Romans 1:18-32
Creation’s Witness
“All men and women (Jesus being the solitary exception) are sinful, guilty and without excuse before God. Already they are under his wrath. Already they stand condemned. It is a theme of great solemnity. It is also the necessary dark background against which the gospel shines uprightly, and an indispensable foundation for world evangelization.” (John Stott)
I. God’s Wrath
a. The Wrath of God (vs 18)
Note: Wrath is a necessary part of God’s justice. It is not that God is a cosmic tyrant or torturer. God is holy and just, and therefore cannot allow evil to continue unpunished. As the Creator of the universe He is responsible for all He has made. His Wrath, far from showing God to be cruel, demonstrates His infinite goodness.
1. Is it difficult to look at God as wrathful? Why or why not? What would happen if God never showed his wrath?
b. God gave them over (vv 24, 26, 28)
Note: The same Greek word is used in each of these verses paradidomi ‘to give over’ God removing his restraint and leaving people to themselves appears to be one of the most worst acts of judgment God will do.
1. Why would it be a punishment for God to ‘give over’ someone, leaving them to their own depravity?
2. What is the purpose of God’s ‘giving over’? To destroy or to bring about repentance?
II. Creation’s witness
a. God’s invisible qualities…have been clearly seen (vs 20)
Note: It is clear throughout Scripture that creation reveals God to some degree. However, knowledge of God through creation is never enough to establish a relationship with him. What then does our knowledge of God through creation do? Increases our responsibility towards God and in turn magnifies our depravity.
1. What can we learn about God through creation?
2. Why do you think we are unable to establish a relational knowledge of God merely through creation?
3. How would you respond to someone who tells you “Creation is my catechism, I don’t need a book or a church to tell me about God”?
b. exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images (vs 23)
1. Do other religions show people striving towards God, or do they show how far they have turned away from God?
2. Idolatry is the worship of anyone or anything other than God. Is idolatry a problem today? Why?
III. Our depravity
a. Sexual impurity (vs 24)
1. Why do you think the apostle Paul uses sexuality as an example of human depravity?
2. What is the Biblical teaching on homosexuality?
b. Paul lists numerous descriptions of human sinfulness
1. wickedness
2. evil
3. greed
4. depravity
5. envy
6. murder
7. strife
8. deceit
9. malice
10. gossips
11. slanderers
12. God-haters
13. insolent
14. arrogant
15. boastful
16. inventors of evil
17. disobedient to parents
18. senseless
19. faithless
20. heartless
21. ruthless
1. What observations can you make about this list of sins? What do you think is Paul’s purpose in rattling off this list?
c. “[they] also approve of those who practice them”
1. Why is this an even further step in human depravity?
Final Question: How does this ‘dark background’ to the gospel impress upon you? How does God’s proclamation compare with our self-understanding?
Monday, October 20, 2008
1:8-15 Occasion for Writing
Romans
Occasion for Writing 1:8-15
I. What is Paul’s view of the Romans Christians?
a. “your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” (vs 8)
1. What about the Roman church has made them famous throughout the known world? Size? Budget? Diversity? Architecture?
2. What is the value of this reputation?
b. “Preaching…prayer” (vv. 9-10)
1. Paul is always diligent to pray for the churches he writes to. Why is prayer so central to his ministry? How is prayer connected with preaching?
2. What place should preaching and prayer take in ministry? Why?
c. by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you (vs 10)
1. How does Paul see his own plans in relation to God’s will?
2. How should God’s will relate to planning and decision making? How do we come to know God’s will?
II. Why is Paul going?
a. Impart some spiritual gift to strengthen them
Note: The phrase for spiritual gift here is the same as the gifts described in 1 Corinthians. However, the difference is obvious. In Corinthians the spiritual gifts come from God, here it is Paul wishing to impart the gift. Thus, Paul is probably not saying he is going to impart one of the gifts of the Spirit to them (prophesy, tongues, etc.) but something else.
