STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS
PART 1

WHY STUDY ROMANS?

Romans shows us how we can stop doing the wrong things we may have so much wanted to stop doing. Romans teaches us the key to being a strong Christian we all want to be, but do not understand how to be. PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING. Chapters 5-8 are the most glorious parts of the whole BIBLE!!! What Paul emphasizes are the things God wants us to know the most!!! We will learn that our salvation has some benefits that go along with it for all our shortcomings and weaknesses of being imperfect people. We have the benefit of going through the worst trials and remaining victorious! Many people who have lived for God for years, when they learned Romans' message, said, "So this is what I missed for thirty-five years!!!"

Paul begins by showing his people WHY they needed righteousness:

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Romans 1:1-4

I. JESUS A PATTERN FOR US

Romans teaches believers a very important truth by beginning with the fact that Jesus is a pattern for us. He mentions Jesus in a particular manner with a purpose of getting us to understand Christian life.

1. Jesus

Is seed of David according to flesh.
Is Son of God with power according to spirit of holiness, by resurrection.

2. Two different aspect of Jesus

Flesh and Spirit of Holiness
Same with our situation once we are saved

3. Jesus BEGAN, as a man, as Son of David

Jesus LATER became Son of God with power.
Jesus always was Son of God, but resurrection made Him "Son of God with power"

4. This is a pattern for us.

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.
2 Corinthians 13:4

5. This verse mentions Christ having been CRUCIFIED.

Crucified is past tense. "-ed"
Then it mentions he "liveth" - not "-ed" but "-eth"
"Liveth" means He is still living.

6. Paul explained it is the same for us. - "we also"

7. Note "power" - Jesus is Son of God "with power".

HOLINESS - the key to power
Separation.
Jesus had power according to "spirit of holiness"

8. "Separation" (holiness) from fleshliness is the KEY to powerful Christian living.

9. Compare Romans 1:4 with 1:16.

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.
Romans 1:16

Jesus is Son of God WITH POWER.
Gospel is the "POWER" of God to those who believe.

10. The GOSPEL of Christ is the power of God.

What is the Gospel?

Death, burial, resurrection of Jesus for us.
For us means "in our place"

11. It becomes power of God "to everyone who believeth".

12. We are going to study Roman's message of the power of God for our lives.

We need to understand how "holiness" caused Jesus to have power, and see that this holiness will also give us power.
It will work for us, too!

II. RIGHTEOUSNESS

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:17

Paul said that believing the Gospel is where you will find the righteousness of God revealed in the world.

Notice it is not OUR righteousness he is talking about.
Righteousness of God!
Our righteousness is result of our good deeds.
Our righteousness stinks in God's nostrils.
The best we can be is not good enough for Him.
That is why he gave the Gospel to us.

1. What is righteousness?

It is what you need to go to heaven one day.
The state of being "right with God".

2. The Old Testament demanded one to obey rules in order to be righteous.

These rules involved doing physical good things.
If all the rules were kept, one would be called "righteous".
The problem was that no man could keep all the rules.

3. Referring to the Law of the Old Testament, and getting new converts to the Church to keep it, Peter said:

Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
Acts 15:10

Jews craved righteousness, because they knew that was what they needed to see God.

4. In the New Testament, we find a different path to righteousness besides "works".

5. Where is righteousness revealed?

How can I become righteous?
What can I do to be ready for Heaven?

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.
Romans 1:16-17

6. Where did Paul say righteousness is revealed?

How can I get righteousness in my life to be revealed to all, including God, so He can take me to heaven?

7. It is found in the people who believe the Gospel!

"Every one that believeth"
Believe what?
Believe "the gospel of Christ:"
It's as though Paul said, "Aha! Here is how we find that illusive righteousness! Here is how it is revealed! By Faith!"

8. But it is not just "righteousness"

What is revealed is the righteousness of God!
Imagine God giving us HIS righteousness when we believe the Gospel of Christ!!
It is what the Jews Craved!

9. Not only do we get righteousness, but it is REVEALED in us.

Everybody can see it!

