ROMANS

ROMANS 1

PAUL ENCOURAGES THE ROMANS TO LIVE BY FAITH

Paul writes to the believers in Rome, reminding them of his role as an apostle of Jesus. Wanting to always further the message of Jesus, Paul prays for the success of the Church in Rome and thanks God for their faith. Paul is eager to travel to the Romans, believing they would both be encouraged from the visit. As Paul boldly proclaims the news of Jesus, he states that he is not ashamed of the gospel and encourages the righteous to live faithfully in a way that honors God.

Paul offers a warning to those who know of God, but do not regard or praise Him. Many who claim to be wise are actually foolish and trade God’s eternal gifts for temporary things. Paul warns them not to worship the creation itself more than the Creator of all things. For those who ignore God, God will allow them to be consumed by their worldly passions.

Instead of relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, those who reject God are left to their own devices. Paul lists many unrighteous qualities of those who do not acknowledge God, many of them are directly opposite the qualities produced by the Holy Spirit. Paul emphasizes the downward spiral of those who suppress the truth about God and continually indulge in unrighteousness, and warns the Romans to remain steadfast in faith.

ROMANS 2

THE NEW LAW WRITTEN ON THE HEARTS OF BELIEVERS

Paul instructs the Romans not to pass judgment on others. Because Jesus was the only person without sin, he is the only righteous judge. Paul reminds the Romans that God’s kindness is meant to lead to repentance, not judgment. Because Paul is speaking to a diverse group of believers, he explains that God shows no partiality between the Jews or Gentiles. God will render to each one according to his works, promising wrath towards the unrighteous and eternal life for those who practice patience and well-doing. Although Paul believes that everyone who believes in Christ is made righteous through the sacrifice of Christ, Paul urges Christians to live in a way that reflects God’s righteousness and love. He emphasizes that while faith is crucial for righteousness, believers are called to demonstrate their faith through actions.

Paul teaches that the law is not what makes one righteous, but faith. He expresses the difference between hearing the law and following the law, calling out Jewish people who rely on the law for righteousness. When Gentiles, non-Jewish people, turn to Christ, they are not held to the standards of the law. Instead, they are called to follow the ways of Jesus. Jesus offers a new law, to love God and love others. Instead of writing these laws on stone, like the ten commandments, God wants the new law to be written on the hearts of believers. Although many Jewish-Christian men practiced circumcision, Paul claimed it was not their physical bodies, but their hearts that mattered to God. The prophet Jeremiah said that God would put the new law within believers and write it on their hearts. (Jeremiah 31:33) Here, Paul is showing that Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy and the law.

ROMANS 3

FOLLOWERS OF JESUS HAVE BEEN JUSTIFIED BY CHRIST

Paul corrects the believers who thought their unrighteous, rebellious ways brought glory to God by showing off his grace. Rebuking this thought, Paul explains that sin does not bring glory to God. Although God has the ability to redeem all things, He has called believers to live according to the teachings of Jesus and pursue holiness. Quoting Psalm 51:4, Paul writes that he values God's ultimate judgment over the words of man.

Reciting a variety of Psalms, Paul teaches that no one is good or righteous on their own. All believers, regardless of background or heritage, have fallen short of God’s best (Psalm 14:1, Psalm 53:1, Psalm 140:3, Psalm 10:7). Paul urges believers to live out of reverence for God. One of the purposes of the law was to reveal sinfulness and highlight the need for salvation. Paul uses this as an argument to examine one’s own sin and turn towards God.

Paul teaches that Jesus embodied the righteousness of God outside of the law. To the Jewish people who held the law as sacred, this was an extremely bold statement. Jesus wasn’t just good; He fulfilled all the old rules and predictions from the past. All of the Jewish laws and traditions and prophets pointed to the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Paul has come to share the news with the Jewish people and invite the non-Jewish people into a new belief system.

Paul reminds everyone that no matter how much they've messed up, believing in Jesus makes them right with God. Because of this gift from God, believers are redeemed and freed from sin. Instead of boasting in the law or religious practices, Paul encourages the believers to boast in faith alone, as faith is the source of salvation.