1. What kind spiritual gift might he have in mind?
b. “Mutually encouraged by each other’s faith”
1. What does this say about Paul’s willingness to learn and grow?
2. How can we approach relationships with other believers with the same teachability?
c. He is under obligation to all
1. What is our obligation to all?
2. What does this say about favoritism? Should we favor the rich over the poor, or vice versa? Should we favor a specific race or ethnicity? Should we favor a social or educational background?
d. Preach the gospel in Rome
1. Who is Paul writing to? Why is Paul preaching the gospel to Christians?
III. The Theme of the whole letter
a. “not ashamed of the gospel”
1. Why would someone be ashamed of the gospel? What are the consequences of being ashamed of the gospel?
IV. “Righteousness of God”
Note: the Greek phrase ‘the righteousness of God’ can mean a number of different things. It can means the righteousness that God is characterized by. It can mean the righteousness that characterizes God’s actions. It can mean the righteousness that comes from God and is given to us.
1. What does the ‘righteousness of God’ mean here?
2. What difference does it make how we understand this phrase?
V. “Righteous will live by faith”
Note: Paul is quoting from Hab 2:4, where the context indicates. “Habakkuk was told that whereas the proud Babylonians would fall, the righteous Israelite would live by his faith, that is, in the context, by his humble, steadfast trust in God.” (John Stott)
Occasion for Writing 1:8-15
I. What is Paul’s view of the Romans Christians?
a. “your faith is proclaimed in all the world.” (vs 8)
1. What about the Roman church has made them famous throughout the known world? Size? Budget? Diversity? Architecture?
2. What is the value of this reputation?
b. “Preaching…prayer” (vv. 9-10)
1. Paul is always diligent to pray for the churches he writes to. Why is prayer so central to his ministry? How is prayer connected with preaching?
2. What place should preaching and prayer take in ministry? Why?
c. by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you (vs 10)
1. How does Paul see his own plans in relation to God’s will?
2. How should God’s will relate to planning and decision making? How do we come to know God’s will?
II. Why is Paul going?
a. Impart some spiritual gift to strengthen them
Note: The phrase for spiritual gift here is the same as the gifts described in 1 Corinthians. However, the difference is obvious. In Corinthians the spiritual gifts come from God, here it is Paul wishing to impart the gift. Thus, Paul is probably not saying he is going to impart one of the gifts of the Spirit to them (prophesy, tongues, etc.) but something else.
1. What kind spiritual gift might he have in mind?
b. “Mutually encouraged by each other’s faith”
1. What does this say about Paul’s willingness to learn and grow?
2. How can we approach relationships with other believers with the same teachability?
c. He is under obligation to all
1. What is our obligation to all?
2. What does this say about favoritism? Should we favor the rich over the poor, or vice versa? Should we favor a specific race or ethnicity? Should we favor a social or educational background?
d. Preach the gospel in Rome
1. Who is Paul writing to? Why is Paul preaching the gospel to Christians?
III. The Theme of the whole letter
a. “not ashamed of the gospel”
1. Why would someone be ashamed of the gospel? What are the consequences of being ashamed of the gospel?
IV. “Righteousness of God”
Note: the Greek phrase ‘the righteousness of God’ can mean a number of different things. It can means the righteousness that God is characterized by. It can mean the righteousness that characterizes God’s actions. It can mean the righteousness that comes from God and is given to us.
1. What does the ‘righteousness of God’ mean here?
2. What difference does it make how we understand this phrase?
V. “Righteous will live by faith”
Note: Paul is quoting from Hab 2:4, where the context indicates. “Habakkuk was told that whereas the proud Babylonians would fall, the righteous Israelite would live by his faith, that is, in the context, by his humble, steadfast trust in God.” (John Stott)
1:1-7 Greetings
Romans
Greetings 1:1-7
I. Paul, the author, identifies himself:
a. “A servant of Christ Jesus”
Note: The Greek word for servant here is doulos, which is the common word for slave.
