Romans was taught by Dr. James Modlish

 

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

The Epistle to the Romans is tile complete and mature expression of the Apostle Paul's main doctrines, which it unfolds in due order and proportion and combines into an organic whole. For the purposes of systematic theology, it is the most important book in the Bible. To master its contents is to be "grounded and settled" in the faith, and to acquire a life-long enrichment.

Martin Luther said “Romans is the chief book of the New Testament ... it deserves to be known by heart, word for word, by every Christian."

Romans is a progressively constructed treatise, arranged in three major parts. There is no major break in chapters (1-8); but as soon as we reach chapters (9, 10 and 11), we realize that Paul has passed from his general application of the Gospel to a particular consideration of its relation to the nation Israel. Then when we come to chapter (12) we are just as clearly aware that Paul passes on again from this to a consideration of the Gospel in its bearing upon individual character and conduct.

The Threefold structure of the epistle is made plainer by the fact that Paul winds up each of the three parts with a form of doxology, (8:38,39; 11:33-36; 16:25-27).

The first eight chapters are throughout doctrinal. They expound the basic doctrines of the Gospel. The next three chapters (9-11) are national, in the sense that they answer questions as to the relationship of the Gospel to Israel. The remaining chapters (12-16) are practical, inasmuch as they apply the doctrines of the Gospel to individual conduct. In the first section we have exposition; in the second, explanation; in the third, application. The first part is racial; the second, Israelite; the third, individual aimed at the Christian. The first part deals with the sin-problem; the second, with the Jew-problem; the third, with the life-problem.

The Theme of the Book of Romans is Justification by Faith. This is one of two favorite epistles of Martin Luther, the other being Galatians.

Romans teaches that a man is saved by grace plus nothing, Galatians teaches a man is kept saved by grace plus nothing.

The Book is written by the Apostle Paul, Saul of Acts (7:58 and 8:1). Paul writes to seven churches: Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Colossi, Phillippi and Thessalonica. "Coincidentally" John the Apostle writes to seven churches in (Rev. 2,3).

There are 16 chapters; 433 verses; 9,477 words. The book was written between 58 and 60 A.D., sometime historically before (Acts 25). It is evident that Paul had never been in Rome when he wrote the Book and shows us that Paul knew about the mystery of the Body of Christ long before (Acts 28).

Key Phrase: "Of God" occurs more times in the Book of Romans than any other book.

Rome represents the Gentile nations, Rome was the capital of the Gentile world. Paul is the Apostle to the Gentiles, (Rom. 15:16). In chapter (15:8) Jesus is called the minister of the circumcision and (15:16) says Paul was the minister to the uncircumcision. Quite illustrious company!

Paul is a pattern for Christian suffering and a pattern also for the Gentile Christian to follow (1 Tim. 1:16).

 

SALUTATION AND THEME (1:1-17)

I. JUSTIFICATION (1:18-5:21)

A. Its need (1:18-3:20)

    [1]. The guilt of the heathen (1:18-32)

    [2]. The guilt of the moralist (2:1-16)

    [3]. The guilt of the Jew (2:17-3:8)

    [4]. The guilt of the entire human race (3:9-20)
B. Its provision (3:21-26)

C. Its relationship to the law (3:27-31)
D. Its illustrations (4:1-25)
E. Its security (5:1-11)
F. Its universal nature (5:12-21)


II. SANCTIFICATION (6:1-8:17)

A. Its basis (6:1-14)

B. Its principle (6:15-23)
C. Its new relationship (7:1-25)
D. Its power (8:1-17)
 

III. GLORIFICATION (8:18-39)

A. Relationship to human sufferings (8:18-27)

B. Relationship to divine purpose (8:28-39)
 

IV. ISRAEL'S DIVINE PURPOSE (9:1-11:36)

A. Paul's concern for Israel (9:1-5)

B. Her relationship to divine promise (9:6-13)
C. Her relationship to divine justice (9:14-29)
D. Her relationship to divine righteousness (9:30-10:21)
E. Her relationship to divine election (11:1-10)
F. Her relationship to Gentile blessing (11:11-22)
G. Her future salvation (11:23-32)
H. Paul's praise of divine wisdom (11:33-36)

V. APPLICATION OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (12:1-15:13)

A. In the dedication of life (12:1-2)

B. In the church (12:3-21)
C. In the state (13:1-7)
D. In society (13:8-14)
E. In nonmoral issues (14:1-15:13)
 

VI. CONCLUSION (15:14-16:27)

A. Paul's future plans (15:14-33)

B. Paul's greetings (16:1-16)
C. Paul's warning (16:17-27)

-Page Navigation-

Chapters: Introduction | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16