Part 1
Paul is writing to predominately Gentile Christians, since, apparently, all Jews were banned from Romans and forced to leave.
Romans 1-8 Paul explains the doctrine of soteriology.
Romans 1
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- Romans 1:1-7 is Paul’s greeting to the Roman assembly.
- Verses 8-15 contain Paul’s deep desire to visit the assembly.
- Verses 16-17 is the introduction of Paul’s teaching on soteriology. The main point is God demands faith. Faith is believing God enough to trust Him and be saved. Romans 1:17 (NKJV) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” This teaches that the life God wishes for us (even all people) begins with faith and ends with faith. “Faith to faith” are bookends illustrating completeness. Live means spiritual life. Are humans, except for the Lord Jesus, are spiritually dead.
- Verses 18-32 teach the downhill course of a life of sin (all of us are sinners) beginning with the suppression of truth and finishing with people encouraging to sin more and having the ultimate pleasure in life to sin/rebel against God more and more.
Romans 2
Romans 2 begins with Paul explaining that God’s judgment for the sins listed in Romans 1 is just.
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- Verses 1-11: We are not to judge others of their sin lest God judge us by the same standard. God’s judgment is in truth. “Hardness and your impenitent heart” refers to the state of all humans. If God did not initiate salvation, no one could be saved. People should not accuse God of evil when He, God, King, and Judge, gives His verdict, sentence, and the carrying out of justice.
- In verse 12-29 Paul begins with God’s law (Mosaic Law) as he nows addresses the Jews. Jews having the Law (of which they are proud) is not enough, they must obey the law. The Gentiles who obey the Law without knowing the Law have more understanding than the Jews. Nevertheless, God judges all humans. Physical circumcision has its place for male Jews, but if there is no spiritual circumcision (performed by God), physical circumcision is worthless on Judgment Day.
Romans 3
Romans 3 begins asking the question. Does being Jewish or having circumcision (the covenant—Genesis 17:4-11) have any advantage?
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- Verses 1-8: Among the blessings to Israel was the giving of God’s law through Moses. Then, Paul asks another question—if some did not believe would that diminish God’s faithfulness? NO! Reason? God is true; it is His core character trait. Humans are the one who are liars. If God was to be judged, it will be proven that God is just. Israel is blessed because they have the Law and the Revelation from God of Himself. Paul answers the accusation of some who believe that sin glorifies God’s mercy and grace, then condemns those who slander Paul and Christians (probably the Judaizers).
- At verse 9-20 Paul writes that every human (except Jesus) is a sinner without any ability to seek God on their own initiative.
- Verses 21-26 teach that righteousness cannot be accomplished by keeping the Law or any good works because all are condemned sinners. Only Jesus as the Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) was sacrificed for the penalty of our sins. Either we are punished for our sins or a sinless, eternal, volunteer will qualify. Jesus is sinless (Hebrews 4:15), eternal (God the Son without beginning or end, the second person of the Trinity—Hebrews 7:3, John 1:1-2, and Colossians 1:15-17) and a volunteer (Hebrews 10:9). God is just and the justifier of those who believe: Romans 3:26 (LHB) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him who believes in Jesus.