Reviewing the First Two Chapters of Romans
Thinking about Romans 1-2.
As we prepare to move forward in our study of Romans, we must remind ourselves of the big picture.
Remember Paul’s theme of Romans.
We must never forget the theme of this letter to the Christians in Rome.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
Everything Paul writes by inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Romans builds upon the theme of the gospel of Christ.
Outline of Romans 1-2.
Our study so far in Romans can be briefly outlined in the following way:
Paul’s greeting to the church in Rome (Romans 1:1-7).
Paul’s desire to see the church in Rome face-to-face (Romans 1:8-15).
The gospel of Christ is the theme (Romans 1:16-17).
God's wrath and righteous judgment upon the Gentile’s sin (Romans 1:18-32).
God's righteous, impartial judgment will be according to everyone’s deeds (Romans 2:1-16).
The Jews’ knowledge of the law and circumcision would grant them no special treatment at the Judgment, for they too had sinned (Romans 2:17-29).
Thoughts about our study so far.
To show each person’s need for the gospel of Christ, Paul demonstrates that no matter who you are - you cannot stand justified before the righteous, impartial Judge of all the earth on your own. This point will be driven home in Romans 3.
Until someone realizes their need for the gospel of Christ - why would they ever turn to Him? This is the discussion Paul has with the Jew, who thought their heritage and the Law of Moses was all they needed to stand justified before God.
When we realize that we are sinners who will stand condemned before the righteous Judge - and that there is no way we can “get rid of” our guilty sentence on our own - we are in the right place to recognize that we stand in need of saving.
We need “good news.”
Paul will build upon all humanity’s need for the gospel of Christ in the coming chapters of Romans. I’m looking forward to the rest of our studies together!