Romans 1 Bible Study (Watch)

A biblical teaching of Romans 1 Bible Study Questions in Romans 1:1-32

In Chapter 1 of Romans we will discover that we all have a problem, and we all need the same solution. The solution is The Gift of Righteousness. And here’s the news flash, it’s FREE. Apart from works, apart from the law.

Paul will answer the question of what about people that never hear about God, “Are they saved”?

[Romans 1:1-2] 1 Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus,  called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which He promised beforehand

PROMISED BEFOREHAND: There is a ton of controversy about predestination. God chose you, but not you…This comes mostly from 2 books. Ephesians and Romans 9. This is one of those verses they use. Let’s back up a tad and see what was promised. The Gospel Of God is what was promised! We’ll dig deeper in Chapter 9, but let’s make clear, our view should not separate us. I personally can understand both views.

[Romans 1:2-3] through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son, who was born of a  descendant of David according to the flesh,

This IS a big deal. The big deal is we are NOT under the law. According to the law, ONLY a Levite can be a priest. Jesus was born a descendant of David from the tribe of Judah. NOT born a Levite. That would disqualify Jesus by the law.

Hebrews 7:11-14 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For when the priesthood is changed, of necessity there, takes place a change of law also. 13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests.

[Romans 1:4-6] 4 who was declared the Son of God with power  by the resurrection from the dead, according to the  Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake,6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

This is not saying Obedience of the law, or just being obedient. It says obedience of FAITH. Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. We tend to think the core of being obedient is DOING. But Romans will teach us that the core of being obedient is believing. God wants you to look at what He did for you and say OK, I believe it!

[Romans 1:7-8] 7 to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world.

The church of Rome is apparently doing something that is really pleasing to God and the whole world is hearing about it, and that is they are believing and the message of faith is being spread everywhere.

[Romans 1:9-10] 9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you.

(Gods Will) Some Christians are freaked out about being out of God’s will. It sounds Like even Paul didn’t always know where God was leading him, because he apparently tried many times to get to Rome but it didn’t happen.

[Romans 1:11]11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;

This is not some gift like tongues or healing powers, He only means sharing each other’s faith and growing in Christ.

 [Romans 1:12-13] 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.

What does this mean? It means even the Apostle Paul is learning. It’s okay to not know it all. That’s why we have these studies, similar to Paul and the Romans.

[Romans 1:14-17] 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.”

Not By works. By faith. God always talks about living by faith and not works.

Before we move forward, let’s jump forward and read something in Romans 2 so we understand the THEREFORE and don’t miss the point.

Romans 2:1 “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges”.

I think He’s talking about judging and people who would point their fingers at other people and picking out peoples certain sins and saying “well look at him, or him etc”

The verse finishes with “For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things”.

Paul’s point is that we are ALL guilty and that the law would condemn ALL OF US.

Paul will soon make clear that we are not to go around judging the world outside of the church but that he does desire order within the body of Christ.

Romans 2:2 “We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things”.

So there IS a place for judgment but God is the Judge, and He judges rightly.

Romans 2:3 “Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?”

So Pauls story in Romans is this. We are ALL up a creek. We ALL have the same problem and should not be pointing fingers. We all need the same thing, and that’s Jesus.

Back to Romans 1 vs 18 – Unbelief and Its Consequences

[Romans 1:18] 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth  in unrighteousness,

Note: the wrath of God is against ALL ungodliness, not just real bad things like murder, or adultery. BUT it’s of men who SUPPRESS the truth. And is the truth? The truth is Jesus is our savior. This is not about works.

[Romans 1:19] 19 because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.

In other words, there’s like some kind of internal programming in our minds. We just know God is real.

[Romans 1:20] 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.

So here we learn NONE OF US have any excuse. Not just the church, but all of the world.

[Romans 1:21-23] 21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

They are worshiping Pegan objects, or the Created, and not the creator. Exchanging the glory of God for something else.

[Romans 1:24-25] 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

This is NOT predestination or God being mean. Note Paul said, THEREFORE. Who did the choosing? They did. Who exchanged the truth for a lie? They did. And Therefore God gave them up.

[Romans 1:26-27] 26 For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27 and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error.

Pretty clear what Paul is saying here, right? A few Christians try real hard to twist this issue but it’s pretty straight forward here.

[Romans 1:28] 28 And just as they did not see fit  to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper,

Again, God not being mean, because WHO didn’t see fit? They didn’t.

[Romans 1:29] 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice;

We see all the perceived big sins, but here it comes, Paul about to point his finger at all of our sins, and every mouth will be shut up.

[Romans 1:30-32] they are gossips, 30 slanderers,  haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; 32 and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

Giving hearty approval. Doesn’t this sound familiar to what’s going on in today’s world?

Gossiping worthy of death? Yes

Disobedience to parents worthy of Death? Yes

That’s the law of sin and death. But the Spirit of life sets of free from the Spirit of law and death. That’s Jesus.

So again we read the beginning of Chapter 2 “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges, For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things”

So what your judging may not be the same thing you’re pointing your finger at, but when you go back to the list you’re still guilty of it all.

NOTE: We are called to judge within the church in a discerning way with love. But this judgment is NOT coupled with condemnation and it only occurs when a fellow believer is deep in sin, arrogant, and cocky about their sin. It’s not every time we have a stumble, say a bad word, or watch a rated R movie.

As we will see later there believers are righteous APART from works and APART from the law (a/k/a behavior). And that INCLUDES that person that’s all jacked up in his sin.

See Entire Romans Series  Below

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