Romans 1:1-4:15
DATE AND LOCATION
This letter was written in 57 or 58 AD, about 22 years after Paul's conversion, during his third missionary journey while he was in Corinth, staying in the home of Gaius (16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14).
RECIPIENTS
Romans is addressed to "those who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ … in Rome" (1:6–7). There were small groups of believers meeting all over the city (16:3–5, 10–11, 14–15). Paul's personal greetings to many of them (16:3–16) suggest Paul had led them to Christ in other cities, and then, probably for economic reasons, they had relocated to the empire's capital city.
PURPOSE
• To announce his plans to visit the Christians in Rome, and to enlist support in his mission (15:24, 28–29)
• To teach the fundamental doctrine of salvation in order to fortify them against the Judaizers (1–8)
• To explain the unbelief of Israel and vindicate God's faithfulness in his dealings with that nation (9–11)
• To give practical instruction in Christian living (12–16)
GENERAL OUTLINE OF ROMANS
- Paul's greeting (1:1–17)
- Human sin and God's anger (1:18–3:20)
- The gospel answer (3:21–5:21)
- Dead to sin, alive to Christ (6:1–8:39)
- What about Israel? (9:1–11:36)
- How to live the good news (12:1–15:13)
- And finally … (15:14–16:27)
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Romans 1:1 – 1:7: Greetings
- What is an "apostle"? Why could Paul call himself one?
- How does Paul describe Jesus?
Romans 1:8-17: Paul's Ministry
- Why was Paul thankful for the Romans? How did he remember them while away from them? Application for us?
- Describe the "gospel" for which Paul was not ashamed?
- What does it mean to be "ashamed" of the gospel?
Romans 1:18-32: God's Wrath
- Why is God revealing His wrath against mankind?
- How has God revealed His truth to man?
- What does it mean that man's "thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened"?
- When Paul says that "God gave them over . . ." explain what he means.
- Is this passage still relevant for us today?
Romans 2:1-16: God's Judgment
- On what is God's judgment based?
- What does mankind do that brings down God's judgment?
- What ought man's response to God be?
Romans 2:17-29: The Law
- Why was God upset with the Jews, those to whom He gave His Law?
- Paul was teaching a "new" understand of the Law. What was that teaching?
- Application for us?
Romans 3:1-8: God's Faithfulness
- Is there, in God's eyes, a difference between Jews and gentiles? If so, what?
- Because the Jews are God's chosen people, do they have any special righteousness?
- Is true salvation achieved any differently for the Jews than for the gentiles?
- How is salvation gained for all men?
Romans 3:9-31: God's Righteousness
- On whose righteousness is man judged?
- Can any man achieve that standard of righteousness?
- Is there any hope for mankind?
Romans 4:1-1: Abraham the Example
- Was Abraham under the Law?
- Why did God declare him righteous?
- How can anyone be declared righteous before a perfect God?
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