The Book of Romans, by Lane
Lesson 1 (vs. 1-17)
Lesson outline mostly from old notes (Richard Rogers at Sunset). Since it is a good outline, there is no need to change it much. However, once in a while I actually have a thought of my own.
I. What Paul says about himself!
1. Date of the Book: 55-57 A.D. nearly 30 years after the death of Christ.
2. Place of writing: Corinth the wicked city. (a) Phoebe is mentioned in 16:1-2. (b) Gaius is mentioned in Romans 16:23,no doubt the same Gaius that is mentioned in 1st Cor. 1:14 and Acts 20: 3. Erastus is named in Romans16:24 and also in Acts 20:3 and 1st Cor. 1:14. The book was written during one of Paul's great periods of activity while evangelizing the world.
3. The occasion for writing the letter. My own view is that there was trouble and divisions in the church. See Romans 1:16 and also Romans 16:17. Paul had longed to see the brethren at Rome (Romans 1:9-11). He tried to come over and over again (Romans 15:20-22). He thus writes the epistle to explain his absence and pave the way for the future since his desire was to teach in person.
4. General Outline of the Book:
A. Introduction (1: 1-15)
B. Thesis Statement (1:16-17).
C. Doctrine of Sin (1:18-3:20).
D. Doctrine of Justification (3: 21-5: 21).
E. Doctrine of Sanctification (6: 1-8: 39).
F. Doctrine of Vindication (9: 1-11: 36).
G. Practical Exhortation (12: 1-15: 13).
H. Conclusion ( 15: 14-16:27).
5. Lesson outline – Introduction and thesis statement (1: 1-17).
A. Introduction (1: 1-15)
(1) What Paul says about himself (v.1)
(2) What Paul says about his message (vs. 2-6)
(3) What Paul says about his audience (v. 7)
(4) What Paul says about Christians (vs. 8-9).
(5) What Paul says about his purposes (vs. 10-15).
B. Thesis Statement ( 1: 16-17).
6. Paul tells us a great deal about himself and the letter.
A. The name of the Letter
B. A statement unto whom it was written
C. A description of those to whom is was written.
D. A description of himself.
7. Two things Paul says about his character!
A. He is a servant (slave – the purchased possession of another).
B. An apostle (one sent forth on behalf of another).
8. Two things Paul says about his career:
A. He was Called (chosen).
B. Separated (set apart).
9. Two things Paul says about his message!
A. It is a prophesied on – Isaiah is the Romans of the OT. (v.2).
B. It is a personified one – personified in Jesus. (vs. 3-6).
10. What Paul says about Christ:
A. His humanity (birth identifies Him with Royal family ) v.3 – approachable – sympathetic (inclined to help).
B. His deity (resurrection declares his deity) v. 4 – unique – power to help.
C. His Availability to all nations (vs. 5-6) – through His grace and Paul's apostleship.
II. Letter was written to the most powerful force in Rome (the church). His Audience.
1. The message of God through Paul was not sent to:
A. The emperor – agency for Rome's salvation not found in government.
B. The magistrates – agency for Rome's salvation not found in the courts.
C. The teachers – agency for Rome's salvation not found in the schools.
E. The philosophers – agency for Rome's salvation not found in man's wisdom.
2. Instead the message was sent to: The Church – agency for Rome's salvation was the Christians.
III. What Paul says about the Christians.
1. The true renown (reputation) of a Christian (church) is not buildings, wealth, membership, etc. - but – faith. (v. 8).
2. The true life of a Christian is prayerful service (v.9).
IV. What Paul says about his purposes.(1: 10-15).
1. A divine direction in life (v. 10) – Paul's number one purpose is to be led by God.
2. An unselfish interest in others (vs. 11-13) – Paul prayed for three results of his visit:
a. Fellowship
b. Faith – mutual faith .
c. Fruit – a life of Fellowship of Faith will naturally produce fruit.
3. A compulsion in Life's responsibilities. (vs. 14-15).
A. I am a debtor (v. 14) – a life changing idea. I owe. This is an idea that the church has mostly lost. We are debtors and humanity ought to be on our minds.
B. I am ready (v. 15) - Paul was not for wasting time. He was ready to put his gospel to the test:
a. In Rome – the greatest religious test - paganism.
b. In Rome – the greatest political test – Imperialism.
c. In Rome – the greatest social test, the cities mob.
V. Things to look for!
A. The spiritual gift Paul speaks of in verse 12 is not miraculous for according to chapter 12 they already had miraculous gifts.
B. The word ready in v. 15 denotes sitting on ready or eager.
VI. Paul's Thesis Statement, he was not ashamed of the gospel! (vs. 16-17).
A. Two reasons why Paul was not ashamed of the gospel.
(1) The power of the gospel.
(2) The righteousness of the gospel.
B. Seven remarkable elements of the gospel.
(1) The source of the gospel is God.
(2) The Nature of the gospel – power.
a. Jews – stumbling block – Pride.
b. Greeks – foolishness Wisdom.
c. Romans – weakness – Power.
C. The purpose of the gospel – Salvation. No difference between Rome and today. Man can be lost as quick in a automobile as he can in a chariot.
D. The Scope of the Gospel – Everyone. No nationalism nor color line.
E. The Requirement for reception of the gospel - !Faith! Faith is the hand of the spirit.
F. The Outcome of the Gospel – The just shall live by faith.
by Lane Rogers