Welcome to this Bible study of Romans. Try to answer these questions reading the scripture passages given. The questions marked " * " are more advanced, perhaps, you'd like to see if you can answer them. Those questions labelled " § " are private and need only be shared when you feel comfortable doing so. Of necessity, the questions cannot be based on all translations. The Revised Standard Version and the New International Version are the primary sources, however, use whatever version you enjoy. The LORD will bless your daily commitment to the study of his word.
In the previous chapter, the Acts of the Apostles was studied. Acts recounted the birth of a new sect of Judaism which later developed into the Christian Church. Many of the early apostles, evangelists and teachers were presented as the Church spread throughout Judea and Samaria as a result of the pogrom in Jerusalem led by the established religious leaders. One of the most zealous of these leaders was a man named Saul, later Paul. The adventurous missionary journeys of Paul were recounted in dramatic fashion, and we saw how people responded to the Good News.
This chapter explores the Epistle of Romans written by Paul. To some, the arguments that are presented here may be complicated or even a little intimidating. It may help to bear in mind that there are very few people who understand these theological arguments completely, and also, that the Christian world has been grappling with their meaning and implications since they were written in the first century. My feeling is that, if thousands of years of study by intelligent people has not answered all the questions, I doubt I will be able to answer them in one or two readings. So, if this is your first time through Romans, or even if you have read it many times, relax, read the material and explore what it means to you, even if you may not be able to articulate that understanding quite yet.
Romans is the cornerstone of Christian theology. After a brief introduction, the first three chapters present the argument that GOD's plan for salvation has been available to us from the beginning of time and subsequently, no one is able to claim ignorance neither is anyone righteous independent of GOD. Paul, then, takes on the argument of election which was held by the Israelites by showing from their own scripture that Abraham was justified by faith and that faith was imputed as righteousness. Thus, as is argued in chapters 5-8, life through the Spirit is obtained for us, now, just as it was with Abraham, by faith.
Chapters 9-11 show there is hope for all and no one is excluded from GOD's election. Salvation is shown to be acquired by a pragmatic and succinct step of faith in which we confess with our mouth "Jesus is LORD," and believe in our heart that GOD raised him from the dead. (10:9). Paul closes his theological discussion with the hope that all of Israel will see salvation.
Having settled that we are unable to achieve righteousness by our own effort, rather it comes through a gift from GOD, Paul uses chapters 12-15 to describe what this salvation ought to look like in those who receive it. In short, those who are righteous will love GOD and love their neighbour. This is not to say that loving GOD and loving one's neighbour makes a person righteous, neither that a person has the capacity to love GOD and their neighbour independent of the gift of the Spirit. On the contrary, Paul has already shown that righteousness is not to be obtained by human effort. Instead, Paul is now providing a way for us to know the extent to which we are acting in faith because it is directly related to the extent we love our neighbour.
After your study of Romans, you will understand the arguments for Paul's theology of justification by faith, his opposition to the concept of one's ability to obtain righteousness apart from GOD, and how to step forward in faith by showing love toward GOD and your neighbour. These are concepts that are easier to enumerate than to implement, which is part of the reason that Paul uses both the imperative and indicative forms of explanation. Nonetheless, the reward is salvation and with it eternal life, certainly, goals worth striving for.
The next chapter explores Genesis. First, the beginning with Adam, who Romans cites as the first human by whom death was introduced. Then, Abraham's faithfulness which was counted as righteousness will be brought into full relief by the study of this very real character with very real triumphs and failures. Abraham's lineage continues to the end of Genesis when Joseph brings Jacob's family to Egypt.
death - life
disobedience - obedience
sinners - righteous
Psalm 92:5
Ecclesiastes 8:17
Job 36:22,23
Job 41:11
Psalm 139:1-18
Recommended Reading:
Barth, Karl; The Epistle to the Romans ; 6th ed., Oxford University Press, London 1933, English translation: Hoskyns, Edwyn C.
Ni To-sheng (aka Watchman Nee)
Congratulations, you have completed a challenging lesson. Romans is the cornerstone of Christian theology. After a brief introduction, the first three chapters present the argument that GOD's plan for salvation has been available to us from the beginning of time and subsequently, no one is able to claim ignorance neither is anyone righteous independent of GOD. Paul leaves no doubt that everyone is equal before GOD (3:9-19). It only takes a moment of reflection to realise the truth of the words , "There is no fear of GOD before their eyes."
In this exact point of despair, is where the hope is born. Paul, then, takes on the argument of election which was held by the Israelites by showing from their own scripture that Abraham was justified by faith and that faith was imputed as righteousness. Thus, as is argued in chapters 5-8, life through the Spirit is obtained for us, now, just as it was with Abraham, by faith. "Therefore, since we are justified by faith," writes Paul (5:1). "we have peace with GOD through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of GOD."
If we have already obtained access to this grace, why are we still prone to behaviours which detract from our spiritual relationship? "I do not understand my own actions." are the words Paul uses (7:15). This frustrating experience brings Paul to the realisation that we are limited in our ability to sustain a spiritual relationship, and that GOD the sustainer of all things, is our source of strength. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you (8:11).
Chapters 9-11 show there is hope for all and no one is excluded from GOD's election. Salvation is shown to be acquired by a pragmatic and succinct step of faith in which we confess with our mouth "Jesus is LORD," and believe in our heart that GOD raised him from the dead. (10:9). Paul closes his theological discussion with the hope that all of Israel will see salvation.
Perhaps, in your spiritual journey, you have reached a point of plateau. You seem to constantly face the same problems without success. It may be time to think about a different approach. Consider how you might involve your spiritual relationship in the solution of your problem.
In the next lesson, we will study the Book of Genesis. Genesis opens with a survey of the beginnings of the universe, the earth, and mankind, narrowing its scope to the patriarchs. The people of Genesis are often pictured as heroes of faith. Although this is certainly true, it is also true that these men and women were human. Along with their moments of great spiritual success, they had failures. It is the humanness of these portrayals which makes them lasting and pertinent to us in our own spiritual relationships.