1. Why does Paul describe himself in this way in relationship to Christ? What does this demonstrate about him?
2. How should we see ourselves in relationship to the Savior?
b. “An apostle”
Note: An apostle is literally one who is sent. However, it became a technical label to describe the Twelve men who played a special role in Jesus’ ministry. An apostle is described as a witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:22)
1. How does Paul see his ministry in relationship to the Twelve? Where does Paul see this unique position as coming from?
2. What is ironic about Paul describing himself as a servant or slave on the one hand and an apostle on the other?
3. What implications might this have for Christian leadership?
c. “set apart for the gospel of God”
1. Who has set him apart? Why is Paul set apart for? Why was Paul, as opposed to another, chosen to be set apart?
2. Whose gospel is it? Paul’s? The apostles’? Why is this important?
3. When we present the gospel, what liberties do we have to change, or adapt, or soften it?
II. The Gospel is defined as:
a. “Promised beforehand through the prophets in the Scripture”
Read Jesus’ words in Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39-40
1. How do you think the early Christians would have viewed the Old Testament?
2. Why is it important that the gospel is the fruition of the Old Testament, rather than opposed to it?
3. How should we read the Old Testament today?
b. His Son: son of David declared with power by the resurrection to be the Son of God by the Spirit of Holiness
“This is a remarkable passage, by which we are taught that the whole gospel is included in Christ, so that if anyone removes one step from Christ, he withdraws himself from the gospel.” (Calvin)
Note: Son of David would be a quickly recognizable phrase to indicate the long-awaited messiah. God has promised David that a descendent of his will never cease to sit on the throne.
1. In what way does the resurrection establish Jesus as the Son of God?
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in this? Where do we see the Trinity in this description of the gospel?
3. What role then do the persons of the Trinity play in our salvation?
c. “Jesus Christ our Lord”
Note: The Greek word for Lord is kurios. The word can refer to a human master or superior. However it is consistently the Greek word used to translate the Hebrew name for God, YHWH.
III. The effects of this gospel
a. “Grace”
1. What are some common English definitions of grace? What specifically is meant by grace in this passage?
b. Apostleship to call from all the Gentiles to the obedience of faith
1. What is the purpose of apostleship?
2. What does the phrase the ‘obedience of faith’ mean? What relationship does faith have with obedience to God?
c. “Called to Belong to Jesus”
Even as Paul was called to be an apostle, so he describes all Christians as ‘called’ to belong to Jesus.
1. What does it mean to be called?
2. How would it effect your relationship with God to see yourself as ‘called’ by God?
IV. Address
a. “To all in Rome”
Note: Rome is the world metropolis, the capitol city of the empire. The apostle who is known throughout the known world is writing to the church whcih is known throughout the world.
b. “who are loved by God”
“I do not know a more joyful thought than for a man to be led to believe that God takes complacency in him, and looks at him with the eye of loving approval. Such as are the beloved of the Lord…”
1. Do you see God as one who loves you? On what basis do you believe this to be true? Why does God love us?
c. “called to be saints.”
Note: the root word for ‘saint’ is holy hagios. Saints are those who are holy, or sanctified.
1. Who is Paul referring to as saints? How is the term saint typically used in modern English?
2. What does this reveal about how God views holiness, compared to how we view holiness?
d. Grace and peace to you…
Note: Grace and peace, common words and greetings of the ancient world, will become weighty theological terms for the Christian, as we will see in the following chapters.
Greetings 1:1-7
I. Paul, the author, identifies himself:
a. “A servant of Christ Jesus”
Note: The Greek word for servant here is doulos, which is the common word for slave.
