Paul wrote Romans to a divided church in the empire's capital, a metropolis of over a million people. Though he had never visited, he addressed tensions between returning Jewish believers and the predominantly Gentile congregation that had developed during Emperor Claudius's five-year expulsion of Jews from Rome.
The letter aimed to introduce his theology, clarify misunderstandings, prepare for a visit, and promote unity between Jewish and non-Jewish Christians. Paul methodically explained the gospel message to establish common ground among these divided believers.
Romans stands as Paul's longest and most theologically significant letter. Its comprehensive explanation of salvation through faith has shaped Christian doctrine more than perhaps any other biblical text.
John Calvin famously stated that understanding Romans provides a passageway to understanding the rest of Scripture. Martin Luther recommended memorizing Romans and reflecting on it each day. This book, called a cathedral of Christian faith, provides unparalleled theological depth and practical importance, offering modern believers valuable insights into God's redemptive plan.
The Big Idea of Romans
S: How can we have a right standing before God?
C: Through the gospel, which saves all who believe and transforms every area of life.
BI: The gospel makes us right with God, saves all who believe, and transforms every area of life.
Introduction (1:1-17)
1:1-7
S: Where do we get our identity and calling?
C: The gospel.
BI: The most important thing about you is defined by the gospel.
1:8-15
S: What does the gospel create?
C: A community of mutual encouragement and evangelism.
BI: The gospel creates a community of mutual encouragement and evangelism.
1:16-17
S: What is the gospel about?
C: God's ability to save everyone who believes.
BI: The gospel is about God's ability to save everyone who believes.
The Problem: Sin (1:18-3:20)
1:18-32
S: What is our greatest problem?
C: Sin has a stranglehold on people.
BI: Our greatest problem is that sin has a stranglehold on people.
2:1-16
S: What about the righteous and religious?
C: They're no better.
BI: Respectable good people have a sin problem just like immoral bad people.
2:17-29
S: What about religious observance?
C: Religious observance, apart from the heart, counts for nothing.
BI: Religious observance doesn't matter as much as doing what God requires from the heart.
3:1-20
S: What about the advantages of religion?
C: The advantages bring greater responsibility but don't exempt you from judgment.
BI: Knowing God's truth doesn't exempt you from judgment.
The Solution: Justification (3:21-5:21)
3:21-31
S: How can a righteous God save a sinful people?
C: Through the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ.
BI: A righteous God saves a sinful people through the sacrificial, atoning death of Christ.
4:1-12
S: What about Old Testament saints?
C: They, too, were saved by faith.
BI: God's people have always been saved by grace through faith.
4:13-25
S: What can we learn from Abraham?
C: What faith looks like.
BI: Abraham teaches us what faith looks like.
5:1-11
S: What benefits does salvation bring us?
C: Many, including peace, joy, hope, and more.
BI: Our new position with God brings remarkable results.
5:12-21
S: How comprehensive is our salvation in Christ?
C: As comprehensive as Adam's sin.
BI: Christ's salvation is as comprehensive as Adam's sin.
The Outcome: Sanctification (6-8)
6:1-14
S: How does our salvation change our relationship with sin?
C/BI: We're released from sin's power, so live like it.
6:15-23
S: What does freedom from sin mean?
C: That we become slaves of righteousness.
BI: Freedom from sin means that we become slaves of righteousness.
7:1-6
S: What is the Christian's relationship to the law?
C/BI: We've been released from the law so we could belong to Christ.
7:7-12
S: How could God's good law become the occasion for sin and death?
C/BI: Our sin misuses God's law to bring sin and death.
7:13-25
S: What can't the law do?
C: Change the human heart.
BI: Only Jesus, not the law, can change the human heart.
8:1-17
S: What is God's solution to our hopeless condition?
C: The indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables us to please God now and to live with God forever.
BI: We can't change ourselves, so God have us his Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out.
8:18-30
S: If we're risen, beloved children of God, why do we suffer?
C: Because we haven't yet received everything we hope for.
BI: Even though we're children of God, we can expect to suffer until we receive what we've been promised.
8:31-39
S: What is the result of the blessings of the gospel?
C: Tremendous confidence because God loves us, protects us, and will give us eternal life.
BI: The gospel gives us confidence that God will always be with us.
Issue: Israel's Unbelief (9-11)
9:1-5
S: Why did Paul feel anguish over Israel?
C: Because they rejected the gospel.
BI: God's people experience anguish when people know the gospel but reject it.
9:6-29
S: Why does it seem that God's promises to Israel have failed?
C: Because not all Israelites belonged to Israel.
BI: God's purposes and promises never fail.
9:14-23
S: How is it fair that some aren't saved as a result of God's sovereignty?
C: Because God is free to make whatever decision he wants with his creation.
BI: Our questions are answered by the character and identity of God.
9:30-10:21
S: Who is responsible for Israel's rejection of the gospel?
C: Israel is.
BI: Even though God is sovereign, we're still responsible for our response to the gospel.
11:1-10
S: Why do so few Jewish people believe?
C: God has always worked through a small remnant that believes.
BI: God is still faithful to his promises even when many don't believe.
11:11-32
S: Why does Israel disbelieve?
C: So that, in the end, both Jews and Gentiles will believe.
BI: God's plan includes all kinds of people.
11:33-36
S: How should we respond to God's greatness?
C: By giving him glory and worship.
BI: Respond to what you know of God's greatness by giving him worship.
Our Response (12:1-15:13)
12:1-2
S: What is our response to the gospel?
C: Total surrender and transformation.
BI: Respond to the gospel with total surrender and transformation.
12:3-8
S: How does the gospel shape our participation in the church?
C: It leads us to humble service.
BI: The gospel leads us to humble service in the church.
12:9-21
S: How does the gospel shape our relationships?
C/BI: The gospel compels us to love believers and extend kindness, even to our enemies.
13:1-7
S: How should we relate to government?
C: By understanding and submitting to their God-given authority.
BI: Understand the God-given authority of government and submit to it.
13:8-14
S: What is our essential obligation at this critical time?
C/BI: Our urgent calling in this critical moment is to love others, not live for ourselves.
14:1-12
S: How should we handle disagreements over disputable matters?
C: By refusing to take on God's role as judge.
BI: When Christians disagree, refuse to take on God's role as judge.
14:13-23
S: How should we treat others when we disagree?
C: Even when you're right, avoid leading others to stumble in their faith.
BI: Focus on the good of those who disagree, not on your freedoms.
15:1-7
S: How should we respond when Christians disagree?
C: By following the example of Jesus.
BI: When Christians disagree, follow the example of Jesus.
15:8-13
S: Why should believers get along when it's hard?
C: Because we're participating in God's eternal plan.
BI: When we get along with other believers, we're participating in God's eternal plan.
Plans and Greetings (15:14-16:27)
15:14-21
S: What drove Paul's ministry?
C: Glorifying God by preaching the gospel to people who've never heard.
BI: God seeks to be glorified through the preaching of the gospel to those who've never heard.
15:22-33
S: What effect does the gospel have?
C: It brings us together in Jesus.
BI: The gospel overcomes barriers and brings us together in Jesus.
16:1-16, 21-23
S: How does the gospel spread?
C: Not through individual effort alone, but through the sacrifice and work of many.
BI: The gospel advances through the shared sacrifice and labor of many.
16:17-20
S: How should we respond to false teachers?
C: Guard against them with confidence in God's victory over evil.
BI: Guard against false teachers with confidence in God's victory over evil.
16:25-27
S: In light of the gospel, how should we pray?
C/BI: Praise God who strengthens us and reveals his glory through the gospel.
