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A Study of the Book of Romans

ISU Bible Study

Our Objectives

� Gain an appreciation for Romans

� Apply the principles to our lives

� Understand / be able to explain the basic concepts

� Learn (or reinforce) techniques for studying the Word

� Memorize “Romans Road” references

Historical Background

• No documentation that confidently asserts how the church was founded in Rome.

• Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews (both Christian and non-Christian) from Rome in 49 A. D. as anti-Semitism was rife in the Roman empire.

• Jews returned to Rome in the 50’s – probably to find themselves a minority in the Christian church.

• Early leadership in the church is uncertain, but Christianity was growing and house churches were established.

• Paul’s letter to the Romans was written around 57 A.D. during his stay in Corinth on his 3rd missionary journey.

• There doesn’t appear to be a glaring issue with the Roman church as there was with the church in Corinth.

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Every man is guilty of sin before

God

What is Paul saying in Romans?

This guilt is removed only when we are justified by faith which

gives us access to God’s grace

Given free grace, we cannot go on sinning, but must yield ourselves to

holiness

The struggle against sin continues for the believer, but victory can be found

in Jesus

The Holy Spirit plays a prominent role in the life of a

believer

God is sovereign as He deals with

Jews and Gentiles

God showers on His believers gifts of the Spirit to be used in

His service

The Christian is called to a selfless life,

especially when interacting with

our weak brothers

Many of my fellow believers

deserve commendation

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The Emotional Roller Coaster

Chapter 1 2 3 4&5 6 7 8 9-11 12&13 14&15 16

God’s right about sinners!

Oh, no! That’s me too!

There’s hope!

Grace is incredible!

Can I ever conquer sin?

The Holy Spirit is awesome!

I don’t know what to think of God’s sovereignty.

The body of Christ is incredible!

So I must be selfless!

I’m surrounded by love!

Romans Chapter 1

� Verses 1 – 17: Introduction

Rom 1:16 & 17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Who are considered sinners before God?

� 1:18 – 32: deliberately, openly wicked men

Romans Chapter 2

Rom 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.

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Who are considered sinners before God?

� 1:18 – 32: deliberately, openly wicked men

� 2:1 – self-righteous judges

Romans Chapter 2Rom 2:6-11

� 6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:

� 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

� 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,

� 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;

� 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

� 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Romans Chapter 2

Rom 2:12-16� 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish

without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;

� 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.

� 14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

� 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)

� 16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Who are considered sinners before God?

� 1:18 – 32: deliberately, openly wicked men

� 2:1: self-righteous judges

� 2:2 – 16: law-breakers (based on conscience, not physical law)

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Romans Chapter 2

� Rom 2:17-29

Condemnation of those who depend on the law to give them righteousness.

Who are considered sinners before God?

� 1:18 – 32: deliberately, openly wicked men

� 2:1: self-righteous judges

� 2:2 – 16: law-breakers (based on conscience, not physical law)

� 2:17 – 29: law-breakers (based on Jewish law)

Romans Chapter 3

Rom 3:1-4

� 1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

� 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

� 3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?

� 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Romans Chapter 3

Rom 3:5-8

� 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)

� 6 God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?

� 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?

� 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

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Romans Chapter 3

Romans 3:9-19

� Further proof that both Jews and Gentiles are under the same condemnation of sin.

� Verses 10–18 contain 8 OT references in Psalms, Ecclesiastes, and Isaiah.

Romans Chapter 3

Rom 3:20-22� 20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall

no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

� 21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

� 22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:

Romans Chapter 3

Rom 3:23-26� 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of

God;� 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the

redemption that is in Christ Jesus:� 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation

through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;

� 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Memory Verse

Rom 3:23

� 23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

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Bible Study Techniques

1) Read work in entirety to understand context.

2) Outline both logic and emotion.

3) Pay attention to sentence structure, punctuation, transition word usage, and thought groupings.

4) Don’t hurry!

Where are we Headed?

This sin and guilt that we learned about in Chapters 1 – 3 are removed only when we are justified by faith in Jesus Christ which gives us access to God’s grace.

Rom 5:8

� But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for

us.

