ROMANS: “Paul’s Greatest Letter!” Part 1

Introduction

William Tyndale, one of the earliest and greatest English Bible translators, held Paul’s Letter to the Romans in high regard.  In the prologue to the 1534 edition of his English New Testament, he calls the letter to the Romans “the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament” and “an introduction unto all the Old Testament.”  He considered it “a light and a way in unto the whole scripture,” emphasizing that “the more it is studied, the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the more pleasant it is.” According to Tyndale, this epistle contains a great treasure of spiritual things. 

John Chrysostom, a significant Early Church Father who served as the archbishop of Constantinople, had this epistle read to him once a week for eighteen years.  Martyn Lloyd-Jones, a reformed Welsh minister, spent fourteen years teaching through the book of Romans and yet never finished his series before he resigned from his church.  Donald Grey Barnhouse, an American preacher, pastor, theologian, and radio pioneer, broadcast weekly messages through Romans for eleven years on the radio.  Early church father Augustine was converted by reading Romans.  It propelled Martin Luther into the Protestant Reformation.  And it inspired John Wesley into the great Wesleyan Revival of England.  Why?

Because the letter is the most thorough statement of the gospel that God has given us, and second, because it draws together the whole intent of the Old Testament to explain that gospel.

The apostle Paul penned the Letter to the Romans from the Greek city of Corinth in AD 57, just three years after the young Emperor Nero ascended to the throne in Rome.  At that time, the Roman Christians were experiencing relative peace, as Nero’s persecution of them would begin later, after the great Roman fire in AD 64.  Interestingly, he had never visited Rome when he wrote this letter, but he expressed his desire to travel there in the near future. 

On July 18, AD 64, a fire started in the enormous Circus Maximus stadium in Rome, which could accommodate over 150,000 spectators.  When the fire was finally extinguished six days later, 10 of Rome’s 14 districts had burned.  Ancient historians blamed Rome’s infamous emperor, Nero, for the fire.  One historian said Nero was playing the fiddle while his city burned.  Other historians say Nero wanted to raze the city so he could build a new palace.  Nero himself blamed a rebellious new cult—the Christians.  Most modern historians don’t blame Nero for the Great Fire of Rome.  Ancient Rome was a city of one million people.  A fire in one home could quickly engulf the entire block.

The origin of the Roman Church is not absolutely clear, but according to the Book of Acts on the day of Pentecost, when the Church was first established by the Holy Spirit, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes (Gentiles) were present in Jerusalem and came together with the multitude and heard the Christians in the upper room speaking in various languages and tongues, included their own native tongue, (probably Latin in this case), the wonderful works of God and were greatly surprised and perplexed (Acts 2:5-12).  Then after hearing Peter’s powerfully anointed message and invitation, many of these Roman visitors likely became part of the 3000 souls who were saved, baptized, and received the gift of the Holy Spirit that day (Acts 2:40-42).  Peter concluded his message by saying, “For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call (Acts 2:39).”  When they returned to Rome, which was “afar off” from Jerusalem, I picture them sharing and spiritually imparting everything they received with their family, friends, neighbors, as well as their fellow Jews in their synagogue.  I can see the Roman Church growing quickly from such precious seeds.

Then when you read Paul’s letter written to the divided Roman Church, several years later, it seems clear that he saw their greatest need was not to accept Christ or be filled with the Spirit (they already had that) but to proclaim the gospel to both the Jew and Gentile, which is the POWER OF GOD unto salvation to those who will BELIEVE—not in their own good works, but in the finished work of Christ Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Paul wrote to remind them why they needed to believe the gospel and receive the gift of His righteousness: because ALL HAVE SINNED and come short of God’s glory.  Whether they be Jew or Gentile (it makes no difference), there is NONE RIGHEOUS, not even ONE!  We are all sinners—everyone has been judged guilty—this is what and who we are!  There is NOTHING we could have DONE or can ever DO in our own strength and ability to fix ourselves and become righteous before a HOLY GOD!  But there is only ONE Divine solution!  God sent His Son as a propitiation for our sin to make HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS available as a FREE GIFT to everyone who will BELIEVE and receive HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS by FAITH.  Paul summarized the entire gospel message this way:

Romans 1:16–17  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile).  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (NKJV)

We can’t live by works of the law but only by FAITH!

The Book of Romans can be divided into Four Sections:

1.     Righteousness Needed (Romans 1:18–3:20): This section introduces the need for human rescue and reveals the sin (the unrighteousness) of man.

2.     Righteousness Provided (Romans 3:21–8:39): This part focuses on how Jesus forms a new covenant family and provides the righteousness of God.

3.     Righteousness Vindicated (Romans 9:1–11:36): God’s righteousness is vindicated by allowing Israel vindication of their sin as a remanent according to grace through faith in Christ (Rom.11:5-6).

4.     Righteousness Practiced (Romans 12:1–15:13): The final section discusses how LOVE heals, unifies, and empowers Jesus’ family (us) to live a life of LOVE in the Spirit (Jew & Gentile) as one!

Greeting

Romans 1:1–15  1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship (supernatural power and ability to accomplish HIS calling through HIS obedience—NOT yours) for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ (you have also received grace to accomplish YOUR calling through His obedience—NOT yours);

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (NOT from men).  8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world (they are already known believers in Christ).  9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, 10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.  11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.  

GRACE and PEACE are not random salutations, they are imparted to us by God through the knowledge of the gospel of his Son.  Paul concluded his letter to the Hebrews by reminding them that he was feeding them on sound rather than strange doctrine, so their hearts could be established by grace (supernatural power and ability), rather than unprofitable fleshly thoughts and ideas of men (Heb.13:9).  This results in eternal encouragement to our hearts, rather than temporal encouragement to our flesh!  PEACE is a reminder that through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the war is over! 

Romans 5:1–2  1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this GRACE in which we stand… (NKJV)

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.  14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.  15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.

Righteousness by faith revealed!

Romans 1:16–32  16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Gentile).  17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” 

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  (Notice: God’s wrath is not against men, but against unrighteousness of men who are without excuse.)  20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God (there was a time when all men knew God!), they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever.  Amen.  

26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions.  For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.  27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (NKJV)

Romans 2:1–16  1 Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things.  2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things.  3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?  4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  5 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who “will render to each one according to his deeds”:

We will continue with “ROMANS: “Paul’s Greatest Letter!” Part 2” next time.  Blessings as you continue to study and meditate on His Word!