II Timothy 2:19/a> and <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Jam/Jam004.html#17">James 4:17</a>,Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." These words establish the concept that judgment falls on those whose deeds are contrary to their knowledge. 

THIRD Romans 2:4-5 God judges in accord with accumulated wrath! Attention is focused on the hard and impenitent heart! The "richness" spoken of conveys the idea of God's abundant and continuing goodness, witholding execution of judgment, and patience. Hundreds of examples could be given of God's slowness to anger, God's unwillingness that any should perish, and of people who know better than to abuse His kindness but do it anyway. ref. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Hbr/Hbr003.html#7">Hebrews 3:7-11</a> 

FOURTH Romans 2:6-11 God judges in accord with the life that is lived. Can the Law of Moses save anyone from condemnation? Indeed it could...IF ANYONE COULD KEEP ALL OF IT! We know that Jesus Christ alone qualified to pay for the sins of others based on the fact that He had no sin of His own! Here, our attention is focused on the keeping of the LAW of MOSES, or the failure to do so, and the results of each kind of life. This reminds the reader of <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Lev/Lev018.html#top">Leviticus 18:5</a> and <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Deu/Deu027.html#26">Deuteronomy 27:26</a> in context! The Apostle Paul is not teaching here that good works can make us accepted with God, only to later declare that good works cannot accomplish that acceptance. This is no contradiction when you understand Paul's point is that the Jews failed to live according to the Law! 

FIFTH Romans 2:12-15. God judges in accord with the "light" that is given. Attention is focused on the concept that we are responsible for what we know. ref. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Luk/Luk012.html#47">Luke 12:47-48</a>,"And that servant, which knew his Lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." 

Realize that Romans 2:12 and 2:16 are a connected thought, and that verses 13 - 15 are explaining verse 12.
 
verse 13 explains why the Jews are condemned by the Law, rather than justified by the Law. 
verses 14 -15 explain why the gentiles are condemned without the Law, rather than excused from the requirements of the Law: 
(1) God's Law is written in their hearts 
(2) God created all people with a conscience 
(3) gentiles pass moral judgments on each other, which reveals the moral basis to their thoughts! 
 
SIXTH Romans 2:16 God judges in accord with the secrets of persons. Attention is focused on "secrets". Can a person pretend toward God? No? Then, why do we try? Or, Why do we avoid direct and honest interaction with God? Is it not BECAUSE we cannot pretend toward Him?
We like to think well of ourselves. We like to have others think well of us. In order to accomplish that, we avoid acknowledging to ourselves, or allowing others to discover, all that is not well about ourselves. But THERE ARE NO SECRETS KEPT FROM GOD! He already knows what you would rather no one knew! He is already aware of all you would like to forget. Don't try to hide from God. ref. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Gen/Gen003.html#8">Genesis 3:8</a> 
It is far better to come to Him. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat011.html#28">Matthew 11:28-30</a> 
It is far better to confess to Him. <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Jo/1Jo001.html#">I John 1:8-9</a> & <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Jo/1Jo002.html">2:1-2</a> 

Oh, but we are not yet finished with the complete failure and condemnation of humanity! Now those six principles of God's judgment will be applied to the Jews! See in verses 17-20 how the Jews despised their FIVE PRIVELEDGES TOWARD GOD and their FOUR PRIVILEDGES TOWARD GENTLIES! What riches of God's goodness they squandred! 
Five Priviledges Toward God 
(1) Called a Jew 
(2) You rest in the Law 
(3) Boast in God 
(4) Know His will 
(5) being instructed in the Law, you approve the more excellent things. 
Four Priviledges Toward Gentlies 
(1) You are a guide to the blind 
(2) You are a light in the darkness 
(3) You are an instructor to the foolish 
(4) You are a teacher of babes 
 