Key Word Usage

Chapter Law Grace Spirit Faith Sin

1 2 2 6

2 21 1

3 11 1 8 2

4 5 2 10 1

5 3 6 2 6

6 2 3 17

7 23 1 14

8 5 21 4

Romans Chapter 4

Summary concepts

� Justification is by faith in Jesus Christ

� This justification is given to us, it is not earned

� This justification is available to everyone – not just Jews

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Romans Chapter 4

Rom 4:1

What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

Romans Chapter 4

Rom 4:2-5

� 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

� 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

� 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

� 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Romans Chapter 4

Rom 4:6-8

� 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

� 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

� 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

Romans Chapter 4

Verses 9 - 12:

� The blessing of righteousness came before Abraham was circumcised

� Circumcision was a seal, not a work of righteousness

� Righteousness can be imputed to those not circumcised

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Romans Chapter 4

Verses 13 – 22:

� Abraham exhibited faith even though:

� He was too old to have children

� He was asked to sacrifice Isaac

� Because of that faith, God imputed righteousness to him (v 22)

Romans Chapter 4

Rom 4:23-25

� 23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

� 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

� 25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans Chapter 3 - 4

Conclusions of Romans 3:25 – 4:25

� We are justified before God by faith

� This righteousness is given to us, it is not earned by works or the law

� It is available to all who will call upon His name

Romans Chapter 5

Rom 5:1-2

� 1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

� 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

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Romans Chapter 5

Faith

Peace

Grace

Hope

Tribulation Patience Experience

Romans Chapter 5

Rom 5:6-11 Conclusions of what Christ did for us:� Died for the ungodly

� Died for the sinner

� Saved us from God’s wrath

� Reconciled us to God

� Saved us

Memory Verse

Rom 5:8

� But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans Chapter 5

Rom 5:12-18� 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into

the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

� 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

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Romans Chapter 5

Rom 5:13-17� 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when

there is no law.� 14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that

had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.

� 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many.

� 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification.

� 17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Romans Chapter 5

Rom 5:20-21

� 20 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

� 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me!

I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved.

How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed.

Bible Study Techniques

1) Look at word frequency to see the major theme of the author.

2) Look up Greek words to get a more exact meaning of the passage.

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Where are we Headed?

� Transition to holy living

� The constant battle against the sin nature

� The Holy Spirit’s role in a believer’s life

Romans Chapter 6

Rom 6:1-2� 1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may

abound?� 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer

therein?

Rom 6:14-16� 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the

law, but under grace.� 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under

grace? God forbid.� 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his

servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Romans Chapter 6

Rom 6:3-13� Identifying with Christ

Rom 6:17-23� No longer slaves to sin, but to Christ

Romans Chapter 6

Rom 6:13� 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of

unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

Rom 6:19� 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of

your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.

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Memory Verse

Rom 6:23

� 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans Chapter 6 Conclusions

� Even though we are under grace, we should not continue in sin

� We must consciously offer our bodies to righteous living, not sin

Romans Chapter 7

Rom 7:1-4� 1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how

that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?� 2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her

husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.

� 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.

� 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

Romans Chapter 7

Rom 7:5-6

� 5 For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.

� 6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

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Romans Chapter 7

� Even though we are dead to the law, the law is not a bad thing� 7 – the law is not sin

� 12 – the law is holy, just, and good

� What does the law do?� 7 – the law defines sin

� 8 – the law makes sin come alive

� 10 – the law brings death

Romans Chapter 7

� Sin personified

� 8 – w/o law, sin was dead

� 9 – the law revived sin

� 11 – sin deceived me and slew me

Romans Chapter 7

The battle of every Christian

15 – We don’t do what we want to do, but we do what we hate to do

Romans Chapter 7

Rom 7:18 (KJV)

� 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

Rom 7:18 (NIV)

� 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

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Romans Chapter 7 Conclusion

Rom 7:21-24

� 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.

� 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

� 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

� 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?

Romans Chapter 7 Conclusion

Rom 7:25

� 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Questions? Romans Chapter 8

� It’s all about the personal relationship between God (the trinity) and us.

� The roles� Our role

� Jesus role

� Father role

� Holy Spirit role

� The result of that relationship

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Romans Chapter 8

Our role� (1, 5) Walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit� (2) Realize the freedom we have in Christ Jesus� (13) Mortify (put to death) the misdeeds of the body� (14) Allow ourselves to be led by the Spirit� (15) Cry “Abba, Father”� (18) Realize that as we suffer as a Christian, it is

nothing compared to the glorious reward� (23) “Groan” as we await our adoption� (25) Patiently wait with hope� (28) Know that all things work together for our good

Romans Chapter 8

Jesus’ role

� (3, 34) Came in the flesh to condemn sin in the flesh

� (34) Makes intercession for us

Romans Chapter 8

The Father’s role

� (3) Initiated the plan of salvation by sending Jesus (his only son) to live in the flesh

� (29,30) predestinated, called, justified, and glorified us

� (32) Freely give us all things

� (33) Justifies us

Romans Chapter 8

The Holy Spirit’s role

� (9) He dwells in us

� (11) He will quicken (give life) to our mortal bodies

� (13) He helps us mortify the deeds of the body

� (16) He bears witness that we are the children of God

� (26, 27) He “groans” for us in our weakness (intercedes for us)

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Romans Chapter 8

The result of this relationship to the believer

� (1) No condemnation

� (6) Life and peace

� (16) Called Children of God

� (17) Joint heirs with Christ

� (24) Saved by hope

� (38, 39) Inseparable from God’s love

Romans Chapter 8

Rom 8:38-39

� 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

� 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Where are we headed?

