I’ve been studying the book of Romans recently, and I’ve discovered a lot of really cool things. Reading through this book, it’s easy to see the divinity behind the Bible — people, simple minded humans, can’t come up with the stuff written in this Book. There’s a lot of really great passages, as well as some provoking examples for Christians to follow.
This post is meant to be an intro to the book of Romans. If you’re wanting to study the book of Romans in depth, or if you’re wanting an overview of this book, I hope you’ll find this study useful.
In the first couple of chapters, Paul talks about Jews and Gentiles, and illustrates some key things about God’s amazing plan. To me, Romans is a good book to study with newer (not brand new) converts — there’s a lot of really good foundational stuff, but some things — especially at the beginning of the book — might be a little complicated for a new believer.
In this intro, I’ll be covering the first chapter of this book. (Note: this post was originally going to cover the first six chapters — but there’s just so much great stuff in Romans that I couldn’t fit it all in one post! :D) Again, this is an intro to the book of Romans. I encourage you study this book in depth; there’s a lot of really good content in here.
Paul’s Greeting
”Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
How would you feel if Paul, the great evangelist, decided to write you a letter? To the Christians in Rome, I’m sure that just receiving this letter must have been a great encouragement. Paul does more than that — he spends several verses explaining how much he cares for them [quote 8-12]. I find this to be very similar to 1 Thessalonians 1. This entire first chapter is an encouragement to the church at Thessalonica. I’ve never realized that a whole chapter was dedicated to encouragement (which is why it’s great to have friends who will study the Bible with you! :D), and it really stuck out me. Paul has had to deal with a lot of really crummy stuff in his life, but yet he still takes the time to mention that he thanks God for them and that he wants to be encouraged by them.
This leads me to think: how often do be encourage our brethren? Do we think, “encouraging people isn’t such a big deal”? Or are we too bothered by the discouraging things in the world to exhort our brothers? Paul places so much importance on exhortation that he starts his letter by saying that he thanks God for them and their faith.
(And by the way, I’ve posted similar thoughts in a previous post, “Exhort One Another.” Check it out!)
Spreading the Gospel
”Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
The next couple of verses, 13-17, show Paul’s willingness to spread the gospel. Evangelism requires a lot of work. Active evangelism, like door knocking or asking for Bible studies requires one to be willing to step out of their comfort zone. Even smaller things, like calling people on the phone to check on them requires time and effort on our part. I think we’ve all had those days where we’re tired, we feel kind of “blah,” and we just don’t feel like going to church. It’s tough, but we need to spread the Word.
So, in more or less words, we need to follow Paul’s example and share the gospel.
What can stand in our way of spreading the gospel?
Fear. I think this is the single biggest reason why there isn’t more evangelism going on today. We get scared! “What if they don’t want to study the Bible with me?” “What is they laugh at me?” “What if they bring up an argument or point that I don’t know how to answer?” That’s fear inside of us talking. We shouldn’t have to be scared of spreading the gospel.
And why? Because God is on our side! This isn’t like some kind of game, where handicaps are placed for the sake of increasing the level of difficulty. God wants people to be saved! God wants us to show people the way.
Think about this: look at the effort you’re making to share the message of salvation. What if God put as much effort into bringing leading you to repentance as you’re putting into spreading the Word? What if God was lazy in washing your sins away? We wouldn’t be in a very good situation. Why don’t we teach the message more? Are you scared of what others might think of you? You shouldn’t be. People can’t break our allegiance to God, and they can’t force us to sin. They might hate us and hurt us (even physically), but that shouldn’t stop us from serving Him. Look at what Jesus had to go through. Remember, He said that “the servant cannot be higher than the master” — so we should be willing to suffer or be killed for His sake.
That’s the worst case scenario. What’s the worst that could happen to us in our everyday lives? What, someone might laugh at us? Wow, that’s horrible. Not really, compared to what Jesus suffered. We should feel ashamed for backing down just because someone laughs at us or mocks us for our beliefs. Don’t forget who’s sending this message. Paul, the guy who’s been beaten, stoned, left for dead… and he’s willing to say this.
