The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 2
Purpose, Keys, Outlines

Reading Assignment: Romans 1

Introduction
You have begun a fascinating journey. We pray that God will give you the grace and determination to persevere to the completion of this course. To be a knowledgeable Christian, one must have a solid and thorough understanding of the book of Romans. William R. Newell says, “Romans IS the Gospel.” It is a doctrinal definition of Christianity.

We have looked at the importance of the epistle, the time, place, to whom it was written, and the unique differences between Galatians and Romans.

In this lesson we want to cover why Paul wrote the epistle, the keys to understanding it and some useful outlines so that you can glimpse the book in its entirety.

Importance of this Lesson

• To understand why Paul wrote this remarkable treatise is to gain an insight into the wisdom, foresight, and statesmanship of this great apostle.
• In mastering the “keys” that unlock the epistle, you will acquire a grasp of the significant truth it contains.
• In reviewing and learning the outlines we are suggesting, you will gather some idea of the scope and depth of this all-important book.

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The Lesson

I. WHY PAUL WROTE THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS

1. Many times Paul had purposed to visit Rome but was hindered from doing so. Now that he was fully determined to make the trip and visit Rome, it was perfectly natural for him to want to greet them in advance of his coming.
2. Since Paul was not well-known in Rome, it was natural and proper for him to send in advance of his coming a complete statement of his views concerning the gospel he preached, especially on the subject of grace which was being viciously attacked everywhere.
3. Culturally and geographically, the Roman Church was of strategic importance to the entire world at that time, foreseeing the enormous influence this church would have on civilization, Paul logically SAW the need for a systematic and thorough presentation of the gospel.
4. Paul had never visited Rome. Because of this he was questioned and criticized. How could he be the apostle to the Gentiles and never come to Rome, a Gentile Church? Some accused him of being afraid. Others debated his apostolic authority. The Roman epistle would give the church leaders an opportunity to judge for themselves Paul’s courage, integrity and authenticity.
5. Being filled and led of the Spirit, Paul realized the need in the Christian community and in the church for a comprehensive, exhaustive treatment of the great doctrines of the Christian faith. Romans was Paul’s defense, explanation and APOLOGETIC of the gospel.

II. KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING ROMANS
There are certain generally recognized “keys” which unlock the book of Romans and make the study of it exciting and more readily understandable. For your study, we suggest the following: (Learn the meaning of each key.)

1. The KEY chapter – Chapter three, especially verses 19-23: Here the righteousness of God is introduced as God’s gracious provision for man’s failure and sin.
2. The KEY verses – Romans 1:16-17. Read them carefully. Note that by Divine inspiration, Paul amazingly put together 14 words in two short verses, which completely summarize the book of Romans and the message of the gospel of Christ. Note them and ponder them carefully: gospel, Christ, power, God, salvation, everyone, believeth, Jew, Greek (Gentile), righteousness, revealed, faith, just, and live.
3. The KEY word – RIGHTEOUSNESS – Romans 1:17. The word righteousness is found 92 times in the New Testament and 36 times in the book of Romans. As these lessons unfold, you will see that righteousness is what Paul is declaring, defending and explaining throughout the entire epistle.
4. The KEY phrase – The righteousness of God – Romans 1:17 and 3:21. This phrase is found eight times in the epistle.
5. The KEY spiritual thought – “Christ is the believer’s righteousness” – Romans 10:4. The righteousness God requires is the righteousness of Christ. We shall see that it is imputed to every believer based on faith. Read Jeremiah 33:16 where Christ is called Jehovah tsidkenu, meaning “The Lord our righteousness.”
6. The KEY subject – The gospel of God – Romans 1:1. Paul…an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God. The gospel means good news and Romans is Paul’s explanation and declaration of the good news of our salvation.
7. The KEY purpose – To provide for the saints in Rome – Romans 1:6-7. and …among all nations… (Romans 1:5) a rational basis for faith and to formulate, for all to know, the great foundational truths of Christianity.

• In Romans, the gospel is taught to Christians (saints), not the gospel preached to the unsaved. To be saved, we need only to place our faith in Christ, but to fully enjoy and understand our salvation, we must know the foundation upon which it rests.

III. SOME SUGGESTED OUTLINES

• Outlines provide hooks on which to hang the truths taught. They are like skeletons on which we develop a body. They enable the student to capture a panoramic view of the entire epistle. They serve as pieces to a puzzle, which, as in Romans, when put together, present a glorious picture of the gospel of Christ.
• In this lesson, we wish to present one rather lengthy and one very brief outline. (Learn the eight key words with the references from the lengthy outline for the exam.)

1. First Outline
   1. Introduction – 1:1-17 – Righteousness Revealed
   2. Condemnation – 1:18-3:20 – Righteousness Required
      1. The Gentile world condemned – 1:18-2:16
      2. The Jewish world condemned – 2:17-3:8
      3. The whole world condemned – 3:9-20
   3. Justification – 3:21-5:11 – Righteousness Imputed
      (How to become a Christian – a special outline of justification)
      1. The ground or reason for justification – GRACE – 3:21-31
      2. The means of justification – FAITH – 3:28, 4:20-22, 5:1
      3. The price of justification – BLOOD – 5:9
      4. The assurance of justification – RESURRECTION – 4:25
      5. The source of justification – GOD – 8:33 (3:26)
      6. The results of justification – PEACE – 5:1-11
   4. Sanctification – 5:22-7:25– Righteousness Imparted
      (How to live the Christian life)
      1. The source of our sanctification, or Righteousness Reigning – Christ our New Federal Head (Romans 5:12-21)
      2. The basis of sanctification – Chapter 6 – Our oneness with Christ
         1. Illustration of baptism – verses 1-14
         2. Illustration of servitude – verses 15-23
         3. Illustration of marriage – Chapter 7:1-6
      3. The hindrances to sanctification – Sin and self – chapter 7:7-25
         1. The ministry of the Law in relation to sin – verses 7-13
         2. The helplessness of the Law to produce righteousness due to the weakness of our flesh – verses 14-25
   5. Glorification – 8:1-39 – Righteousness Realized and Perfected
      1. God’s power – verses 1-17
         1. Walking IN and through the Spirit – 8:1-11
         2. The witness of the Holy Spirit TO us – 8:12-17
      2. God’s promise – 8:18-25
      3. God’s purpose – 8:26-30
      4. God’s presence – 8:31-39
   6. Dispensation – Chapters 9-11 – Righteousness Rejected
      (Why God set Israel aside temporarily)
      This is the parenthetical part of Romans, which is provided by Ephesians.
   7. Application – Chapters 12:1-15:33 – Righteousness Applied
      (How to practice the Christian life)
      1. In Christian service – 12:7,10,11
      2. In Christian citizenship – Chapter 13
      3. In Christian conduct – Chapter 14:13-23; 15:3,5
   8. Salutation and benediction – 16:1-27
2. Second Outline
   1. Chapters 1-8 – Devoted to Doctrine
   2. Chapters 9-11 – Devoted to Dispensation
   3. Chapters 12-16 – Devoted to Duty
      

Examination

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