Introduction
Why read & study Romans?
The Apostle Paul’s Letter to the Roman has had enormous significance throughout Church history. Martin Luther gained his insights on grace that led to the Protestant Reformation. So too countless other believers have been strengthened and stretched by its deep and weighty teaching. Although not always easy reading it has always repaid many times the attention given to it.
It is the Apostle Paul’s longest and most substantial letter. It was written to the Christians in the leading city of the time and so to those whose potential influence would stretch well beyond their own patch. Most importantly it is his, and the New Testament’s most thorough discussion of God’s generosity in Jesus Christ and how this relates to and drives other important themes, such as, forgiveness and hope, suffering and endurance, love and unity, obedience and mission.
How to read Romans?
Like all the New Testament Letters, Romans was written to be read as a whole to a certain Christian community. It would then have been re-read and studied, and then copied and circulated more widely.
Three things from this should shape how we read Romans (and other New Testament writings).
1. It was written to a particular group and situation. Modern readers need to slip into their shoes to understand it.
2. It was primarily ‘read to’ and not ‘by’ churches. Unlike today many believers would have been unable to read and copies would not have been easily and cheaply available for all to have for themselves.
3. It was to be read as a whole. So we must…
(Too often we have picked up bad habits of reading small passages, verses or even words in isolation. We can easily, then, misread the meaning and miss the bigger point being built. Meaning and emphases are shaped by context. The Spirit inspired the words in their context. To ignore the context results, then, in missing the Spirit’s intended meaning and emphases!)
How to use this booklet to read & study Romans?
Get started by reading Romans (in as few sittings as possible). This study booklet functions as a re-reading and studying. Each study works through a major distinct section of the book. The sets of questions pick up sub-sections or paragraphs and work towards the bigger overall thrust.
Questions and comments will fall under these headings:
Warming up: Ice-breakers to scratch and open up contemporary issues that will be addressed in the overall thrust.
Smelling the air: Context setters, picking up issues left hanging from the background situation or from the preceding section.
Having a Breakdown: Structure outlines, identifying the sub-sections (and maybe sub-sub-sections) of ideas.
Getting Up Close: Analysing the detail of sub-sections. Observation: what is there and comprehension: what it means.
*Pulling Aside: Picking up some side issues that arise.
Getting the Point: Summaries, wrapping up each paragraph and establishing the sub-point.
Seeing the Big Picture: Overviews, fitting the sub-sections and sub-points together to come to the overall point and thrust.
Bridging the Gap: Applications, working out how the passage relates to and should impact our lives today.
*As asides, although touching on interesting and significant issues, these can be skipped if need for brevity or simplicity requires.
From a 1 st Reading
What overall structure was noticeable.
What key ideas and themes that stood out.
What was flow and thrust of the main argument.
Study 1 - Who’s Who & What’s Up? [1:1-15 & 15:14-33]
Warming up - “On a Mission from God”
When have you been on a journey for a greater purpose?
How are Christian evangelistic missions commonly criticised?
Why are churches sometimes lax in supporting missionaries?
Smelling the air
Paul wrote Romans towards the end of his second missionary journey when he was about to take a relief collection from the non-Jewish churches of his mission to the poor Jewish church at Jerusalem. (See Acts 13-20 for his 1 st and 2 nd missionary journeys and Romans 15:25-27 and 2 Corinthians 8-9 for the relief collection. See also a Bible dictionary and atlas for more information.) Who was Paul? Why was he big news? What controversy was he associated with?
Having a Breakdown:
Opening Greeting [1:1-7]
Introduction [1:8-15]
Theological Argument [1:16-11:36]
Practical Appeal [12:1-15:13]
Conclusion [15:14-33]
Closing Greetings [16:1-27]
1. Opening Greeting - Who’s Who [1:1-7]
Getting Up Close
List how Paul [v1-7] refers to …
1. Himself and his ministry?
2. The gospel?
3. His Roman recipients?
What is meant by any unusual terms or phrases?
Paul had not started the Roman churches nor ever visited them (See Acts 2:5-12 for how Christianity may have travelled there.) What is his relationship with them?