ROMANS 4

BY GRACE ALONE, THROUGH FAITH ALONE

Paul reflects on the faith of Abraham, the man God used to establish His chosen people, the Israelites (Genesis 12-17). Although Abraham and his wife Sarah were old in age and unable to have children, God made Abraham the father of many nations. Through Jacob, Abraham’s grandson, the twelve tribes of Israel were established (Genesis 35).

Knowing that the Jewish people who converted to Christianity saw Abraham as the founder and patriarch of the faith, Paul emphasizes Abraham’s faithfulness over his own acts of righteousness. Not only did Abraham not keep the law, the law did not even exist at the time of Abraham! The law was not given to the Israelites until over four hundred years after the time of Abraham. Paul writes this, not only as a reminder of the history of their faith, but as an argument for faith over works. Although the law is valuable, it is not what made Abraham right before God. God chose Abraham and he was justified by his faith in God, not his righteousness or rule-following.

Paul offers hope to the believers in Rome, encouraging them that their faith in Jesus has reconciled them with God, not their ability (or lack thereof) to keep the law. What a relief! God made Abraham the father of many nations, not just the nation of Israel. Being welcomed into God’s family has nothing to do with heritage, nationality, background, or even righteousness. Instead, Paul writes that it all depends on faith. Through Jesus, God has restored the relationship with humanity by grace, through faith.

Paul reminds believers that Abraham believed God and was fully convinced that God was able to do what he promised. Although Abraham lived long before the time of Jesus, Abraham trusted God’s character to keep His promises. Abraham, and all the followers of God before Jesus had hope in God’s character and promises that He would send a Savior. For all believers after the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, our hope lies within God’s fulfillment of His promises! It was Abraham’s faith that made him righteous—and it is our hope also!

ROMANS 5

ONE RIGHTEOUS MAN PAID FOR THE SINS OF HUMANITY

Paul shares the good news that faith in Jesus has granted believers access to God's grace. This access brings hope and causes believers to rejoice, knowing they have been given right-standing with God. Believers will be able to rejoice even in their suffering, because they will know that suffering leads to endurance, which leads to character, which leads to hope. Paul writes that the hope of believers will not put them to shame—trusting in God only leads to increased faith and rejoicing!

Paul highlights God’s love for His people, despite their sinful nature. Because Jesus took on the wrath of God and served as a payment for sin, believers are reconciled and made righteous before God. Because God and Jesus are unified, God served as both the Creator of humanity and the solution for humanity.

Showing the contrast between sin and forgiveness, Paul compares Jesus and Adam. Through Adam, sin first entered the world (Genesis 3). Ever since, humanity has been born into a sinful, fallen world. Offering the hope of Jesus, Paul states that just as sin came from one person, salvation comes from one person: Jesus! Jesus is called the new Adam, a leader of a new faith and God’s response to sin. Jesus offers the hope of new life and eternal life, where grace abounds and sin is forgiven.

Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

ROMANS 6

BELIEVERS ARE INVITED TO PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS OVER SIN

Following his explanation of Jesus’s payment for sin, Paul states that this forgiveness is not permission to continue living sinful lives. Although grace abounds, taking advantage of grace is not the righteous response to God’s free, perfect gift of Jesus.

As those who were baptized were lowered and then raised from the water, they too were given new life, similar to the death and resurrection of Jesus. Paul says that our old selves, who we were before Jesus, have been crucified with Him and brought back into new life. Paul encourages believers to consider themselves dead to sin and alive in Christ! Since believers are no longer under the law, they live under God’s grace and Paul urges followers of Christ to live in a way that exemplifies their new life.

Paul teaches that believers have a choice between being slaves to sin or slaves to obedience. Although humanity will always fall short and be influenced by sin, followers of Jesus are called to serve obedience over indulgence. Paul says that being a slave to righteousness will lead to sanctification, the process of being made more like Christ. Because of God’s grace, believers have been set free from slavery to sin and death and invited into the free gift of eternal life!

Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

ROMANS 7

PAUL EXPLAINS THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW

Paul emphasizes that the sacrifice of Jesus invites believers into a new way of life. The believers are free to adopt the new faith and live by God’s Spirit instead of being held captive by the law.

Clarifying that following the law is not sinful, Paul points out that the law has provided the way to examine sin. Without the law, the people, including Paul, would not have been aware of their sinful condition. One of the purposes of the law was to highlight the problem of sin. Paul understands that the sin of the world causes people to do things they do not want to and not do the things they do want to do. The law is good for believers because it highlights their inability to carry it out and their ultimate need for a Savior. The law could identify the problem, but only Jesus could fix the problem.

When discussing the Old Testament Law, Paul is referring to the first five books of the Bible, known as the Pentateuch, Torah, or Law. These books contain both the rules set out by the law and the history of Israel’s rebellion and failure. Throughout the Old Testament Law, both the need for a Savior and the inability of the people are on full display.

Paul expresses his love for the law, but says that only his mind is able to serve the law, because his flesh naturally follows sin. Despite the desire to follow God fully, the broken state of the world prevents perfection. Only Jesus was able to defeat sin and death fully!

ROMANS 8

BELIEVERS ARE FREE FROM CONDEMNATION + SHOWN GOD’S LOVE 

Because the Holy Spirit has set believers free from the law, there is no condemnation for believers in Jesus. Through Jesus, God condemned sin and did what the law could not do. Now believers are free from punishment and free to live according to the Holy Spirit.

Paul contrasts living by the flesh, or one's desires, to living by the Spirit. Those who live by the Spirit set their mind on things that honor God, which brings life and peace. Following one’s own desires inevitably leads to death, but the Holy Spirit offers a renewed and more fulfilling life. Those who are focused only on their flesh have not submitted to God and are missing the joy and freedom that Christ offers. Paul desires to spread the gospel and invite as many people as possible into the freedom found in Jesus!

Paul writes that the body itself has become dead because of sin, but believers are alive again because of the Holy Spirit that dwells within them. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside those who follow Christ!

Those who follow God are not indebted to God, but adopted into His family as children and heirs! God does not simply want worshippers or followers, but a personal relationship with His family of believers. The Holy Spirit serves as a sign of those who have been brought into God’s family through faith.

Although believers will still experience suffering, Paul believes that they will ultimately be glorified. Paul says that the current suffering cannot even be compared to the amount of glory that will be revealed. Eventually, all creation will be restored and all corruption will be removed. Instead of groaning and complaining, believers can cling to hope and wait patiently for God’s ultimate restoration.

Paul comforts believers, letting them know that the Spirit intercedes when believers are unsure what to pray. Because the Holy Spirit knows God’s will, these prayers are powerful and helpful guides. Paul writes that for those who love God, all things are working together for their good and God’s glory. Through the Holy Spirit, God refines believers, sanctifying them and making them more like Jesus.

Paul confidently writes of God’s power, asking “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Because God did not spare His own son, but gave him up for humanity, believers can trust in the genuine, overwhelming love of God. Paul says that nothing in all creation, including death itself, can separate believers from the love of God.

ROMANS 9

PEOPLE OF ALL NATIONS ARE INCLUDED IN GOD’S RIGHTEOUS FAMILY

Knowing the freedom that comes in following Jesus, Paul deeply desires for others to know and love Christ. Paul aches for Jewish people who don’t see Jesus as the Savior and hurts for those who have rejected him.

By remembering the lives of the earlier leaders of the faith, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Esua, Paul recalls how God used the Israelites to establish the Jewish people. Paul gives the example of Pharaoh, who’s heart was hardened and rejected God. Sharing these two contrasting examples, Paul explains that God shows mercy to all kinds of people. God does not exclude anyone by heritage or nationality, but instead invites all people to follow Jesus.

Although this is far different from what both the Jewish people and the non-religious people thought would happen, Paul writes that God has the authority to do whatever He desires. Just as the potter has every right to the clay, God has authority over His creation.

