“16 For I am 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. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.””
Paul’s outline:
Can we be right with God by obedience? (Chapters 1-3)
What can be learned from Abraham? (Chapters 4-5)
What does the law tell us about sin? (Chapters 6-8)
Because the gentiles are saved, what now happens to Israel? (Chapters 9-11)
Considering all this, how then should Christians actually live? (Chapters 12-16)
Other recurring themes:
• Those who have died with Christ are now enabled to live a new life.
• God’s promises to Jews and Gentiles have all been fulfilled.
• It is only through faith in Jesus that we can be saved.
Romans 1:1-7
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God
“Paul’s position can be justified only as resting in God, and so only can his words be regarded as at all credible…he appeals only to the authority of God. This is the ground of his authority. There is no other” -Karl Barth
2-7 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions to ponder:
Are you living by faith?
Are you ashamed of the gospel, or are you empowered by it?
Does the life, death and resurrection of Christ set your life apart?