01.000. Panoramic View Of Romans
PANORAMIC VIEW OF ROMANS The Epistle to the Romans is the most systematic of all Paul’s writings. This is not to say there is not an ordered system in his other Epistles, exemplified in Ephesians, but Romans covers a more detailed plan than any of his other Epistles. Let us first get a panoramic view of this great body of divinity. Between the INTRODUCTION, Romans 1:1-17, and the CONCLUSION, Romans 15:14-33; Romans 16:1-27, there are three major divisions: l. Romans 1:18-32; Romans 2:1-29; Romans 3:1-31; Romans 4:1-25; Romans 5:1-21; Romans 6:1-23; Romans 7:1-25; Romans 8:1-39
Paul gave a doctrinal treatise on condemnation, justification through a God-provided righteousness, practical sanctification, and glorification.
2. Romans 9:1-33; Romans 10:1-21; Romans 11:1-36
Paul presented an interpretative essay on God’s choice, rejection, and restoration of national Israel.
3. Romans 12:1-21; Romans 13:1-14; Romans 14:1-23; Romans 15:1-13
Paul emphasized the practical application of his doctrinal teaching in our duty to God (Romans 12:1), ourselves (Romans 12:2-3), the assembly (Romans 12:4-8), the relative duties to others (Romans 12:9-21), civil authority (Romans 13:1-7), claims made on us by others with proper motivation in view of a consummated salvation (Romans 13:8-14), weak Christians (14:1-15:7), and common courtesy (Romans 15:8-13). The following major truths are taught in this Epistle:
1. Justice requires righteousness (1:18-3:20).
2. Righteousness is revealed (3:21-5:11).
3. Righteousness is realized (5:12-8:13).
4. Righteousness preserves (8:14-39).
5. Righteousness is reflected (12-16).
Without Biblical teaching one cannot expect Biblical living. This means that without a Biblical foundation there will never be a Biblical superstructure. Furthermore, both the foundation and superstructure have a vital connection with Israel. Jesus Christ came through the Davidic line. Salvation is of the Jews. Through God’s rejection of Israel, the elect Gentiles have been grafted in. But God is not through with Israel. She shall be restored. Without Israel, we could not enter the kingdom. The introduction (Romans 1:1-17) and conclusion (15:14-16:27) contain much more than salutations. In the introduction, Paul went from authentication and salutation (Romans 1:1-7) to his prayer for the saints (Romans 1:8-9), to his desire to personally visit them (Romans 1:10-13), to his ministry in Rome (Romans 1:14-17). In his conclusion, Paul began where he left off in his introduction. He went from his ministry (Romans 15:14-21), to his journey to them (Romans 15:22-29), to urging them to strive with him in prayers on his behalf (Romans 15:30-33), and to the salutations (Romans 16:1-24). The last three verses record the apostle’s benediction (Romans 16:25-27). In the salutations, Romans 16:1-24, sixteen of the twenty-one times in which the Greek verb aspadzomai-meaning to greet, salute, or bid farewell-is used, the inflected form is aorist middle imperative. (The verb is also used five times as a present middle indicative.) An imperative is a command. The point is that Jesus Christ gave us a command not only to love one another (John 13:34; John 14:15; 1 John 4:11) but also to be courteous. Christianity is more than doctrine and ordinances; it is a manifestation of love, not sentiment. May we never forget that our loving Christians is our loving those Christ loves.