Five Questions That Reveal Jewish Failures Romans 2:21-24 
(1) Do you teach yourself? (right from wrong?) 
(2) Do you steal? 
(3) Do you commit adultery? ref.<a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Mat/Mat005.html#27">Matthew 5:27-28</a> 
(4) Do you commit sacrilege? 
(5) Do you dishonor God? 
How did they tarnish God's Name? Observers saw their stealing, adulterous, blasphemous living and thought that God must be like His people, as it was like that among the pagan gods. Also, since God was always having to chastise the Jews for their many sins, observers thought God must be like one of their cruel gods! When we are not a reflection of God, we become a reflection on God! 
Jew's False Refuge! Romans 2:25-29 
The defining mark of the Jews was circumcision. It symbolized their separation from and above the gentlies. It symbolized their special appointment from God to be closest to God. It symbolized their privilege to hear directly from God and to speak on behalf of God. 
Paul turns this around nicely. The Jewish circumcision is nullified by their disobedience, while the uncircumcised are accounted better than Jews by their obedience! We who are believers in Christ should pay attention to this, lest we become guilty of the same presumption. 
Final Jewish Questions! Romans 3:1-9a 
(1) With so many blessings from and privileges toward God, yet marked with so much failure, what good does it do to be a Jew? The greatest advantage was the gift to them of the Scriptures! Their unbelief did not render ineffective God's communication through them to mankind. Without them, we would not have what God gave through them! In fact, God has shown His great patience, forgiveness, faithfulness, power, protectivness, and more; through their failures! 
(2) If their many failures gave God opportunity to reveal Himself, why should He be angry with them? This philosophy is contrary to the premise that there is right! If right cannot exist without wrong to define it, then both "right" and "wrong" are equally valuable due to being inter-dependant for existance! There could be no righteous judgment against what is wrong if it is absolutely necessary to define what is right! The truth is (and the hope of believers is) that right does exist, and will exist forever, without its contrast after Jesus delivers all things into God the Father's dominion! AMEN! 

THE CONCLUDING CONDEMNATION ON ALL HUMANITY Romans 3:9-20 
(1) Humanity's Character is condemned in verses 10-12 
(2) Humanity's Speech is condemned in verses 13-14 
(3) Humanity's Actions are condemned in verses 15-17 
(4) Humanity's Attitude is condemned in verse 18 
All the world MUST be declared guilty before God (so that Christ could ransome all the guilty and leave no one "unredeemable"). It is for this reason that by the deeds of the Law no one can be justified in God's sight. It is the Law that bings the knowledge of sin, whether it is the Law of Moses, or the Law written in Creation (nature). 
All are guilty. 
All are lost. 
All are condemned. 
 
What a sad and hopeless and helpless place to end a Bible Lesson! Remember our "map" from the first lesson? I hope you now understand how deeply we need God to find a way to make us righteous and acceptible to Himself. We cannot accomplish that by the Law, by our own Works, or by any other means. We cannot "help" God do it for us. How can we be saved?
 
END OF LESSON TWO.

LESSON THREE
ROMANS 3:21 – 5:21
GOD PROVIDES JUSTIFICATION

Please pause to consider where this lesson stands within the context of our study of Romans. 
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Romans 1:18 - 3:20 "Man's Need For God's Righteousness" 
(subdivided) 
1:18-32 Condemnation of the Gentiles 
2:1-3:9a Condemnation of the Jews 
3:9b-3:20 Condemnation of All 
 
Romans 3:21 - 8:39 "God's Provision Of Righteousness" 
(subdivided) 
3:21-5:21 Provision of Justification (We are here in the study) 
6:1-8:17 Provision of Sanctification 
8:18-8:39 Provision of Glorification 
 
Romans 9:1 - 11:36 "Defending God's Righteousness"
 (subdivided) Questions & Answers 
Romans 9:1-5 First Concerning Paul's love for Israel 
Romans 9:6-10:21 Second Concerning Why Israel is rejected 
Romans 11 Third Concerning duration of rejection 

Romans 12:1 - 15:13 "Practicing God's Righteousness"
 (subdivided) Five areas of responsibility! 

