Epistle to the Romans

Gospel Light Christian Church
Thru-The-Bible Series (7.1)

The Epistle to the Romans
Introduction

The O.T. is the preparation for Christ's life, the Gospels are the manifestation of Christ's life, the Acts of the Apostles is the propagation of Christ's life, and the Epistles are the explanation of Christ's life.

Romans is the most important book in the Bible for the purpose of systematic theology. Therefore though it is not the first epistle (or letters) to be written yet it is placed first among the epistles. Martin Luther, the great Protestant Reformer, was convinced to leave the Roman Church after reading this book. A thorough knowledge of this book will ground us in the foundational doctrines of salvation, namely, salvation by faith alone. The battle-cry of the Protestant Reformation against the Roman Catholic Church was “sola fide,” (Latin for “solely faith”) ie, salvation by faith alone. Failure to study the vital truths of salvation taught in this book is the cause of heretical “Christianity” (ie, false Christianity). Almost all Christian heresies are the result of not understanding that we are saved by faith alone – and therefore trying to add an element of “works” into the salvation process. For example, some Christian cults teach the necessity of baptism for salvation (Roman Catholics, Church of Christ), others of observation of certain food-laws (Seventh-Day Adventists), etc.

Apostle Paul wrote this epistle (letter) to the Christians in Rome approximately 25 years after Jesus' death and resurrection, in AD 57 or 58, during the reign of the tyrannical Emperor Nero.

Chapters 1-11 are doctrinal, and chapters 12-16 are practical. It is only reasonable that doctrine should be taught before practice because we can only do what is right after we know what is right.

Romans 1:1-16 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

The Gospel Exalted

v.1 Paul was a great persecutor of the church, the chief of sinners (1TI 1:15) yet God raised him to be the greatest Apostle. We must not think that our past (or anyone else’s) past is a hindrance to serving God.

Paul considered himself to be separated unto the Gospel. In other words, he knew that his main business in life was to preach the Gospel. Do you know that this is also your main business in life and that all your other businesses in life are to help you to do this main business?

The word “gospel” comes from two words “good spell” which means “good news.” The Gospel is God’s good news that salvation is free. Since it is good news, let us joyfully proclaim it to all.

v.2 The gospel had been promised afore by God’s prophets in the Old Testament. There are hundreds of prophecies regarding Jesus Christ in the Old Testament. This teaches us that God has been working throughout human history for man’s salvation, and He is still actively at work today.

v.3 The gospel is all about God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Most people think that the gospel is about commandments and religious rituals but the Bible teaches that it is about a Person! Humanly speaking (ie, according to the flesh) Jesus Christ was made of the seed of David (was a descendant of King David).

v.4 As Man, Jesus Christ was “made in the likeness of a man” (PHI 2:7;GAL 4:4) (ie, He acquired a genuine “created” human nature at His Virgin Birth). However, as God, Jesus Christ was not created; as God, Jesus Christ was from eternity past. Therefore, this verse says “He was declared to be the Son of God” (He cannot be made to be the Son of God!). The resurrection, which was produced by the Holy Spirit (here called the “spirit of holiness”), provided the convincing evidence that Jesus Christ, though a Man, in His physical appearance, is really God. The Gospel is about a very unique Person - the God-man, Jesus Christ!

v.5 Paul’s ministry was to get people to be “obedient to the faith,” ie, to believe that Jesus died for their sins.

v.7 All Christians are “saints.” The word “saint” comes from the word “sanctified” which means “set apart” by God. In other words, Christians are God’s special people whom He has set apart for His glory.

v.8 The Christians in Rome were severely persecuted by the Roman authorities yet they were world famous for their faithfulness. Persecution produces faithful Christians (eg. Christians in China).

v.9 Paul had never visited Rome before, yet he prayed without ceasing for them. The “secret” of Paul’s spiritual success was his prayer life for others. Do you pray for others?

v.10 Paul prayed that he would be able to visit Rome (which was the capital of the Roman Empire – and therefore “the capital of the world”).

v.11 Paul desired to be a blessing to the persecuted Roman Christians – to establish them in their faith. Are you helping to establish younger Christians as a disciple-maker?

v.12 Paul knew that he would also be encouraged by their faith. In other words, when a strong Christian helps a weaker Christian both benefit (ie, there is mutual benefit). Therefore, if you want your faith to grow, start discipling a younger Christian.

v.13 Paul had desired to visit Rome for some time but was hindered (“let hitherto”) by various circumstances.

v.14 Paul was the Apostle to the Gentiles (ROM 11:13), therefore, he felt that he was a debtor to them. “Greeks” refer to educated Gentiles – who could speak Greek, which was the language of educated people in the Roman Empire. “Barbarians” refer to uneducated Gentiles.

v.15 The Apostle to the Gentiles desired to preach in the Gentile capital of the world, Rome.

v.16 All Christians, including Paul, can be (ie. in our carnal nature) ashamed to preach the Gospel to unbelievers because it involves telling them that they are sinners who are going to hell to burn forever. Even Paul requested prayers to overcome his fear and shame to preach the Gospel (EPH 6:19). If you are never tempted to be ashamed to preach the Gospel, you are probably preaching a “diluted” form of the Gospel that does not include sin and judgement (eg. “God loves you. Do you want to go to heaven?”).

However, Paul’s shame of being mocked and rejected was overcome by his realisation, as he cast his dependence on the Holy Spirit to enable him, that the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation. In other words, the shame of preaching the Gospel is counterbalanced by the need to preach it – realising that there is no other way for men to be saved (ie, the Gospel alone has the power of God to save), through the supernatural enabling of the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel is only effective to those who believe – to all that believe, whether, Jews who were the first to receive the offer of salvation, or Greeks (Gentiles) who received the offer later, as in the historical progression of the spread of the Gospel recorded for us in the book of Acts (see also ACT. 1:8).