(Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary)
Romans: A Study and Teaching Outline
Part One: The Revelation of the Righteousness of God (1:1—8:39)
- Introduction 1:1–17
- Condemnation: The Need for God’s Righteousness 1:18—3:20 Guilt of the Gentile 1:18–32
- Guilt of the Jew 2:1—3:8
- Conclusion: All Are Guilty before God 3:9–20
- Justification: God’s Righteousness 3:21—5:21 Description of Righteousness 3:21–31
- Illustration of Righteousness 4:1–25
- Benefits of Righteousness 5:1–11
- Contrast of Righteousness and Condemnation 5:12–21
- Sanctification: The Demonstration of God’s Righteousness 6:1—8:39 Sanctification and Sin 6:1–23
- Sanctification and the Law 7:1–25
- Sanctification and the Spirit 8:1–39
Part Two: The Vindication of the Righteousness of God (9:1—11:36)
- Israel’s Past: The Election of God 9:1–29 A. Paul’s Sorrow 9:1–5
- God’s Sovereignty 9:6–29
- Israel’s Present: The Rejection of God 9:30—10:21 Israel Seeks Righteousness by Works 9:30–33
- Israel Rejects Christ 10:1–15
- Israel Rejects the Prophets 10:16–21
- Israel’s Future: The Restoration by God 11:1–36 Israel’s Rejection Is Not Total 11:1–10
- Israel’s Rejection Is Not Final 11:11–32
- Israel’s Restoration: The Occasion for Glorifying God 11:33–36
Part Three: The Application of the Righteousness of God (12:1—16:27)
- Righteousness of God Demonstrated in Christian Duties 12:1—13:14 Responsibilities Toward God 12:1–2
- Responsibilities Toward Society 12:3–21
- Responsibilities Toward Government 13:1–7
- Responsibilities Toward Neighbors 13:8–14
- Righteousness of God Demonstrated in Christian Liberties 14:1—15:13 Principles of Christian Liberty 14:1–23
- Practices of Christian Liberty 15:1–13
- Conclusion 15:14—16:27 Paul’s Purposes for Writing 15:14–21
- Paul’s Plans for Traveling 15:22–33
- Paul’s Praise and Greetings 16:1–27
✢✢✢✢✢
Author: Holy Spirit
Writer: Paul, the Apostle
Recipients: Roman Christians
Date and place written: (Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary) His three-month stay in Corinth, probably in the spring of A.D. 56 or 57, would have provided the extended, uninterrupted time needed to compose such a reasoned commentary on the Christian faith.
Main theme: Doctrine of salvation and applications to life
What to learn
- Why do people sin?
- How sin progresses.
- How Jews and Gentiles are sinners.
- How our sin nature blinds us to truth.
- How sin dishonors God.
- How faith is not a gift.
- God’s promises to Abraham are a gift, not a work.
- Justification is by faith alone.
- Peace with God is because of our faith.
- Adam sinned and brought the curse and death. Jesus did not sin and brought blessings and life.
- Sin made us slaves to sin. Faith in Jesus made us slaves to righteousness.
- Mosaic law reconciled and covered sin. Jesus fulfilled and ended Mosaic Law.
- Law was given to convict us of our sin. The one convicting is the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).
- There is no hope to live the Christian life without God’s help.
- If we are believers, the talk matches the walk.
- How Israel is related to faith and salvation (Romans 9-11).
- Only faith in the Messiah, Jesus, can save from the penalty of our sins.
- All Israel will be saved in the future (all become Christians).
- The practical aspect of faith (Romans 12-15).
- Believers are to give their body (fleshly desires) as a living sacrifice.
- About spiritual gifts.
- About numerous laws from the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
- The relation between God and His law and government law.
- More laws from the Law of Christ.
- How to handle differences is Christian opinion.
- All people and spirits will someday bow the knee and acknowledge Jesus is Lord.
- God first, others second, and me third.
- Jesus is our example of the Christian worldview and lifestyle.
- Jesus is Messiah to Jews and Gentiles.
- Paul was the Apostle to Gentiles.
- Remembering our brothers and sisters in Christ.
- How to handle unruly people and heretics.
- Paul’s prayer for God to bless the believers.