1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge."
5But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God’s faithfulness is ultimately a matter of being true to Himself, not merely true to His promises for Israel (3:1-4).
Disc. Question #1a: Who is Paul quoting in Verse 4? Read the entire portion of Scripture from which this verse comes.
Disc. Question #1b: From what you recall in Romans 2, what false conclusions did the Jews draw from their special relationship to God? What does the portion of Scripture (from 1a. above) reveal about God that the Jews have forgotten or ignored?
Disc. Question #1c: In the Old Testament, what were “two things” that God promised Israel? Skim over Deut. 28, and read Deut. 30:11-20 and Nehemiah 9:32-33. What is the “one” thing (among these two) that the Jews (whom Paul is addressing in Romans) seem to have forgotten?
2. Those who think they can be saved from God’s judgment because, by sinning, they are “doing God a favour”, are 1) trapped in their own logic and 2) especially deserving of condemnation.
Paul shows the error of their logic in three ways:
a) If you believe that God will judge the world, then you can’t assert at the same time that He overlook your sin just because it magnifies his righteousness. (vv. 5-6)
b) If you believe that I (Paul) would surely be condemned as a sinner for lying - as you think I’m doing now – here, too, you can’t have a different standard for yourself. (v.7)
c) If you think you are exempt from God’s judgment - because your sin shows his righteousness more clearly - you may as well go so far as to say that sin is completely acceptable because God uses it for good (v. 8). But having such a mindset only strengthens your condemnation before God.
Application Questions
1. Notice, from this passage, that Paul’s task is not merely to proclaim the gospel, but to defend it against distortions, misunderstandings and misapplications. This is called the art of “polemics”. Why is this art so important for the church?
2. What would say to someone who tells you, “I’m glad I ‘caved in’ to my sin as much as I did….it shows how good God is to me and how He’ll forgive me” ?
3. Are we now being “entrusted with the words of God” in the same way that the Jews were (v. 2)? If so, what responsibilities do we have before God and others?
4. (taken from John Stott’s Encountering the Gospel’s Power, p. 27): “The Jews to whom Paul was writing had all sorts of misplaced confidence about their special relationship to God. What or whom have you been tempted to trust besides the grace of Jesus Christ alone?”
Next study: the last stop in the Book of Romans’ dark tour through human nature:
Romans 3: 9-20
Please also read:
Gen. 6:5-13
Prov 20:9
1 Jn 1:8-10
1 Ki 8:46
Ecc. 7:20
Ps 130:3
Isa 64:6-7
Ps 143:2
Gal 3:22
11/24/05
Romans 2: 17-29
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Those who fail to practice what they profess bring dishonour to God’s reputation (2:17-24).
Disc. Question #1: While Paul is particularly addressing Jews here, pointing out to them that knowing and teaching Mosaic Law cannot rescue them from God’s judgment, what warnings could we as Christians glean from these verses?
2. Being a true Jew is an inward matter. It marked by a “circumcision of the heart” and brought about by the Holy Spirit (2:25-29).
Disc. Question #2a: Is the instruction to “circumcise one’s heart” a new requirement that we first rearead about in the New Testament? (Deut 10:14-16; Jer 4:1-4)
Disc. Question #2b: What were God’s purposes in initiating the physical rite of circumcision, and giving the Mosaic Law? (Romans 4:7-11; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:22-24) Why would God have ordained these things if He knew that Israelites would put too much confidence in them?
Special discussion question: - taken from Douglas Moo in the NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2000):
How should Christians respond to their Jewish friends and neighbours in light of Romans 2?
25Circumcision has value if you observe the law, but if you break the law, you have become as though you had not been circumcised. 26If those who are not circumcised keep the law's requirements, will they not be regarded as though they were circumcised? 27The one who is not circumcised physically and yet obeys the law will condemn you who, even though you have the written code and circumcision, are a lawbreaker.
