Romans 1-6

Paul’s epistle to the Romans is a paradoxical document. On the one hand it is one of the clearest and most profound doctrinal books in the Bible. On the other hand, it is the source of more doctrinal misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and mischief, than any other Biblical book, not even excepting the Book of Revelation.

Four things are apparent with reference to this inspired writing of the Apostle: It was written to and for and about the Saints, and can be understood by them and by them only. It was not written to the world in general, or to any branch of sectarianism in particular, and it is not and cannot be understood by them. It is the source of more sectarian confusion, more false concepts on basic points of doctrine, and results in more wresting of the scriptures, than any other inspired writing now available to men. In it is found the rationale used by Luther in his break with Catholicism.

Nearly one-fourth of the New Testament is written by Paul. Twenty-one of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament are epistles. They are arranged by length, with the exception of the Book of Hebrews, because of the uncertainty of the author. Joseph Smith said it was clearly Paul. It can be said with some certainty that the letter to Rome was written from Corinth near the end of the third journey, most likely during the winter months of A.D. 57-58.

Themes of Romans: Romans 1:16 (Acts 4:12) “The gospel of Jesus Christ is the plan of salvation. It embraces all the laws, principles, doctrines, rites, ordinances, acts, powers, authorities, and keys necessary to save and exalt men in the highest heaven thereafter. It is the covenant of salvation which the Lord makes with men on earth. Literally, gospel means glad tidings or good news concerning Christ, His atonement, the establishment of his earthly kingdom, and a possible future inheritance in His Celestial Presence” (Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. 331). Paul expands his theme, showing that true faith requires personal righteousness and obedience to gospel principles, a truth often overlooked by those who stress salvation by faith alone.

The sin of ingratitude: Romans 1:21 (Doctrine & Covenants 59:21) How serious is the sin of homosexuality? Romans 1:24, 26-27 Clearly it is hostile to God’s purpose in that it negates his first and great commandment to multiply and replenish the earth.

The seriousness of the sin is equal to or greater than that of fornication or adultery; and that the Lord’s Church will as readily take action to dis-fellowship or excommunicate the unrepentant practicing homosexuality. The glorious thing to remember is that it is curable and forgivable! Certainly it can be overcome! Many have been misinformed that they are powerless in that matter, not responsible for the tendency, and that “God made them that way.” This is as untrue as any other of the diabolical lies Satan has concocted. It is blasphemy (Kimball, Miracle of Forgiveness, 80-86).

Romans 3:28 This scripture motivates Martin Luther’s doctrinal position that later came to mark the reform movement. It is by the grace of Jesus Christ that we are saved (2 Nephi 25:23). Romans 4:16 A perfect, revealed summary of how men are justified. J.S.T. Therefore ye are justified of faith and works, through grace, to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to them only who are of the law, but to them also who are of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all.

Grace: “God’s grace consist of love, mercy, and condescension toward his children. All things that exist are manifestations of the grace of God. The creation of the earth, life itself, the atonement of Christ, the plan of salvation, kingdoms of immortal glory hereafter, and the supreme gift of eternal life, all these things come by the grace of him whose we are. Grace is granted to men proportionately as they conform to the standards of personal righteousness that are part of the gospel plan.

Romans 4:17-22 Abraham’s might and faith was tested and proved in two ways: He believed God would give Sarah a son, though he was almost one hundred years old and she was well past the normal childbearing age (deadness of Sarah’s womb, v.19). He believed God would raise Isaac from the dead, if need be, to fulfill the promise, “In Isaac shall thy seed be called” (Genesis 21:12; Heb. 11:17-18).

Romans 5:3-5 “We glory in tribulations” Three blessings of tribulation! (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7) Patience Experience Holy Ghost “Being human, we would expel from our lives physical pain and mental anguish and assure ourselves of continual ease and comfort, but if we were to close the doors upon sorrow and distress, we might be excluding our greatest friends and benefactors. Suffering can make saints of people as they learn patience, long-suffering, and self-mastery. The sufferings of our Savior were part of his education..

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted “No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God… and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven…” (Orson F. Whitney, Spencer W. Kimball, Faith precedes the Miracle, 1975, 98).

Romans 5:11 “Atonement” Romans 6:1-6 “Baptism” This is the only reference to the word “atonement” in the New Testament! Romans 6:1-6 “Baptism” “Baptism cannot come by any other means than immersion of the entire body in water, for the following reasons…..

It is in the similitude of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and of all other who have received the resurrection. Baptism is also a birth and is performed in the similitude of the birth of a child into this world. Baptism is not only a figure of the resurrection, but also is literally a transplanting or resurrection from one life to another…” (Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of Salvation, 2:323-24).