Posted in Bible Study, Romans

Session 2: Romans 1:1-17

Approaching the Mountain

Approaching a study in Romans is like approaching a huge mountain, knowing that you want to climb to the top, yet hesitant because you have a sense of the formidable tasks you face.  The Bible is a whole mountain range of marvelous mountain peaks, like the Rocky Mountains.  Romans, however, is like the major mountain peak that stands higher than all the other mountains in the range.  Romans certainly is a mountain of rich truth about the riches of God’s grace and you can be assured that the journey up the mountain will be delightful and rewarding every step of the way!  It’s heights are defined, however, by the great depth of the essential Christian truths God has provided through Paul’s pen.  As New Testament Christians, climbing to the summit of this mountain, demonstrating expert knowledge of the “doctrinal terrain”, is an important goal.

As Paul does in most of his epistles, he starts his letter to the church in Rome by opening up his heart to his readers.  Note that Paul’s letters to various churches would be hand-delivered to a key leader in the local church.  The church likely met in members’ homes, and under Roman law, they were very possibly hiding and being persecuted.  Intense persecution had begun under Nero of the church in Rome, the followers of “the Way”.  Paul was convinced that God intended for him to minister in Rome in the near future (1:10-11), but there was other ministry to be accomplished first.  As noted on timeline linked to in the last study, He probably wrote this letter to the Rome church around 56AD, toward the end of his ministry in Ephesus, and as he was planning to return to Jerusalem with the offering that had been collected for the Jerusalem church. As he headed for Jerusalem, he expected to be arrested and ultimately he would request audience with Nero in Rome.

As Paul begins this letter to the church in Rome, he wants to begin by establishing his deep love for the Gospel and the Church. He wants to do all he possibly can to accomplish the mission which God has called him to spread the Gospel and build up the Church.  Let’s hear a little bit from Paul’s heart…

1. What does Paul say about himself?

Some people in the church of Rome probably knew about Paul, or even knew him personally.  But there were also likely many who had never heard of him.  So it’s important for the church to hear his love for them and for the Gospel.  So, how does he start out?  By not talking about himself!  He exalts Christ and rejoices in their salvation.  OK, but what about Paul – what makes this guy tick?

Bible Study Journal

        • Please get out your Bible Study Journal and make some notes about this passage.  Go through Romans 1:1-17 and find where he expresses his perspective on things, what he considers important, etc.
        • To see further comments from Paul about his own life and ministry, check out 1 Corinthians 4:1,9, 16-17, and 2 Timothy 4:6-8.  In 2 Corinthians 11:21-29, he describes the incredible extent of his sufferings for Christ. (Write some short notes of your observations in your Journal.)
        • What is “righteousness of God” (Rom. 1:17), what is it not?
          • Verses 16-17 tell us two key facts…
          • Use a study tool like e-Sword or studylight.org to look at the meaning of the Greek words
          • Dig deep in the Word!
          • The  Greek word ‘dikaios’ is the key word for righteousness – what understanding does the Greek definition add (Google “Greek meaning dikaios”)?
        • Why does Paul quote “the just shall live by faith”?
          • This quote comes from the Old Testament.  Does your Bible have a margin link to the verse in Habakkuk?   Look it up and read the surrounding verses.
          • What is “context”?  the surrounding biblical content – a few verses or a whole book, or the whole Bible!
          • How does this phrase relate to the context of Romans
        • We have an example of context here in this early part of the book.  As Paul finishes his opening comments and expresses his life commitment to the Gospel, he anchors his letter in the strategic truth that “the just shall live by faith.”   We will rely on that cornerstone of truth throughout this study as well as throughout our life.

2. What does Paul say about the Gospel? 

Here is a basic outline of this introductory passage of Romans.  Read through each set of verses and see if you can understand each label given to the sections – or maybe think of a better one.

  • Origin (1:1-2)
  • Content (1:3-6)
  • Purpose (1:5
  • Power (1:4)
  • Propagation (1:14-15)
  • Do you see any more?

3. What does Paul say about the “eagerness” he has for ministry?

  • Note how Paul speaks of ministry in Rom. 1:9-15
  • What does ministry look and sound like to you?
  • Do you ever have similar thoughts about ministry in your life?

4. What does Paul say about the “righteousness of God” in 1:17? 

  • Why did Paul choose to quote from Habakkuk, how does it “seal” this first section of Romans?
  • He also quotes this phrase in Gal. 3:11 – why? how does it fit in Gal 3?  What does Heb. 10:38 add to this?
  • This primary Christian axiom is rooted in Gen. 15:6. What does God do for Abraham according to that verse?  What did Abraham do to earn that