1. Why does Paul describe himself in this way in relationship to Christ? What does this demonstrate about him?
2. How should we see ourselves in relationship to the Savior?
b. “An apostle”
Note: An apostle is literally one who is sent. However, it became a technical label to describe the Twelve men who played a special role in Jesus’ ministry. An apostle is described as a witness to the resurrection (Acts 1:22)
1. How does Paul see his ministry in relationship to the Twelve? Where does Paul see this unique position as coming from?
2. What is ironic about Paul describing himself as a servant or slave on the one hand and an apostle on the other?
3. What implications might this have for Christian leadership?
c. “set apart for the gospel of God”
1. Who has set him apart? Why is Paul set apart for? Why was Paul, as opposed to another, chosen to be set apart?
2. Whose gospel is it? Paul’s? The apostles’? Why is this important?
3. When we present the gospel, what liberties do we have to change, or adapt, or soften it?
II. The Gospel is defined as:
a. “Promised beforehand through the prophets in the Scripture”
Read Jesus’ words in Luke 24:25-27; John 5:39-40
1. How do you think the early Christians would have viewed the Old Testament?
2. Why is it important that the gospel is the fruition of the Old Testament, rather than opposed to it?
3. How should we read the Old Testament today?
b. His Son: son of David declared with power by the resurrection to be the Son of God by the Spirit of Holiness
“This is a remarkable passage, by which we are taught that the whole gospel is included in Christ, so that if anyone removes one step from Christ, he withdraws himself from the gospel.” (Calvin)
Note: Son of David would be a quickly recognizable phrase to indicate the long-awaited messiah. God has promised David that a descendent of his will never cease to sit on the throne.
1. In what way does the resurrection establish Jesus as the Son of God?
2. What role does the Holy Spirit play in this? Where do we see the Trinity in this description of the gospel?
3. What role then do the persons of the Trinity play in our salvation?
c. “Jesus Christ our Lord”
Note: The Greek word for Lord is kurios. The word can refer to a human master or superior. However it is consistently the Greek word used to translate the Hebrew name for God, YHWH.
III. The effects of this gospel
a. “Grace”
1. What are some common English definitions of grace? What specifically is meant by grace in this passage?
b. Apostleship to call from all the Gentiles to the obedience of faith
1. What is the purpose of apostleship?
2. What does the phrase the ‘obedience of faith’ mean? What relationship does faith have with obedience to God?
c. “Called to Belong to Jesus”
Even as Paul was called to be an apostle, so he describes all Christians as ‘called’ to belong to Jesus.
1. What does it mean to be called?
2. How would it effect your relationship with God to see yourself as ‘called’ by God?
IV. Address
a. “To all in Rome”
Note: Rome is the world metropolis, the capitol city of the empire. The apostle who is known throughout the known world is writing to the church whcih is known throughout the world.
b. “who are loved by God”
“I do not know a more joyful thought than for a man to be led to believe that God takes complacency in him, and looks at him with the eye of loving approval. Such as are the beloved of the Lord…”
1. Do you see God as one who loves you? On what basis do you believe this to be true? Why does God love us?
c. “called to be saints.”
Note: the root word for ‘saint’ is holy hagios. Saints are those who are holy, or sanctified.
1. Who is Paul referring to as saints? How is the term saint typically used in modern English?
2. What does this reveal about how God views holiness, compared to how we view holiness?
d. Grace and peace to you…
Note: Grace and peace, common words and greetings of the ancient world, will become weighty theological terms for the Christian, as we will see in the following chapters.
Romans Introduction Study
The Epistle to the Romans
Introduction
1. What is an epistle?
A note on the chapters and verses. The chapters and verses are not original to the Biblical text. The current chapter divisions were introduced 1205 by Stephen Langton and the verse divisions in 1565 by Robert Estienne.
