The Book of Romans - Sunday Bible study series
[Lessons 1, 2 & 4]
~ Pastor Thuamminlian Guite
Scripture: Romans 1:1-17 ; Romans 1:18-32
Memory Verses: Romans 1:16; Romans 1:14; Romans 1:21-22
Introduction
The exact history on how Rome has believers were not clear, although it was believed to be a city evangelized by early believers from the Pentecost Day or others such as Lydia, Priscilla & Aquila who dealt in trade within the city, and it eventually grew as a house-church. Paul yearns to visit Rome so that he will be able to take part in strengthening what is already there. The book of Romans was believed to be written by Paul to the believers in Rome around 54 AD to 57 AD, while he was in Corinth. The book of Romans can be categorized into three main sections.
- 1st to 8th Chapter is about the manifestation of the righteousness of God.
- 9th to 11th Chapter is about the deeper understanding of the righteousness of God.
- 12th to 16th Chapter is about living out the righteousness of God in one’s lives.
Key word: “The Righteousness of God”
Key verse: Romans 1:16-17
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Key Chapter : Romans 8
Paul introduction about himself as a slave of Christ tells us about his humility.
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— . Paul’s humility as he describes himself as a servant of God is purely seen in his communication to the churches through his letters. As he matures in his journey, he is humbler than the time he first began. This shows that those who drew closer to God has this character in them without doubt- ‘a humble spirit to serve’ which is evident in the life of Paul.
Then, what is the Gospel Paul mentioned. He said, he was set apart for “the gospel”- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 1:2-7] The gospel therefore, is not just the power of God manifested during the resurrection alone; but a series of life changing events seen through the transformation and growth in the life of a sinner. This power of transformation to a new life then leads to an obedient life of service to God, and this same life of dedication leads to the glorification of the saved soul. All these comprises the good news -the gospel.
[Romans 1: 8-15] 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. Paul’s acknowledgement and his eagerness to visit Rome is seen in verses from 8 to 15. He longed to see the believers in Rome. He said he would love to minister and advance for God’s Kingdom even in this region.
Memory verse
[Romans 1: 16] 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Here Paul pride himself in the power of the Gospel, knowing full well that only the power of God at work can save anyone who believes. In Paul’s understanding of the power of the gospel, mission precedes gospel in action. As he mentioned in verse 15, that he is so eager to preach the gospel to the people in Rome. His deep knowledge of the gospel makes him an earnest forerunner of mission work. Here we have a big challenge and lesson to learn. If we, as a Church still need motivation or an encouragement every time for mission work, we must re-evaluate our understanding of what the gospel really is. Do we know the true meaning of Gospel (the power of God at work)? If so, why are we not as eager as Paul in mission work? For those who truly understand also act on mission with utmost enthusiasm. In verse 17, Paul explains what the gospel is- A revelation of the righteousness of God so that one is made right in God’s sight by faith.
[Romans 1: 17] 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
What is this Righteousness of God Paul is talking about? Martin Luther, a theologian and philosopher has achieved an exegetical breakthrough on this topic and come out with a firmer trust in God. In Luther’s view, the righteousness of God here in verse 17 is not the attribute of God, but rather Christ’s righteousness imputed to an unrighteous person who trust in Christ through faith. That righteousness of Christ gifted to a person freely through his/her faith or trust in Christ is what Luther called the righteousness of God.
Research on the generic word “righteousness” has been a topic of interest in the following years after Luther’s exegesis. The same word occurred in the Old Testament in Genesis 38:26 - 26 Judah recognized them immediately and said, “She is more righteous than I am, because I didn’t arrange for her to marry my son Shelah.” Here the word, ‘righteous’ does not just imply a moral attribute, but a fulfillment of a deed or action deemed to be carried out justly. In the above verse, as a result of Judah denying of his promise due him to act accordingly, while Tamar fulfilled her duties; she was called righteous and Judah as unrighteous. Similarly, in the Scripture when the word “righteous” is used, often it is to describe God’s fulfilling His promise of carrying out salvation for His people rather than his active, harsh punishment for those who disobey His law. So, “the righteousness of God” also means the fulfillment of God’s promise to deliver a sinner out of his unrighteousness. Therefore, God’s righteousness is also His work of salvation, which culminated in the Cross of Christ. In contrary to the teachings of Luther’s day, where God’s righteousness was believe to condemn a sinner to eternal damnation; Luther exposits that the righteousness of God rather saves than condemn. The righteousness of God, therefore, consummates in the cross of Jesus Christ, not in condemning a sinner for damnation but in the manifestation of God’s grace and love to save those who believe in faith.
[Romans 1: 18-23] 18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. God is his righteousness has given men enough evidence to save them and help them know his grace, but it was men who rejected God and give way to their own damnation. Men rejected the truth of God, by denying God who is plainly evident to them through his creation- via natural revelation. Instead of acknowledging God the creator, they tried to fill their emptiness by playing god which resulted in their endless search for meaning and purpose. No wonder we have numerous religions around the world today, men’s search for fulfillment that God alone can fill.
[Romans 1: 24-32] 24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. God’s wrath is seen not in His discipline or punishment but in his giving up on people who rejected him over and over. As a church this is one area where we got to distinguish between love and discipline for the people God gave up on. How do we respond? Shouldn’t the church give up on these people too? There is a strict boundary to know how to love a sinner but hate the sin, and it has been a challenge for the church of God.
28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Here, we can see list of people on whom God gave up, letting them do what they want. How can the church respond to God’s righteous decree? How can we love and pray for these people mentioned in the above verses? Didn’t God love them - of course he does. Will there be salvation for the people on which God already gave up? Only God knows. Meanwhile, as a church, we got to affirm discipline as an act done out of love. God in his righteousness and love has given His common revelation so that all people will acknowledge Him and His truth, but those who still refuse him, He also have a way of giving up. In conclusion, the first verses till 18 describes the gospel and its power. The following verses till 23 talks about the righteousness of God and his saving grace, and verses from 24th till 32 talks about the wrath and judgement of God for those who consciously rejected His truth.
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