9:1 – 9:5 – Lament over Israel9:6 – 9:29 – God’s promises have not failed9:30 – 10:21 – Israel’s rejection because of their

unbelief11:1 – 11:32 – Israel’s rejection is temporary11:33 – 11:36 – Closing doxology

Romans Chapter 9

� 1 – 5 – Lament over Israel

� Paul’s passion for the saving of his people

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Romans Chapter 9

� 6 – 13

� God has always been choosing people

� These examples show the doctrine of election

� It’s all about God who calls, not of man’s national identity

Romans Chapter 9

� 14 - 23

� God’s choosing is divine mercy at work.

Romans Chapter 9

� 24 - 29

� The Old Testament verifies that this day would come when God would chose Gentiles.

Romans Chapter 9 Conclusion

30 – 33

� God has chosen to declare righteousness to come by faith, not by the law

� Gentiles (as well as Jews) are now being chosen to be called righteous because of their faith

� Some Jews are not being chosen to be called righteous because of their lack of faith

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Romans Chapter 10

� 1 – 4

� Israel has a zeal for righteousness after the law but are not submitting to the righteousness of God through faith in Christ

Romans Chapter 10

� 5 – 13

� Faith is the only way to have a right relationship with God, and it includes both the mouth and the heart – both confession and belief.

Memory Verse

Rom 10:9

� 9 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Romans Chapter 10

� 14 – 21

� Sovereignty and responsibility are interdependent.

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Romans Chapter 11

� 1 – 6� God has not rejected His people Israel, but has

chosen from them a remnant

� 11 – 32� The stumbling of Israel has resulted in salvation to

the Gentiles� But Gentiles must remain faithful or they will be

broken off from God like a branch� Some day the nation of Israel will return to God� All men have been guilty of disobedience so that God

might have mercy on all

Romans Chapter 11

Rom 11:33-36� 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom

and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

� 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?

� 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

� 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

Romans Chapter 11

33 – 36

� God is deep in wisdom and knowledge

� God’s ways are far beyond our comprehension

� None of us are wise enough to be His counselor

� None of us have ever given anything to God that deserves repayment

� It’s all about Him, not us

� Glory belongs to Him forever

Parable of the Gift

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Memory Verse

Rom 12:1-2� 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the

mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

� 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12

� Rom 12:1-2

� The passion

� The living sacrifice

� The focus

� The reasonableness

� The transformation

� The will of God

Romans 12

Rom 12:3

� 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Rom 12:6

� 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,

Romans 12

� Verses 4 – 8

� The body of Christ

� We don’t all have the same function

� Prophesying

� Ministering (serving)

� Teaching

� Exhorting (encouraging)

� Giving (contributing to needs of others)

� Ruling (leadership)

� Showing mercy

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Romans 12

� Verses 9 – 211. Thought processes

1. How to love2. What to hate3. Responding to hope4. How to pray

2. Relationships with others1. The Saints2. Our enemies3. People of low estate (low position)

3. Responses to situations1. When others rejoice or weep2. When we are persecuted

Romans 13

� Verses 1 – 7

� Response to governing authorities

� Verses 8 – 10

� Love thy neighbor as thyself

� Verses 11 – 14

� Put on the Lord Jesus Christ

Romans 14

Getting along with other believers with different views:� For disputable matters, accept each other without

judging or condemning� Both are servants of Christ� Every one of us will give a personal account of himself to

God� Instead of judging, determine not to put a stumbling

block in your brother’s way� An activity (like eating meat) may be sin to one and not

to another� Follow after peace and edification

Romans 15

The final encouragement

� Christ as the example

� Glorify God and Jesus Christ

� Abound in hope

� Full of goodness and knowledge

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Romans 16

� Phoebe is to be “commended”

� Others were:� A succourer

� Helpers

� Dear friends

� Relatives

� Laborers

� Chosen

Conclusion

Rom 16:25-27

� 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

� 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

� 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

Romans Road Memory Verses

1) Romans 3:23

2) Romans 5:8

3) Romans 6:23

4) Romans 10:9

5) Romans 12:1-2

Concluding remarks

� Study is a lifelong goal

� Cross-reference scripture to find corroborating evidence to difficult doctrines

� Stick with the Word itself

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Did we meet our objectives?

� Gain an appreciation for Romans

� Apply the principles to our lives

� Understand / be able to explain the basic concepts

� Learn (or reinforce) techniques for studying the Word

� Memorize “Romans Road” references