Paul's close to the letter holds much fascinating and important information. We will not leave it out.
 
 
Please compare Romans 1:17 with Romans 3:21 
Notice how that both speak of the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD being revealed OR manifested. It is here (chapter 3 verse 21) that the apostle Paul continues the thought of 1:17 after carefully explaining humanity's great need for God (Who is our judge) to save us from our justifiable condemnation. We are faced with a difficult and important question at this point.
 
"How can God offer His saving grace and forgiving love to sinners AND satisfy His required punishment of sin?"
 
Here is where the GOOD NEWS begins! God will accomplish both, seemingly contradictory, aspects of the question just asked. There are three things Christ accomplished for us that affect our past, present, and future. Our Lord Jesus Christ: has already completely finished our JUSTIFICATION (Romans 3:21-5:21) 
is presently accomplishing our SANCTIFICATION (Romans 6:1-8:17) 
will certainly accomplish our GLORIFICATION (Romans 8:18-39) 
 
PAUL PRESENTS THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH 
Romans 3:21-26 
What Is Justification? First understand what it is NOT. Justification is not PARDON, which excuses from punishment without clearing away the grounds for the punishment. To be justified is to be declared righteous, justice is satisfied, grounds for punishment removed! 
What are the aspects of this justification? 
It is from God. (v.21) 
It is by faith in Jesus. (v.22) 
It is needed by everyone. (v.23) 
It is a free gift. (v.24) 
It is founded on Jesus' death. (vv.25-26) 
 
Romans 3:21 says it is "of God"...from God...whereas "Law Righteousness" is of or from Man's keeping and obeying that Law of Moses. This righteousness from God is without (apart from) keeping the Law, and was pointed to by the Old Testament Scriptures. Romans 4 details the most important of those "witnesses". 
 
Romans 3:22 says it is "by faith of (upon) Jesus Christ" This is the means, not the grounds of being declared righteous. This is HOW, not WHY, it gets applied to us. Faith that does not have Christ Jesus as its object is not saving faith. WHAT JESUS DID WAS SUFFICIENT TO PAY FOR EVERY SIN OF EVERY PERSON FROM EVERY AGE, but only applies to those who believe on Him!
 
Romans 3:23 says that everyone needs this justification because "all have sinned" and because "all fall short of deserving God's praise".
 
Romans 3:24 plainly says the undeserving and unworthy are given a gift! Christ Jesus redeems us.
 
Romans 3:25-26 Since God's grace cannot ignore God's justice, and because our sins stood as a barrier between us and God's grace and love, it was necessary for Jesus to
REDEEM us (declared righteous without cause in us) 
PROPITIATE God (appease God's justifiable wrath against our sins) 
RETAIN GOD'S JUST-NESS in that God DID punish our sins. 
REMOVE OUR UN-JUST-NESS by our faith in His blood (v.25) 

THIS COMPLETELY SATISFIES THE DIFFICULT AND IMPORTANT QUESTION WE ASKED EARLIER.
 
Now admire the perfection and beauty of this Justification by Faith in Jesus! 
Romans 3:27-31 
No one can boast. No one can brag about being quicker to believe, having stronger faith, being less sinful, being better at trusting, or being worth more. 
It presents God's true character! Since God is the God of ALL people and not only of the Jews! 
It establishes the Old Testament! As the following context confirms this doctrine from Old Testament sources! 
 
RECALL ROMANS 1:16-17
 PAUL PRESENTS THE GOSPEL
 PAUL SHOWS THE SAVING POWER OF THE GOSPEL
 PAUL GIVES ITS SECRET "GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS GIVEN BY FAITH"
 PAUL SUPPORTS HIS CLAIM FROM OLD TESTAMENT
 
Obviously, chapter four coincides with Paul's fourth step.
We will cover Romans 4 quickly. I remind you that many wonderful commentaries on Romans already exist.
 
