Bible Commentaries
Romans

Outline of the Epistle to the Romans

The Revelation of “Righteousness by Faith”

Introduction, Romans 1:1-15

1. Salutation , Romans 1:1-7

2. Personal message, Romans 1:8-15

Theme: The Revelation of “Righteousness by Faith”Romans 1:16-17; Romans 1:16-17

I. The Universal Need of Righteousness, Romans 1:18-32 ; Romans 2:1-29 ; Romans 3:1-20

1. By the Gentiles , Romans 1:18-32 ; Romans 2:1-16

2. By the Jews, Romans 2:17-29 ; Romans 3:1-20

II. The Free Gift of Divine Righteousness, Romans 3:21-31 ; Romans 4:1-25 ; Romans 5:1-21

1. Bestowed through Faith in Christ , Romans 3:21-31

2. Promised in God’s Dealings with Abraham and David , Romans 4:1-25

3. Confirmed by Christian Experience , Romans 5:1-11

4. The New Creation Compared with the Old , Romans 5:12-21

III. The Refutation of Objections, Romans 6-7

1. Salvation by Grace Means the Overcoming of Sin , Romans 6:1-14

2. Salvation by Grace Brings a Higher Obligation than That Imposed by the Law , Romans 6:15-23

3. Salvation by Grace Accomplishes What the Law Could Only Command , Romans 7:1-25

IV. The Ministry of the Spirit of Life, Romans 8:1-39

1. No Condemnation , Romans 8:1-17

2. No Humiliation , Romans 8:18-27

3. No Separation , Romans 8:28-39

V. God’s Purpose for the Jews and Gentiles, Romans 9-11

1. The Falling Away of the Jews , Romans 9:1-33 ; Romans 10:1-21 ; Romans 11:1-12

2. The Calling of the Gentiles , Romans 11:13-24

3. The Restoration of the Jews , Romans 11:25-36

VI. The Christian’s Character and Conduct, Romans 12:1-13

1. The Christian as a Man , Romans 12:1-21

2. The Christian as a Citizen , Romans 13:1-14

3. The Christian as a Brother , Romans 14:1-23 ; Romans 15:1-13

VII. Personal Message and Greetings,Romans 15:14-33; Romans 15:14-33 ; Romans 16:1-27

1. Paul’s Missionary Program , Romans 15:14-29

2. His Fellowship with the Romans in Prayer , Romans 15:30-33

3. Salutations to His Friends in the Church at Rome , Romans 16:1-23

4. Benediction , Romans 16:25-27

Introduction

This Epistle, together with those to the Corinthians and the Galatians, is allowed by all critics save a negligible minority to have been the production of the Apostle Paul. It was written from Corinth during the three months that he spent in Greece, Acts 20:3 , and before he started on his last journey to Jerusalem, to carry contributions to the poor Christians there, Romans 15:19-25 .

Though the Apostle was personally unacquainted with the majority of those addressed, yet the list of personal messages, in the closing chapter, is very large. He felt, too, a special responsibility laid upon him to instruct them in Christian truth. No Epistle has so many allusions to the law of God, but this was in harmony with the method of thought that was congenial to this Christian church, situated as it was in the mighty city that laid the foundations of law and order for subsequent generations.

e-Sword Note: The following material was presented at the end of Romans in the printed edition

( a ) What is the great theme of this Epistle?

( b ) What subjects are treated in what you regard as its three greatest chapters?

( c ) Where was this Epistle written? At what time?

( d ) How generally is it regarded as the work of Paul?

( e ) Why does this Epistle deal so largely with the divine law?

Each question applies to the paragraph of corresponding number in the Comments.

1. Why did Paul long to see the Christians in Rome?

2. Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel?

3. What does the Apostle state regarding the sins of the heathen world?

4. Why are all men without excuse?

5. To what law were the Gentiles amenable?

6. Why did special responsibility rest upon the Jew?

7. If all are under condemnation what advantage does the Jew possess?

8. Why can no one be justified by the works of the Law?

9. What is meant by the “righteousness of God”?

10. How was Abraham saved?

11. How is circumcision seen to be unnecessary to salvation?

12. Why was the promise made to Abraham a challenge to his faith?

13. How does God commend His love to us?

14. How is Christ contrasted with Adam?

15. What things are involved in union with Christ?

16. Why is grace a stronger motive to holiness than the Law?

17. What is the function of the Law?

18. What is the result of bondage to the flesh? How may deliverance be accomplished?

19. How did God condemn sin in the flesh?

20. To what does the Spirit bear witness with our spirit?

21. How does the Spirit help our infirmity?

22. What is the Apostle’s supreme confidence?

23. Why did Paul grieve over his kinsmen?

24. Why has man no right to question God’s sovereignty?

25. How were the Gentiles able to attain that which the Jews missed?

26. What is the distinction between righteousness and salvation?

27. What is the Apostle’s great argument for missions?

28. Had God cast off His Chosen People?

29. What is the lesson of the parable of the olive tree?

30. Why has God shut up all unto disobedience?

31. How is the physical body a symbol of the Church?

32. What is the sole means by which evil may be overcome?

33. Why should governmental authority be respected?

34. What one word gives the sum of the law?

35. Why can no one live to himself?

36. What is the Kingdom of God?

37. What special obligation rests upon the strong? Why has Christ been made a minister of the circumcision?

38. Of what things alone does the Apostle dare speak?

39. With what purpose was he going to Jerusalem? What did he earnestly desire of the Christians at Rome?

40. What facts are apparent concerning Phoebe? In what terms does Paul speak of the character and work of the Roman Christians who were known to him?

41. Who was Paul’s helper in writing the Epistle? What is the closing benediction?