Romans 1
Summary
The problem is the way we think
Knowing about God Romans 1:19
They knew God, but did not glorify or thank Him Romans 1:21
Did not think it worthwhile to retain the Knowledge of God. Romans 1:28
They knew God’s righteous degrees Romans 1:32
Paul will write later about the renewed mind
But in Chapter 1, Paul says what pleases God is FAITH
Because FAITH will reveal God’s Righteousness
As it does, it will change the way we think
The Christians in Rome approached God differently
The Gentiles approached God from a worldly point of view
The Jewish believers approached God from the traditions of the law
Paul takes us all back to where it all starts
By Faith
Throughout the journey of faith, Jews and Gentiles alike can only find God’s righteousness by FAITH
Chapter 2 starts Paul’s argument that “All Have Sin”
So don’t pass judgement on others
Remember it is FAITH that reveals God’s Righteousness
So, how is your thinking affecting your faith?
Summary
In Romans 1, Paul paints a picture.
A picture of the Gospel…
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
Romans 1:16
This Gospel, that has the power to save, is to everyone.
First God’s Good News is to reach the Jews.
Second, to the rest of humanity, the Gentiles.
Paul will later address Abraham and God’s
promise to him and his descendants, the Jewish people.
Just some back ground in Rome
at the time Paul is writing…
The Jews had been expelled from Rome by Emperor Clavdis
and about 5 years later the Jews, including Jesus
following Jews, were allowed to return to Rome.
When they returned, they found the church divided
between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christian.
The division was over Jewish tradition and law
and the freedom in Christ as Gentiles.
So, in the first chapter, Paul establishes
something every believer should agree on…
“Faith”
A faith that produces “Righteousness”.
Although Paul does not say it in the first chapter,
it was Faith that made Abraham righteous.
Faith is where we all must start in order
to find righteousness in God’s eyes…
For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Romans 1:17
Once you get past the introduction,
Paul paints a picture of God’s wrath on unrighteousness.
This picture gives a clear image of Gentiles living in Rome.
For the Jews, they saw God’s
wrath throughout their history.
The things going on in Rome were
like that of Sodom and Gomorrah.
God had used the Jewish people to bring
His wrath upon wicked people and lands.
The week before Jesus was crucified,
the Jewish believers shouted in the streets….
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,
"Hosanna !"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Blessed is the King of Israel!"
John 12:13
The Jewish believers in Rome understood the wickedness of Rome…
The defilement of all they believed and practiced.
They thought Jesus as King of the Jews
would destroy Rome in His wrath.
As Paul says…
“The wrath of God is being revealed.”
The Jewish believer can’t help but see God’s
wrath poured out on the Gentiles, Rome.
For the Gentile believers, Paul’s writing would be seen differently
than that of their Jewish brother and sister believers.
Although Paul sees the Church as one,
with both Jews and Gentiles…
The Jews and Gentiles were divided.
When you read on in Chapter 2 of Romans,
you see Paul speaking to the Jewish believers.
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
Romans 2:1-2
There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism. Romans 2:9-11
Paul was saying to the Jews in Chapter 2…
“Not so fast, God’s Judgement is not only
coming on the Gentiles, but on the Jews as well”.
Paul throughout the Book of Romans was
addressing the division between Jews and Gentiles.
He draws their attention to the Gospel and its central theme…
FAITH
Righteousness living is discovered by Faith.
Faith reveals God’s Righteousness.
From the first embrace of Faith to the last…
Our Righteousness is revealed by Faith.
The Gentiles who come to Faith in God
come with a background and traditions.
The Jews who come to Faith
come with a background and traditions.
In Chapter 1, Paul tells us the reason for God’s wrath.
The problem isn’t the breaking of the Jewish commandments.
The problem is the way we think…
Knowing about God
Romans 1:19
They Knew God but did not glorify or thank Him.
Romans 1:21
Did not think it worthwhile to retain the Knowledge of God.
Romans 1:28
They knew God’s righteous degrees
Romans 1:32
Paul will write later about the renewed mind.
But in Chapter 1, Paul says what pleases God is FAITH.
Because FAITH will reveal God’s Righteousness.
As it does, it will change the way we think.
The Christians in Rome approached God differently.
The Gentiles approached God from a worldly point of view.
The Jewish believer approached God from the traditions of the law.
Paul takes us all back to where it all starts…
By Faith.
Throughout the journey of Faith,
Jews and Gentiles alike can only
find God’s Righteousness by FAITH.
Chapter 2 starts Paul’s argument that “All Have Sin”…
So don’t pass judgment on others.
Remember it is FAITH that reveals God’s Righteousness.
So, how is your thinking effecting your faith?
Scripture Reading
Romans 1:16-17 NIV
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
