Bible Study on Romans 1

Union Gospel 12/28

Introduction to Romans 1: Romans is one of the most significant letters in the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian church in Rome. In this letter, Paul systematically presents the gospel, explains the righteousness of God, and addresses the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God’s redemptive plan. Romans 1 begins with an introduction to Paul’s apostleship, the nature of salvation, and then shifts into a discussion of human sinfulness and God’s judgment. This chapter sets the stage for the deeper theological themes Paul will develop throughout the letter.

1. Paul's Introduction (Romans 1:1-7)

Verses 1-7: Paul’s Greeting and Purpose Paul opens the letter by identifying himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle. His role is to proclaim the gospel—the good news of Jesus Christ, which Paul explains as being rooted in the promises of God revealed through the prophets in the Old Testament. This gospel is about Jesus, the Son of God, who was resurrected from the dead.

Key themes:

• Apostleship and Calling: Paul emphasizes that his role is not of his own choosing, but by God’s calling.
• The Gospel's Foundation: The message of Jesus is rooted in the Scriptures, fulfilling God’s promises to Israel.
• Jesus Christ’s Identity: He is both human (descended from David) and divine (Son of God).

Application:

• We, like Paul, are called to proclaim the gospel. Every believer has a responsibility to share the good news with others.
• The gospel is not a new idea but the fulfillment of God’s promises, showing the continuity of God’s plan of salvation.

2. Paul's Longing to Visit Rome (Romans 1:8-15)

Verses 8-15: Paul's Desire to Visit Rome Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith of the Roman believers, which is being proclaimed throughout the world. He then shares his desire to visit them, not just to fellowship with them, but to impart spiritual gifts and encourage their faith.

Key themes:

• Mutual Encouragement: Paul looks forward to encouraging the Romans and being encouraged by them in their shared faith.
• Apostolic Mission: Paul is eager to spread the gospel, even among those who are already believers, to deepen their faith.

Application:

• The church is a place for mutual encouragement. We are called not only to share the gospel with others but to strengthen one another in our faith.
• Our relationships with fellow believers should be centered around mutual support and growth in Christ.

3. The Righteousness of God Revealed (Romans 1:16-17)

Verses 16-17: The Power of the Gospel Paul states that he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. In this gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith, from first to last.

Key themes:

• Power of the Gospel: The gospel is not merely a message; it is the power of God to transform lives.
• The Righteousness of God: God's righteousness is revealed through the gospel, and it is received by faith.
• Faith as the Basis of Salvation: Salvation comes by faith, not by works or human effort.

Application:

• Never be ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to save and transform lives.
• Our salvation is a gift, accessed only by faith in Jesus Christ, not by our own achievements.

4. The Rejection of God and Its Consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

Verses 18-20: God's Wrath Against Sin Paul begins a section on human sinfulness, stating that God's wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness. God's existence and divine nature are clearly evident in creation, but humanity has chosen to reject this knowledge.

Key themes:

• God’s Wrath: God’s judgment is not arbitrary but is a response to humanity’s deliberate rejection of His truth.
• Revelation through Creation: The evidence of God’s power and nature is seen in the created world.

Application:

• God's revelation through creation calls us to acknowledge Him and live in a way that honors His power and authority.
• Rejecting God leads to consequences, both in the present life and in eternity.

Verses 21-23: The Futility of Idolatry Paul describes how, despite knowing God, humanity exchanged the truth of God for lies and worshiped created things rather than the Creator. This is the root of idolatry.

Key themes:

• Idolatry: Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but the substitution of the Creator with created things.
• Futile Thinking: When people reject God, their thinking becomes futile and their hearts darkened.

Application:

• We are called to worship the Creator and not allow anything in our lives to take His place.
• Idolatry doesn’t always mean bowing to statues—it can be placing anything above God in our hearts.

Verses 24-27: God Gives People Over to Sin Because of humanity’s rejection of God, God "gave them over" to sinful desires. This includes sexual impurity, same-sex relations, and other immoral behaviors. The rejection of God leads to a breakdown in human relationships and ethical behavior.

Key themes:

• God’s Judgment as Giving People Over: God’s wrath is sometimes expressed by allowing people to follow their sinful desires, leading to further degradation.
• The Breakdown of Moral Order: When humanity turns from God, moral order disintegrates.

Application:

• God’s judgment on sin is a reality. He doesn’t always stop people from following sinful desires but allows them to experience the consequences of their choices.
• We must guard against turning from God, as it leads to deeper bondage to sin.

Verses 28-32: A List of Further Sins Paul continues by describing further consequences of humanity’s rejection of God: greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, and more. People not only practice these things but approve of others who do them.

Key themes:

• Moral Decay: Rejecting God leads to increasing sinfulness and moral decay in society.
• Approval of Sin: Not only do people engage in sin, but they also encourage and approve of others doing the same.

Application:

• Sin has a corrupting influence, not only on individuals but also on society. We must be vigilant in resisting sin and calling others to righteousness.
• We must not approve of sinful behavior but call others to repentance and faith in Christ.

Conclusion

Romans 1 sets the foundation for Paul’s message about the gospel, sin, and salvation. It reveals the tragic consequences of humanity’s rejection of God and emphasizes the need for God’s righteousness, which is made available to all through faith in Jesus Christ. It also highlights the importance of sharing the gospel, living in mutual encouragement within the church, and the urgent need to recognize and respond to God’s revelation in creation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The gospel is the power of God for salvation, available to all who believe.
2. Human sin is the rejection of God’s truth, which results in a breakdown of moral order and judgment.
3. We are called to live by faith and to proclaim the gospel to others.
4. God’s wrath is revealed against sin, but His righteousness is available to those who trust in Jesus.

Reflection Questions:

1. How can I be more bold in sharing the gospel with others?
2. What areas of my life might I be tempted to place above God, and how can I address them?
3. How does the truth of God’s righteousness and salvation impact my daily living?

Let this study remind us of both the seriousness of sin and the glorious gift of salvation available to us through faith in Jesus Christ.