Author: Paul the Apostle (Formerly Saul of Tarsus). Of Jewish ethnicity, studied under the famous rabbi Gamaliel and become a Pharisee. He was radically converted and spread the gospel until his martyrdom in Rome in ad 65-67. Read Acts 9:1-19
1. What was Paul’s life like before his conversion? How do you think this would shape his view of the gospel?
2. What brought about his conversion? How would this shape his ministry?
3. What is Paul called to do with his life after his conversion? Is this unique to Paul, or does it apply to all of us?
Date: AD 56-57
1. About how many years have passed from Christ’s death to the writing of Romans? How far away?
Recipient: The church in Rome. Roman Christians, some Jewish but mostly Gentiles, residents of the capitol of the Empire.
1. What would be a modern equivalent to the church in Rome today?
2. What are the benefits of being a church in a major city like Rome?
Purpose for Writing: Travel plans through Rome (Jerusalem, Rome, and then Spain). Paul has never been to Rome, wants to introduce himself, be helped on the way to Spain, and to minister to the needs of the Roman church.
1. Why do you think Paul is eager to reach Spain? Why do you think he has not visited Rome up to this point?
Theme: “The Gospel” Romans 1:16-17
What is the gospel? What is so important about this gospel?
Introduction
1. What is an epistle?
A note on the chapters and verses. The chapters and verses are not original to the Biblical text. The current chapter divisions were introduced 1205 by Stephen Langton and the verse divisions in 1565 by Robert Estienne.
Author: Paul the Apostle (Formerly Saul of Tarsus). Of Jewish ethnicity, studied under the famous rabbi Gamaliel and become a Pharisee. He was radically converted and spread the gospel until his martyrdom in Rome in ad 65-67. Read Acts 9:1-19
1. What was Paul’s life like before his conversion? How do you think this would shape his view of the gospel?
2. What brought about his conversion? How would this shape his ministry?
3. What is Paul called to do with his life after his conversion? Is this unique to Paul, or does it apply to all of us?
Date: AD 56-57
1. About how many years have passed from Christ’s death to the writing of Romans? How far away?
Recipient: The church in Rome. Roman Christians, some Jewish but mostly Gentiles, residents of the capitol of the Empire.
1. What would be a modern equivalent to the church in Rome today?
2. What are the benefits of being a church in a major city like Rome?
Purpose for Writing: Travel plans through Rome (Jerusalem, Rome, and then Spain). Paul has never been to Rome, wants to introduce himself, be helped on the way to Spain, and to minister to the needs of the Roman church.
1. Why do you think Paul is eager to reach Spain? Why do you think he has not visited Rome up to this point?
Theme: “The Gospel” Romans 1:16-17
What is the gospel? What is so important about this gospel?
Romans Introduction Outline
The Letter to the Romans
An Outline of the Letter
I. Introduction (Chapter 1:1-17)
a. Paul’s Initial Greetings (1:1-7)
b. His Occasion for Writing (1:8-15)
c. The Theme of the letter (1:16-17)
II. Human Depravity and God’s Wrath (1:18-3:20)
a. God’s wrath against all humankind (1:18-32)
b. God’s basis for judgment (2:1-16)
c. Judgment under the Law (2:17-29)
d. God’s faithfulness (3:1-8)
e. No one is Righteous (3:9-20)
III. Righteousness of God (3:21-6:23)
a. Righteousness through faith in Christ (3:21-31)
b. Abraham was justified through faith (4:1-25)
c. Reconciliation with God (5:1-11)
d. Adam and Christ (5:12-21)
e. Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ (6:1-14)
f. Slaves to Sin, Free in Christ (6:15-23)
IV. Freedom from the Law (Chap. 7)
a. The Christian’s death to the Law (7:1-6)
b. The relationship between Law and Sin (7:7-25)
V. Our New Life in Christ (Chap. 8)
a. Life in The Holy Spirit (8:1-17)
b. We become Sons of God (8:18-30)
c. The believer’s salvation is Secure (8:31-39)
VI. The God’s Sovereignty and Israel’s plight (9-11)
a. God’s sovereign election (9:1-29)
b. Israel’s stumbling (9:30-10:21)