Pulling Aside
Christians need to be clear on the core of Jesus’ identity and the ‘gospel’. Biblical Christianity has always had to speak up against alternative suggestions. From the Greeting … 1. What is ‘the gospel’? 2. Who is Jesus?
How does the identity of Jesus stand behind Paul’s controversial message and mission?
Getting the Point
Summarise the Opening Greeting.
2. Introduction - En Route to Rome [1:8-15]
Getting Up Close
Paul says that, after his relief journey to Jerusalem, he plans to travel at last to Rome [v8-10] Why [v11-15]? What does he want to do for them? (Note: He does not yet indicate what they can do for him.) How does this flow from the relationship signalled in the Greeting [v13b-15]?
Getting the Point
Summarise the Introduction.
Pulling Aside
Paul responded to his previously frustrated intentions to visit Rome with recognition of God’s oversight and control over all human activities. How and why is this “God-willing’ recognition often missing in modern Christianity? What happens when we lose it? How can we maintain it?
3. Conclusion - En Route to Spain [15:14-33]
Getting Up Close
After visiting Rome Paul plans to go on to Spain [v24]. Why [v14-23]? What drives him? Read also 10:14-17.
What two things does he want the Romans to do for him [v24 & v30-33]?
Getting the Point
Summarise the Conclusion.
Seeing the Big Picture
Why did Paul write Romans?
What were the respective roles of Paul and the Romans in the gospel mission? How were both important and necessary?
Why was this mission important?
Bridging the Gap
Now Paul’s gone, how can we, then, like the Romans, receive the benefit of the Apostle’s preaching?
With Paul now gone, why should the mission to nations continue? How, then, could you motivate a church to support mission?
Has God made you to be a mission goer or supporter?
How can we, like the Romans, be supporters of mission?
Study 2 - What’s Wrong? [1:16-31]
Warming up:
When have you better appreciated something good by first hearing something bad?
When have you known Christianity to be criticised for being too negative?
Smelling the Air:
Paul has written seeking the Roman Christians welcome and support for his ministry and mission. Given the controversial background for Paul and his ministry and mission there would be have been some anxiety amongst the Roman churches about welcoming him and supporting his mission.
Having a Breakdown:
1:16 begins the main body of the letter, a long argument [1:16-11:36] in defence of Paul’s mission and message. He develops his argument with a series of rhetorical questions in which he anticipates the objections of an imagined opponent [e.g. 3:1; 4:1; 6:1]. Each section deals with one question but raises another. Other sections are logical steps or conclusions [e.g. marked by “therefore”, e.g. 2:1; 5:1; 8:1; 12:1]. Sections are also sometimes marked by new concentration of key themes and terms [e.g. “Abraham” c4; “”Law” c7; “Spirit” c8] What rhetorical questions, major logical steps and concentrations of themes or terms did you notice on your first reading?
There are two opening sub-sections:
1:16-17 Paul’s Mission Statement
1:18-32 Sinners Under Judgment
1. Paul’s Mission Statement [1:16-17]
Getting Up Close
Paul begins by drawing together and introducing key terms and concepts in his attitude to gospel mission. Note and list these.
He presents these in a chain of reasons and conclusions, an argument. Each point is a logical link, supporting either the preceding or following point. (e.g. ‘for…’ or ‘because…’ look back and ‘therefore…’ looks forward. So ask, “What’s the ‘for’ for and what’s the ‘therefore’ there for?)
1. List the points and explain what each means. (Note: V.17 is best translated “God’s righteousness … from faith to faith”. Check out what the quote meant in its original context.)
2. How does each support the previous point?
What’s the significance of Paul quoting from the Old Testament?
Getting the Point:
Summarise Paul’s Mission Statement.
2. Sinners under Judgment [1:18-31]
Getting Up Close:
Paul continues with a chain of reasoning. Again, 1. List the points and explain what each means.
2. Work out for each how it either supports or concludes from the preceding point. Sketch a flow diagram for the section.
Why is God’s anger overflowing [v18]. Why is God right to do this? [v19-25]?
God’s wrath and judgment are a present reality [v18]. How is this ironically experienced [v24-31]?