28A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Those who fail to practice what they profess bring dishonour to God’s reputation (2:17-24).
Disc. Question #1: While Paul is particularly addressing Jews here, pointing out to them that knowing and teaching Mosaic Law cannot rescue them from God’s judgment, what warnings could we as Christians glean from these verses?
2. Being a true Jew is an inward matter. It marked by a “circumcision of the heart” and brought about by the Holy Spirit (2:25-29).
Disc. Question #2a: Is the instruction to “circumcise one’s heart” a new requirement that we first rearead about in the New Testament? (Deut 10:14-16; Jer 4:1-4)
Disc. Question #2b: What were God’s purposes in initiating the physical rite of circumcision, and giving the Mosaic Law? (Romans 4:7-11; Rom. 3:20; Gal. 3:22-24) Why would God have ordained these things if He knew that Israelites would put too much confidence in them?
Special discussion question: - taken from Douglas Moo in the NIV Application Commentary (Zondervan, 2000):
How should Christians respond to their Jewish friends and neighbours in light of Romans 2?
Romans 2:1-16
1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. 3So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment? 4Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Jews are just as guilty before God as Gentiles (2:1-5).
Disc. Question #1: Does this passage have a broader application than for just Jews? In other words, who else might greatly benefit from hearing these words of warning from Paul? Why?
2. God judges everyone impartially on the same basis (2:6-11).
Disc. Question #2: In their study of Romans, some Christians find it more difficult to take Chapter 2 as seriously as the others, because, to them, verses 7, 10 and 13 seems to contradict what Chapter 3 teaches – namely, that we are declared righteous by Christ on the basis of grace only through faith only.
What would you interpret the meaning of 2:7, 10, 13 to be, and why?
3. Simply hearing the Ten Commandments does not put anyone in a favourable position when it comes to God’s judgment, especially because God has placed knowledge of right and wrong in every human conscience (2:12-16).
Disc. Question #3: Given what you know from verses 12 to 16, that God has written His Law on the conscience of every human being, would you still use the Ten Commandments in your proclamation of the gospel to unbelievers today? Why or why not?
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."[a] 7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; 10but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11For God does not show favoritism.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Jews are just as guilty before God as Gentiles (2:1-5).
Disc. Question #1: Does this passage have a broader application than for just Jews? In other words, who else might greatly benefit from hearing these words of warning from Paul? Why?
2. God judges everyone impartially on the same basis (2:6-11).
Disc. Question #2: In their study of Romans, some Christians find it more difficult to take Chapter 2 as seriously as the others, because, to them, verses 7, 10 and 13 seems to contradict what Chapter 3 teaches – namely, that we are declared righteous by Christ on the basis of grace only through faith only.
What would you interpret the meaning of 2:7, 10, 13 to be, and why?
3. Simply hearing the Ten Commandments does not put anyone in a favourable position when it comes to God’s judgment, especially because God has placed knowledge of right and wrong in every human conscience (2:12-16).
Disc. Question #3: Given what you know from verses 12 to 16, that God has written His Law on the conscience of every human being, would you still use the Ten Commandments in your proclamation of the gospel to unbelievers today? Why or why not?
Romans 1:22-32
22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They 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, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although 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. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. One form of God’s judgment against sin is the proliferation of sin itself. (vv. 24, 26, 28)
Discussion Question 1A. What is the essence of sin? (vv. 23, 25, 28) What, in contrast, is humanity’s obligation with respect to God?
Discussion Question 1B. How does sin “contain" the wrath of God within itself?
(v. 27b, compare with Rom 6:23; Isa 59:2; Ps 38:3-8; Isa 1:4-6; Isa 57:20-21; Jer.17:9; Pr 5:22; Jn 8:34)
2. Sin manifests itself in sexual activity that is outside of God’s design. (vv. 24-27)
Discussion Question 2A: What is God’s design for human sexuality? (Mk 10:6-9; 1 Co 7:2-4; Eph 5:22-33; Heb 13:4)
Discussion Question 2B: Why, then, is homosexuality described as an “unnatural relation” and a “perversion”?
