Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 1:1-17 Inductive Discovery Lesson 1 Romans may be the most important letter you will ever read. Why? In the pages of this letter, you will discover who you are and where you stand with God. Along the way, you ll be reminded of what God has done for you and what God expects from you. Paul takes great pains to explain foundational truths of the Christian faith. He does not rush haphazardly to conclusions or ask his readers to follow along blindly. He doesn t avoid the hard questions or soft peddle the truth. Instead, Paul skillfully navigates through the deep waters of doctrine so his readers will be anchored in faith. At the same time, Romans may also be the most challenging letter you will ever read. Just know that you re in good company. Even the apostle Peter said that Paul s letters contain some things that are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:16)! With that in mind, here are some tips to help you get the most out of this study. Be patient. Nothing hinders growth like unrealistic expectations. Don t expect to master in one week everything you find in the chapter. Better to come away with one clear insight than to cram your mind with more details than you can process. Stay curious. Resist the tendency to skim over familiar passages. God s Word does not change, but you do! There is always something else to see, something more to learn. Be willing to look in the mirror. Let s be honest. There are times when God s Word makes us uncomfortable. When the truth gets convicting, we are quick to put up our defenses. Choose, from the start, to talk honestly with God about your struggles; make up your mind now to accept God s gracious reproof and correction (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Stretch! Think! Explore! Don t avoid difficult passages. Ask the Lord for wisdom. God will never berate you because you don t get it (James 1:5). In fact, He freely reveals deep things to us by His Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10-12). Just keep in mind that, important as it is to concentrate and think things through, you can t rely on logic alone to make sense of the Bible. To know spiritual things, we must listen with spiritual ears that are tuned in through obedience and a yielded will. Also, make the effort to cultivate a bond with the women in your discussion group. We benefit from sharing with others who can stimulate our thoughts, stretch our spiritual muscles and even show us another perspective. Commit and see it to completion. Do you really need to know your Bible? Only if you intend to grow! Plant yourself, heart and mind, in God s Word and your faith will grow. Your life will bear fruit. You won t always be aware of it, but you can be sure that your investment in God s Word this year will bless and benefit not only your life, but also the lives of those around you. 1
Fast Facts about Romans Written from Corinth in A.D. 57, toward the end of Paul s third missionary journey. At the time, Paul needed to make a trip to Jerusalem and planned to visit Rome afterwards. As it happened, two years went by before Paul arrived in Rome as a prisoner in chains. Unlike the other churches he wrote to, Paul did not plant the church in Rome. In all probability, the church was originally started by Jews who converted while visiting Jerusalem for Passover (Acts 2:10). However, by the time Paul wrote, many of the Roman believers came from a Gentile background. The church in Rome was not a single congregation. In a city of this size and ethnic diversity, the church was almost certainly a loose-knit collection of home fellowships scattered throughout the community. Paul s letter was probably the first piece of written instruction that Roman believers received, apart from the Old Testament writings. In Romans, Paul relied heavily upon Old Testament scripture to make his point. In fact, 35% of what Paul wrote in Romans is a direct quote from, or reference to, Old Testament scripture. Background When Paul wrote this letter, he was approaching a new chapter in his life and ministry. Nearly 25 years of tireless travel, gospel preaching and church planting throughout the eastern Mediterranean was almost finished. I have fully presented the Good News of Christ all the way from Jerusalem clear over to Illyricum (Romans 15:19). But Paul had no intention of retiring. Wanting to take the gospel message where it had not yet been heard, Paul set his sights on Spain. He clearly hoped that the church in Rome would partner with him (Romans 15:24) and this appears to be one reason for his letter. But just as importantly, Paul wanted to encourage the Roman believers in their faith. Although Paul had never been to Rome, he dedicated himself to pray for this church. His letter indicates that Paul was aware of the challenges facing his Jewish and Gentile brothers as they tried to live in Christian harmony. By God s grace, Paul was uniquely suited to identify their differences and exhort them to focus on what they shared in common. This was another reason for his letter, and he surely expected to continue that conversation when he came to them in person. But first, he must deliver the famine-relief money collected for believers suffering in Jerusalem. Paul s plan did not work out as he had hoped. While in Jerusalem, Paul was confronted by an angry mob; a riot ensued, and he was arrested. Paul was left to languish in prison with no end in sight. Eventually, Paul exercised his right as a Roman citizen to appeal his case to the emperor. When Paul finally arrived in Rome, he was confined to live under house arrest. No matter. During that time, Paul wrote to his Philippian friends saying that, My circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel. You can t arrest the good news of Jesus Christ! Romans 1:1-17 Read the passage without interruption. If possible, read it again from a different translation. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 2
Working Text for Romans 1:1-17 New International Version (NIV) Note: When Paul directly quotes or alludes to Old Testament scripture, it is printed all in caps. You will find references for these scriptures in the side column. 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him and for his name s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God s will the way may be opened for me to come to you. 11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: THE RIGHTEOUS WILL LIVE BY FAITH. Habakkuk 2:4 Scripture taken from the New International Version, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing. All rights reserved. 3
Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 1:1-7 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 1:8-15 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: (continued on next page) 4
Romans 1:8-15 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: Romans 1:16-17 Facts from the passage: My Research and Personal Observations: 5
Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 1:1-17. Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. gospel (vs.1,9,15,16) faith (vs.5,12,17) 6
INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 1:1-7 Lesson: Application:? Romans 1:8-15 Lesson: Application:? Romans 1:16-17 Lesson: Application:? Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. 7
Take a Closer Look Memorize God s Word For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. Romans 1:16 NKJV Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate on God s Word Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? 8
Make God s Word Your Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB God s Word Bearing Fruit For you personally, what has been the most important lesson from your study this week? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... The world has many religions; it has but one gospel. - George Owen - 9
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