Thematic Collection of Romans (Bible)
Human
Sinfulness & the Need for Salvation
(Romans
1:18 – 3:20)
The
wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of people, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. What may
be known of God is evident to them, for God has shown it. His invisible
attributes—His eternal power and divine nature—are clearly seen, being
understood from creation, so they are without excuse. Although they knew God,
they did not honor Him as God nor give thanks, but became futile in their
thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they
became fools, exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for images
resembling mortal man, birds, animals, and reptiles.
Because
of this, God gave them over to the desires of their hearts, to impurity,
degrading their bodies among themselves, exchanging the truth of God for a lie
and worshiping and serving the creature rather than the Creator. Men abandoned
natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another; women
likewise exchanged natural relations for what is contrary to nature. They were
filled with all unrighteousness—evil, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit,
malice—becoming gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful,
inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding,
untrustworthy, unloving, and unmerciful.
Those
who judge others are also without excuse, for in passing judgment they condemn
themselves, since they practice the same things. God’s judgment is according to
truth, rendering to each one according to their deeds: eternal life for those
who seek glory, honor, and immortality by perseverance in doing good; wrath and
fury for those who are self-seeking and reject the truth. The Law speaks to
those under the Law so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world
held accountable to God. By works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His
sight, for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin.
Justification
by Faith
(Romans
3:21 – 5:21)
But
now, apart from the Law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, testified
to by the Law and the Prophets—righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ for
all who believe. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are
justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,
whom God put forward as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to
demonstrate His righteousness.
Where
then is boasting? It is excluded—by a law of faith. A person is justified by
faith apart from works of the Law. Abraham believed God, and it was credited to
him as righteousness. He was justified before circumcision so that he might be
the father of all who believe. David also speaks of the blessedness of those
whose lawless deeds are forgiven. Through one man, Adam, sin entered the world,
and death through sin, and death spread to all. But the free gift is not like
the trespass; if through the trespass of one the many died, much more did the
grace of God and the gift by the grace of one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to
many. As through one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so through
the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
Life
in Christ & Freedom from Sin
(Romans
6:1 – 8:39)
Shall
we continue in sin so that grace may abound? By no means! We who have died to
sin must live no longer in it. We were buried with Christ by baptism into
death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Sin shall not be master over you,
for you are not under Law but under grace. Having been set free from sin, you
became slaves to righteousness, leading to sanctification.
The
Law is holy, but sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produces
death in us. We know the struggle: wanting to do good, yet doing the evil we
hate. But there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The law of the
Spirit of life has set us free from the law of sin and death. If God is for us,
who can be against us? Nothing—neither death nor life, angels nor rulers,
things present nor things to come, nor powers, height nor depth—shall be able
to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
God’s
Sovereignty & Israel’s Place in His Plan
(Romans
9:1 – 11:36)
Paul’s
heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. They
have zeal for God but not according to knowledge, seeking to establish their
own righteousness rather than submitting to God’s righteousness. Salvation is
available to all: “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Yet
faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
God
has not rejected His people. A remnant remains, chosen by grace. Gentiles, who
were not seeking righteousness, have obtained it by faith, while Israel
stumbled over the stumbling stone. But the gifts and the calling of God are
irrevocable. All are bound over to disobedience so that He may have mercy on
all.
The
Transformed Christian Life
(Romans
12:1 – 15:13)
Present
your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your
reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by
the renewing of your mind, so you may discern the will of God. Love must be
sincere. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Bless those who persecute
you; rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Do not be
overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let
every person be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except from God. Owe no one anything except to love one another, for love is
the fulfillment of the Law. Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision
for the flesh. Accept those who are weak in faith, not to quarrel over
opinions. The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of
righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. May the God of hope fill you
with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the
power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s
Ministry, Plans, and Final Greetings
(Romans
15:14 – 16:27)
Paul
is convinced that the believers are full of goodness and complete in knowledge,
competent to instruct one another. Yet he has written boldly on some points as
a reminder, because of the grace given him to be a minister of Christ Jesus to
the Gentiles, in the priestly service of the gospel, so that the offering of
the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. He aspires to
preach the gospel where Christ has not been named, lest he build on another’s
foundation.
He
plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain and asks for prayers that he may be
delivered from unbelievers and that his service may be acceptable. Paul
commends Phoebe, a servant of the church, and sends greetings to many fellow
workers and saints. He warns to watch out for those who cause divisions and
obstacles contrary to the teaching received, and to avoid them. The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. To Him who is able to strengthen you
according to the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the mystery kept secret for long ages but now revealed and made
known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, to
bring about obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus
Christ. Amen.
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