3. Sin manifests itself in many different ways, both obvious and not-so-obvious.
(vv. 28-32)
Discussion Question 3A: What misconceptions of sin do we find in our secular culture and even in “evangelical Christian” culture, and how do they fall short of the portrayal of sin shown here in verses 18 to 32?
Discussion Question 3B: What would you say to someone who thinks that some parts of the Bible, such as this one, should be overlooked or ignored because they are too “negative”?
Next week: Romans 2:1-16
To prepare for this study, read the above passage plus the following:
Matthew 7:1-5
Matthew 16:24-27
Matthew 25:31-46
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
26Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29They 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, 30slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32Although 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. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. One form of God’s judgment against sin is the proliferation of sin itself. (vv. 24, 26, 28)
Discussion Question 1A. What is the essence of sin? (vv. 23, 25, 28) What, in contrast, is humanity’s obligation with respect to God?
Discussion Question 1B. How does sin “contain" the wrath of God within itself?
(v. 27b, compare with Rom 6:23; Isa 59:2; Ps 38:3-8; Isa 1:4-6; Isa 57:20-21; Jer.17:9; Pr 5:22; Jn 8:34)
2. Sin manifests itself in sexual activity that is outside of God’s design. (vv. 24-27)
Discussion Question 2A: What is God’s design for human sexuality? (Mk 10:6-9; 1 Co 7:2-4; Eph 5:22-33; Heb 13:4)
Discussion Question 2B: Why, then, is homosexuality described as an “unnatural relation” and a “perversion”?
3. Sin manifests itself in many different ways, both obvious and not-so-obvious.
(vv. 28-32)
Discussion Question 3A: What misconceptions of sin do we find in our secular culture and even in “evangelical Christian” culture, and how do they fall short of the portrayal of sin shown here in verses 18 to 32?
Discussion Question 3B: What would you say to someone who thinks that some parts of the Bible, such as this one, should be overlooked or ignored because they are too “negative”?
Next week: Romans 2:1-16
To prepare for this study, read the above passage plus the following:
Matthew 7:1-5
Matthew 16:24-27
Matthew 25:31-46
Romans 1:18-25
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For 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 men are without excuse.
21For 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. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.(NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God’s judgment is falling - even now - upon all humanity, because people have refused to think about Him or honor Him with their minds and actions (v.18).
Discussion Question 1: Do you think that the reality of the wrath of God is given much attention today? Why or why not?
2.We cannot say that we have never heard of God, and therefore do not deserve his judgment, because God has made Himself known to us through all He has created.
(vv. 19-20)
Discussion Question 2A: How does creation display God? Give some examples, especially of those you have seen firsthand.
Discussion Question 2B: How might you respond to someone who says, “Why is it necessary for you to conclude that all the creation was the work of just ONE God? I’m quite happy to think that it could have been the work of many gods.”
3. The essence of sin is failure to give glory to God and to give thanks to Him. Far from being found only in our actions, sin begins in our minds and hearts. (v.22)
Discussion 3A: What does it mean to give glory to God? Why does God desire this?
Discussion 3B: What notions of “sin” might we find in society and within the church? How does the Bible’s (including the Book of Romans’) teaching about sin compare and contrast with these?
4. Sin deceives us about ourselves, other people, and other things. We think we are wise and good, and we think that other people or creatures should be objects of our complete devotion and reverence. (vv. 22, 23, 25)
Discussion 4A: How do these characteristics of sin manifest themselves in us who live in North American culture today? (Think of subtle as well as obvious ways.)
Discussion 4B: If sin is truly the sad and terrible thing that it is, why can it often seem so innocuous?