This would have been received as a typical portrayal of the wickedness of the Gentiles (non-Jewish nations) and drawn hearty agreement from any Jew. Why? How does it broaden its scope towards the end?
Getting the Point
Summarise 1:18-32
Pulling Aside
God’s love and anger are commonly regarded as being in conflict. Why? When have heard this suggested? How are they actually complementary? How is God’s anger an outworking of his love?
Natural theology proposes that God can be known from observing nature. Where have you heard such suggestions? What motivation lay behind them? What does Paul assert can be known of God from nature [20a]? How limited is this? What is the outcome [20b]?
Paul’s portrays homosexuality as unnatural, the classic example of pagan sin and God’s wrath forsaking sinners. Would these comments have been as counter-cultural and controversial then as they are today? How would you respond to the assertion that his portrayal is merely his cultural perspective? What else does the Bible say about homosexuality? How can we constructively engage homosexuals with the gospel? How can we support Christian brothers and sisters struggling with homosexual desires?
Seeing the Big Picture
How do these two opening sub-sections hold together? Why does Paul begin his argument with a discussion of sin and judgment? Why does a grasp of sin and judgment underpin Paul’s Mission Statement?
Bridging the Gap:
Paul’s Mission Statement showed what drove his mission. How then could we motivate ourselves and others for mission?
Where do you see God’s ironic present judgment, leaving people to the stray deeper and deeper into wrong?
How do people today commonly react to the concept of God’s anger? Why? Why is a recognition of God’s judgment essential to the Christian message and mission? What implications does this have for evangelism and apologetics?
Study 3 - Who’s Wrong [2:1-3:20]
Warming Up
What are some cases of people assuming the high moral ground? And then found it gave way beneath them in hypocrisy?
Smelling the Air
Paul has begun his argument with an assertion of God’s anger and judgment on wrongdoers. But who exactly is in his sights? Sin and judgment may be what’s wrong, but who is involved?
Having a Breakdown
A major logical step, “therefore” and a rhetorical question mark the next two sub-sections:
2:1-29 Jewish Sinners Too Under Judgment
3:1-20 All Alike Under Judgment
1. Jewish Sinners Too Under Judgment [2:1-29]
Getting Up Close
Paul’s opened his indictment of human wrongdoing with a non-Jew focus but subtly broadened it. He now widens his scope to explicitly catch up Jews in God’s judgment on unrepentant sinners.
In the opening paragraph Paul makes some telling comparisons with the preceding critique. Previously [1:19], idolaters (typically non-Jews) were “without excuse”. Who does Paul now say are “without excuse” [2:1]? Why?
Previously [1:24,26,28], God’s apparent inaction against wrong was an ironic judgment, leaving people to stray deeper and deeper into wrong. What added perspective does Paul now give on God’s apparent inaction [v4]?
Paul warns against any presumption of safety from God’s apparent inaction [v2-3,5]. What understanding about God lies behind this?
Paul then applies these principles explicitly to Jews. How do each of these paragraphs undermine any presumption for Jews?
V.6-11
V.12-24
Is Paul holding open the possibility of meriting salvation by good works? Why or why not?
V.25-29
Getting the point
Summarise 2:1-29.
3. All Sinners Alike Under Judgment [3:1-20]
Getting Up Close
Paul then anticipates two objections from a Jewish opponent [v1-4 & v5-8]. What are they and how does he counter them?
He then [v9] states the point he has been arguing for. What is it? What then, is the impact of the collection of Old Testament quotations condemning the wicked [v10-18]?
He then makes his conclusion [v19-20]? What does the Law achieve? What doesn’t it achieve?
Getting the point
Summarise 3:1-20.
Seeing the Big Picture:
The whole argument and conclusion began as an explanation of Paul’s Mission Statement. What is the logical connection between Paul’s mission and message, and universal human sin and the Law’s inability to save?
Bridging the Gap:
How do people today wrongly presume to be exempt from God’s wrath and judgment? When have you known people to presume to be right with God by being good?
How can we guard against such presumption? How can we keep God’s righteous and impartial judgment in mind?
