Romans Chapter One Lesson 1
Introduction:
- Romans is
considered by many good theologians to be the seed-bed of all Christian BD.
- It was
this book being extensively taught, along with Galatians, that brought about
the reformation.
- We are free to assemble, to study the Word of
God because we live under a system of law which has its roots in the
reformation.
* To know
the message of Romans, to have your feet firmly planted in Romans, will keep you from false doctrine,
from being led astray.
* It is
instructive I believe to note how some of the theologians of the past have
approached this book and what their evaluation was.
Some Illuminating Observations:
Chrysostom; had it read to him twice a week! [347-407]
Malancthon; copied the book 2 times in his own hand [1497-1560]
Luther; in the preface to his commentary on Romans;
This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest
gospel. It deserves not only to be known
word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his meditation day
by day, the daily bread of his soul....
The more time one spends on it, the more precious it becomes and the
better it appears."
Harry A. Ironsides; [d.
1951] [wrote his commentary in 1928]
"The Epistle to the Romans is undoubtedly the most scientific
statement of the divine plan for the redemption of mankind that God has been
pleased to give us. Apart altogether from the question of inspiration we may
think of it as a treatise of transcendent, intellectual power, putting to shame
the most brilliant philosophies ever conceived by the minds of men."
Romans is not about the Gospel, it is the
Gospel: Overview.
1. Romans is referred to within the
Epistle as:
-
God's gospel; 1:1;
-
Christ's gospel;
-
Paul's gospel;
2. What these verses are saying is that Romans is
the gospel, it is God's gospel, it is Christ's gospel, it is Paul's gospel, in
this sense:
-
It is God's gospel -> He gave it, He is the source of it! He is the author!
-
It is Christ's gospel -> He accomplished it, affected it!
- It is
Paul's gospel -> in that he had the privilege of expounding it, under
inspiration, getting that message of grace into writing, so that every
generation of the church age can understand it and be blessed by it!
3. Therefore Romans is a complete, full
orbed, presentation
-
of how God is the source, the initiator of it!
-
that Christ is the object of it!
-
that Paul is the expounder of it!
4. The Theme of Romans: 1:16-17
[should be memorized]
-
last phrase is most explosive: quote of
Hab 2:4
5. Four Major Parts to the Book; All of Romans is a Revelation of something:
#1. God's wrath 1:1 - 3:20
This section deals with the question, What is man's condition??
What is his real problem, that is from God's viewpoint!
- Man has an answer to this question!
- Man is well and needs no help!
- Man is sick and needs help!
enter psychobablers and socialists
- Romans we'll find says that man is dead and
needs life; he remains dead apart from
God.
#2. Revelation of God's salvation;
- exposition of 2 very pivotal doctrines of Christianity.
- Justification: entrance into
the family [
- Sanctification: living and
growing in the family [6:1-8:39]
#3. Revelation of God's wisdom; 9:1-11:36
- know that
-
Question dealt with here is Why has God set aside His chosen people? is it permanent? or only for a time?
#4. Revelation of God's will for the Believer ch 12-16
- ?? answered; What does God desire from His own people?
6. Written by the Apostle Paul, this has
never been seriously challenged;
- winter of 56/57 or 57/58
Closer look at these 4 sections.
First Section:
#1. God's wrath 1:1 - 3:20
- Salutation: 1:1-7
- Introduction: 1:8-15 [thanksgiving and occasion for writing]
- Theme:
- Revelation of God's wrath:
Salutation: 1:1-7
- Here we have the common from to and greeting;
followed by the purpose for writing.
1:1
Paul, the writer; must skip
down to v.7 in order to find those addressed,
to all the beloved in Rome
called saints; then comes the
greeting; in v.7b.
Paul begins the salutation in vs:1 by introducing himself; identifying his master and his office;
Notice
that the first thing Paul does is to give us 3 terms to designate who he is,
"bond-servant"
"called an apostle";
"set apart for the gospel of God."
#1 bond-servant