5. God’s judgment is sometimes revealed by NOT punishing people, but allowing them to continue on in their sin. (v. 24)
Discussion 5: Why would this “inaction” of God’s actually be a form of His wrath?
Final Note: The wonderful truth of Romans 1:16-17 (discussed last week) can only be fully appreciated in light of the hard realities that begin with 1:18 and end with 3:20. Therefore, it is greatly necessary that we “take a long tour” through these truths, uncomfortable though they are.
21For 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. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.(NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God’s judgment is falling - even now - upon all humanity, because people have refused to think about Him or honor Him with their minds and actions (v.18).
Discussion Question 1: Do you think that the reality of the wrath of God is given much attention today? Why or why not?
2.We cannot say that we have never heard of God, and therefore do not deserve his judgment, because God has made Himself known to us through all He has created.
(vv. 19-20)
Discussion Question 2A: How does creation display God? Give some examples, especially of those you have seen firsthand.
Discussion Question 2B: How might you respond to someone who says, “Why is it necessary for you to conclude that all the creation was the work of just ONE God? I’m quite happy to think that it could have been the work of many gods.”
3. The essence of sin is failure to give glory to God and to give thanks to Him. Far from being found only in our actions, sin begins in our minds and hearts. (v.22)
Discussion 3A: What does it mean to give glory to God? Why does God desire this?
Discussion 3B: What notions of “sin” might we find in society and within the church? How does the Bible’s (including the Book of Romans’) teaching about sin compare and contrast with these?
4. Sin deceives us about ourselves, other people, and other things. We think we are wise and good, and we think that other people or creatures should be objects of our complete devotion and reverence. (vv. 22, 23, 25)
Discussion 4A: How do these characteristics of sin manifest themselves in us who live in North American culture today? (Think of subtle as well as obvious ways.)
Discussion 4B: If sin is truly the sad and terrible thing that it is, why can it often seem so innocuous?
5. God’s judgment is sometimes revealed by NOT punishing people, but allowing them to continue on in their sin. (v. 24)
Discussion 5: Why would this “inaction” of God’s actually be a form of His wrath?
Final Note: The wonderful truth of Romans 1:16-17 (discussed last week) can only be fully appreciated in light of the hard realities that begin with 1:18 and end with 3:20. Therefore, it is greatly necessary that we “take a long tour” through these truths, uncomfortable though they are.
Romans 1:16-17
16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." (NIV)
Note: This passage captures, more than any other, the theme of Romans. It ties Paul’s introduction to the rest of the letter.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Because God will save any and all who trust in the gospel message that Paul preaches, the apostle is not embarrassed by this message. (v.16)
Discussion question 1A: What is the gospel? i.e. What are those who trust in Christ being “saved” from? (Rom 5:6-11; 1 Co 15:1-8; 2 Co 5:16-19; Gal 1:3-4; 3:13; 2 Ti 2:8-9; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8)
Discussion question 1B: If the gospel is such good news, what might have tempted Paul to be ashamed of it? What might discourage Christians from being bold and unafraid in proclaiming the gospel today? (Phil 1:27-30; 2 Ti 1:7-10)
Discussion question 1C: why is the reason that Paul gives in v. 16 more than sufficient for he (and all of the church) to be unashamed, unafraid and bold in proclaiming the gospel?
2. In the gospel, God takes action to put people “in-the-right” with Himself. Faith in what God has done will result in a right relationship with Him. (v. 17)
Discussion Question 2A: What problem has required this initative of God’s?
(Isa 59:1-2; 64:6; Rom 1:18-32; 3:10-18; Gal 3:21-22)
Discussion Question 2B: What is faith, and what is it not?
(Rom 4:5,18-21; 10:11; 2 Co 1:8-11; Heb 11:1; Jas 2:19-22)
Next week: Romans 1:18-32, part 1
To prepare for this study, also read:
Mt 7:21-23
Jn 3:36
Eph 2:1-5
Col 3:5-6
2 Th 1:8-10
Note: This passage captures, more than any other, the theme of Romans. It ties Paul’s introduction to the rest of the letter.