When have you known Christian hypocrisy to have the same effect as that critiqued by Paul [v17-24]? How can we counter such reaction?
Why is a recognition of the universal practice of sin essential to the Christian message and mission? What implications does this have for evangelism and apologetics?
Study 4 - Dying to Right Wrong! [3:21-31]
Warming up
When have you been overwhelmed and embarrassed by a gift?
Smelling the air
Paul has argued from God’s righteous and impartial judgment that the Law does not provide escape from God’s wrath. This raises two issues:
1. If God’s own Law doesn’t provide escape from his wrath what hope is there for salvation?
2. If God judges rightly and impartially how can he forgive even repentant sinners? That is, how can God rightly declare the wrong to be right?
Having a Breakdown:
3:21-26 Righteousness revealed
3:27-31 Boasting excluded
1. Righteousness Revealed [3:21-26]
Getting Up Close
“But now” marks a decisive shift in Paul argument. What two contrasts does it introduce [3:21 with 1:18 & 3:20]? ( Note: Like 1:17, 3:21 is best translated “God’s righteousness”.) How is God’s righteousness related to the Law?
This new way of God’s righteousness is through “faith” and “Jesus Christ” [v22] “Faith in Jesus Christ” may alternatively be translated “faith of”. What difference does this make? Which makes better sense in the context?
Common ground in sin [v23 picking up on 3:9] is matched by common ground in salvation [v24-25a]. Paul brings together several key terms and concepts, again in a tight logical order, to explain how this salvation is achieved in Jesus Christ.
1. Explain what each means.
Sketch a flow diagram to show their logical interconnection.
Paul then pulls it all together into a conclusion. (Note: Like v21, “faith in Jesus” may alternatively be translated “from the faithfulness of Jesus”.) What is his point about God and righteousness/justice-justification?
Getting the Point
Summarise 3:21-26.
2. Boasting Excluded [3:27-31]
Getting Up Close
Paul then applies this understanding (often referred to as “justification by grace through faith”) to Jew-Gentile (non-Jew) relationships. What are implications for relationships [v27]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 3:27-31
Seeing the Big Picture:
How does the way of righteousness in Jesus address the issues in air …
1. From the preceding argument?
2. The broad background of Paul’s mission, and Jew-Gentile tensions?
Bridging the Gap:
How did God’s justice and mercy come together in Jesus’ death?
When have you lacked confidence as to your standing before God (or known others to)? How a healthy right confidence be gained?
Jew-Gentile relationships are rarely still an issue. What other forms of elitism or arrogance may negatively affect Christian fellowship and relationships?
Being saved by grace Christians are to relate by grace. How can we promote harmony and unity amongst believers?
Study 5 - Rising Up to Right Wrong [4:1-25]
Warming up
When have you thought your situation hopeless?
Smelling the air
At the close of the previous section, Paul explicitly anticipated an issue and question raised by his argument [3:31]. What is it? Why does it arise?
Having a Breakdown
4:1-8 Abraham’s justification / righteousness
4:9-17a Abraham’s heirs
4:17b-25 Abraham’s faith
1. Abraham’s Justification / Righteousness [4:1-8]
Getting Up Close
Paul moves on to the great test case of Abraham. Sins of other Old Testament greats, Moses and David, were highlighted in the Old Testament, but no so Abraham. Instead, through his willingness to sacrifice Isaac, he was often regarded as the example for possibility of justification / righteousness through works and merit [Especially given Genesis 22:15-18] What does Paul instead draw from the case of Abraham [v1-3 with Genesis 15:6]? How does this declaration fit with the offering of Isaac’s?
If even great Abraham was saved by grace and not by works and merit, what does this mean for the more clearly ungodly [v4-5]? How does the case of David and Psalm 32 reinforce Paul’s point [v6-8]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 4:1-8.
Pulling Aside
Faith is a commonly misunderstood concept. In the Bible’s original languages It corresponds with “believing”. What are some common misunderstandings about faith? From the model of Abraham, what is “faith”? How is it related to God’s promises?