c. God keeps a remnant of Israel (11:1-10)
d. The Relationship between Israel and the Gentiles (11:11-24)
e. God’s purposes for Israel (11:25-32)
f. Doxology (11:33-36)
VII. Living the Gospel (12:1-15:13)
a. Our transformed life (12:1-8)
b. Love (12:9-21)
c. Submission to governmental authority (13:1-7)
d. Love (13:8-14)
e. A Plea for Unity (14:1-15:13)
VIII. The Letter’s Conclusion (15:14-16:27)
a. Paul’s encouragement and mission (15:14-22)
b. Paul’s Travel plans (15:23-33)
c. Personal Greetings (16:1-23)
d. Benediction (16:25-27)
An Outline of the Letter
I. Introduction (Chapter 1:1-17)
a. Paul’s Initial Greetings (1:1-7)
b. His Occasion for Writing (1:8-15)
c. The Theme of the letter (1:16-17)
II. Human Depravity and God’s Wrath (1:18-3:20)
a. God’s wrath against all humankind (1:18-32)
b. God’s basis for judgment (2:1-16)
c. Judgment under the Law (2:17-29)
d. God’s faithfulness (3:1-8)
e. No one is Righteous (3:9-20)
III. Righteousness of God (3:21-6:23)
a. Righteousness through faith in Christ (3:21-31)
b. Abraham was justified through faith (4:1-25)
c. Reconciliation with God (5:1-11)
d. Adam and Christ (5:12-21)
e. Dead to Sin, Alive to Christ (6:1-14)
f. Slaves to Sin, Free in Christ (6:15-23)
IV. Freedom from the Law (Chap. 7)
a. The Christian’s death to the Law (7:1-6)
b. The relationship between Law and Sin (7:7-25)
V. Our New Life in Christ (Chap. 8)
a. Life in The Holy Spirit (8:1-17)
b. We become Sons of God (8:18-30)
c. The believer’s salvation is Secure (8:31-39)
VI. The God’s Sovereignty and Israel’s plight (9-11)
a. God’s sovereign election (9:1-29)
b. Israel’s stumbling (9:30-10:21)
c. God keeps a remnant of Israel (11:1-10)
d. The Relationship between Israel and the Gentiles (11:11-24)
e. God’s purposes for Israel (11:25-32)
f. Doxology (11:33-36)
VII. Living the Gospel (12:1-15:13)
a. Our transformed life (12:1-8)
b. Love (12:9-21)
c. Submission to governmental authority (13:1-7)
d. Love (13:8-14)
e. A Plea for Unity (14:1-15:13)
VIII. The Letter’s Conclusion (15:14-16:27)
a. Paul’s encouragement and mission (15:14-22)
b. Paul’s Travel plans (15:23-33)
c. Personal Greetings (16:1-23)
d. Benediction (16:25-27)
Romans Introduction quotes
Romans: Introduction (quotes)
John Chysostom (347-407) wrote concerning Rome and Romans,
“I love Rome…for its beauty, its populousness, its power, its wealth, and for its successes in war. But I let all this pass, and esteem it blessed on this account, that both in his lifetime [Paul] wrote to them, loved them so, talked with them while he was with us, and brought his life to a close there. Wherefore the city is more notable upon this ground than upon all others together.”
Augustine (354-430) wrote concerning his conversion to Christ:
“Suddenly I heard a voice from the nearby house chanting as if it might be a boy or a girl…saying and repeating over and over again ‘Pick up and read, pick up and read.’…I interpreted it solely as a divine command to me to open the book and read the first chapter I might find…So I hurried back to the place where…I had put down the book of the apostle when I got up. I seized it, opened it and in silence read the first passage on which my eye lit: ‘Not in riots and drunken parties, not in eroticism and indecencies, not in strife and rivalry, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts’ (Ro 13:13-14). I neither wished nor needed to read further. At once, with the last words of this sentence, it was as if a light of relief from all anxiety flooded into my heart. All the shadows of doubt were dispelled.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote about his conversion:
“I had greatly longed to understand Paul’s letter to the Romans, and nothing stood in the way but that one expression ‘the righteousness of God’, because I took it to mean that righteousness whereby God is righteous and acts righteously in punishing the unrighteous…Night and day I pondered until…I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas before ‘the righteousness of God’ had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven.”