This is a good place to pause in our study to consider another important characteristic to the book of Romans. I hope you have noticed that the apostle Paul often asks, then answers, questions. Use those questions as break points, viewing all that comes after each question as Paul's answer to that question. Then consider the sequential nature of the questions as building to a grand conclusion! Our present chapter of study is no exception to that rule.
 
PAUL SUPPORTS THE DOCTRINE OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH 
ROMANS 4:1-25 
Abraham was Justified by faith. 4:1-12 
FAITH, NOT WORKS Verses 4 & 5 contrast working to receive a reward that is owed to the one who works WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM the one who receives the gift of justification bestowed on believers. The work spoken of here is that keeping of commandments and rules in the Law of Moses. 
O.T. King David is quoted as support also, in verses 6 - 8.
 FAITH, NOT CIRCUMCISION Verses 9 - 12 Remember that circumcision was the defining act of Jewish submission to the Law, and that Abraham was declared righteous BEFORE he was circumcised! A POWERFUL declaration!
 PROMISE, NOT LAW Verses 13 - 16 If we had to keep the Law to save ourselves, faith would be utterly valueless and the promise made to Abraham would mean nothing to us. Christ's birth, death, and resurrection would be pointless.
 WHAT DOES SAVING FAITH LOOK LIKE? Verses 17 - 25
verse 19 stands out by defining a new reality for Abraham! He CONSIDERED NOT (as though it did not exist) THE OBSTACLES TO THE PROMISE! But instead was FULLY PERSUADED (as though nothing else could possibly take place) THAT GOD WOULD PERFORM HIS PROMISE. 

PAUL GIVES THE CONSEQUENCES OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
Romans 5:1-21 

FIRST We Have Peace With God! v.1
We are no longer His enemies, nor objects for His wrath. We are at peace with Him.

 SECOND We Have Hope Of The Glory Of God! vv.2-21
This is the glory given to Christ at His exaltation, the glorified Christ, the Conqueror of death, seated on His throne! This Hope is secure and certain, guaranteed to believers.
 Romans 5:3-4 SECURE HOPE IN TRIBULATION
because tribulation teaches us patience which gives us experience in the workings of God which gives us confidence that God always keeps His promises! HOPE!!!
 Romans 5:5-10 SECURE HOPE BECAUSE GOD LOVES US
 v.5 God loves us now ("is")
 vv.6-8 God loved us in the past ("were")
 vv.9-10 God will love us in the future ("shall")
Never question God's love for you! He has abundantly proven and certified His love for you. Your problems do not disprove His love, but are opportunities for you to explore the powerful steadfastness of His love! 
Romans 5:11 SECURE HOPE BECAUSE GOD IS OUR FRIEND
We have been reconciled. Joy has replaced the expectation of punishment since Christ atoned for our sins with His own blood. 
Romans 5:12-21 SECURE HOPE BECAUSE WE ARE RELATED TO THE LAST ADAM! 
Verses 12 and 18 are a single thought. 
vv.13-14a prove v.12 
v.14b gives the typological connection 
vv.15-17 give the contrasts, dissimilarities 
The security of our hope is in the greatness of Christ's accomplishment. He alone effectively paid for every sin ever done by every person who has ever and will ever live!
 
END OF LESSON THREE
 
START OF LESSON FOUR
 Romans 6:1 - 8:17
 GOD PROVIDES FOR OUR SANCTIFICATION
 
We have seen the spiritual and moral bankruptcy of Gentiles, Jews, and the whole of humanity in lessons 1 and 2. We have only begun to see what God has done to restore humanity to a right and acceptible condition. God has given to believers HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS! Remember the three accomplishments contained within the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, which are these:
 (1) Our Justification which is already completed
 (2) Our Sanctification which is now being accomplished
 (3) Our Glorification which is still in our future
 
We are now entering into the sometimes controversial concept of sanctification. Many opinions exist. What does Scripture say about believers and their capacity to sin or not sin? Why do believers sin?
 
GET THE BASICS CORRECT NOW!
 
"SIN" shows up 17 times in chapter 6 and usually refers to the sin nature rather than sin acts.
 
