The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 2
Special English Version

Why Romans? The Keys, The Outlines

Reading Assignment: Romans 1

Introduction
This lesson begins an interesting journey. We pray that God will give you the grace and determination to continue to the completion of this course. To know what Christianity is all about, you must have a firm and complete understanding of the book of Romans. William R. Newell says, “Romans IS the Gospel.” Romans tells us what Christianity is through the teaching of doctrine.

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

In this lesson we want to talk about the reason why Paul wrote the epistle. We want to see the keys to understanding Romans and we want to show you some useful outlines that show you the book completely and in a few words.

Importance of this Lesson

• When you understand why Paul wrote this remarkable book of the Bible you will also understand the wisdom, knowledge of the future, and statesmanship of this great apostle.
• When you learn the “keys” that unlock this epistle, you will understand the important truth of the book.
• When you review and learn the outlines at the end of this lesson, you will learn the depth and large number of truths this important book teaches.

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The Lesson

I. WHY DID PAUL WRITE THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS?

1. Many times Paul had planned to visit Rome but was hindered from doing so. Now that he was fully determined to make the journey to Rome, he wanted to greet them before he came.
2. Paul was not well-known in Rome. For this reason it was correct for him to send a complete statement of his views concerning the gospel he preached before his arrival in Rome. He wanted them to know especially about the subject of grace which people wrongly attacked everywhere.
3. The culture of Rome was important in the world in the day of Paul. Rome was located in the center of the world as people knew it at the time of Paul. This made the church in Rome of vital importance to the whole world of that time. Paul understood the great effect this church would have on the civilized world of that day. Because of this Paul SAW the need for a systematic and complete presentation of the gospel.
4. Paul had never visited Rome. Because of this some people doubted his apostleship and they criticized him. They said, he could not be the apostle to the Gentiles and never come to Rome. The church in Rome was a Gentile Church. Some people said that he was afraid to come to Rome. The Roman epistle would give the church leaders in Rome an opportunity to judge Paul’s courage and honesty for themselves. They would see that Paul was an apostle called by God.
5. Paul was filled and led of the Spirit, and for that reason he realized that the Christian fellowship and the church needed a book that completely explained all of the great doctrines of the Christian faith. In the book of Romans Paul defended and explained the Gospel.

II. KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING ROMANS

• There are certain generally recognized “keys” which will help you to understand the book of Romans. These keys make the study of Romans exciting. For your study, we suggest the following: (Learn the meaning of each key.)

1. The KEY CHAPTER – Chapter 3, especially verses 19-23: Here Paul introduces the righteousness of God as God’s gracious provision to fix man’s problem of sin.
2. The KEY VERSES – Romans 1:16-17. Read these verses carefully. Note that God inspired Paul to put together many words in two short verses. These verses completely sum up the book of Romans and the message of the gospel of Christ. Note the words in these verses and think carefully about them: gospel, Christ, power, God, salvation, everyone, believeth, Jew, Greek (Gentile), righteousness, revealed, faith, just, and live.
3. The KEY WORD – RIGHTEOUSNESS – Romans 1:17. We see the word “righteousness” 92 times in the New Testament and 36 times in the book of Romans. As these lessons unfold, you will see that Paul states what righteousness is and then he explains and defends that truth throughout the whole 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 of man is the righteousness of Christ. We shall see that it is given to every believer on the basis of his faith in Christ. Read Jeremiah 33:16 where Christ is called “Jehovah tsidkenu,” meaning “The Lord our righteousness.”
6. The KEY SUBJECT – “The gospel of God” – Romans1:1. “Paul…an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.” The gospel means “good news” and in Romans Paul states and explains the good news of our salvation.
7. The KEY PURPOSE – To provide a reasonable basis for faith and to put the foundational doctrines of Christianity in precise form for the saints in Rome and all other nations (Romans 1:5-7).

• In Romans, Paul talks about the gospel as it is taught to Christians (saints). He is not talking about the gospel as it is preached to the unsaved. If a person wants to be saved, he only needs to place his faith in Christ. To fully enjoy and understand his salvation, he must know the foundation upon which it rests.

III. SOME SUGGESTED OUTLINES

• Outlines provide hooks on which to hang the teachings of the book. They are like the bones on which we develop a body. Outlines enable the student to see the whole epistle at one time. Outlines serve as pieces to a puzzle. When we put the pieces together, we see a beautiful picture of the gospel of Christ.
• In this lesson, we wish to present one long and one very short outline. (Learn the eight key words with the references from the lengthy outline for the exam.)

1. First Outline
   1. Introduction – 1:1-17 – God reveals what righteousness is.
   2. Condemnation – 1:18-3:20 – God says that righteousness is necessary.
      1. God condemns the Gentile world – 1:18-2:16.
      2. God condemns the Jewish world – 2:17-3:8.
      3. God condemns the whole world – 3:9-20.
   3. Justification – 3:21-5:11 – God puts His righteousness upon the believer.
      (How to become a Christian – a special outline of justification)
      1. The reason for justification – GRACE – 3:21-31
      2. The method 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 – 5:12-7:25 – God gives righteousness to the believer.
      (How to live the Christian life)
      1. Righteousness rules, or the source of our sanctification – Christ our New Federal Head Romans 5:12-21
      2. The foundation of sanctification – Our oneness with Christ – Chapter 6
         1. Illustration of baptism – verses 1-14
         2. Illustration of servitude – verses 15-23
         3. Illustration of marriage – Romans 7:1-6
      3. The hindrances to sanctification – Sin and self – 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– Righteousness Practiced by the Believer and Perfected – Romans 8:1-39
      1. God’s power – verses 1-17
         1. Walking IN and through the Spirit – verses 1-11
         2. The witness of the Holy Spirit TO us – verses 12-17
      2. God’s promise – verses 18-25
      3. God’s purpose – verses 26-30
      4. God’s presence – verses 31-39
   6. Dispensation – Israel Rejected Righteousness – Romans 9-11
      (Why God set Israel aside for the present time.)
      This part of Romans is a parenthesis, which is explained by Ephesians.
   7. Application – The Believer Applies Righteousness to His Life – Romans 12:1-15:33
      (How to practice the Christian life.)
      1. In Christian service – 12:7,10,11
      2. In Christian citizenship – Romans 13
      3. In Christian conduct – Romans 14:13-23; 15:3,5
   8. Salutation and benediction – Romans 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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