Romans Bible Study

Background

Date: 50s

Provenance: Corinth - the letter mentions Gaius which was likely the same Gaius of Corinth whom Paul had baptized.

Author: Paul. Of note is that says that Paul used Tertius as his amanuensis.

Purpose: The unity of both Jew-Gentile in the person of Jesus Christ through the power of the gospel.

Of note is that says that Paul used Tertius as his amanuensis.

Ancient Rome

Had the symbol of the eagle, just like we do.

The architecture and everything in the city was designed to proclaim its superiority and greatness before all the world.

Tradition says that Rome was founded in 753 B.C. by Romulus. The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC.

Divided into Provinces that were governed by senatorial proconsuls. Other areas were governed in Rome’s behalf by local dynasts, client kings actually subject to the Roman Senate.

Roman Culture

The Imperial Cult of Roman culture led to much of early Christian persecution.

Christian dissent in ancient Rome was not socio-political. It was spiritual. The Christians refused to worship the Emperor.

1 Peter 2:13–20 NASB95

Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king. Servants, be submissive to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are unreasonable. For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if, when you sin and are harshly treated, you endure it with patience? But if when you do what is right and suffer for it you patiently endure it, this finds favor with God.

Greek philosophy occupied a place of prominence in Roman culture. The pursuit and cultivation of wisdom was a common virtue in the ancient Mediterranean world.

The idea of a School of Philosophy: the term hairesis was used to describe someone who made the decision to subscribe to a particular school of philosophy, such as the Stoics or the Epicureans. It also was used to denote sects. It is used of the Pharisees and Sadducees. It is also used to describe the Christian sect.

Six major Greco-Roman Philosophical Schools: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, The Cynics, The Stoics, and the School of Pythagorus.

Slavery: it is estimated that 16-20% of the Roman empire were slaves. There were differences between ancient slavery and 19th century western slavery. For one thing, melanin had no bearing on one’s status as a slave. Nevertheless, slaves were still regarded as property.

Slavery was melanin and ethnicity neutral.

Men became slaves as a result of becoming a POW.

Men became slaves as a result of debt they could not pay.

Men became slaves in order to live - day laborers could starve to death.

Men were born slaves - if parents were slaves.

Slavery was mostly temporary - released at age 30; could purchase your own freedom.

Historians have identified five societies in world history that have had true slave economies: Greece, Rome, Brazil, the Caribbean Islands, and America.

The most important thing to note about Greek Religion that distinguishes it from Christianity is that it was not exclusive and was without a conversion process.

The sexual ethic along with the sexual abuse that took place in Roman culture would make modern America blush.

Romans 1:1–7 NASB95

Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Rom. 1:1-7

Read Romans 1:1-7

The Reality of Our Creatureliness

What is the significance of the word order Christ Jesus?

This order emphasizes the role of Jesus as the Messiah according to most commentators. Christ Jesus 80x as compared to Jesus Christ 25x.

Why does Paul call himself a slave of Christ Jesus?

Probably patterned after the Hebrew expression ʿebed yĕhwâ, servant of the Lord. Paul may be affirming that he stands in true succession of the prophets, since this term was applied to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, and the OT prophets from the time of Amos (760 BC).

New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), 1 Co 7:32

An Exegetical Summary of Romans 1-8 1:1

The term emphasizes total submission, commitment, obedience, and humility [AB, Ho, ICC2, NICNT], complete and utter devotion [Mor], as well as God’s absolute ownership [ICC2].

עֶ֣בֶד יְהוָ֑ה

Galatians 2:20 NASB95

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

Mark 8:34 NASB95

And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

δοῦλος could be used in a pejorative sense or a positive sense. Here is it used in a positive sense. Paul is not engaging in false humility. This isn’t an empty platitude.

A slave in this sense is one who is committed to another.

Slavery in NT Times

Self-Denial is an essential component of Christian living.

What are examples of denying oneself and following Christ?

Crucifying the flesh with its lusts and affections.

Not being ashamed of Christ before the world.

Not being tentative in proclaiming to sinners that God demands their complete submission to him and their acknowledgement that he is their God and they owe him everything.

What are some ways modern Christians compromise on the principle of self-denial?

We change the demands of the gospel to make it attractive.

The record of creation is intellectual offensive.

The exclusive claims of the Christ.

Gay Christianity.

Softening on male leadership.

Marriage - divorce is not treated as a sin and offenders subjected to discipline.

The culture dictates the morality of the church.

What are some ways the principle of self-denial can become legalism?

We become overly prescriptive in applying Christian praxis.

Loving your neighbor = adoption. If you can and don’t, you’re unloving.

Demanding that the US open it’s borders/change it’s policies on immigration.

Introducing things like affirmative action into pastoral selection.

Prohibition against alcohol.

Abolition Human Abortion is a perfect example.

The Christian must be very careful in the application of Scripture and avoid taking principles too far. When you claim that something is a sin that is not in fact a sin, you have imposed your own ethics on God’s ethics.

Colossians 1:20–21 NASB95

and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds,

Why does Paul call himself an Apostle?

An Apostle is an authorized emissary. He has a unique office and stands in a unique relationship of authority.

Why does Paul call himself an Apostle?

There were twelve.

Their authority was conferred by Christ himself.

They were responsible to set the authoritative message of the New Covenant in writing for the governance of the churches.

What is the significance of authority in the church?

The church represents the antithesis of man’s fall in the garden.

In the garden we see the grasp for radical autonomy, absolute independence. In the church we see complete and total surrender to the authorities ordained by God:

Christ

Apostles and Prophets

Scripture

Elders

The church

What is the church to do with this authority?

Proclaim the gospel

Baptize converts

Make disciples

Maintain purity in the body

The Grounding of Scripture

The gospel of God is grounded in Scripture

Descendent of David

The incarnation and resurrection of the Son is grounded in Scriptur

Declared to be the Son of God in power by the resurrection

Through whom we receive grace

To bring about obedience of faith

For the sake of HIS name

Among all the nations

Prayer of Thanksgiving (8-15)

Paul desires to come to Rome

He wishes to impart a spiritual gift to them

Paul sees himself as obligated to preach the gospel to all men

What is a Barbarian?

It is a non-Hellenic foreigner.

The Righteous Shall Live by Faith (16-17)