"LAW" is usually referring to the Law of Moses. In chapter 7:14-25, the apostle Paul is speaking of his conflict as a Jew under Law and not as a believer under grace!
 
"QUESTIONS" and "ANSWERS" are the best keys to understanding what point the apostle is making. Throughout the letter to the Romans, he asks questions and then answers them. All the statements made after one question but before the next question are meant specifically to answer that one question! Then consider the consecutive nature of Paul's Q&A format and you will easily understand Romans and the Gospel.
 
Please don't isolate thoughts or phrases, making them try to stand alone.
 
FIRST QUESTION
ROMANS 6:1-14 "SHALL WE CONTINUE IN SIN, THAT GRACE MAY ABOUND?" 
Apparently some saw no need to refrain from sinning, since all future sins are already paid for, and since abundant sin actually gave God the opportunity to show His super abounding grace! <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Gal/Gal005.html#13">Galatians 5:13</a> begs believers to not use their liberty (from keeping Moses' Law to gain acceptance with God) as a license to sin! Do you understand that all of your sins (past, present, and future) are already paid for on the Cross of Christ? He did that 2000 years ago! It is true that GOOD WORKS are not the grounds for our salvation. They are, however, the NECESSARY FRUIT of our salvation.
 
Briefly consider the dual problems that are most prominent in American Christianity: Legalism and License! These spring from the question of how to live a sanctified life. Usually, due to our weak understanding of Scripture, we are guilty of a failure to conform to the image of Christ. That weak understanding of Scripture results from keeping ourselves too busy to do anything but "nibble" at Scripture's most appealing "hor d'ouvres". We find oursleves still hungry for real answers to our very real problems! The legalist:

1.nibbles at God's Word 
2.attempts to perform acceptable christian duties 
(which we use to manipulate and evaluate each other!) 
3.fails to comform to Christ's image 
4.suffers broken fellowship and conviction 
5.which drives them to nibble and try again to conform! 
Once we understand that God made us acceptable apart from and in spite of, our performance, another problem developes! 
The licentious: 
1.nibbles at God's Word 
2.is acceptable to God regardless of performance 
(performance is unattainable and undesirable because it may foster pride and judgement of others) 
3.fails to conform to Christ's image 
4.suffers broken fellowship and conviction 
5.which drives them to nibble and deny the need to conform! 
There are five new things God gives to us that empower us to live a sanctified life. They are: 
A NEW LIFE. Romans 6:1-14 
A NEW MASTER. Romans 6:15-23 
A NEW HUSBAND. Romans 7:1-6 
A NEW LAW. Romans 7:7 - 8:11 
A NEW RELATIONSHIP. Romans 8:12-17 
Romans 6:1 asks,"Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?" The answer is a resounding,"NO!" The reason is because we have a NEW LIFE! 
Knowledge, Faith, and Action play a part in understanding this new life and how it empowers us to live a sanctified life. 
We must know verses 3, 6, and 9! That is, we must know that Christ died, why He died, and that He rose from the dead never to die again. 
We must believe verses 8 and 11! That is, that we also died with Jesus, our link to sin was broken, and that we also have Christ's deathless life! 
We must act verses 12 and 13! That is stop letting sin rule as if it was still king over us and don't even let sin borrow our hands or togues or feet! 
Sin has no dominion because the Law of Moses that condemns sinners was fulfilled in Christ and Christ has declared us righteous by His grace. It is the resurrection life of Christ, which we have from Him, that empowers us to live a sanctified life! The answer to Romans 6:1 is that we must refrain from sinning because we have a new life! 
Second Question 
Romans 6:15-8:17 Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? 
Since our performance is no longer an issue for salvation, what incentive is there to perform better? This salvation appears to allow us to sin! The answer to that is also a resounding,"NO!" The remaining four gifts from God, mentioned earlier, are the reasons for that answer! We have a new master, new husband, new law, new relationship! 
NEW MASTER Romans 6:15-23 
We are not free to do as we please! We have exchanged the old master (sin) for a new Master (Jesus) and we are obligated to please Him, obey Him (verse 16-17), yield holy fruit for Him (verse 22)! Read it for yourself! The concept is valid! A free person has many options and may choose any at a whim. A servant has only two options, obviously, to obey or disobey. Read <a href="http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Cr/1Cr006.html#19">I Corinthians 6:19-20!</a> 