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. Because God will save any and all who trust in the gospel message that Paul preaches, the apostle is not embarrassed by this message. (v.16)
Discussion question 1A: What is the gospel? i.e. What are those who trust in Christ being “saved” from? (Rom 5:6-11; 1 Co 15:1-8; 2 Co 5:16-19; Gal 1:3-4; 3:13; 2 Ti 2:8-9; Heb 2:14-15; 1 Jn 3:8)
Discussion question 1B: If the gospel is such good news, what might have tempted Paul to be ashamed of it? What might discourage Christians from being bold and unafraid in proclaiming the gospel today? (Phil 1:27-30; 2 Ti 1:7-10)
Discussion question 1C: why is the reason that Paul gives in v. 16 more than sufficient for he (and all of the church) to be unashamed, unafraid and bold in proclaiming the gospel?
2. In the gospel, God takes action to put people “in-the-right” with Himself. Faith in what God has done will result in a right relationship with Him. (v. 17)
Discussion Question 2A: What problem has required this initative of God’s?
(Isa 59:1-2; 64:6; Rom 1:18-32; 3:10-18; Gal 3:21-22)
Discussion Question 2B: What is faith, and what is it not?
(Rom 4:5,18-21; 10:11; 2 Co 1:8-11; Heb 11:1; Jas 2:19-22)
Next week: Romans 1:18-32, part 1
To prepare for this study, also read:
Mt 7:21-23
Jn 3:36
Eph 2:1-5
Col 3:5-6
2 Th 1:8-10
Romans 1: 8-15
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in 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.
11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 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. 14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God is the giver of faith and the fruit that results from it. (v.8)
cf. Eph 2:8-10; Acts 4:1-13
2. Constant prayer for the church was characteristic of Paul’s ministry. (vv.9-10)
Discussion question 2A: In the passages below, what is Paul praying for?
Eph 1:15-19; 3:14-19
Col 1:9-12
Php 1:9-11
1 Th 3: 9-10
2 Th 1:11-12
Discussion question 2B: What can we learn from Paul as we seek to pray for fellow believers in God-honouring way?
3. The LORD blesses Paul through the service Paul gives to others. (v.11-12)
cf. Heb 10:24-25; Luke 6:38; 2 Co 8:13-14; Heb 6:10
Discussion question 3: Give an example of what the LORD has provided for you because of a service you have done for others, in His strength.
4. Paul is devoted to ministering to people of every kind within the Gentile group.
(v.13-14)
cf. Acts 10:34-35
Romans 12:16
James 2:1-4
Discussion question 4: Why is it important that when we are ministering to people, we do not limit ourselves in service to those who are like us?
5. The gospel is for believers too. (v. 15)
cf. 1 Co 2:1-2
Gal 6:14
Discussion Question 5: What is the gospel? Even if we have already put our trust in it, why do we still continually need to hear it?
Next week: Romans 1:16-17. Please read this passage as well as the following:
1 Cor 1: 18-31
2 Ti 1:5-13
Eph 1:11-14
Rom 10:11-13
1 Th 5:8-9
Tit 2:11-14
Isa 5:7; 64:6-7
2 Cor 5:21
11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 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. 14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. (NIV)
Main Points and Discussion Questions
1. God is the giver of faith and the fruit that results from it. (v.8)
cf. Eph 2:8-10; Acts 4:1-13
2. Constant prayer for the church was characteristic of Paul’s ministry. (vv.9-10)
Discussion question 2A: In the passages below, what is Paul praying for?
Eph 1:15-19; 3:14-19
Col 1:9-12
Php 1:9-11
1 Th 3: 9-10
2 Th 1:11-12
Discussion question 2B: What can we learn from Paul as we seek to pray for fellow believers in God-honouring way?
