1. The Gospel of God’s Righteousness
Romans
The Gospel of
God’s Righteousness

2. Background
Author : Paul (1:1; 11:13; 15) dictated this letter to Tertius (16:22; see Cor.16:21; Col.4:18; 2 Thess.3:17).
Recipients: Saints at Rome (1:7); both Gentile (1:13; 11:13-24; 15:15-21) and Jewish membership (2:17-29; 4:1; 7:1; 16:3,7,11).

3. Background
The NT does not give the details of how the church at Rome started (local churches, 16:5,10-11,14-15). Possibly the gospel was taken to Rome as a result of Pentecost (Ac.2:10) or persecution (Ac.8:4). It was said at this time that “All roads lead to Rome”.

4. Background
There is no sound evidence that Peter started the church in Rome as Catholics believe.
The spirituality of these brethren was well known (1:8; 16:19).

5. Background
Time and Place of Writing: Probably from Corinth (Phoebe, 16:1-2; see Ac. 18:18; Gaius and Erastus, 16:23; see 1 Cor.1:14; 2 Tim. 4:20); around A.D.; at the end Paul’s 3rd missionary journey (Ac. 20:1-3,16) and just prior to Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem with the collection for the needy saints (15:25-26; see Ac. 19:21; 20:16; 24:17).

6. Background
Purpose: Paul’s primary purpose was to teach about the gospel of God’s righteousness (1:16-17). His secondary purpose was to explain his future plans (1:13; 15:22-24,28-29; see Ac. 19:21).
Theme: The gospel of God’s righteousness; or, God’s plan for making mankind righteous (saving mankind).

7. Background The “righteousness of God”
God’s personal righteousness (3:5, 25-26)
God’s plan to make man righteous (1:17; 3:21-22; 10:3)

8. Romans in Six Words
1. Revelation = the REVEALING of God’s righteousness (1:1-17) 2. Condemnation = the NEED for God’s righteousness (1:18 – 3:20) 3. Justification = the PROVISION of God’s righteousness (3:21 – 5:21)

9. Romans in Six Words
4. Sanctification = the RESULT of God’s righteousness (6:1 – 8:39) 5. Vindication = the DEFENSE of God’s righteousness (9:1 – 11:36) 6. Transformation = the RESPONSIBILITIES of God’s righteousness (12:1 – 16:27)

10. Romans in Six Words
1. Revelation 2. Condemnation 3. Justification 4. Sanctification 5. Vindication 6. Transformation

11. Revelation (1:15-17) Key verse: 1:14-17
After a typical salutation (1:1-7) and mention of his personal plans (1:8-13), Paul sets forth his theme: a righteous- ness of God is revealed in the gospel (1:14-17; see 1:1, 9)
Key words: 1) gospel, 2) salvation, ) believes / faith, 4) righteous(ness)

12. Romans in Six Words
1. Revelation 2. Condemnation 3. Justification 4. Sanctification 5. Vindication 6. Transformation

13. Condemnation (1:18 – 3:20) Key verse: 3:9, 19, 23
Paul sets forth his case that all mankind are guilty of sin and stand condemned and in need of the righteousness God (all are in unrighteousness, 1:18, 29; 2:8; 3:5; 6:19; ungodliness, 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 11:26; and, uncleanness, 1:24; 6:19)

14. Condemnation (1:18 – 3:20)
Gentiles are guilty because they have refused and rejected God (1:18-32); Jews are guilty because they have transgressed God’s law (2:1 - 3:8); the whole world is guilty of sin (3:9-20)

15. Romans in Six Words
1. Revelation 2. Condemnation 3. Justification 4. Sanctification 5. Vindication 6. Transformation

16. Justification (3:21 – 5:21) Key verse: 3:21-22, 25-26
Paul sets forth the provision for the righteousness of God; it is found in justification by faith in Jesus Christ
Justification by faith is provided by God (3:21-31), illustrated from Abraham (4:1- 25), found in believers (5:1-11), and accomplished through Christ (5:12-21)

17. Justification (3:21 – 5:21)
Justification and righteousness are attributed to man’s faith (4:3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 22)
Justification and righteousness are attributed to the work of Jesus on the cross (4:25; 5:17, 18, 21)

18. Justification (3:21 – 5:21)
The source of justification (by God’s grace, 3:24), the means of justification (by Jesus’ blood, 5:9), and the condition of justification (by man’s faith, 3:28)
God’s grace is accessed by man’s faith (4:16; 5:1)

19. Lessons for Today
Revelation: What will you do with the revealed gospel (1:15-16; 2:16; 15:16, 19, 20; 16:25)?
Condemnation: Do you stand condemned and in need (3:23; 2:23)?
Justification: Is your faith active and obedient (1:5; 2:8; 4:12; 6:16-17; 15:18; 16:19, 26)?

20. Lessons for Today Hearing is needed (10:17) Belief is needed (1:16)
Repentance is needed (2:4)
Confession is needed (10:9-10)
Baptism is needed (6:3-4)
Faithful living is needed (6:4; 8:4)

21. Romans in Six Words
1. Revelation 2. Condemnation 3. Justification 4. Sanctification 5. Vindication 6. Transformation