Use your BACK command to return to the
previous page, OR
Press Here to return
to the menu page.
After viewing a scripture reference use you BACK command to return to this page.
Walking Thru The Bible
ROMANS
Introduction
AUTHOR and DATE
The book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul at Corinth during the
three month stay in Greece which is mentioned in Acts 20:3. This was in the
winter of 57-58 AD. It was at the close of the third missionary journey and on
the eve of Paul's departure to Jerusalem with the offering of money for the
poor saints (Romans 15:22-27). Within a few days after writing this letter,
Paul began that journey wherein it was testified to him in every city that he
passed through that bonds and imprisonment awaited him in Jerusalem.
THE RECIPIENTS
Paul had long desired to visit Rome. He wanted to preach the Gospel at
this seat of earthly power and government. We do not know who established
the church in the imperial city of the Caesars but it would seem probable be
that some of the "strangers of Rome" who were present at Pentecost (Acts
2:10) started the church there upon their return home. It is likely that the
constant influx of strangers from all parts of the empire carried many converts
to the capitol city.
Long before any apostle visited Italy, the church was established in Puteoli
and in Rome (Acts 28:14, 15). There were some Jews in the church of Rome,
but the majority of the disciples were of Gentile origin (Romans 1:5-7; 11:13-25; 14:1; 15:15,16).
THE OCCASION
The occasion for Paul writing this letter was the departure of Phoebe from
Corinth to Rome. As the New Testament was not complete and no apostle had
ever visited Rome, doubtless many members of the church there had an
imperfect comprehension of many great principles of Christian doctrine. It
was needful that the relations of Jews and Gentile and of the law and the
gospel be set forth with all clearness.
Paul, doubtless, also wanted to inform the people of his desire to visit
Rome when the opportunity presented itself (Romans 1:10-13; 15:24). Paul
wanted to answer any misrepresentations and slanders which may have been
circulated there by him enemies. Legalistic Judaizers were probably attempting
to deceive the people as they had recently done in Galatia and earlier in
Antioch, and a clear exposition of justification by faith wa needed by this
church which was located in such a strategic position (Romans 16:17-19).
PURPOSE of the BOOK
This letter was written primarily to instruct the Christians in Rome, but
also for the benefit of all the churches. The great theme of the book is set forth
in Romans 1:16 " the gospel is the power of God unto Salvation to every one
that believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
This great truth is taught in the first eleven chapters of Romans. Paul
shows that salvation is not by the works of the Law, but through the Gospel
accepted by faith. He tells us that man does not merit salvation, but is saved
by the grace of God on the basis of the sacrifice which Jesus made. The book
of Romans is one of the most profound ever written. It has been called the
gospel in miniature.
ROMANS in A NUTSHELL
Key Verses: 1:16, 17
The Person of the Gospel . . . Christ
The Power of the God . . . . . Gospel
The Purpose of the Gospel "Unto Salvation"
The People to whom sent .To everyone
The Plan of Acceptance To everyone that believeth
CONTRASTS in ROMANS
Gospel vs. Law Salvation vs Condemnation
Power vs. Legal weakness Everyone vs. Jewish exclusiveness
God vs. Human imperfection Believers vs. Legal workers
A BIRDS-EYE View of ROMANS
Introduction and fundamental thesis 1:1 - 17
I. DOCTRINAL 1:17 - 11:21
A. Necessity of the Gospel (Universal need of salvation) 1:18 - 3:30
1. Condition of the unrighteous heathen world 1:19 - 32
2. Condition of the self-righteous Jewish world2:1-3:18
3. The condition for all "For all have sinned."3:9-20
B. God's method of Rescue-- Justification by Faith (the Gospel)
and not by the Law (of Moses) --3:21 - 5:21
1. Righteousness obtained through faith in Christ3:21-31
2. The evidence of the Old Testament4:1-25
3. The results of justification by faith 5:1-11
4. Adam and Christ-- and the results of their two acts5:12-21
C. Victory over Sin in the Disciples's life -- 6:1 - 8:39
1. The Christian to have victory over sin because of his
union with Christ in death and resurrection through baptism6:1-23
2. The Christian is not under the Law 7:1-6
3. Victorious living does not come through the Law 7:7-25
4. Victory through the law of the Spirit of Life8:1-13
5. The result of "life after the Spirit"8:14-39
D. The Vindication of God's choice-- Rejection of IsraelCh. 9 - 11
1. Israel's Past -- God's mercy Ch. 9
2. Israel's Present -- Ch. 10
3. Israel's Future -- Ch. 11
II. PRACTICAL 12:1 - 15:13
A. The Christian life in relation to self and God --12:1-2
B. The Christian life in relation to brethren --12:3-16
C. The Christian life in relation to others --(esp. persecutors)12:17-21
D. The Christian life in relation to earthly government --13:1-14
E. The Christian life in relation to doubtful matters
and weaker brethren-- 14:1 - 15:3
F. Joy, peace and hope for all--both Jew and Gentile--in Christ15:4-13
Conclusion and personal greetings
A. Paul's desire for spiritual blessing for recipients-- 15:14-33
B. Personal greetings and parting exhortations --16:1-27
Not Ashamed Of The Gospel
Romans 1:16
Introduction:
1. One of the most familiar passages in Romans is 1:16 "For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it the power of God
unto salvation to every one that believeth, to the Jew
first and also to the Greek."
I. As we look into the life of Paul after his conversion and his writings in the
New Testament, and particularly the letter to the Romans, we see that there
wasn't ANY PART of the gospel that he was ashamed of. For example:
A. He was not ashamed of the FACTS of the gospel.
1. I Cor. 11:1; Acts 13:28-30; Acts 17:16; Acts 26:23;
I Cor. 15:1-4;
2. You and I need not be ashamed of the gospel today.
B. Paul was not ashamed to preach that there is but ONE GOSPEL.
1. Eph. 4:5 "one faith"; Eph. 4:4-6 "one body" Romans 8:24. Gal.
1:8-9 the curse of preaching any other.
2. Acts 13:10 Paul was not ashamed to rebuke those who perverted it.
3. We should boldly preach and stand for the "one faith"
C. Paul was not ashamed of the COMMANDS of the gospel.
1. He preached the "whole" gospel, Acts 20:27. He was not ashamed
to preach that men must hear the word, Rom. 10:17; believe in
Jesus, Acts 16:31; repent of their sins, Acts 17:30; confess their faith
in Jesus, Rom. 10:9-10; and preach that baptism is essential for
salvation, Rom. 6:5.
2. Don't be ashamed of the commands of the gospel.
II. In the next part of the verse Paul tells WHY he was not ashamed. "FOR it is
the power of God unto salvation."
The GOSPEL is God's POWER to save the souls of men.
A. It is God's CONVINCING POWER. Romans 10:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; John
20:30-31. It brings men to faith.
B. It is God's CONVICTING POWER. John 16:7-8; Acts 2:37; It brings
men to repentance.
C. It is God's CONVERTING POWER. Psalms 19:7; Rom 1:16 and 8:2;
James 1:25; 1 Thess. 2:13. It teaches men how to get into Christ, Gal.
3;27
D. It is God's CONFIRMING POWER. In I John 5:13 John said he wrote
that they may know they had eternal life.
Conclusion: Don't be ashamed, the Gospel is God's power unto salvation for all of
us today.
End of File -- Return to the TOP of this Page.