Verse 16 – To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey… picture these three words together: YIELD, SERVANTS, OBEY.
YIELD = the power of choice! It is not unlimited choice.
SERVANTS = no power of choice! Slaves have NO choice.
OBEY = the only “choice” available.

There are two masters presented here and you may serve only one at a time!
1st master = SIN. Define sin. What does it lead to?
2nd Master = OBEDIENCE. Presented as a contrast to Sin. Where does it lead?

Verse 17 – “BUT”; The strong adversative. 180 degree turn around. Used twice.
A word that contrasts… Not this, but that.
A word that delivers… Ephesians 2:4
Tense changes from ‘present’ in verse 16, to ‘past’ in verse 17. Significant!
WERE slaves of sin and disobedience.
You HAVE obeyed…

Verse 18 – Past completed action, “Being then made free…”
Reminds us of “It is finished” on the Cross.
You are already free from Sin.
Your freedom from sin AUTOMATICALLY makes you a slave of righteousness.
HOW? In fact, you must belong to one or the other. There is no third option.
If you belong to Jesus, you are free from the dominion of sin.

Verse 19 – What was said is an illustration, given because of weak understanding.
Understand two very important facts.
1st – Believing in Christ’s finished work has already set you free for the DOMINION of sin.
2nd – You still have the responsibility of YIELDING your members (body and soul) as slaves to righteousness, which yields holiness as a fruit.
Now, a 3rd concept of great importance is explained.

3rd – Yielding your body (5 senses and all body parts) and soul (intellect, emotions, will) to righteousness… Determined commitment to righteous living…
 Eventually yields holiness of character as its fruit!
 That concept is explained in verses 21 and 22.

Verse 21 – What fruit? Shameful living leads to the fruit of death. Scriptural death is separation from God, and ruined for original purpose.
Verse 22 – “But”. The strong adversative is used again to reinforce the concept of already accomplished freedom!
FREE from sin’s mastery! Name your poison. What sin seems to rule you still? Ask yourself what you are going to believe. Are you going to believe the “sin” when it tells you that you are still its slave? Or are you going to believe Jesus when He tells you that His Cross has already set you free?
SERVANT to God! You are not free from God’s rule! Ask yourself what you are going to believe. Are you going to believe humanism when it tells you that you have complete freedom of choice? Or are you going to believe the declaration of scripture that you are already a slave to God?

Verse 23 – “For” is the conclusion of the thought, expressed in a “nut shell”.

NEW HUSBAND Romans 7:1-6 
A woman is bound by law to her husband so long as they both live! If that "husband" is the Law of Moses (God's Law) then he (it) must not die. The only way to break the bond is for the wife (us) to die (which is required by that Law as in Romans 6:23). Now we see Jesus raising the wife (us) from the dead and becoming our new husband! We are free from the old "husband" and bound to a new "husband", Jesus Himself. 
NEW LAW Romans 7:7 - 8:11 
This passage divides into two parts. Key phrases that indicate this are Romans 7:6b, we are not to serve God in the oldness of the letter, but in the newness of the spirit.
 
"OLDNESS OF THE LETTER" Romans 7:7-25 
The LAW was designed to reveal God's will and to reward obedience but in pointing out SIN, the LAW excited sin and was forced to condemn and kill! The LAW could not ENABLE obedience! It could not give Divine Life! The LAW neither produces sin nor death, but occasioned the sin nature to produce sin which in turn produces death! This leaves a willing servant unable to obey! But help is on the way!
 
