Chapter-by-Chapter Outlines:
Romans 1
Romans 1:1-7 – Introduction to the letter to the church at Rome.
- To bring about the obedience of the faith for the sake of his name among all the nations. Rom. 1:6
Romans 1:8-15 – Five reasons why Paul wanted to visit Rome (none of which were to see the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain, or to go into the Colosseum!)
- Thankfulness, 2. prayer, 3. the giving of spiritual gifts, 4. mutual encouragement of faith, 5. the preaching of the gospel.
Romans 1:16-17 – A concise synopsis of salvation by faith
- The righteous shall live by faith. Rom. 1:17
Romans 1:18-32 – The fallout from the wrath of God.
- The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Rom. 1:1
A. What the unrighteous did. Rom. 1:18-23
- Having no excuse, for God had revealed his invisible attributes of eternal power & divine nature (Rom. 1:19-20) they:
- Suppressed the truth, Rom. 1:18
- Didn’t honor or give thanks to God. Rom. 1:21
- Exchanged the glory of God for images. Rom. 1:22
- Exchanged the truth of God for a lie. Rom. 1:25
- Worshipped and served the creature, not the Creator. Rom. 1:25
B. As a result, God’s judgment came upon the unrighteous. Rom. 1:24-27
- They became futile in their thinking. Rom 1:21
- Their foolish hearts were darkened. Rom. 1:21
- God gave them up to the lusts of their hearts – impurity and the dishonoring of their bodies. Rom. 1:24
- God have them up to dishonorable passions – homosexuality. Rom. 1:26-27
- Contrary to nature | consumed with passion for one another | committing shameless acts.
- God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Rom. 1:28-32
C. Consequently, refusing to acknowledge God, they committed all sorts of evil and unrighteousness. Rom. 1:28-31
Covetousness | malice | envy | murder | strife | deceit | maliciousness | gossips | slanderers | haters of God | insolent | haughty | boastful | inventors of evil | disobedient to parents | foolish | faithless | heartless | ruthless |
D. To make matters even worse… Rom. 1:32
Though they knew that their unrighteous acts were deserving of death, they brazenly gave approval to those who did the same. Rom. 1:32
Romans 2
A. Romans 2:1-5 – God’s righteous judgment upon those having hard and impenitent hearts who dare to judge others.
- Will have no excuse themselves. Rom. 2:1
- Do the same things as those whom they judge.
- Will be found guilty as well. Rom. 2:2
- Will not escape the judgment but will be rightly judged by God. Rom. 2:3
- Don’t understand that God’s patience with sinners is intended to lead them to repentance. Rom. 2:4.
- Are storing up wrath for themselves. Rom.2:5
B. Romans 2:6-11 – The difference in judgment between the righteous and wicked.
- God is a fair judge.
- He will render to each one according to his works. Rom. 2:6a
- It doesn’t matter whether you’re a Jew or a Greek, for God shows no partiality. Rom. 2:10-11
2. The judgment of the righteous.
- The righteous are those who patiently seek for glory, honor, and immortality. Rom. 2:6b
- The righteous will receive eternal life, glory, honor, and peace. Rom. 2:9
3. The judgment of the wicked.
- The wicked are those who are self-seeking. Rom. 2:8a
- The wicked are those who do not obey the truth but rather unrighteousness. Rom. 2:8b
- The wicked will receive God’s wrath and fury. Rom. 8c
- The wicked will receive tribulation and distress. Rom. 2:9
C. Rom. 2:12-16 – All men have the Law of God, therefore those who sin will perish.
- Those who have the [oral/written] Mosaic Law will be judged accordingly.
- The hearers of the Law will not be justified before God. Rom. 2:13a
- The doers of the Law will be justified before God. Rom. 2:13b
2. Those who do not have the [oral/written] Mosaic Law will also be judged accordingly.
- The Gentiles have the Law of God written on their hearts. Rom. 2:15a
- The conscience of the Gentiles bear witness to the Law written on their hearts. Rom. 2:15b
D. Rom. 2:17-24 – The four marks of a righteous Jew who follows the Law.
- A guide to the blind. Rom. 2:19a
- A light to those who are in darkness. Rom. 2:19b
- An instructor of the foolish. Rom. 2:20a
- A teacher of knowledge and truth. Rom. 2:20
- Those who teach, preach, and boast should not dishonor God by breaking the Law. Rom. 2:24
E. Rom. 2:25-29 – Physical vs. spiritual circumcision.
- Those who are physically uncircumcised, but keep the law, are regarded as circumcised. Rom. 2:26
- Jews are not Jews simply because of their physical circumcision. Rom. 2:28
- Circumcision is of the heart, not by the Law, but by the Holy Spirit. Rom. 2:29