2. Abraham’s Heirs [4:9-17a]
Paul then raises the question of who inherits of Abraham’s promised blessings: the circumcised (Jews) or the uncircumcised (non-Jews) [v9]. (Abraham’s promised blessings were also for his descendents [Genesis 12 & 15]. Circumcision was the prescribed seal of the promises [Genesis 17].) What is his answer [v11b-12]? Why [v10-11a]?
Paul then extrapolates from circumcision to the Law [v13]. (Circumcision signified the whole Law.) What does he contrast with the way of the Law [v13-16]? Trace the flow of his logic through this sub-section. What is his conclusion?
Getting the Point
Summarise 4:9-17a.
3. Abraham’s faith [4:17b-25]
Getting Up Close
Abraham’s faith, believing God’s promises, required believing certain things about God. What were they [v17b]? How did this particularly relate to his situation [v18-19]? How did belief in the life-giving God relate to his justifying belief in God’s promises [v20-21]?
Paul concludes by paralleling Abraham’s situation and experience with the Christian’s. How then is our justification related to Jesus’ resurrection [v24-25]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 4:17b-25.
Seeing the Big Picture
How do these three sub-sections interconnect? How do they relate to 1. Paul’s argument and 2. the particular issue in the air?
Bridging the Gap
How have you known people to consider the Old and New Testaments to be contradictory? Why is it important to recognise their harmony?
How is great Abraham’s “justification by faith” good news for the rest of us? How is the pre-circumcision timing of his “justification” good news for us?
How and why is Jesus’ resurrection important for us? How can we maintain our confidence in its historical factuality?
What difference can confidence in God’s life-giving power make in life’s tough situations?
Study 6 - Now Wrong Is Righted [5:1-21]
Warming up
When have you rejoiced at some good news? What would you say are the big issues of life?
Smelling the air
Paul has put his case for “justification by grace” or “through faith”. But “So what?” Such theologising can seem distant from life’s big issues.
Having a Breakdown
Sudden introduction and concentration of key terms and themes marks the next two sub-sections:
5:1-11 From Justification to Joy
5:12-20 From Adam to Christ
1. From Justification to Joy [5:1-11]
Getting Up Close
Paul’s firstly presents another logical chain. 1. List the points (implications and consequences) and explain what each means.
2. Work out for each how it either supports or concludes from the preceding point. Sketch a flow diagram for the section.
“Rejoice” is a key repeated term [v2,3,11]. How does this joy further hold the sub-section together?
How has the Holy Spirit poured out God’s love [v5-6. Note: V6 begins “for”]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 5:1-11.
2. From Adam to Christ [5:12-20]
Getting Up Close
Paul’s secondly presents another contrast. He contrasts humanity in relation to Adam and to Christ. What happened through 1. Adam [v12-14] and 2. Jesus Christ [v15-17]?
“Much more” [v15&17] swings the balance of the contrast to Christ and grace. How is this expressed in v.18-20?
Getting the Point
Summarise 5:12-20.
Seeing the Big Picture
Two “therefore”s marked these sub-sections. How does the “therefore” of v.1 connect this sub-section [v1-11] to Paul’s preceding argument for justification through faith? (V.9 returns to the opening of the argument [1:18].) How then does this relate to the issue in the air?
How does the second sub-section make a fitting further conclusion to Paul’s argument?
What is the value (“so what”) of justification through faith?
Bridging the Gap
Suffering is often raised as an argument against the Christian faith. When have you heard this argued? What unhelpful answers have you heard? What helpful responses could be made from Romans 5:1-11? From elsewhere in the Bible?
Suffering produces the greater good of endurance and character. How can we respond constructively and encourage each other in suffering?
Rejoicing , even in suffering, makes a great impression. When have you seen this? Hope is critical to this rejoicing and endurance in suffering. How can we maintain a good grasp of the hope of glory?
Many lack a sense of assurance of God’s love. How has God assured of his love? How do people seek assurance in elsewhere? How and why do these alternatives fail? How can we reassure ourselves and each other of God’s love?
All these benefits flow from peace with God and assurance of salvation through justification through faith. How do we readily lose sight of “through faith” and slip back into thinking merit? How can we maintain the perspective of salvation by grace through faith?
