Romans: Part 1

Date: Paul likely wrote this book from Corinth on his third missionary journey circa A.D. 57.

Purpose

Paul wrote the book of Romans to set forth the gospel and its implications for believers and unbelievers.

Romans 15:20–21 ESV

20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 21 but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”

Rom 15:

Crossway Bibles, The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008), 2151.

Issues

The ESV Study Bible Purpose, Occasion, and Background

(1) Can one be right with God through obeying the law (Rom. 1:1–3:20)?

The spread of the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Romans 15:22–29 ESV

22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. 23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. 29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Rom 15:22-29

Can one be right with God through obeying the law?

Abraham is the father of both Jew & Gentile Christians.

What is the law’s role as it relates to sin?

What are believers responsible for in relationship to OT food laws?

Theme

God’s righteousness is displayed in Christ as he unites Jews and Gentiles into one people of God.

Introduction

Romans 1:1–7 ESV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans Who Was Paul?

A doulos was not a hired servant who could come and go as he pleased. A doulos was a person who had been purchased, and once purchased he became his master’s possession.

Romans 1:1 ESV

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

- A Slave - doulos

Romans Who Was Paul?

A doulos was not a hired servant who could come and go as he pleased. A doulos was a person who had been purchased, and once purchased he became his master’s possession.

A doulos was not a hired servant who could come and go as he pleased. A doulos was a person who had been purchased, and once purchased he became his master’s possession.

R. C. Sproul, Romans, St. Andrew’s Expositional Commentary (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2009), 16.

I have been purchased by Jesus - I am his possession.

Apostle - ἀπόστολος, An apostle, envoy, messenger

Paul tells us that it was his choice to be an Apostle but God called him and entrusted a message to him.

Paul’s message is the gospel.

(v. 1, 9, 15, 16)

He carries the message of the gospel of God.

Romans 1:8–17 ESV

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Rom

The gospel demands public proclamation.

What is the nature of the Gospel?

The Gospel is the power “δύναμις” of God.

The gospel does for man what he can’t do for himself.

Salvation - σωτηρία - deliverance or preservation.

The gospel brings salvation through faith for all peoples.