Thinking Through Romans
—Paul’s letter to the Romans
A third series of studies in Paul’s letter to the Romans exploring the thinking and doctrine of Paul. The series of lessons includes a chart of the concept threads in Romans, and an outline of the book. Tap any title next to an arrow in the list below.
➤ CHART Threads in Romans —An appendix to the studies in Paul's letter to the Romans, charting the tapestry of Paul's teaching
➤ Highest, Mightiest, Greatest —In Romans 1:4, Paul represents Jesus Christ our Lord as a man above all. He has been granted the highest mark, the mightiest power, and the greatest miracle (his resurrection).
Outline of Romans
➤ Paul's Essay on Faith (Romans 1-4) —Part one of an outline of Romans. The main topic of these chapters is faith.
➤ The Death of Christ (Romans 5-6) —Part two of an outline of Romans. In these chapters Paul teaches us what the death of Christ means to us, and how we should respond.
➤ The Freedom of Faith (Romans 7-8) —Part three of an outline of Romans. Paul teaches us about freedom from law, sin, and fear.
➤ The Israel of God (Romans 9-11) —Part four of an outline of Romans. Paul teaches us about Israel's relationship with God.
➤ Therefore I Urge You (Romans 12-16) —Part five of an outline of Romans. In these chapters Paul exhorts the Romans to faith and obedience and speaks of his ministry.
Paul’s Teaching on Grace, Faith, and Law
➤ God’s Law, Sin, and Grace —Examines the message of Paul that we do not receive God's grace by repudiating his law. Paul sees God's law and grace combining, not conflicting.
➤ Four Laws in Romans —Discusses the law of sin, the law in the creation from ancient times, the covenant with Israel, and the gospel of Christ or new covenant.
➤ Faith and Obedience —Paul begins and ends his letter to the Romans with a statement of his mission. It is "to bring about obedience of faith" (Romans 1:5, l6:26).
➤ A Law of Faith —Paul's teaching about being justified by faith rather than by law is not an easy topic, so I keep this lesson short, to the point, and as simple as possible.
➤ God's Law in Your Heart —Notices that when promising the new covenant, God said, "I will put my law within them and on their heart I will write it..." (Jeremiah 31:31-33). Why is the heart the place where God's law must be?
➤ The New Was In the Old —We ought to see glimpses of the gospel in the former covenants, not remnants of the former covenants in the gospel.
➤ God's Choices —We notice three examples of God making choices according to his will. These examples come from Paul's letter to the Romans.
➤ Natural Law —We think about creation, instinct, and conscience to see whether people can, by these, know God's law naturally without divine revelation.