10. "As it is written, The just shall live by faith."

Paul said this is exactly how the Old Testament foretold where righteousness would be found
"As it is written" means, "this is just how the Old Testament said it all along!"
The Old Testament already said: "The just shall live by faith" long ago!
Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

"Just" = "righteous"
Shall live in what way?
Shall live JUSTLY and RIGHTEOUSLY
Like saying, "The perfect man lives like that because of ...."
This means "the ones who are just and righteous are LIVING like that because of their FAITH."
FAITH is the pathway to righteousness.
Habakkuk did not reveal that it was God's Righteousness we would get by faith, but the New Testament reveals that it is His!
Is one thing to have righteousness, but quite a great thing to have HIS righteousness!
If it is GOD'S righteousness, then it is a GIFT, because OUR righteousness results from something WE did to earn it.
All we do is believe - no work to it.
To every one that believeth;
Righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:

III. BELIEVETH

1. Righteousness is revealed to every one that BELIEVETH.

Gospel is POWER of God to every one that believeth.
When "eth" is on the end of a word it means it is a continual doing of what the word concerns.
BELIEVETH means continually believing.
Righteousness is revealed from faith to faith
Ongoing faith
Not a one time thing as though, "I believed way back in 1961, and have not exerted any faith since then.'
You will not see righteousness revealed in those people.
Those who are revealing righteousness are those who "live" by faith - believeth
To "live" by something is to SURVIVE by it constantly.

2. Christ "liveth" by the power of God

"yet he liveth by the power of God."
2 Corinthians 13:4

IV. TWO PATHS TO RIGHTEOUSNESS

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.
Romans 3:20

This shows one path to righteousness - Law.
But Paul said Law just did not work (more about this later).

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all andupon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
Romans 3:21-22

1. "Outside of " = "Without"

"Without the Law" means outside of the Law.
Law was one route to righteousness.
There is a route OUTSIDE of Law.
The Law and Prophets even witnessed of it!

They spoke about this other route.
Paul quoted Habakkuk.
Habakkuk spoke about the route of faith for righteousness ("Just shall live by his faith").
It is the righteousness by faith of Jesus.
Not only IN Jesus but "faith of Jesus."
HIS faith.
The way HE lived by faith is the way we live by faith.
Like Him, we are one thing according to the flesh, and another according to the Spirit of holiness

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Christ died and lived in power by resurrection.
The faith He used is the faith I can use since I was resurrected with Him.
If I was not resurrected with Him I could not use faith to love powerfully due to resurrection.
Much will be taught later regarding the fact that we are resurrected, and must start having faith that we can live by the power that is only for those resurrected!

V. NOT MINE, BUT HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
Philippians 3:9

2. Jesus even told us to seek God's righteousness.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33

Whose?
Answer: the one whose Kingdom we must seek.
God's.

PAUL IS TALKING LIKE THIS BECAUSE HE IS LEADING UP TO SOMETHING IN THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS.

Since Paul brought up "righteousness by faith", he realized he better explain something now.

VI. GENTILE GUILT

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

2. Wrath is revealed in those who know God and yet refuse to serve Him.

3. If you could "believe" in God and think you do not have to serve Him and live for Him, why did Paul say that the ones who know about God and yet refuse to serve Him and glorify Him have wrath revealed in them? and that righteousness instead is revealed in the "believer?"

4. A believer is someone who LIVES for God, not just believes He exists.

5. Believing Him is worshipping Him and serving Him.

Verse 19 says that what we need to know about God is given to everyone at one point or another.

Verse 20 says nature and creation reveal God. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Psalm 19:1

Romans 10:18 says the same thing.

If no preacher preached to you, creation still has preached to you.
No excuse.
Heavens declare that God is real.

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Romans 1:21

Verse 21 says - it is dangerous to know God and not choose to live for Him and glorify Him.

