Bible Commentaries
Romans 1

Verses 1-17

1. How did Paul gain the ear of the Roman church?

a. How did Paul establish a common tie with the Jews at Rome?

i. Prophets

ii. Quote from Scripture

iii. Jesus was the seed of David

b. How did Paul establish the authority of his apostleship?

i. Claimed it

ii. Separated unto it

iii. Called to it

iv. Received grace and favor through Christ

c. How did Paul win the favor of the Roman church?

i. Complimented them 8

ii. Prayed for them 9

iii. Wants to visit them 10-13

iv. Tried once, hindered, will try again 13

v. Owes them a debt 14

vi. Ready to preach in Rome 14

2. What is the theme of the book of Romans? 1:16-17

a. What is the gospel?

i. Glad tidings

ii. Good news

iii. About Christ

b. What is the purpose of the gospel?

i. Salvation

c. Whom was it supposed to save?

i. Everyone - who believes

ii. Jew and Greek

iii. Greek = all non-Jews

d. How does the gospel save?

i. By faith

ii. Just shall live by faith - Hab_2:4

e. What is righteousness?

i. To account righteous

ii. To acquit

iii. To treat as just

iv. Right living before God

f. Why does Paul quote Hab_2:4 ?

i. Shows unity of the Bible

ii. Teaching as an O. T. base

iii. Jews will accept the teaching

3. Other Questions

a. What is the meaning of the phrase "from faith unto faith" in 1:17?

i. Before it was written - it was handed down from one person's faith to another person.

ii. See 2Ti_2:2 ; 2Ti_1:5-6

iii. Same after the text was written. Men still pass on their faith from one generation to another.

b. How do men become righteous?

i. By living right - this includes obeying the gospel

ii. Living by faith

c. In what sense is this system of being made righteous by faith a system "unto faith"?

d. Is "faith" passed on, inherited or personally acquired?

i. Faith is not inherited

ii. It is passed on in the sense that you can see my faith and seek to copy it in your life. 1Co_11:1

Verses 18-25

1. Is man responsible for his own unrighteousness and misunderstanding about God?

a. What is the one visible practice that man does when he misunderstands the nature of God?

i. Idolatry

b. Why is idolatry so bad?

i. Misunderstand the nature of God

ii. Perversion of God's will

iii. Deliberate - "knew better"

2. How did their misunderstanding of God lead them toward idolatry?

a. Hindered the truth

b. Failed to see the invisible through the visible

c. Became vain in their reasoning

d. Their hearts were darkened

e. Claimed wisdom - became fools

3. When they created idols, what did this do for their concept of God?

a. Changed the image of God

b. Exchanged truth for a lie

c. Worshipped the creature more than the creator

4. Other questions

a. How much can we expect men to know about God without a written revelation?

i. God exists

ii. Powerful enough to create the world

iii. Expect God to communicate with them

b. Can men learn enough about God from creation alone to be saved?

i. No.

ii. Creation should send us on our search for the communication from God.

Verses 26-32

1. What is the basic problem of man as Paul sees it in chapter one?

a. Is it idolatry?

b. Failure to worship God?

c. Something more basic?

2. Which sin really came first?

a. Foolishness or idolatry?

i. Foolish first 22

ii. Then made idols 23

3. What was the real problem then?

a. Thought God was like corruptible image

b. Exchanged the truth for a lie

4. Why did they think they were wise?

a. Refused to acknowledge God

b. Missed visible evidence of God

5. What happens when men don't understand God properly?

a. Turn to idolatry 23, 25

b. Turn to self

i. Lusts, dishonor their bodies 24

ii. Vile passions 26

iii. Homosexuality

1. Lesbianism

2. Sodomy

c. Other kinds of wickedness

i. Unrighteousness - not doing right things

ii. Fornication - sexual immorality

iii. Wickedness - just plain BAD

iv. Covetousness - greed for things of another

v. Maliciousness - pleasure in hurting others

vi. Full of envy - selfish ill-will

vii. Murder - killing another human being

viii. Debate - angry disputes

ix. Deceit - in works or behavior

x. Malignity - thinks the worst about others

xi. Whisperers - gossip, destroy reputations

xii. Backbiters - slander in public

xiii. Haters of God - reject the evidence

xiv. Despiteful - disrespectful

xv. Proud - inordinate self-esteem

xvi. Boasters - wanderer, vagabond, imposter

xvii. Inventers of evil things - look for new ways to do wrong

xviii. Disobedient to parents

xix. Without understanding - not learn from the past

xx. Covenant breakers - won't keep their word

xxi. Without natural affection - no family love

xxii. Implacable - will not enter a contract

xxiii. Unmerciful - no feeling for others

6. What conclusions can be drawn?

a. Man should have known better.

b. Leave man alone and he will plunge downward.

7. Is this conclusion still valid today?

a. Are men still following the same path today?

b. Give some examples from current events.