Overview of Romans

Overview of Romans

I. Intro. + Theme 1:1-15 II. Condemnation 1:18-3:20 III. Justification 3:21-4:25 IV. Sanctification 5:1-8:39 V. Illustration 9:1-11:36 VI. Application 12:1-15:13VII. Epilogue 15:14-16:27

How much does ritual impact relationship?

The focus of the passage is on Abraham’s circumcision.

Does it affect a relationship with God?

What about baptism and communion today?

Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:1-2

“If Abraham was justified by works…”James 2:21-26

Both Abraham and Rahab were justified before men by works!


Justification before God is forensic.

“Belonging to, used in, or suitable to courts of judicature or to public discussion and debate”.

Merriam-Webster


Justification before God is a legal act whereby we are declared righteous.

Justification before men is interpersonal.

This lesser justification has nothing to do with God in terms of acceptance before Him.

Ritual and relationship – Rom. 4:3

Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness!

God accepted Abraham’s faith as a substitute for the righteousness he lacked.

And, so He does ours!


When we believe we are given a “faith-righteousness” instead of a “works-righteousness”!

Christ paid for our “works-failure”.


Abraham is the example to the rest of us.

Conclusion – Rom. 4:4-5

Righteousness comes by grace through faith!


Righteousness cannot be in any way earned.Romans 3:22-24; Eph. 2:8-9

“Compensation not put to his account……his faith is put to his account as righteousness”


Works have no part in righteousness before God!


David affirms the same truth.


The emphasis is on the second part of the verse.


God charges us with nothing at all.

Circumcision – Rom. 4:9-10

Circumcision had nothing to do with righteousness!


Abraham becomes the spiritual Father of both the Jewish and Gentile believers.


No covenant would have been made with Abraham had he been unjustified.

Circumcision – Rom. 4:13

“Heir of the world”Gen. 12:3

A promise of universal blessing.


Abraham understood this as a prophecy about the gospel and justification by faith.

Gal. 3:8-9


“Heir of the world”The world to come will be filled with those who

believe.Gal. 3:7


Since “by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified”, the Abrahmic Promise cannot be

received by it.


In fact, the Law only brings wrath!

The Law makes its violation obvious to people.

Circumcision – Rom. 4:16-17a

Man’s inability leads to all believers (and only believers), whether Jews and Gentiles, being the

objects of God’s blessing.

Circumcision – Rom. 4:17b

God can bring something out of nothing and life from the dead.

Circumcision – Rom. 4:17b

Even though Abraham’s spiritual descendants (like us!) didn’t exist yet, since God is God, it was as

good as done.

Abraham knew and believed that!


Abraham had hope (a confident expectation) in what God could do.


Both Abraham’s body and his wife’s womb were as good as dead, unable to bring life.


Abraham ignored that deadness and focused on the object of his faith.

Abraham took God at His word!


Abraham took God at His word…

…and he was justified for it.


“To those who would believe in the One…”John 5:24; 1 John 5:11


Ironically, the disciples didn’t even know Jesus would be raised from the dead (John 20:8-9; 2:22).

But they DID believe in the One who would do so!


Paul will soon speak again about God’s ability to give life to a dead body!


God both delivered Jesus over to death (Acts 2:23) and raised Him from the dead for us!


Sins have been dealt with and the payment has been accepted.


Now, Christ’s risen life becomes the focus of Paul.

Overview of Romans

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