"THE NEWNESS OF THE SPIRIT" Romans 8:1-11 
God could not give us "divine life" untill He could punish our sins in His Son's body (verse 3)! Our deliverance (Romans 7:24-25) is through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Understand that divine life was lifted from old ADAM when he sinned, which left him at the mercy of the sin nature. We inherited that from him. Our inheritance from Christ is the indwelling Holy Spirit who provides divine life to us. The results are amazing! 

1.We are now free from condemnation. (verse 1) 
2.We now walk after, fulfill the desires of the Spirit. (verses 1,4) 
3.We now fulfill the righteousness of the Law. (verse 4) 
4.We are now minding, giving attention to, the desires of the Spirit. (verse 5) 
5.We are now after, in accord with, connected with the Spirit.(8:5) 
6.We are now at peace with God. (verses 6,7) 
7.We now abide in life. (verses 6,7) 
8.We are now pleasing to God! (verse 8) 
9.We are body-dead but Spirit-alive! (verse 10) 
NEW RELATIONSHIP Romans 8:12-17 
We are sons, and daughters of God! We have a new Father! We no longer belong to ADAM, but to GOD! Since there is now condemnation on us, we have nothing to fear! We are adopted into God's family! 
So, our NEW MASTER has freed us to serve Himself. Our NEW HUSBAND has raised us from bondange to Law into bondage to Love! Our NEW LAW is not a condemning ordinace but the enabling and life-giving Holy Spirit. Our NEW RELATIONSHIP is being a beloved adopted child of God and heir of eternity. THAT IS THE KIND OF HELP WE NEED TO ENABLE US TO LIVE A SANCTIFIED LIFE! 
That should just about be enough! You should already sense the power of the victory won for you. In fact, uderstanding that living a holy life IS an ability that God HAS provided to you should be making that new life joyful rather than burdensome! But, we are not finished with all that comes to us when God provided His Righteousness to us. We know now that His righteousness justified us in the past and sanctifes us in the present. Now let us finish the trilogy with how it will glorify us in the future! 

START OF LESSON FIVE 
Romans 9 - 11 
The Defense of God's Righteousness 
Why would anyone need to defend God's plan or methods which made His righteousness available to those who believe? Because, it may appear to some that God had become unwilling or unable to deliver on His promises to the Jews. These next three chapters of Romans deal with why the Jewish nation has been cut out, and the gentiles grafted into those promises. Some readers have asumed these chapters to be a parenthesis of unrelated material between chapters 8 and 12, when in fact they are wonderfully essential. Since God has made our faith in His promises the basis for being declared righteous, it is necessary that God keep those promises. Otherwise we have a false hope! It appears to the Jews that God has abandoned His promises to Israel in favor of the gentiles 

So, open your Bible to Romans 9 - 11, because this section of Scripture CLEARLY and PRECISELY explains the balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

A brief outline of the book of Romans will help put those three chapters into context.

Paul presents proof that humanity needs the imputed righteousness of God for salvation by condemning all under sin: gentiles in chapter one, jews in chapter two, everyone in the first half of chapter three. After that, Paul shows how God freely gives that righteousness: providing justification in chapters 3 - 5, providing sanctification in chapters 6 - 8, and providing glorification in chapter 8:18-end. Then, Paul defends God's plan to deliver His righteousness to all who will believe (as opposed to all who will obey Moses' Law) in chapters 9 -11. He must defend this position because some would claim that God had promised certain things to Israel, and now had either changed the rules of salvation or had failed to deliver on His promises to Israel. 
Paul's focus is to maintain that God is righteous to do what He has done based on TWO arguments!
 
FIRST that God is sovereign and may do what He pleases in Chapter 9.
 
SECOND that Humanity is responsible to believe in chapter 10!
 