What does it take to spread the gospel? Spreading God’s word means we must have a firm foundation on what the Bible teaches. If we don’t understand what we are teaching, how can we get others to understand? We must be strong in the faith, able to refute those who contradict as well as having teaching experience. I think a good example for any Christian to follow is the example of the elders given in 1 Timothy and Titus. Granted, not everyone can be the husband of one wife (and certain other qualifications may not apply to some), but it’s definitely a great guide for any Christian to follow. We must think of the example that we are showing those in the world. Remember, that not everyone is cut out to be a teacher or a preacher. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t to spread the gospel. Just because we aren’t standing at a podium doesn’t mean that we aren’t “preachers.” Preaching the gospel and sharing the word is something that every Christian should be willing to do.
Gentiles are guilty
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.”
It’s important for us to remember that in the first chapters of Romans Paul is talking to the Jews. Many of the principles that Paul talks throughout Romans applies to Jews and Gentiles in relation to the old Law. It’s important that we understand this, otherwise, some statements might confuse us or be taken out of context. I’m hoping to point out some of the things Paul is talking about, while applying some of the principles to us, Christians today.
What is Paul saying in this section? He’s telling them that the Gentiles don’t have an excuse anymore. God’s attributes are clearly seen, and it’s impossible for them not to conclude that He isn’t behind it all. This reminds me of 2 Pet 3:5. What groups of people think are overcome by their own smarts that they discount God? Scientists, evolutionists, atheists, and agnostics. It also talks about them worshiping idols. Even in “cultured” civilizations, idol worship still goes on today — the idols usually don’t have a physical form. The idols are money, sex, power, and fame. These things are worshipped above anything, and these objects are given a god-like status. As Christians, we must remember that time God is God, and there is nothing else worth glorifying and worshipping.
Results of Ungodliness
”Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Even today, the results of people’s ungodliness can cause physical and mental problems. People living sex-filled lives end up with STDs, unwanted babies (who are usually aborted), and alimony or child support payments.People who do drugs end up with deadly conditions like cancer, or they’re killed by others who want money or drugs. See what happens when people live their lives without God? This kind of stuff happens when people don’t follow God’s wise and amazing plan. In God’s plan for marriage (and intimacy), one man and woman, learn about each other and begin to love each other, giving up their wants for their partner, and sacrifice things they want because they want their spouse to be happy. They keep themselves pure for one another. These are two people who will live their lives for one another, and for God.
Now let’s look at what happens when foolish people try making up their own rules: people pretend that sex is intimacy, and many people unwisely think that this is the most important part of a relationship. People don’t care about staying monogamous, and develop diseases which are passed on by other foolish people. None of these people are happy, because they’re worried about their partner finding someone who has a better physical appearance, or they’re afraid of dying from an STD. These are people who will never find happiness or joy in a relationship.
Hmm, which situation looks better? Which would situation would you like to be in? Good choice. We need to look at things “in the long run,” and not what seems pleasurable for the moment.
It’s interesting to see that God “gave them up to uncleanness” — it’s not as if God was perverting them to do this things, they were lead “through the lusts of their own hearts.”
That’s part one of this study on Romans. Like I said, I was going to have more… but it’s long as it is already. ;D I’ll work on polishing the rest of it later, but I do have some other ideas for other posts!
If you’ve found this chapter to be confusing, I hope this has helped. If you’ve got any question, or if you think I’ve left something out — comment below. :D
Tags: christianity, gentiles, intro, jews, paul, romans, sin, study
Well that’s cool. I’ve been studying Romans lately. :] The section on Spreading the Gospel was especially encouraging to me. :)
I guess that’s not really a question etc….but yeah. I’m looking forward to more about Romans, if you decide to continue this string.