Ralph Porter

AUTHOR

    That Paul the apostle wrote the epistle to the Romans is not disputed.

    Almost all modern critics admit that Paul wrote it.

    His background is significant.

         He says he was "set apart" to a life of ministering the Gospel (1:1).

         The Gospel presents salvation by trusting Christ, apart from works of the law.

    His own life was a contrast between the attempt at salvation by works and salvation by

         faith.

              •    He lived as a strict Pharisee (Acts 26:5)

            •    He became the main persecutor of the church (26:9-11)

            •    As a Jew he was zealous for the law (22:3; 23:4-5; Phil. 3:4-6)

                        He knew well the character of that religion which he must now characterize

                             as one of sin and death (2 Cor. 3:7; Rom. 8:2; 3:20)

            •    He had a life-changing experience with God. His doctrine was corrected and

                    the object of his zeal changed (Acts 9:3-6; 26:12-18)

            •    He became zealous for the Gospel. He knew both ways, but chose the way of

                    faith (Rom. 1:16-17)

    Paul writes of the condition of Israel with understanding and compassion. He has been

         there and wants them to find what he has found.

    Paul writes as the apostle to the Gentiles (1:13; 11:13, 15; 15-16), to the church at Rome

         who were mainly Gentiles also.

    He has long desired to go to Rome and now writes to minister to them and to assure

         them of this desire.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

    Romans was written on Paul's third missionary journey during his long stay at Ephesus.

         He decided to go to Rome to visit and preach there (1:8-15; 15:18-24).

         He was about to go to Jerusalem and from there on to Rome.

    On the trip to Jerusalem, Paul was warned by prophets of impending persecution and

         arrest (Acts 20:17-21:14).

              He was driven on by the Spirit to Jerusalem (20:22-24; 21:13-14).

    In Jerusalem He was arrested and eventually sent to Rome for trial.

         The government picked up his travel expenses.

         He ministered there for about 2 years (28:16-31).

         Then he was released to continue his work.

PURPOSE

    Paul wanted to travel to Rome.

    In order to prepare the way he wrote a letter to be carried ahead so that all would

         know him.

    His purpose seems to have been two-fold:

         1.    To inform them of his planned visit

         2.    To give them a summary of the Gospel he proclaimed

THEME

    Romans 1:16-17 -- The Gospel: The power of God for salvation

Ralph Porter

What is the Gospel?

How can a person please God and obtain eternal life?

No question in all of our lives is more important, since the answer to that question

    determines our eternal destiny.

However, even such an important question, and one that is clearly answered in God's

    Word, is answered many different ways, even among evangelical Christians.

It is at the same time the most important question we will ever answer and that which

    produces greatest confusion.

When you ask a group of believers "What do you have to do to be saved?" you get many

    different answers, all apparently Biblical, and yet contradictory to one another.

Many respond, in agreement with the popular opinion of the world which says we have to

    do good works, or at least do something for ourselves to please God and thus earn our

    way to salvation.

Paul's letter to the Romans is important because this belief has become so popular, even among

    God's people.

This book has been used by God throughout history to transform the lives of many who

    have decided to trust Christ.

         Among others, some of the names that stand out are Augustine, Luther and Wesley,

              along with many other multitudes of people who have found salvation in Christ as a

              result of it's message.

Romans is the only book of the Bible that has as its central purpose to explain the message

    of the gospel.

It contains the essence of the doctrine which Paul taught and the gospel which he

    preached.

It demonstrates the critical elements which the message of the church ought to include.

Romans is of primary importance because it explains how everyone who has ever enjoyed

    communion with God, from the beginning of the world, has been able to obtain it.

AUTHOR

    That Paul the apostle wrote the epistle to the Romans is not disputed.

         Almost all modern critics admit that Paul wrote it.

         Romans is the standard used by many to determine which books he did write.

    Paul's background is significant to the content of this letter.

         He says he was "set apart" to a life of ministering the Gospel (1:1).

         The Gospel presents salvation by trusting Christ, apart from works of the law.

         Paul's own life was a contrast between the attempt at salvation by works and

              salvation by faith.

                •    He lived as a strict Pharisee (Acts 26:5)

                •    He became the main persecutor of the church (26:9-11)

                •    As a Jew he was zealous for the law (22:3; 23:4-5; Phil. 3:4-6)

                             He understood the character of the religion he now characterizes as one

                                  of sin and death (2 Cor. 3:7; Rom. 8:2; 3:20)

                •    He had a life-changing experience with God. His doctrine was corrected and

                        the object of his zeal changed (Acts 9:3-6; 26:12-18)

                •    He became zealous for the Gospel.

                             He knew both ways, but chose the way of faith (Rom. 1:16-17)

    Paul writes about the condition of Israel with understanding and compassion.

    He has been there and wants them to find what he has found.

    Paul writes as the apostle to the Gentiles (1:13; 11:13, 15; 15-16), to the church at

         Rome, made up mainly of Gentiles also.

    He has long desired to go to Rome and now writes to minister to them and to assure

         them of this desire.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

    Romans was written on Paul's third missionary journey during his long stay at Ephesus.

         He had decided to go to Rome to visit and preach there (1:8-15; 15:18-24).

         He was about to go to Jerusalem and from there on to Rome.

    On the trip to Jerusalem, Paul was warned by prophets of impending persecution and

         arrest (Acts 20:17-21:14).

              He was driven on by the Spirit to Jerusalem (20:22-24; 21:13-14).

    In Jerusalem He was arrested and eventually sent to Rome for trial.

         The government picked up his travel expenses.

         He ministered there for about 2 years (28:16-31).

         Then he was released to continue his work.

PURPOSE

    Paul wanted to travel to Rome.