Referencing the prophet Hosea, Paul tells how Jesus' followers will be called “sons of the living God.” Paul does not dismiss the importance of the Israelite people and says that without the faithful Israelites, the nation would have perished.

Paul highlights the difference between righteousness from God and self-righteousness. Referencing the words of Isaiah, Paul says that the law can cause people to stumble, making them believe their righteousness is based on their works and good deeds. He corrects this belief by saying that faith in Jesus is the only true path to righteousness.

ROMANS 10

THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION TO ALL

Paul addresses the Jewish people in Rome, urging them to value faith in Jesus over knowledge of the law. Paul writes that attempting to establish one's own righteousness is ignorance of God’s righteousness. Trying to save yourself through the law is ignoring what God has already accomplished through Jesus.

Paul reiterates that all that is required for salvation is confessing with your mouth and believing in your heart that Jesus is the Savior. God does not show partiality towards ethnic or cultural background. To God, there is no distinction between the Jewish and the Greek; He is Lord of all the nations and all who call on Him will be saved.

Paul shares his love for those who share the gospel, saying the feet of those who preach the good news are beautiful. Although their feet are most likely swollen and sandy, Paul deeply admires the work of traveling to advance the gospel and encourages believers to continue sharing the message of Jesus throughout the world.

Quoting Psalm 19:3-4, Paul says that the voice of believers will go out to all the earth and their words to the end of the world. Paul offers hope to those who have rejected the gospel or have not yet heard of Jesus saying that God will be found by even those who do not seek Him and that He shows Himself to those that did not ask for Him. Despite the great efforts of the missionaries, it is ultimately God who shares Himself with humanity. Not only does God reach out to those who love and follow Him, God pursues those who are difficult and disobedient. Since the beginning, God has been on a relentless pursuit of humanity.

Romans 10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

ROMANS 11

GOD WILL REDEEM BOTH THE JEWISH + GENTILE PEOPLE

Now that non-Jewish people are adopted into God’s family through faith in Jesus, Paul speaks to those who have historically been God’s chosen people. Paul states that by no means has God rejected the people of Israel, reminding them that he was also a descendant of Abraham himself, from the tribe of Benjamin. Despite his Hebrew heritage, Paul has been saved by grace through faith in Jesus, not through his own works.

Although some of the Jewish people rejected Jesus as the Savior, God used their stubbornness as a means to include other nations into God’s family. Although Paul does not share the exact time or details in which this will occur, Paul believes that God’s promises to His people are irrevocable and that the Jewish people will one day be restored to God (11:15). Although God has leveraged the temporary disbelief of the Jewish people to further the gospel, He has not forgotten His covenant to them, and they will be saved (11:25-27).

It is heavily debated among Christian theologians the meaning of “all Israel will be saved” (11:27). Some believe that all ethnically Jewish people will be saved, while others believe there is a large remnant of Jewish people who eventually trust Jesus as the Savior. Despite these varying beliefs, Paul articulates God’s unique relationship with His chosen people now that faith is the only requirement for salvation.

Paul emphasizes both the kindness and the severity of God, explaining how he will both bring people to know him and cut off those who are without faith. For those in unbelief, God has the power to restore them and graft them once again. God both requires and provides faithfulness to believers.

Paul contemplates the depth and richness of God’s wisdom, describing his knowledge as unsearchable and inscrutable. No one, not even Paul, can understand the depth of the mind of God.

Romans 11:6 - But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

ROMANS 12

REJOICE IN HOPE, BE PATIENT IN TRIBULATION, AND CONSISTENT IN PRAYER

After reminding the Romans of the grace and kindness of God, Paul encourages the people to respond accordingly. Paul urges the believers to present themselves as a living sacrifice to God, serving and worshiping God and aiming for holiness. Paul challenges the believers not to be conformed by their culture, but to focus on Jesus so their minds will be renewed with truth. In doing this, they will be able to discern God’s perfect and pleasing plans.

Desiring humility among the people, Paul calls them to not think of themselves more highly than they ought, but evaluate themselves with sober judgment. Although Paul considers the believers to be one body in Christ, he specifies that not all members have the same function. Through God’s grace, followers of Jesus have been given many different gifts, including prophecy, service, teaching, generosity, mercy, encouragement, and leadership.

