“The profoundest piece of writing in existence” Samuel Coleridge “The chief book of the New Testament. It deserves to be known by heart, word for word, by every Christian” Martin Luther “The cathedral of Christian faith” Frederick Godet “This epistle is the principal and most excellent part of the New Testaments, and most pure evangelion…the more it is studied the easier it is; the more it is chewed, the pleasanter it is; and the more groundly it is searched, the preciouser things are found in it” William Tyndale

APOSTLE PAUL A Jew A Roman citizen Tarsus – Greek education Jerusalem – Gamaliel Christian persecutor Road to Damascus personal call Greatest missionary Human author of 13 epistles

ROMAN CHURCH Began by Jews after Pentecost Gentiles added 49 AD Claudius expelled Jews from Rome Church became 100% Gentile Jews returned 57 AD Paul wrote the letter

PAUL’S PURPOSE Written in 57 AD in Corinth after 25 years of ministry Secure a base for his mission to Spain Unify the Roman Christians The coming crisis in Jerusalem Define and defend the Gospel Present the Christian worldview

WORLDVIEWS Worldview: – A network of your basic beliefs that you assume to be true without proof by which you interpret and do life. – We all have a foundational belief system that determines how we live – Everyone uses their worldview consistently or inconsistently, consciously or unconsciously – Hypocrisy: pretending to have a worldview that you don’t live by 6

WORLDVIEWS Metaphysics: what is real (prime reality)? – Supernatural only – Natural only – Supernatural & Natural Epistemology: what is true (and how do you know)? – Absolute or Relative? – Determined by senses, logic, experience? – Determined by Divine revelation? Ethics: What is right and wrong (ought/ought not)? – Determined by individuals, cultures, evolution, or God? – How do you live? 7

HUMANS WHAT ARE THEY? WHAT IS THEIR PROBLEM? A highly complex machine? A naked ape? A sleeping god? A valuable person made in the image of God? Why are humans like they are? What is their relationship to God? What is their purpose? What happens after humans die? How do humans decide how to live? 8

ROMANS OUTLINE Chapters 1-8 – Doctrinal – Theological – Metaphysics Chapters 9-11 – God’s relationship to Jews – Gentile’s relationship to Jews – Metaphysics & Ethics Chapters – Practical – Ethics

Chapters 1-6 – God’s righteousness imputed judicially through the substitutionary death of Christ to those who believe - Justification Chapter 5: “Therefore since we have been justified by faith…” – We have peace with God – Access by faith – Hope of glory – Rejoice in sufferings – God’s love poured into our hearts – Saved from the wrath of God Chapters 7-8 – God’s righteousness imparted in believers by the Holy Spirit - Sanctification

GOD’S CHOSEN PEOPLE: THE JEWS Chapters 9-11 – Why do the Jews not believe in Christ? – What is God’s plan for them now? – What is God’s plan for them in the future? – How do Gentile believers relate to them?

CHRISTIAN ETHICS Chapters What is your purpose? What are you living for? How do you relate to believers? How do you relate to unbelievers? How do you relate to authorities?

KEYS TO ROMANS Key Verses: – 1:16-17 – 3:21-26 – 11:25-29 – 12:1-2 Key Words: – Righteousness – Justification – Faith Key Chapter: 8

25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.