The apostle Paul had a great gift for preaching the Gospel. He was not eloquent and had no training. God gave him this gift of speech, and it is written in a way that it can be understood by all people. Paul wrote letters to many churches, sharing what he thought they should know. The letter to the Romans is his most famous letter because it was addressed to the Roman church, who were considered very spiritual by everyone. He wanted to make them even more spiritual by showing them how great God’s love was for us.
The book of Romans is the most concentrated book of the New Testament. The sheer number of words and ideas contained in it, make it both a complex yet relatable book. It also seems to be one of the simplest, as well as an often ignored part of the Bible, especially by new believers. Paul’s letter to the Romans is one which discusses issues such as, necessity for faith in Christ, God’s plan for us and our salvation and how we should behave under His grace. The Book of Romans was written to introduce the gospel through logic and reasoning as opposed to being a description or definition of it. This particular chapter discusses ways that people can become right with God and how they can seek to gain eternal life in Him. Discussed; Book of romans study guide, Romans chapter 1:6 summary.
Summary of the book of romans by chapter
The book of Romans is a Pauline Epistle (letter from Paul). The Apostle Paul wrote it roughly about 56-57 A.D. The key personalities in the book of Romans are the Apostle Paul, and Phoebe who delivered this letter. Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Rome, hence the name “Romans”. He wrote it to give them a concrete theological foundation on which to construct their faith and to live for and serve God effectively.
The book of Romans reveals the answers to important questions and supplies information on many topics, such as salvation, the sovereignty of God, judgment, spiritual growth, and the righteousness of God. Many scholars also describe it as The Gospel and the Righteousness of God, which can be received only by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
Romans is the sixth book in the New Testament. The contents of the book were written by Paul the apostle to a first century audience who were predominantly Gentiles (non Jews). The principal themes are about God, sin and grace. This summary of Romans explains key verses and concepts from this significant book of the bible.
The focus of the “righteousness of God” is foundational throughout the book of Romans. In fact, it is threaded through every section of the basic outline of this epistle. Paul reiterates this so that the reader may realize that salvation cannot be attained through man’s good deeds but only through faith in God’s righteousness: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes… For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith” (1:16-17). You cannot repair your relationship with God through your good deeds; this is only accomplished through faith in the perfect and finished work of Jesus Christ.
Romans chapter 1:6 summary
Romans 1:6 states that Jesus Christ came in the likeness of sinful flesh. This means that He had to be born into this world as a human being, but without sin.
Jesus was born of a virgin mother named Mary (Matthew 1:20). She did not have sexual relations with a man before conceiving Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:45). The Holy Spirit came upon her and overshadowed her to accomplish this miraculous conception (Luke 1:35).
Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and lived His life as a man under the law of Moses (Galatians 4:4). He was tempted in all points like we are but never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).
In Acts 2, Peter preached about Jesus being crucified and raised from the dead for our justification. He said that God had appointed him ruler over all things on earth (Acts 2:36-40).
Romans 1:6
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.
According to Paul, what was the purpose of his writings?
What was Paul’s argument in this verse?
What can we learn from Paul’s words here?
• In chapters 1-8, Paul explains the fundamentals and foundations of the Christian faith. This is the Gospel Message, which all believers are commanded to share with the entire world. Some of the most popular and precious memorization passages about Salvation can be found in the first several chapters of Romans, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (6:23). Paul teaches about the sinful nature of all men in the eyes of God, justification by faith in Jesus Christ, freedom from sin, and victory in Christ.
• Chapters 9-11, Paul explains God’s sovereignty over salvation. He also spells out how an individual may come into a right relationship with God: “if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” (10:13). Place your faith and trust only in what Jesus Christ has already done on the cross and make Him the Master of your life and trust He raised Himself from the grave conquering death. His promise is “You will be saved”.
• In chapters 12-16, Paul gives instructions for all Christians about how to live a holy lifestyle. In the beginning of chapter 12 he writes, “Present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice”, and “Do not be conformed to this world” (vss. 1-2). Much of the errors and trials that Paul dealt with in his “Epistles”, were because the believers had conformed their lives to the world and not to God.
Book of romans study guide
Romans is a letter written by Paul to the Church in Rome, and it is one of the most important letters in the Bible.
The book of Romans deals with some of the most important issues in Christianity: sin and grace, faith and works, and law and grace.
Paul begins his letter by explaining that he does not write because he has a high opinion of himself or his teachings but that he writes because “I have been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel; this involves persuading men about Jesus Christ’s death for our sins” (Romans 1:1-5).
Paul goes on to explain why it is so important to believe in Jesus Christ: “For if Abraham was justified by works [he] would have something to boast about; but not before God” (Romans 4:2).
Paul then explains why it is so important to be baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection—and not just any baptism, but a baptism that takes place through faith: “You were buried with him through baptism into death in order that when Christ appeared you might experience what we call ‘resurrection life'” (Romans 6:4).
What is the main message of the book of romans
Romans
1
Paul is separated to the gospel of God. Christ is prophesied in the scriptures; he is of the seed of David (low Christology) yet also the Son of God (high Christology). Paul desires to come to Rome. The gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. The just (those declared righteous) shall live by faith. The unrighteous (those who give in to lust, envy, malice, and vile passions such as homosexuality) must face the wrath of God.
2
Those who judge others are themselves condemned. The moralist presumes upon the goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering of God, and eschews humble repentance. God will judge the moralist because their works also fall short of God’s perfect standard. God is impartial, judging those who have heard the law, and those who have not. Gentiles may by nature act according to the law, being a law unto themselves. Jews boast of the law, but the law condemns them. Circumcision of the heart, in the Spirit, is more important than circumcision in the flesh.