3. The LORD blesses Paul through the service Paul gives to others. (v.11-12)
cf. Heb 10:24-25; Luke 6:38; 2 Co 8:13-14; Heb 6:10
Discussion question 3: Give an example of what the LORD has provided for you because of a service you have done for others, in His strength.
4. Paul is devoted to ministering to people of every kind within the Gentile group.
(v.13-14)
cf. Acts 10:34-35
Romans 12:16
James 2:1-4
Discussion question 4: Why is it important that when we are ministering to people, we do not limit ourselves in service to those who are like us?
5. The gospel is for believers too. (v. 15)
cf. 1 Co 2:1-2
Gal 6:14
Discussion Question 5: What is the gospel? Even if we have already put our trust in it, why do we still continually need to hear it?
Next week: Romans 1:16-17. Please read this passage as well as the following:
1 Cor 1: 18-31
2 Ti 1:5-13
Eph 1:11-14
Rom 10:11-13
1 Th 5:8-9
Tit 2:11-14
Isa 5:7; 64:6-7
2 Cor 5:21
Romans 1:1-7
Romans 1:1-7
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.(NIV)
Verse 1: "servant" - the original word for this is most accurately translated as bondslave. This word has significance for us, not just Paul…..(1 Cor 6:19-20, Gal 1:10)
Discussion Question #1: Is a “bondslave” an image that easily comes to your mind when you think of yourself as a Christian? Why or why not?
Verse 1: "apostle" - this word means "sent one" - a crucial role for one to fill during the age immediately following our Lord's death and resurrection. We have benefited immensely because of the ones who fulfilled this role - (Jn 14:25-26; Eph 2:19,20)
Verse 2: the "gospel of God" is promised in the Old Testament.
(John 5:39-41, Lk 24:27)
Discussion Question #2:How do the passages below give a "preview" of the gospel of Christ?
Gen 3:15
Ps 130:7-8
Isaiah 1:18
Isaiah 53:5-6, 10-12
Verses 3-4: Reveals 4 facts about Jesus Christ:
a) He was a man; b) He was the Son of David; c) He rose from the dead ; d) by rising from the dead He was revealed to be the "Son of God-with-power".
Discussion Question #3: What would you say to someone who exclaims, “Who cares whether or not Jesus truly rose from the dead, as long as he lives in people’s hearts”?
Verse 5: "we received grace and apostleship to call people…."
Significance of this statement: God's grace enables us as well as saves us.
(Rom 15:18, 1 Cor 4:7; 15:10; Titus 2:11-12; Rom 8:32)
Verse 5: actually, the Greek expression is "the obedience of faith" - NIV gets it wrong.
2 typical interpretations: a) faith eventually gives way to obedience
b) faith and obedience are synonymous
According to some Romans commentators (including Moo and Schreiner), neither of these phrases gets it quite right - the meaning is ambiguous, but Paul is likely insinuating that trust in Christ and obedience to Him are two sides of the same coin (John 15:14; James 2:14-26; 1 Jn 5:3)
Verse 7: "Grace and peace to you" - always a greeting at the beginning of Paul's letters, and to be contrasted with a statement he makes at the end of his letters - "grace with you" (Rom 16:20)
Why the difference?
John Piper speculates: Grace to you means the grace they are to receive through reading the New Testament writings (Peter seems to affirm this in 1 Peter 5:12)
Grace with you is the grace God will give them to joyfully persevere in their faith once they have finished the letter and face this world again.
For more on this, read this sermon by Piper.
Discussion Question #4: If Piper is correct, what encouragement and comfort do these statements of Paul's give you?
Next Passage : Romans 1:8-15
To prepare for the next study, please read the above passage as well as the following:
Eph 1:15-19
Eph 3:14-19
Col 1:9-12
Php 1:9-11
1 Th 3:10
2 Th 1:11-12
Heb 3:12-13
Heb 10:24-25
Next: Romans 1:8-15
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