Something happens to those people.
They begin to think about it.
They make excuses to not serve Him.
Paul calls these "vain imaginations".
"Foolish" reasonings from a "foolish heart"
Think of self and not God.
A PERSON: "I won't glorify God because of this or that!"
B PERSON : "Does God exist?"
A: "Yes."
B:"Paul says wrath of God is revealed to you."
Forget about God's desires.
THEN THE HEART TURNS FROM FOOLISH TO EVIL!
"Foolish heart was darkened".

6. IDOLATRY

When a soul refuses to glorify God when God makes Himself known to them through creation, something happens.
Heart becomes dark - evil.

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Romans 1:26

Idolatry is an attempt to avoid glorifying God.
They know something greater than man has made all creation.
But they do not want this "god" to be greater than them.
Their "vain" imaginations make them picture God as a man at the most, or a lower creature.

And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Romans 1:23

A reverse from man, down to birds and beast and lower still to creeping things - serpents.
Serpent worship very common in world.
Like sticking head in sand and refusing to believe.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Romans 1:24

Physical filth

HOMOSEXUALITY

For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Romans 1:26-27

No one is born a homosexual.
No such thing as homosexual "love".
Paul called it "vile affections".
He did not say "vile changing to homosexuality" as though being born one is alright (some think those "born" homosexual are alright - but those who go to it for kicks are sinners.)
He said "vile affections".
People call God "three persons".
Lower god to manhood.
Not just physical filth - mental filth.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

VII. JEWISH GUILT AS WELL

Idolatry.
Homosexuality and lesbianism.
Haters of God.

2. Now God speaks to people who glorify God as God - correctly!

People who obey the Old Testament - Israelites.

3. Gentiles receive wrath of God due to sins of chapter 1

But Jew cannot judge Gentile is Jew is sinning, too.
Jews were proud people.
Hear Paul talk about gentile sinners and feel good.
Paul said they are sinners too if they did not commit sins.
Jews in "same boat".

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. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?

4. Why Jews treated so well?

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Romans 2:4

Jews treated good so that they would be led to repentance if they sinned.
They weren't God's people so they could do anything they wanted to - sinful or not.
(Keep in mind that Paul is leading up to something here concerning Christians!)

5. Jews receive wrath as well as Gentiles.

Compare 1:18 with 2:5.

GENTILES:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Romans 1:18

JEWS:

But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
Romans 2:5

Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
Romans 2:6

7. Wrath on JEW FIRST and then on Gentile.

Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
Romans 2:9

8. But EVERY MAN who is changed and does good will receive good.

But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
Romans 2:10

Good works do not save us but are evidence that we are changed

9. God is no respector of persons

10. Jews will not get off with sin.

VIII. LAW OF THE GENTILES - THEIR CONSCIENCE

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;
Romans 2:12

(Vs. 2:12 apart from the law. i.e., Gentiles, to whom the Mosaic Law had not been given (9:4). Gentiles will not escape judgment, but their judgment will not be on the basis of the Mosaic Law. )

IX. LAW OF THE JEWS - SYMBOLIZED CIRCUMCISION

1. Circumcision put person into the people of God and separated them from pagans. - to keep the LAW. For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Romans 2:25-29

3. But if one did not keep the Law, circumcision was no good.

4. Paul is stressing that no one could keep the law.

5. If their sin makes them UNCIRCUMCISED, then why cannot gentiles be as though they were circumcised if they keep the righteousness of the Law without even knowing the Law?

6. True people of God (Jews) are changed INWARDLY by righteousness.

7. If you are righteous without the Law, then you have the righteousness which the Law tried to give, but you may have gained it by another route than the Law.

8. True circumcision is when your HEART is separated from the things of the flesh.

X. NOT EVEN JEWS MADE RIGHTEOUS BY LAW

Paul proved by quoting Old Testament Scriptures that NOBODY was righteous. Law couldn't be kept. No one was ever made righteous by Law.

