Book of Romans

Book of Romans Roman church established by _____ Roman church = mostly Gentile Written at Corinth by ______, Jan-Mar, 54 AD Prelude to missions appeal for Spain (16:24)

Book of Romans Overarching lesson: J & G = one Classic NT text (Paul’s main work); major impact on church history (Luther, Wesley, Barth)

Let us read … Romans 1:1-15

Romans 1:1-15 “servant of Christ Jesus” (v. 1) “called” or “call” (vv. 1, 5, 6, 7) [chosen, appointed] “we” (v. 5)

Romans 1:1-15 “set apart for the gospel” (v. 1) “separated unto the gospel” (KJV) “separated to the gospel” (NKJV)

Let us read … Romans 1:16-17 “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’”

Quick Question What’s another way of saying, “I am not ashamed”?

Quick Question Why is the gospel being referred to as “the power of God”? What powerful thing is being accomplished?

Let us read: Romans 1:18-19 “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.”

What 2 things have been revealed? Does this seem jolting? “revealed” (vv. 17, 18) [shows, tells]

Other versions of v. 18 “… against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (KJV) “… against all the evil and wrong things people do … “ (New Century) “… angry he is with all the wicked and evil things that sinful people do to crush the truth” (Contemporary English) “… against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth away from themselves” (New Living) “… God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate … to put a shroud over truth” (Message)

Quick Questions How is the wrath of God revealed in human history & our everyday lives? If written today, what word might Paul use for “wrath”?

Wrath  Grace WRATH G R C E

Quick Question Generally, how do people “suppress the truth by their wickedness”? [“hold the truth in unrighteousness,” KJV] HINT 

Let us read … Romans 1:20-32

Romans 1:1-32 “gave them over” (vv. 24, 26, 28) [gave them up, left them, let them]

Quick Question FYI: general revelation vs. specific revelation How is it “plain” what may be known about God? How did God make it “plain”? FYI: general revelation vs. specific revelation

Quick Question See Romans 1:21-23 By glorifying God and thanking God, what is prevented? See Romans 1:21-23