Romans
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Reading Guide
Romans
December 1-7
Background: Paul did not start this church; it was in existence for several years before 49 AD.
Paul wrote Romans while in Corinth or Cenchreae (a port city near Corinth) in 56-57 AD)
Romans is Paul’s fullest, most complete explanation of the gospel of Jesus.
Chapters 1-4 The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness
Ch 1 - All humanity is trapped in sin and needs to be rescued.
Gentiles (all nations) are trapped in sin.(1:18-3:8).
Ch 2 - Rescue will not happen by trying to obey the laws of the Torah.
Jews are also trapped in sin (2:1-3:8).
Ch 3 - God’s righteousness has rescued the world through Jesus
Jesus came as Israel’s Messiah to die on behalf of all people as a sacrifice for sin (3:9-26)…
Ch 4 - …to create the faith-based, multi-ethnic family of Abraham.
“Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness.” “I have made you the father of many nations.” Abraham’s family includes those from all nations who have faith in the one who fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham (Jesus).
Chapters 5-8 The Gospel creates a new humanity
Ch 5 - Paul contrasts Adam, who represents sinful humanity, with Jesus, the “new Adam”, a human who lived in faithful obedience to God shown through his act of sacrificial love. Now Jesus offers his life as a gift to others. Jesus is the head of a new humanity.
Ch 6 - Choosing to follow Jesus means leaving the old Adam-like life and entering into the new Jesus-like life. Baptism is a sacred symbol of that transition.
Ch 7 - What was the point of the laws of the Torah? The laws were good - they showed God’s will for the Israelites, but they constantly broke the laws.
Ch 8 - The solution: Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Israel’s representative, Jesus the Messiah, has paid for and dealt with that sin through his death and resurrection. Now Jesus has released his Spirit into his new family to transform their hearts so that they can fulfill the core of the commands to love God and love their neighbor.
Chapters 9-11 The Gospel fulfills God’s promise to Israel
What about the Israelites? Being a physical descendant of Abraham never never made one automatically a faithful member of the promised covenant family. And now that line of promise is carried on by those who follow Jesus. Just like the Gentiles, Jews can be saved by accepting and trusting in Jesus and Lord (Romans 10:8-10).
Chapters 12-15 The Gospel unifies the church
Ch 12 - Do not be conformed, but be transformed. Live a life of love and service
Ch 13 - Compare 13:8-10 with Matthew 22:34-40 and Mark 12:28-34
Ch 14-15 - Paul deals with two divisive issues: meat sacrificed to idols and keeping Jewish holy days. What core principles did Paul use to resolve these issues?
Chapter 16 Personal greetings and conclusion
Who delivered the letter to Rome?
Even though Paul had not visited Rome, he knew quite a few believers there.