Romans Study: Session 1

I was scheduled to start my Romans Chapters 1 - 7 study this Sunday, but due to unforeseen circumstances the class was canceled.  I thought I would still post my notes from the study.  I will post a new one every Sat. evening or Sunday morning.  There are questions at the end of each study and many of them were adapted from Timothy Keller's Romans 1- 7 For You (The Good Book Company) and some were written by me.  I hope you enjoy this study.

ROMANS (Introduction and Romans 1:1 – 15)
INTRODUCTION

• The letter to the Romans is not one that we can casually read or just skim across.  There are some deep sayings, teachings and doctrines that we will tackle.  At times, in this study, we will get very deep into the word and we will discuss some deep teachings and doctrines.  We will wrestle with certain texts, but we will do it all to the glory of God and for the advancement of understanding His Word and growing in our faith.
• Romans was written by the Apostle Paul on his third missionary journey (probably from Corinth) as he was heading back to Jerusalem with the money he had collected from the Gentile churches around Asia to take back to the Church in Judea.
• Romans is a doctrinal book, it is as Martin Luther wrote, the “purest Gospel”.  It is at the heart of it all the Apostle Paul’s theology which is deeply rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is believed to provide the fullest extent of Paul’s theology, but it is not necessarily his complete theology. 
• There are many themes throughout this letter, so it is difficult to pinpoint one specific theme, but if I had to pinpoint one it would be The Gospel or God’s plan of salvation to those who believe & God’s judgment to those who reject it.
• According to the ESV Study Bible, “A closer look at Romans reveals another purpose as well (other than the Gospel). Paul wanted the Christians in Rome to rally around his gospel so that Rome would become the base of operations by which he could proclaim the gospel in Spain (15:22–24). If Roman Christians did not agree with Paul's gospel message, especially on the issues being debated among Jews and Gentiles, then they would not support his proposed mission to Spain. Paul needed to explain the gospel in some detail so that the Christians in Rome would become the base from which he could proclaim the gospel in new regions.”

Verses 1 - 7

• Romans 1:1-7… Key phrases in this passage… “slave of Jesus Christ”, “a called Apostle” and “Set Apart for the Gospel of God”
• Paul first and foremost defines himself as a servant of Christ.  This is significant because he states up front that he is not a great and mighty theologian who is to be revered, but instead he is a servant (his position) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 
  
  • The Greek word for servant or slave is Duolous which means a slave or a bondman.  It is one who is devoted to the disregard of one’s own interest.
    
  • Paul was a servant or a slave to Christ and his desire was to please the master and not the masses.  (Galatians 1:10)
• Secondly, Paul is a called to be an Apostle (his authority).  The words “called Apostle” are defined as one who is divinely selected by decree of God to be a delegate or messenger.
  
  • Paul is not a self-appointed Apostle.  He is a God appointed Apostle.
    
  • Being called as an Apostle was essential to Paul’s ongoing service.  He needed to establish his authority to affirm what he is doing is not by the appointment of man, but by the appointment of God.
• Thirdly, Paul was set apart for the Gospel (his purpose).  According to Acts 13:2 Paul was appointed or set apart for the purpose of sharing the Good News. 
• The Gospel (Good News) was a promise from beforehand and was delivered by the prophets of the Holy Scripture.  This Gospel was promised since the beginning of time.  We can go back to Genesis 3 and see the salvation message proclaimed by God after Adam and Eve fell in the garden. 
• The Gospel was the message and hope of the O.T. and all prophets and forefathers in faith as they anticipated the fulfillment of the promise foretold of them 1,000’s of years before they came to pass in Christ.

Verse 8 – 15

• He thanks God for the believers in Rome.  Since there were believers in Rome the word was starting to get around about this body of Christ followers.
• His prayer is for God to provide a way for him to come visit them.  If you recall God had hindered Paul from going to Rome, yet he believed wholeheartedly God wanted him to go there (which he did in chains).
• So Why did Paul want to visit Rome?
  • (Read Romans 1:11-15)
  • To impart a Spiritual gift to strengthen the believers.
  • To reap a harvest
  • To preach the Gospel.

Questions –

• What is missing from the gospel you believe in if you forget or downplay the truth that God’s son is “Jesus” or “Christ” or “Lord”?  Do you ever downplay one or other of these in how you think and live?
• Why do you think the news of the faith of the Roman church had spread so far and wide?
• Read for next week Romans 1:16 – 2:12