It is important to remain focused on WHY Paul is teaching WHAT he teaches concerning God's sovereignty and human responsibility. Very simply put, Israel was rejected and the Gentiles included based on God's sovereign will as detailed in chapter 9. He presents the doctrine of Divine Election in v.6 followed by two illustrations in Isaac vs Ishmael and then in Jacob vs Esau. He shows that election is not based on ancestry, seniority, good works, nor on good works foreknown by God! Election by God is based totally on God Himself, totally separate from ANY human influence! This must be so, or else our salvation is no longer a gift, and my be earned in some manner! (Ref. Eph.1:5&11, II Tim.1:9, Titus 3:5, Rom:8:28) The two objections raised in v.14 and 19 that indicate God's sovereignty removes human responsibility and makes God unjust to punish people who cannot resist His will, are answered immediately! These two objections arise WHENEVER unconditional election is taught. Consider v.15=who receives favor is determined by God, not by man! God granted mercy to the murderer Moses but not to murdering Pharaoh. Both were sinners! God exercises His right as God! Again, I insist that it must be so, for if salvation was given based on even the smallest human merit, it would no longer be free, but earned, deserved! 

The answer to verse 19 comes hard to our culture that so highly prizes the "self-made-man"! Before you let a little thought of God's unjust manipulation of the clay become a stumbling block, consider that all the clay is condemned already in sin (remember Romans 1-3) and none of it deserves to be saved! It is great mercy that ANY of the clay gets used for good! God did not make us sinful. Adam's choice did that to us! 

v.29 begins to shift from God's sovereign will toward human responsibility! Can you see it there? Israel REJECTED God's plan! It was offered to them but they sought it not by faith (v.32)! Look at this marvelous "jump" from one to the other as parts of the whole! It is God's sovereign will that people be declared righteous by faith! Only that much, and no more, human responsibility is included within God's sovereignty! Don't miss it, and don't let super-intelligent college teachers argue you away from the confines and liberties of Scripture! Chapter ten continues the human side of things by showing that the Gospel is needed by all (1-5) Suited to all (5-11) Intended for all (12-13) and needs to be preached to all (14-17) but is not OBEYED by all (v 16)! Indeed, the results should have been know by all as Moses warned of Israel's rejection and Isaiah warned of Gentile inclusion(vs.19-21)!

Finally, God is righteous to have made promises to Israel because their rejection is not total, some will be saved (11:4). Nor is that rejection forever (11:26)! Paul recognized the mystery he presents here is a bit beyond our absolute understanding. See how he ends this section in 11:33-36! I think it is best to leave it where Paul did.

Obviously, Scripture is full of demands for human compliance, especially detailed in Romans 12 - 15! Also, obvious is God's sovereignty. Appearantly, to the Apostle Paul, neither God's sovereignty nor man's will is unconditional. It is God's sovereign will that people be declared righteous by faith!

under construction... 
basic content 
Doctrine section of epistle is complete:
Our need for righteousness was proven.
God's provision of righteousness was declared.
God's plan for righteousness was shown to be just based on His soverignty and on human responsibility.
Now comes the practical application of God's righteousness through our lives.I hate to use the word "duty" because to some it will imply a legal obligation. Don't miss the important teachings that have led up to this great fruitfulness of the Gospel in the life of a believer! Please focus on this thought,"BECAUSE GOD HAS MADE US RIGHTEOUS, THE FRUIT FROM OUR LIVES IS TO BE WHAT FOLLOWS!" [html]<a href="http://blueletterbible.org/"><img width="88" height="45" src="http://www.ourchurch-graphics.com/member/c/cherithbrook/blbhome.gif" alt="SEARCH THE BIBLE" boarder="0"></a>Search The Word 
OUR DUTIES TO GOD Romans 12:1-2 
OUR DUTIES TO THE CHURCH Romans 12:3-8
(the proper expression of spiritual gifts) 
OUR DUTIES TO SOCIETY Romans 12:9-21
(love for all men, 13 duties in all) 
OUR DUTIES TO THE STATE - FELLOW CITIZENS Romans 13
(odebience to authorities, taxes, debt of love) 
OUR DUTIES TO THE FAMILY OF GOD Romans 14:1-15:13
(relationship and priorities between weak and strong believers)

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That which thrives in bright light!