Romans
Paul's masterpiece on the gospel: all have sinned, and the just shall live by faith
Romans at a glance
Paul's masterpiece on the gospel: all have sinned, and the just shall live by faith
Romans is the apostle Paul's letter to the believers in Rome, a church he had not yet visited, written near the end of his third missionary journey, most likely from Corinth. It stands first among the epistles not because it was written first but because it is the fullest, most systematic explanation of the gospel in the Bible. Paul writes to prepare the Romans for his coming visit and to set out, step by careful step, how a righteous God can declare guilty sinners righteous through faith in Jesus Christ.
The letter's argument unfolds like a courtroom case. First the verdict: Jew and Gentile alike are guilty, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Then the remedy: justification by faith, illustrated by Abraham, secured by the blood of Christ, bringing peace with God. Chapters 6 through 8 trace the believer's new life in the Spirit, rising to the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Chapters 9 through 11 wrestle with Israel's place in God's plan, and the closing chapters turn doctrine into duty: living sacrifices, sincere love, and obedience to God.
Romans matters because it is the gospel written out in full. Its truths sparked the conversions of Augustine and the awakening of Luther and Wesley, and its promise still stands: therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 King James Version
Explore Romans
How Romans unfolds
7 sections- 1The gospel and the guilty world (ch. 1-3)Paul declares the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, then proves that Gentile and Jew alike stand guilty: all have sinned.
- 2Justification by faith (ch. 3-5)Righteousness comes by faith in Christ's blood, apart from the works of the law; Abraham is the pattern, and through one man's obedience many are made righteous.
- 3Dead to sin, alive to God (ch. 6-7)The believer is buried with Christ and raised to walk in newness of life, yet still feels the war between the law of the mind and the law of sin.
- 4Life in the Spirit (ch. 8)There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus; the Spirit gives life, all things work together for good, and nothing can separate us from the love of God.
- 5Israel and God's purpose (ch. 9-11)Paul grieves for his kinsmen, explains God's sovereign mercy and Israel's stumbling, and promises that God has not cast away his people.
- 6Living sacrifices (ch. 12-13)In view of God's mercies, believers present their bodies as living sacrifices, love without hypocrisy, bless persecutors, and submit to governing authorities.
- 7The strong, the weak, and Paul's plans (ch. 14-16)Paul urges patience between strong and weak believers, shares his hope to visit Rome on the way to Spain, and closes with greetings and a doxology.
People to know
5 figures- PaulThe author, a servant of Jesus Christ called to be an apostle, writing to a church he longs to visit.
- The believers in RomeThe recipients, a mixed congregation of Jewish and Gentile Christians in the empire's capital.
- AbrahamPaul's great example of justification by faith: he believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
- AdamThe one man through whom sin entered the world, set against Christ, through whom grace abounds to many.
- PhebeA servant of the church at Cenchrea, commended by Paul and traditionally the bearer of the letter.
Words worth carrying with you
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:23 · KJV
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 · KJV
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 · KJV
Think you know Romans?
60 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.
Leading a group? Download the free printable Romans quiz pack (PDF) - questions, answer key with verses, and a score sheet.
The whole book, on video
The full narrated quiz - timed, illustrated, and made for playing together.
Romans Bible Quiz: Righteousness by Faith | 30 Questions
Hard Romans Bible Quiz: Deep Cuts | Can You Score 30/30?