The Book of Romans

Paul's Doctrine of Sin, 1:18- 3: 20

I. Unbelief cannot be excused!

1. Outline of the Doctrine of Sin (1: 18 – 3:20).

A. The Gentile state of Sin (1: 18-32).

B. The Jewish state of Sin (2: 1-3:8).

C. Conclusion: All under sin (3: 9-20).

2. Lesson 2 Outline – The Gentile state of sin (1: 18:32)

A. Unbelief cannot be excused (vs. 18-20).

B. The eventual consequence of Unbelief (vs. 21-23).

C. The divine forsaking because of unbelief (vs. 24-32).

3. Things to look for!

A. Man without the written word is inexcusably lost.

B. God's threefold revelation of Himself:

(1) Wrath of God (v. 18) – revealed in judgment.

(2) Innate knowledge of God (v. 19) the consciousness.

(3) Knowledge of God (v. 20) – revealed in creation (everlasting ;power and divinity).

C. These three fold revelations are based on the fact that God has in the past revealed Himself.

D. There is in every person enough of the knowledge of God to know right from wrong.

II. The Consequence of Unbelief (1: 21-23).

1. The degradation of religion (v.21) Man was first a monotheist and then developed into a polytheist. Law of reversion to the type.

2. The corruption of intelligence (v.22)- Adam able to give all animals their biological names, was co-worker with God.

3. The debasing of deity (v.23) Pharaoh of Egypt, Apollo of Greece, Eagle of the Romans, Bull of India, Serpent of Assyria. God created man in His own image, man sinned, and from that time own, man has been trying to create God in man's own image.

III. God Gave the Gentiles up (1: 24:32)

1. To idolatry (wrong living) vs. 24-25) – for they:

A. Exchanged the truth of God for a lie.

B. Worshiped and served the creature (idolatry) rather than the creator.

2. To sensuality (wrong living) vs. 26-27.

A. Lesbianism

B. Sodomy

3. To depravity (wrong thinking) vs. 28-32.

A. They refused (did not approve) to have God in their knowledge.

B. God gave them over to do the things that are not fitting (Paul's list of 21 sins).

Things to look for:

1. The phrase “God gave them up” means God turned them over or removes all influence.

2. The word “reprobate” or “debased” means no good can be found.

3. Of the list of 21 sins, four of them are mainly an American problem.

A. Whisperers (gossipers)

B. Back bitters (attitude about authority).

C. Disobedient to parents – as a general rule children obey to the degree their parents allow and rebel to the degree their parents allow.

D. Covenant- breakers.

4. The Gentiles:

A. Knew the ordinance of God that they who practice such things are worthy of death.

B. They not only practiced, but consented with those who practice them.