Watch a two minute overview of Romans Chapter 1
Dig In:
Passage: Romans 1
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-7 - The book of Romans is actually an epistle, which is simply a fancy term for a letter. Like the beginning to any letter, Romans starts with identifying the author, who it's written to, and what it's about. This letter is written by the Apostle Paul, it's written to 'those who are loved by God and called to be saints (holy people) (v7),' and it's about 'the gospel (good news) of God (v1).' The book of Romans is widely considered to be the fullest description of Christian doctrine in the Bible, so it's important we know it well and apply it to our lives.
v8-15 - Although this letter was written to you, you must remember that it was first written to a particular group of people in a particular place (Rome) at a particular time (1st century). This brief section demonstrates the personal aspect of this letter.
v16-17 - This short section summarizes what the entire book of Romans is about: - The gospel (good news) is the power of God; - The gospel brings salvation to everyone who believes in it; - The gospel reveals how we get the one thing we need more than anything else: perfect righteousness; - This righteousness comes through faith.
v18-32 - So far the letter has been about good news, but it makes a massive shift at v18. Before you can understand the good news, you must be aware of the bad news: God's wrath against the wickedness of man is being revealed. Our root sin is our instinct to 'suppress the truth.' God has made Himself and His will for our lives clear, but we have exchanged God's image for worthless idols. As a result, our hearts have become darkened (v21-22). While this letter will go on to tell how God has intervened in our lives to rescue us from this awful situation, we first learn that God gives many people exactly what they want: He lets them sink farther and farther into sin. Three times in this passage we read the words "God gave them over... (v24, 26, 28)." At each stage their sins become worse and worse, but at each stage, the human instinct is to run even farther from God. The symptoms of this increasingly sinful condition should look very familiar to the disintegrating society we live in. Be thankful that God has saved you from this awful cycle.
Old Testament Reference -
Psalm 81 describes both those who persist in their sin and those who repent and are restored to God.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Lakeside Deli.
How does it make you feel to be called a saint (v7)?
What does Paul mean in v20 when he writes that "people are without excuse?"
Why do you think it's important to understand the 'bad news' before you can fully understand the 'good news?'
NEW:
Dwell:
Keep one of these phrases in your mind throughout the day and come back to it often, asking God to speak to you through these words:
v6 - You are called to belong to Christ
v16 - I am not ashamed of the gospel
v16 - The gospel is the power of God
v17 - The righteous will live by faith
v20 - People are without excuse
v24, 26, 28 - God gave them over
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Our Holy and powerful Father who has a righteous wrath for sin (v18)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will not be ashamed of the Gospel, but that you would experience God's power through it (v16)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