Although faith is the only requirement for salvation, Paul states that the authentic response to faith is genuine love. Paul advocates for showing honor, rejoicing in hope, being patient in tribulation, and constant in prayer. He calls believers to rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, and live peacefully with others whenever possible. He gives advice for responding to evil, calling Christians to act honorably and overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

ROMANS 13

PAUL EXPLAINS THE FULFILLMENT OF THE LAW THROUGH LOVE

Paul gives instructions to believers in Rome, telling them to submit to the governing authorities. Because God is their only authority and sovereign over all leaders, believers are called to remain in good conduct under the governing authorities. Paul instructs the Romans to pay taxes to whoever they owe and pay respect to others. Paul is not advocating that all leaders are honoring to God, but that God is in control despite their leadership. Because God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, believers can trust God regardless of righteous or corrupt leadership.

Paul explains that the law is completed through love. All of the commandments contain the underlying theme to love God and love others. Through the new commandment of Jesus, love God and your neighbor, all of the laws have been fulfilled.

John 13:34-35 - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

ROMANS 14

PRIORITIZE UNITY + ENCOURAGEMENT OVER JUDGEMENT

As many cultures unify through their faith in Jesus, Paul gives the Roman believers instructions for welcoming and accepting others. Paul teaches them not to pass judgment on one another based on options or customs. Although the people will have cultural differences, Paul argues that these differences are ones of preference, not of right or wrong. Most of these cultural variations are issues of keeping food laws or observing the Sabbath day. While the historically Jewish followers of Jesus are used to the practices, the Gentile believers are not. Paul argues that believers should be unified by their faith in Jesus, not divided by ethnic traditions.

Paul reminds the believers that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God, so God should be the only one they are attempting to appease. Because God has authority over all, their judgment of one another is useless.

Encouraging the people not to create barriers for one another, Paul wants the Romans to prioritize righteousness and joy over rule-following and tradition. Instead of criticizing each other over their differences, the Romans are to pursue peace and mutual upbuilding.

ROMANS 15

PAUL CALLS THE ROMANS TO FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST 

Reflecting on the selfless life of Christ, Paul instructs believers to serve others before themselves. Remembering the welcoming nature of Jesus, Paul desires for the church in Rome to also be welcoming and harmonious. Paul views the Scriptures as a source of encouragement and hope, believing that God provided them as a source of wisdom and endurance.

Quoting the scriptures, Paul reiterates that God has provided hope for both the Gentile and Jewish people (Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1-2, Isaiah 11:1-10). Paul trusts that the hope of God will fill believers with hope, joy, and peace through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul states his satisfaction with the church in Rome and acknowledges their goodness and knowledge. Although he has corrected some of their practices, Paul speaks to them with the grace and kindness modeled by Jesus. Paul shares his ambitions to continue sharing the gospel in areas that have not yet heard of Jesus. He wants to visit Rome, but prioritizes the regions in need of his aid. He blesses the church in Rome and prays for their continued success.

ROMANS 16

PAUL’S PERSONAL GREETINGS + FINAL INSTRUCTIONS

After addressing the entire church in Rome, Paul ends with some personal greetings and remarks. Starting with a woman named Phoebe, Paul commends her as a servant of the church and instructs the Romans to be welcoming and helpful to her. Next, Paul greets Priscilla and Aquila, a married couple who worked alongside Paul and helped spread the message of Jesus. Paul thanked them for risking their lives for him and for the advancement of the gospel. Paul’s long list of personal regards show his intimate relationships with the people of Rome and his intentional care for each of them.

Paul leaves the Romans with final instructions to avoid divisions in the church, remove obstacles for believers, and serve God before themselves. Paul encourages them to be wise to what is good and innocent to what is evil. Highlighting the ultimate victory of God, Paul states that Satan will soon be defeated. Paul urges the Romans to respond in faith and obedience now that the news of Jesus has been made known to them.