Study 7 - Living for Right not Wrong [6:1-23]
Warming up:
When have you known someone’s generous and forgiving spirit to be taken for granted and abused?
Smelling the air
Paul has made and concluded his positive case for justification through faith. But if forgiveness is free and wrongdoers can be right through faith, doesn’t this remove any incentive to not sin? Isn’t it a licence to sin?
Having a Breakdown
Again Paul anticipates objections from an imagined Jewish opponent with a number of rhetorical questions [6:1,15; 7:7,13]. The first two are a pair, both concerned with grace and sin.
6:1-14 Dying, Rising & Living with Christ
6:15-7:6 Slaves of Righteousness
1. Dying, Rising & Living with Christ [6:1-14]
Getting Up Close
What is the thrust of Paul’s 1 st rhetorical question and short answer [v1-2]?
Paul’s fuller answer introduces another logical chain based on identity and unity with Christ. What have believers shared with Christ [v3]? List [v4-10]…
1. What other parallels with Christ flow from this [v4-10]
2. The reasons or purposes stated for these things.
What implications and instructions does Paul draw from this union [v11-14]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 6:1-14.
Pulling Aside
How people understand baptism typically picks up on just a few commonly known ideas and symbolic associations, e.g. repentance and washing - forgiveness. But baptism has more meaning to it. “Baptism” meant “putting into”, commonly into water, as for washing or drowning or sinking. With what is baptism identified in Romans 6? What does it signify? How might this affect how we view baptism and how it is practised?
2. Slaves of Righteousness [6:15-7:6]
What is the thrust of Paul’s 2 nd rhetorical question and short answer [v15]?
Paul’s fuller answer to the second question introduces a contrast of slavery to sin and to righteousness. How have believers taken on the latter [v16-18]? What does Paul now instruct [v19]?
What are the outcomes of each [v19-23]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 6:15-23.
Seeing the Big Picture
How do these two sub-sections counter the anticipated concern that justification through faith is a licence to sin?
Bridging the Gap
When have you known Christians (maybe yourself) to presume upon God’s free forgiveness in justification through faith? That is, become slack in living for God because forgiveness is not gained by doing good?
Paul motivated the Romans by appealing to the wonderful status Christians share with Christ. How do we lose sight of our status in Christ? How can we maintain a better appreciation for this status? How can we better allow such recognition to motivate our living for God?
He also motivated them by appealing to the value of achieving “sanctification” [v19,22]. (In Romans 6, Paul uses “sanctification” not for the process but the result, the state of purity and dedication. The same word is elsewhere translated “holiness”. Check how this compares with 1 Corinthians 1:30 & Hebrews 10:10,14?) How do we tend to undervalue holiness? How can we develop better appreciation of its value?
He also motivated them by referring to the ultimate outcomes. How do we tend to lose sight of these? How can we better keep them in view?
Study 8 - Battling Wrong [7:1-25]
Warming up
Have you ever failed to keep New Year revolutions or some new leaf turned over?
Smelling the air
In strongly defending that justification through faith is not a licence to sin, Paul associated the Law with sin in contrast to grace and asserted that believers are “not under the Law” [v14-15]. His argument could be seen as negative towards the Law. Is he suggesting the Law is somehow bad? What is the nature and place of the Law and sin?
Having a Breakdown
After an illustration from marriage…
7:1-6 Marriage & the Law
Paul again anticipates objections from an imagined Jewish opponent with a pair of rhetorical questions [7:7,13], both concerned with the Law and sin.
7:7-12 Sin’s Opportunism
7:13-25 Sin Within
1. Marriage & the Law [7:1-6]
Getting Up Close
What is the point of Paul’s illustration from marriage [v1-3]? How does this point transfer to the Law [v4-6]?
If believers are dead to and released from the Law, what drives their righteousness [v6]?
2. Sin’s Opportunism [7:7-12]
Getting Up Close
Both of Paul’s rhetorical questions and answers defend the Law and highlight the problem and nature of sin. Somewhat unusually, he speaks of sin not merely as something people do but as an independent thing influencing people. What is the thrust of Paul’s rhetorical question-short answer [v7]?