Romans 3:9-18 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; As it is written,

There is none righteous, no, not one:

There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Psalm 14:2-4)

They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.(Psalm 14:3)

Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (Psalm 5:9)

Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: (Psalm 10:7)

Their feet are swift to shed blood: (Psalm 1:16)

Destruction and misery are in their ways: And the way of peace have they not known: (Isaiah 59:8)

There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Psalm 36:1)

And Paul says this proves Jews are sinners because...

Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law:

Law was written to Jews who were under the Law.

Therefore it was talking about JEWS when it said none were righteous.

So, if Jews were called by God and given the Law, then what was it all for if the Law that was supposed to make people righteous made nobody righteous?

This is a major point we must all see if we want victory in our Christian lives.

Law was given to the Jews so that...

"...that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God."

Law came to show that all the world is guilty.
Jews had a law from God.
Gentiles had their consciences.
Neither Law stopped them from sinning.

So God proved that all are guilty, no matter if you do not personally give them a Law, like the Gentiles, or give them what they need to know to make themselves righteous, like the Jews.
EVERYBODY NEEDS GOD'S HELP!

Paul was leading up to this grand point!

Law came so that God could show that from the lowest to the highest, everyone needs God, and nobody can independently make themselves righteous!!!

...that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Romans 3:19

We cannot get our own righteousness. We need God to give us His. We do not work to get our own righteousness, therefore, since it is a waste of time. We BELIEVE God so HIS righteousness can be revealed in us.

Law's path to righteousness did not work for man. Man could not be as good as Law demanded. But another path has been revealed since then. Righteousness through FAITH. It does work. It is not impossible.

Paul gets back to thoughts in 1:16-17 now. We need resurrection so we can have the Spirit of holiness to live above sin. The Holy Ghost is a Spirit of holiness - if you separate from the flesh by faith in Jesus' death as you, it will work in you and you will have victory over sin.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:21-23

There is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. Paul proved that.

Law could not help Jews, but only tell them what is wrong.
So ALL need righteousness by faith.
We all must use faith because none of us can use works to make ourselves good enough.
From the Jew to the Gentile, we all need God's mercy!

XI. HOW THIS "NEW" PATHWAY WORKS

Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Romans 3:24

2. Freely

3. All because of God's grace!

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;
Romans 3:25

4. Jesus was made a "propitiation" for us.

Propitiation means to avert a tragedy.
Chance to have sins removed.
How? through faith in His blood.
For purpose of declaring GOD is righteous and nobody else is nor can be by their own goodness.
If you believe that, then you glorify God!
And God reveals His righteousness to you for your faith that glorifies God!

XII. FOR WHAT PURPOSE?

To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Romans 3:26-27

It all ends up with God receiving GLORY!

1. Giving us HIS righteousness was the only way He could save us.

2. We had to DIE due to our sins

3. He could not overlook our wickedness and say we are righteous.

4. The only way is to have Himself become a man and die instead of us.

5. And if we believe that then we can say we paid the price.

He justifies the person who BELIEVES.

Paul uses three viewpoints to explain this:

Courtroom - JUSTIFIED (3:24)
Slave Market - REDEEMED - bought back(3:24).
Temple - ATONEMENT - sins removed by "mercy seat" - "propitiation" (3:25).

Can we brag and boast now?

If we made ourselves righteous we can brag.
making ourselves righteous is by the Law.
Did we get it by Law or by faith?
-By faith! So we cannot boast.

Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Romans 3:29-30

Does this mean Law is thrown out as if it was wrong?

NO!
Law was right when it said such and such was wrong.
GRACE "establishes" the Law.
you cannot be justified unless you are first condemned.
Law condemned you.
Since Grace "justifies" you, Grace accepts the Law's opinion.

The Law of Moses was not looked down on by the Apostles and their "new" ideas that were so misunderstood, but the Apostles taught that it could not save you from sins.

Wherefore then serveth the law?
Galatians 3:19

Is the law then against the promises of God?
Galaitans 3:21

It was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ! If it is true that we must be justified, as Paul said it was, then Law was quite correct when it condemned us. So the Apostles' teachings were not contrary to the Law whatsoever!

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us justified by faith.
Galatians 3:23

STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS PART 1