Topic 12 Romans: Paul’s Gospel

1. Topic 12 Romans: Paul’s Gospel • The Church in Rome • Origin is uncertain; not founded by Paul. • Church was there by 49 when emperor Claudius expelled the Jews, including Jewish Christians (Acts 18:2). • By 54, Jewish Christians were returning to Rome; creating tensions with Gentile Christians. • Authenticity – undisputed • Date and place – Corinth; 3rd journey; c. 55-56 • Occasion • Letter of introduction – announces plans to visit (1:9-15). • Solicits support for mission to Spain (15:24, 28-29). • Explains/defends gospel of grace apart from law. • May deal with Jewish-Gentile tensions in Roman church. • Most complete/systematic summary of Paul’s theology. • Most influential letter on Christian theology.

2. Highlights of Romans • 1:16-17 – The “heart” of Romans • Gospel brings salvation for all who believe – Jews & Gentiles alike. • Gospel reveals “God’s righteousness” – “from faith to faith.” • 1:18-3:20 – Human condition apart from Christ • Sin (hamartia) – “missing the mark;” falling short. • Root of sin is rebellion against God. • “Sin” becomes a “power” which controls one’s life. • Wages of Sin is “Death.” • Gentiles – guilty without the law (ch. 1). • Natural revelation: Creator is revealed in creation (v. 19-20). • Gentiles’ sin: worshipped creation instead of Creator (v. 23-25). • Sin of idolatry leads to immorality (v. 26-32). • Jews – guilty with the law (ch. 2). • Had law but didn’t keep it (v. 12-13). • Sin of Jews: self-righteous pride (v. 17). • Summary (3:9-20) • All persons are “under the power of sin” (v. 9). • Law cannot save; it only reveals sin (v. 20).

3. Highlights of Romans – cont. • 3:21-4:25 – Justification by faith • “But now…” the work of Christ makes possible a “righteousness of God” based not on law but on faith. • Death of Christ is sacrifice of atonement (expiation) – wipes away the effects of sin. • Atonement becomes effective for those who respond in faith. • Out of his sheer “grace,” God “justifies” not those who depend on works of law but sinners who put their “faith” in Christ. • Key terminology (3:21-26) • Justification – judicial term; being declared righteous; acquitted; put right with God. • Faith – trusting God; more than mere belief; trusting God and putting oneself at his disposal in genuine obedience. • Grace – God’s unmerited favor; free gift of salvation. • Redemption – liberation from bondage to Sin and Death, as a slave is set free by being purchased. • Example of Abraham (ch. 4) – justified by faith, not works (v. 4-5).

4. ch. 5-8 – The new life in Christ • ch. 5 – Freedom from Wrath • Reconciliation with God – broken relationship restored (v. 1-11). • Christ has undone “the curse” of Adam (v. 12-21): • Adam’s sin brought condemnation and death. • Christ’s obedience brings acquittal and life. • ch. 6 – Freedom from Sin • Dying with Christ frees us from power of Sin (v. 1-6). • This freedom is not automatic but must be exercised (v. 12). • ch. 7 – Freedom from Law • No longer “captive” under the law. • Law states what is right but gives no power to do it (v. 12, 14, 18, 22-25). • ch. 8 – Freedom from Death • Set free from captivity to Sin/“Death” in order to live in the Spirit. • Spirit gives power to do will of God (v. 1-4) • ch. 9-11 – Jews and Gentiles in God’s plan • Inclusion of Gentiles does not mean exclusion of Jews. • Temporary rejection of Jews allows inclusion of Gentiles. • Inclusion of Gentiles provokes jealousy and return of Jews. • ch. 12-15 – Ethical application of the gospel • Ethic of response – how we should live in view of God’s mercies. • As God loved us in Christ, we ought to love others.

5. Highlights of Romans – cont. • ch. 16 – Closing greetings – greets 26 people by name. • Would Paul have known this many people in Rome? • Theory that ch. 16 was originally a separate letter to Ephesus. • Others find it plausible that Paul did know many in Rome. • Commends several women as co-workers: • Phoebe (v. 1) – “deacon” • Prisca (v. 3) – “fellow worker” (cf. Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18-19). • Junia (v. 7) – “apostle”