What is his longer answer [v8-12]? Why is sin, not the Law, to blame? What
Getting the Point
Summarise 7:7-12.
3. Sin Within [7:13-25]
Getting Up Close
Again, what is the thrust of Paul’s rhetorical question-short answer [v13]?
Again, why is sin, not the Law, to blame? Paul speaks of his experience of being “flesh” (NIV: “sinful nature”) [v14,18]. What tension and weakness does he testify to [v15-16,18b-20a]? What does this show and highlight about the Law and about sin [v14,17-18a,20b]?
Paul then speaks of this experience of tension between intention and practice as a “law” [v21]. (By “law” Paul normally is referring to the Old Testament Law. Now [v21-25] he takes up the term to refer to a working principle or rule, like the law of gravity.) He then further explains this as a conflict between two other laws and two aspects of Paul himself [v22-23,25]. Outline this double contrast. What then, does he long for [v24]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 7:13-25.
Pulling Aside
The place of the Law in the life of Christians has often been confused. Going back through the letter, list what Paul has said about 1. the nature and 2. the function of the law. What does he mean by “not under”, “dead to” and “released from” the Law”? How then should we apply the Law?
Sin also is much misunderstood. Firstly, there is a distinction between sin and sins. In Romans Paul spoke predominantly of sin, not sins. Sin is the characteristic inclination, and sins are the particular instances. How are the two connected? Which is commonly denied? Why?
Secondly, sin is within. Paul realised sin within himself. That is, this is the characteristic inclination of human nature, and not something external to us or that he just done by us. Are people essentially good, bad or something else? When have you heard it maintained that people are basically good?
Thirdly, sin is powerful, too powerful for people to overcome. Paul knew himself to be enslaved to sin, unable to escape its control. Despite countless failed resolutions and good intentions, personal and social reform programmes typically depend on self-discipline or education. What are some examples? Did they, do they work? What is their inherent flaw? How could they be improved by a realistic recognition of sin and its power within?
(There is dispute about whether Paul is speaking of the experience of an unbeliever, a Jew, a less spiritual believer or just any believer. This study adopts the 2 nd view because he speaks one under the Law. But since his experience of weakness under sin stems from being “flesh”, it also applies to all. And since the root problem is the “body” and the Spirit’s final solution is the body’s renewal, it also still applies to believers to a degree.)
Seeing the Big Picture
How does Paul’s discussion on the Law and sin relate to:
1. Potential criticism of his attitude to the Law?
2. His argument for justification through faith?
How does this relate to the controversy of his ministry and mission?
Bridging the Gap
Much of the New Testament (Acts, Galatians, Ephesians 2-3, Colossians 2, Philippians 3, 1 Timothy 4, as well as Romans) was written against some form of reasserting the Law on believers. How have Christians and churches reapplied Old Testament Law as law and so taken believers back “under the Law”? Why do we tend to head back “under the Law”?
How is a good understanding of the function of the Law vital to gospel ministry and mission? How can we maintain Christian freedom in the right approach to the Law?
How is a good understanding of sin important for gospel ministry and mission?
Study 9 - Final Freedom from Wrong [8:1-39]
Warming Up
Smelling the Air
Paul has affirmed the goodness of the Law by highlighting sin’s power. But if sin is so powerful what hope is there for ever being finally free of it? Forgiveness is one thing but if sin remains…? Yet Paul’s longing [7:24] flowed into thanks to God [7:25]. Why? How?
Having a Breakdown
A sudden concentration on the great theme of God’s Spirit (only 4 references to the Spirit in Chapters 1-7, 6 in C.9-16, but 20 in 8:1-27!) marks this next section.
8:1-13 The Spirit of Life
8:14-30 The Spirit of Sonship
8:31-39 More than Conquerors - Love Inseparable
1. Spirit of Life [8:1-13]
Getting Up Close
Paul begins by contrasting life in the Spirit and the flesh; past, present and future. For the past he introduces another contrast of two laws. What has the Spirit done [v2]? How [v3]? Why [v4]?
