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Romans 1-
Review
Introduction
As mentioned in the original introduction to this class, Luther once wrote that “[Romans] is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.” Today, we will go back and taste again the key themes and teaching of Paul in Romans 1-5 to prepare us for moving on to the rest of the book in the weeks to come.
Background Review
As specified in the introduction class notes, Romans is a formal letter written by Paul to the church in Rome, a church that he had not founded nor visited as yet. The early history of the church and how it was founded, is not really known. Its congregation was likely mostly Jewish at first with some Gentile converts, but when the Jews were kicked out of Rome, the Gentile congregation would have grown and assumed leadership even when the Jews returned to Rome. They had likely heard of Paul, and some may have known him personally from elsewhere, especially with the return of the Jews from other parts of Greece and Macedonia. The reports of Paul and his “gospel” might well have been mixed.
Paul likely wrote the letter during a 3 year period that he spent in Corinth. It was a time in which he had many dealings with the Judaizers in the churches in the area, and when he was also collecting tithes for the persecuted Jewish Christians in Jerusalem.
The purpose for the letter is not explicitly specified in the letter and is widely debated by scholars. The content does speak of Paul’s longing to visit them and his plans to try and do so before venturing to Spain. Perhaps, then, Paul felt he needed to clarify any misleading reports that may have preceded him to prepare the way for his visit. And he may have wanted to enlist the support of the Roman church as a home base for his mission to Spain. Regardless of the purpose, the letter serves as the clearest exposition in the Bible of the gospel message preached by Paul that is still relevant to us today.
Structure
There are two main sections of the book: chapters 1-11 cover Paul’s presentation of the gospel and its ramifications while chapters 12-16 describe how it should then affect how we live along with a final closing. 1-11 – Presentation of the gospel o 1:1-17 – Introduction Greeting Prayer of thanksgiving and desire to visit Introducing the theme of the book: the gospel o 1:18-4:25 – The Heart of the Gospel The universal reign of sin, over Gentiles and Jews Justification by faith for all o 5:1-8:39 – The Hope and Assurance of the Gospel Hope through work of Christ Freedom from slavery to sin <- We are here Freedom from power of the law Freedom through the Spirit of life
Assurance of hope o 9:1-11:36 – The Gospel and God’s Promises to Israel God’s promises to Israel Israel’s unbelief God’s plans for the Gentiles and Israel 12-16 – The obedience of faith o 12:1-15:13 – How Should We then Live? Marks of the Christian Call for mutual acceptance o 15:14-16:27 – Closing Paul’s Plans and Mission Specific Greetings Final Doxology
Romans 1:1-17 – Introduction
In standard letter format, Paul first introduces himself, then recognizes the recipients of the letter and greets them. However, even as Paul introduces himself, the main theme of the letter is given for he describes himself as being set apart for the gospel (good news) of God. That this is the main theme is indicated by the fact that it is mentioned 5 times (of the total 9 times the word is used in Romans) in the first 17 verses. This is also signified by a grand inclusio between the opening and closing chapters in which Paul’s devotion and service to the gospel of God is highlighted.
In vs. 8-15, Paul expresses his gratitude and concern for these Roman Christians and describes how he has longed to visit them to preach the gospel to them as well. The introduction is then concluded with vs 16-17 which provide a glorious summary of the amazing “good news” that Paul is compelled to preach and will now expound on in the rest of the letter: 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. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith” Rom. 1:16-
Romans 1:18-4:25 – The Heart of the Gospel
After introducing the letter, Paul then launches into a lengthy sustained presentation that flows from point to point with “For’s” and “Therefore’s” from 1:18 through chapter 11! In the first main section, Rom 1:18-4:25, Paul explains what is at the heart of this good news and why it is so good.
Man’s Unrighteousness – Vs. 1:18-
It does not start in a very promising way as Paul dives into God’s wrath at man’s unrighteousness, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” Paul goes on to describe how this suppression of truth and rejection of the ways of God works itself out in wicked behavior based on our own passions. He then culminates chapter 1 with a litany of examples of man’s unrighteousness, “ They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. Rom. 1:29-
Romans 5-8 – The Hope of the Gospel
As chapter 5 begins, Paul transitions to new section that runs through chapter 8 in which he now draws out the ramifications of what it means to be justified by faith and what should now characterize our lives. He introduces the main themes of this section in vs. 1-11 – a familiar passage to most Christians. He then expounds on these themes until he wraps it all up again at the end of chapter 8. Again, a change in pronouns indicates this shift of focus as he now begins to use the first-person plural (“we”), addressing all Christians of whom he is one.
Wrapping up the prior section with “having been justified by faith,” Paul begins with the first new aspect of our relationship with God – we are at peace with Him. We can stand joyfully in the courtroom before him, not silenced by guilt, but confident of our future to be restored to the glory of God. Not only that, but as we walk with God through this life, we can rejoice in our sufferings knowing He will strengthen our faith through them. This confidence is based on the amazing love demonstrated in the death of Jesus, who died for us while we were yet sinners, and so we can be confident of our reconciliation and rejoice.
In the rest of chapter 5, Paul continues to expound on this remarkable redemption. “Paul paints with broad brush strokes a “bird’s-eye” picture of the history of redemption.”^1 He compares and contrasts what Adam did in the fall to introduce sin and death with Christ’s so much greater triumph over sin and death to bring the gift of grace and eternal life to us all. “For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” Rom. 5:
This is only the first ramification of our new status of being justified. Stay tuned for more as we continue on in Romans.
(^1) Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans ( New International Commentary on the New Testament ), p 314f.