3
The Jews have advantages – the oracles of God were committed to them. The fact that some Jews did not believe does not mean that God’s faithfulness has no effect. Man’s unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God – does this mean we can be sinful, so good may come? Certainly not! The Old Testament witnesses to the universal depravity and guilt of mankind – citations from Psalms are made. The law cannot save us from our sin and the penalty it deserves. An alternative was for God to reveal his righteousness has been made through Jesus Christ. Sinners (everyone) are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The death of Jesus satisfies the righteous judgment of God. A man (Jewish or gentile) is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Does this mean the law is irrelevant?
4
Abraham was not justified by works, but declared righteous through faith. Works involves earning merit, whereas grace is a freely received gift. Paul quotes Psalm 32, about sins covered, and not imputed. Abraham was counted righteous before he was circumcised; he was not counted righteous because he was circumcised. (Law – here the law of circumcision – is a sign of righteousness, not a cause of it.) God’s promise to Abraham was based on the principle of faith, not law or works. Our inability to keep the law, however, means that it becomes a vehicle of God’s wrath towards us. (Faith is related to grace in the same way works is related to law. Grace and law are the principles, and faith and works are the means by which we pursue those principles for our relationship with God.) If we believe that God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, faith shall be imputed to us in the same way that it was to Abraham.
5
We access grace through faith. We glory in tribulations, which inspire hope. Christ died for the ungodly; we are saved from wrath through him, and reconciled to God. Death reigned from Adam to Moses, although sin was not imputed in the absence of the law. God’s grace through Christ is greater than Adam’s offence. By one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. The law makes man’s sin clearer and greater by clearly contrasting it with God’s holy standard. The law makes sin abound, but God’s grace abounds still more.
6
Shall we therefore continue in sin, that grace may abound? Certainly not! Baptism brings about our death to sin – we too experience a kind of resurrection. We are dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ. We are slaves not of sin, but of righteousness. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
7
The law has authority only over the living – eg a wife is not bound to her husband by law if he dies. In the same way, when our sin dies, we are no longer bound to the law that condemns us. We should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. The law is not sin – on the contrary, it is holy – but it does reveal and define sin. The law shows us our guilt and it excites our rebellion, bringing forth more sin and death. The spiritual law cannot help a carnal man. The good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practise. Sin controls our actions in despite of our wills. It is only by looking outside ourselves, to Christ, that we can escape sin’s controlling influence.
8
Those who walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh are not condemned. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Our debt is the Spirit, not to the law. Living in the Spirit means living as a child of God, becoming adopted, and being joint heirs with Christ. Present sufferings are as nothing compared to future glories. Creation, which sin has also corrupted, will likewise be renewed. We who have the firstfruits of the Spirit inwardly groan but also anticipate our redemption. When we are weak, and do not know exactly how we should pray, God Himself (through the Holy Spirit) helps by making intercession for us. God foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies and glorifies. If God is with us, who can be against us? Noone can bring a charge against God’s elect.
9
God expresses sorrow at the obstinacy of the Jews. We are not chosen on the basis of works – God chose Jacob over Esau before either of them were born. The Pharaoh’s heart was hardened by God. God deals with individuals in either mercy or judgment, and no one has the right to find fault with his proceedings. The prophet Hosea (in Hosea 2:23 and 1:10) declares God’s right to choose, calling those who previously were not called His people. Isaiah (in Isaiah 10:23 and 1:9) declares God’s right to choose a remnant among Israel for salvation. Israel is cast off from God’s goodness and righteousness because it does not seek it by faith.
10
Israel seeks to establish its own righteousness rather than submit to the righteousness of God. Whoever, Jew or gentile alike, calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is necessary to preach the gospel. Isaiah foretold Israel’s rejection of the gospel in Isaiah 53:10. Isaiah: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me’ (Isaiah 65:1). God stretches out his hand to a disobedient Israel.
11
Has God cast away Israel? Certainly not! There is a faithful remnant, as there was in the time of Elijah. God chooses a remnant according to grace. God had a specific purpose to fulfill in allowing Israel to stumble – so that salvation would come to the Gentiles. Israel is the root of a tree, whose branches can be removed or grafted on. God’s plan for Israel includes their eventual restoration. God’s love and calling for Israel still endures. The Gentile Christians came from disobedience; yet God showed them mercy, in part through the disobedience of Israel.
12
Bodies are a living sacrifice to God. You will be transformed by your renewal in the Spirit. Be humble. As a body has many members, so the church has diverse gifts of the Spirit, such a prophesying, ministering, teaching. Treat each other with kindness and toleration. Bless those who persecute you. Do not seek revenge.
13
Governments derive their authority from God, and must therefore be obeyed. Christians should do good and be good citizens, paying taxes. Love your neighbour. Let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
14
Receive those who are weak in faith – spiritual maturity is not a requirement for fellowship. Judging our brother is inappropriate because we are not their masters. Noone has the right to judge someone for particular practices or observances, because they are done from conscience. Judging our brother is inappropriate because we will all face judgment before Jesus. Paul is convinced that no food is of itself unclean, but has no quarrels with anyone who thinks differently. Quarrels over food are destructive and unprofitable.
15
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak. May the Romans be filled with love for others and joy and peace by the Holy Spirit. Paul glories in the work God has done through him. Paul desires to come to Rome. His immediate plans are to go to Jerusalem, however, and he asks the Romans to pray for the success of his visit there.
16
Paul commends Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea. Greetings are sent to Priscilla and Aquila. Greetings to several ones, who are instructed to greet each other with a holy kiss. Beware of deceivers. Concluding praise of God, who has revealed what had been kept a mystery.