For the present Paul then contrasts two life-styles [v5-8]. What are they? What aspect of a person is involved? What are the outcomes?
What does the Spirit do to establish this different life-style mind-set [v9-10]?
For the future Paul anticipates the Spirit effecting a final decisive change [v11-13]. What is it? What aspect of a person is involved?
What is required to share this life of the Spirit [v12-13]? What does this mean and involve? (Note: “put to death” is continuous in tense, that is, “are putting to death”.)
Getting the Point
Summarise 8:1-13.
2. The Spirit of Sonship [8:14-30]
Paul then moves on from the Spirit-flesh contrast to Spirit-sonship. What fundamental change in identity does the Spirit bring [v14-16]? What further status does this bring [v17a]? What does this mean for the future? What does it mean for the present [v17b]?
Paul then expands on this tension between present suffering and future glory, for both believers and the whole creation. What does the whole creation eagerly await [v19-22]? Why? What do believers eagerly await [v23]? How is the Spirit involved in this?
What does this hope mean for Paul and all believers [v18,24-25]?
Paul then mentions another work of the Spirit in this present period of waiting and suffering [v26-27]. What else does the Spirit do for believers? Why do we need this help?
How does this need and help relate to waiting in suffering?
Paul then places the present wait and suffering within the wider perspective of God’s eternal purposes [v28-30]. What does God do with “all things”? What is the “good” of his eternal “purpose”? Outline the sequence by which God achieves his purpose.
How is suffering a necessary part of this? How does this relate to the Spirit’s intercession “according to God’s will”?
Getting the Point
Summarise 8:14-30.
Pulling Aside
The believer and sin: Christians are often plagued by their continued sins and failures. Some groups assert that such struggle with sin is not necessary but only the experience of less spiritual believers. Do you struggle with sin like Paul did? Have you heard other believers claim otherwise? Given believers “ are not in the flesh but in the Spirit”, should they still expect to share Paul’s experience? Why or why not?
The believer and the Spirit: Some groups assert that only some Christians have the Spirit and look for certain experiences to be assured. Have you come across this? According to Romans 8, who has the Spirit? How can we know?
Through suffering to glory: Some groups assert that believers can, and should, not suffer now, e.g. all sickness can be healed. When have you heard this? What was the outcome? How would you reply from Romans 8?
Predestination (meaning predetermined) is difficult to grasp and often disputed. (It is based on God’s foreknowing someone. This is not foreknowing something about them, e.g. their faith. Also, to think this way makes salvation ultimately dependent on something in people and so not ultimately by grace. It is foreknowing someone in a relationship in advance.) What other Bible passages and teaching need to be considered? How can we maintain both God’s sovereignty and grace and human responsibility?
3. More than Conquerors - Inseparable Love [8:31-39]
This sub-section presents a powerful and triumphant climax to Paul’s argument. In the midst of suffering and hardship, Paul overflows with confidence against all things [v35-39]. What is the source of his confidence [v31-34]?
Getting the Point
Summarise 8:31-39.
Seeing the Big Picture
How do these sub-sections link together? How does Paul’s confidence flow from the work of the Spirit? How does this section fit with Paul’s whole argument? And with his mission?
Bridging the Gap
How can we maintain the mind-set of the Spirit?
What do you especially look forward to in the coming renewal of your body and final freedom from the power of sin?
Why and how can we respond confidently amidst suffering and hardship? How can we learn to wait for glory? How can we maintain our focus on the hope of glory?
What is God’s ultimate purpose of our lives? How can we actively cooperate with his programme and purpose?
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 9 - International Righting Wrong [9:1-11:36]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 10 - Living Rightly [12:1-8]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 11 - Living Rightly amidst Wrong [12:9-21]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 12 - Living Rightly under Wrong [13:1-7]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 13 - Living Rightly for the Coming Light [13:8-14]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 14 - Living Rightly with Tender Consciences [14:1-15:7]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap:
Study 16 - Lives Made Right [16:1-27]
Warming up:
Smelling the air:
Having a Breakdown:
Getting Up Close:
Pulling Aside:
Getting the Point:
Seeing the Big Picture:
Bridging the Gap: