Romans 1

Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-171. How did Paul gain the ear of the Roman church? a. How did Paul establish a common tie with the Jews at Rome? i. Prophets ii. Quote from Scripture iii. Jesus was the seed of David b. How did Paul establish the authority of his apostleship? i. Claimed it ii. Separated unto it iii. Called to it iv. Received grace and favor through Christ c. How did Paul win the favor of the Roman church? i. Complimented them 8 ii. Prayed for them 9 iii. Wants to visit them 10-13 iv. Tried once, hindered, will try again 13 v. Owes them a debt 14 vi. Ready to preach in Rome 14 2. What is the theme of the book of Romans? 1:16-17 a. What is the gospel? i. Glad tidings ii. Good news iii. About Christ b. What is the purpose of the gospel? i. Salvation c. Whom was it supposed to save? i. Everyone - who believes ii. Jew and Greek iii. Greek = all non-Jews d. How does the gospel save? i. By faith ii. Just shall live by faith - Habakkuk 2:4e. What is righteousness? i. To account righteous ii. To acquit iii. To treat as just iv. Right living before God f. Why does Paul quote Habakkuk 2:4? i. Shows unity of the Bible ii. Teaching as an O. T. base iii. Jews will accept the teaching 3. Other Questions a. What is the meaning of the phrase “from faith unto faith” in 1:17? i. Before it was written - it was handed down from one person’s faith to another person. ii. See 2 Timothy 2:2; 2 Timothy 1:5-6iii. Same after the text was written. Men still pass on their faith from one generation to another. b. How do men become righteous? i. By living right - this includes obeying the gospel ii. Living by faith c. In what sense is this system of being made righteous by faith a system “unto faith”? d. Is “faith” passed on, inherited or personally acquired? i. Faith is not inherited ii. It is passed on in the sense that you can see my faith and seek to copy it in your life. 1 Corinthians 11:1

Romans 1:18-25

Romans 1:18-251. Is man responsible for his own unrighteousness and misunderstanding about God? a. What is the one visible practice that man does when he misunderstands the nature of God? i. Idolatry b. Why is idolatry so bad? i. Misunderstand the nature of God ii. Perversion of God’s will iii. Deliberate - “knew better” 2. How did their misunderstanding of God lead them toward idolatry? a. Hindered the truth b. Failed to see the invisible through the visible c. Became vain in their reasoning d. Their hearts were darkened e. Claimed wisdom - became fools 3. When they created idols, what did this do for their concept of God? a. Changed the image of God b. Exchanged truth for a lie c. Worshipped the creature more than the creator 4. Other questions a. How much can we expect men to know about God without a written revelation? i. God exists ii. Powerful enough to create the world iii. Expect God to communicate with them b. Can men learn enough about God from creation alone to be saved? i. No. ii. Creation should send us on our search for the communication from God.

Romans 1:26-32

Romans 1:26-321. What is the basic problem of man as Paul sees it in chapter one? a. Is it idolatry? b. Failure to worship God? c. Something more basic? 2. Which sin really came first? a. Foolishness or idolatry? i. Foolish first 22 ii. Then made idols 23 3. What was the real problem then? a. Thought God was like corruptible image b. Exchanged the truth for a lie 4. Why did they think they were wise? a. Refused to acknowledge God b. Missed visible evidence of God 5. What happens when men don’t understand God properly? a. Turn to idolatry 23, 25 b. Turn to self i. Lusts, dishonor their bodies 24 ii. Vile passions 26 iii. Homosexuality

1. Lesbianism
2. Sodomy c. Other kinds of wickedness i. Unrighteousness - not doing right things ii. Fornication - sexual immorality iii. Wickedness - just plain BAD iv. Covetousness - greed for things of another v. Maliciousness - pleasure in hurting others vi. Full of envy - selfish ill-will vii. Murder - killing another human being viii. Debate - angry disputes ix. Deceit - in works or behavior x. Malignity - thinks the worst about others xi. Whisperers - gossip, destroy reputations xii. Backbiters - slander in public xiii. Haters of God - reject the evidence xiv. Despiteful - disrespectful xv. Proud - inordinate self-esteem xvi. Boasters - wanderer, vagabond, imposter xvii. Inventers of evil things - look for new ways to do wrong xviii. Disobedient to parents xix. Without understanding - not learn from the past xx. Covenant breakers - won’t keep their word xxi. Without natural affection - no family love xxii. Implacable - will not enter a contract xxiii. Unmerciful - no feeling for others
3. What conclusions can be drawn? a. Man should have known better. b. Leave man alone and he will plunge downward.
4. Is this conclusion still valid today? a. Are men still following the same path today? b. Give some examples from current events.