    In order to prepare the way he wrote a letter to be carried ahead so that everyone

         there could get to know him.

    His purpose seems to have been two-fold:

         1.    To inform them of his planned visit

         2.    To give them a summary of the Gospel he proclaimed

THEME

    Romans 1:16-17 -- The Gospel: The power of God for salvation

ORGANIZATION--Summary

    Like most New Testament letters, Romans divides into two main parts:

         DOCTRINAL presentation    1-11

         PRACTICAL conclusions that result from that doctrine   12-16

    Paul begins by introducing himself (1:1-7) and expressing his concern for the church at

         Rome (1:8-15).

    After this prelude, he states the theme of the letter: the Gospel is God's means for

         accomplishing man's salvation (1:16-17)

    After the personal introduction (1:1-17), the doctrinal definition of the content of the

         gospel divides into three main parts:

              1)    The NEED for the gospel   1:18-3:20

                             All, without exception, are guilty before God.

              2)    The PROVISION of the gospel   3:21-8:39

            
                             God has made His righteousness available for all who will trust Him rather

                                  than themselves.

                                       The premise is stated   3:21-31

                                       Then illustrated from the Old Testament   4

                                       The benefits of this kind of salvation are described   5

                                       This section concludes with a presentation of the truth that this kind

                                            of salvation results in a life of holiness.   6-8

                                                 Before this we had no power to fulfill God's demands.

                                                 Now, through Christ, God supplies the power.

                                                 He answers the objection of some that if salvation is by faith

                                            alone, then we can live as we please.

              3)    The RELATIONSHIP OF ISRAEL to the Gospel   9-11

                             Israel, as a nation, has forgotten her inability to live a holy life.

                             She has tried to establish her own holiness before God and thereby

                                  rejected the holiness God has offered to give her if she will quit trying

                                  to do it herself.

                             Because of this, God has caused temporary blindness.

                             This blindness will eventually be removed, and Israel, too, will receive

                                  God's righteousness which comes by faith in Christ.

    Paul then summarizes the responsibilities that this kind of salvation imposes on those

         who trust Christ   12-15:13

            What are our primary responsibilities in the light of the salvation God has given

                us by faith in Christ alone?

                        We ought to offer our lives for God's service   12

                        We ought to submit to the authority God has established in government

                             13:1-7

                        We ought to act as ideal members of society   13:8-14

                        Paul then describes proper conduct when we're confronted with questionable

                             practices that Christians don't agree on   14-15:13

    Paul concludes his letter with some personal greetings to his friends in Rome 

        15:14-16:27

    Paul begins by introducing himself and his concern for the church at Rome.

    Explanation of the letter

HIS GREETING   1:1-7

         His typical greeting includes a statement concerning the gospel.

         Paul thus indicates to the reader that the subject bears an important relationship to

              his theme.

    Writer   1:1-6

    Receivers   1:7a

    Greeting   1:7b

HIS CONCERN   1:8-15

         Following his greeting, Paul expresses his interest in their church.

    Gratitude   1:8

         Their reputation causes him to thank God for them.

    Prayer for them   1:9-12

         He prays for them all the time and prays particularly that God will permit him to go

              there and meet them.

    Desire to visit   1:13-15

         He has tried to go several times but has been prevented from doing so.

HIS THEME   1:16-17

         Paul wants to share the gospel with them because it is the power of God which

              makes salvation possible.

         The gospel reveals the righteousness of God which is received by faith.

    Gospel introduced   1:16

    Gospel summarized 1:17

    Paul devotes the majority of the book to the systematic presentation of the gospel.

NECESSITY OF THE GOSPEL   1:18-3:20

         First he describes our need for the gospel.

         Man needs the good news of salvation by faith because he is guilty before God.

         While the basis of condemnation varies, all are condemned because all have failed to

              measure up to God's standard.

    Condition of man   1:18-32

              The state of the race in general is first described.

         Summary   1:18

              The subject is introduced by a summary statement, then explained in greater

                   detail.

         Truth revealed   1:19-20

              God's anger is revealed against ungodly men because His truth has been revealed to

                   men.

         Truth suppressed   1:21-23

              Even though they have known the truth, they have tried to suppress it.

         Result of suppression   1:24-32

                    Because of their attempt to suppress the truth, God has let men have their own

                         way.

                    He has let them experience the natural consequences of their choice.

                    They have become characterized by sinful desires, shameful lusts, and depraved

                         minds that enjoy all kinds of evil acts.

               Sinful desires   24-25

               Shameful lusts   26-27

              Depraved minds   28-32

    Criteria for judgment   2:1-16

              God's judgment of the world is not based on human criteria.

              His judgment is always just.

         Conscience   2:1-5

              He judges on the basis of the individual's own understanding of right and wrong.

              When we judge others, we condemn ourselves.

              The standards we use to criticize others are sufficient to condemn us.

              We don't even live up to our own standards, much less to God's standards.

         Deeds   2:6-11

              The second criteria God uses for judgment is the acts a person does.

                   Those who do good by God's standards will receive eternal life.

                   Those who follow evil will receive God's judgment.

                   There is no preferential treatment.

              God knows what each one deserves.

              The point Paul wants to make is that when an impartial judge evaluates, there are

                   none who do good.

              We all deserve condemnation.

         Light   2:12-16

              Finally, God's judgment is based on the light received.

              Those who know God's law and disobey it deserve greater condemnation than

                   those who sin in ignorance.

              Nevertheless, all have sufficient light to condemn them.

             God has written enough of the law on the hearts of men for them to realize when

                   they are doing wrong.

              That light alone would be sufficient to condemn us.

    Condemnation of the Jew   2:17-3:8

            Even the Jews cannot satisfy God's requirements to stand as righteous before Him.