And concerning Romans in particular:
“really the chief part of the New Testament, and…truly the purest gospel.” “It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul.”
John Calvin (1509-1564) wrote about Romans, “if we have gained a true understanding of this Epistle, we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture.”
William Tyndale (1494-1536) wrote Romans is “the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament, and most Euangelion, that is to say glad tidings…and also a light and a way in unto the whole Scripture.”
John Wesley (1703-1791) wrote about his assurance of faith,
“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He has taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Karl Barth (1886-1968) in his commentary on Romans realized
“Our relation to God is ungodly…We assume that…we are able to arrange our relation to him as we arrange our other relationships…We dare to deck ourselves out as his companions, patrons, advisers and commissioners…This is the ungodliness of our relation to God.”
F F Bruce (1910-1990), reminding us that Romans is not just for the theologians,
“there is no saying what may happen when people begin to study the letter to the Romans. So, let those who have read thus far be prepared for the consequences of reading farther: you have been warned!”
John Chysostom (347-407) wrote concerning Rome and Romans,
“I love Rome…for its beauty, its populousness, its power, its wealth, and for its successes in war. But I let all this pass, and esteem it blessed on this account, that both in his lifetime [Paul] wrote to them, loved them so, talked with them while he was with us, and brought his life to a close there. Wherefore the city is more notable upon this ground than upon all others together.”
Augustine (354-430) wrote concerning his conversion to Christ:
“Suddenly I heard a voice from the nearby house chanting as if it might be a boy or a girl…saying and repeating over and over again ‘Pick up and read, pick up and read.’…I interpreted it solely as a divine command to me to open the book and read the first chapter I might find…So I hurried back to the place where…I had put down the book of the apostle when I got up. I seized it, opened it and in silence read the first passage on which my eye lit: ‘Not in riots and drunken parties, not in eroticism and indecencies, not in strife and rivalry, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in its lusts’ (Ro 13:13-14). I neither wished nor needed to read further. At once, with the last words of this sentence, it was as if a light of relief from all anxiety flooded into my heart. All the shadows of doubt were dispelled.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) wrote about his conversion:
“I had greatly longed to understand Paul’s letter to the Romans, and nothing stood in the way but that one expression ‘the righteousness of God’, because I took it to mean that righteousness whereby God is righteous and acts righteously in punishing the unrighteous…Night and day I pondered until…I grasped the truth that the righteousness of God is that righteousness whereby, through grace and sheer mercy, he justifies us by faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas before ‘the righteousness of God’ had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressibly sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gateway to heaven.”
And concerning Romans in particular:
“really the chief part of the New Testament, and…truly the purest gospel.” “It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul.”
John Calvin (1509-1564) wrote about Romans, “if we have gained a true understanding of this Epistle, we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture.”
William Tyndale (1494-1536) wrote Romans is “the principle and most excellent part of the New Testament, and most Euangelion, that is to say glad tidings…and also a light and a way in unto the whole Scripture.”
John Wesley (1703-1791) wrote about his assurance of faith,
“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He has taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Karl Barth (1886-1968) in his commentary on Romans realized
“Our relation to God is ungodly…We assume that…we are able to arrange our relation to him as we arrange our other relationships…We dare to deck ourselves out as his companions, patrons, advisers and commissioners…This is the ungodliness of our relation to God.”
F F Bruce (1910-1990), reminding us that Romans is not just for the theologians,
“there is no saying what may happen when people begin to study the letter to the Romans. So, let those who have read thus far be prepared for the consequences of reading farther: you have been warned!”
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