Where do these verses fit into
the overall flow of Romans.
1. Remember this book was written to explain Paul’s gospel.
2. Paul’s ministry calling was to the Gentiles “to bring about the obedience of faith.” The crucial points to his gospel are laid out for them to understand their faith and its distinction from the Jewish tradition of works or even the moralist systems of the world, but also reaffirm the Jews are still a people of promise.
3.
The theme verses: Rom 1:16-17 - (a) Paul’s overwhelming confidence in the
gospel; (b) righteousness that is by faith (c) salvation is for everyone (d)
belief (faith) is vital for salvation.
4.
Only the “righteous-by-faith shall live” as
Leslie C. Allen translates. The first 3 chapters present a case of failure
regarding any human characteristic, work, system or tradition to achieve
righteousness; so that only through Christ will we find the answer.
5.
It must be said up front that verses 18-32 of
chapter 1 have often been misused by the moralist or self-righteous to bolster
their ego, convincing themselves that at least they are better than those who
go to the depths of depravity. However,
be warned that chapter 2 will address those who believe they are morally
superior.
6.
Baptists
(Evangelicals) as well as other Protestants have always taught Justification by
Faith.
The
Legal Case Regarding Man’s Failure
When you study Romans, you
walk into a courtroom. First Paul called Jews and Gentiles to the stand and
found both guilty before God. Then he explained God's marvelous way of
salvation - justification by faith. (From The Bible Exposition Commentary.
Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook
Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.)
· Follow the progression of arguments “the trail of therefores” – connected by “therefore”, “for”, “for this reason”, “just as”, “because of this” or “furthermore” (see verses 18, 21, 24, 26, 28)
· First, we saw “the righteousness of God revealed” (Rom 1:17.) Now we see the Judgment (wrath) of God revealed (v18.) It is revealed because we suppress the truth. This contrast points to our (mankind’s) accountability for “suppressing” truth that God reveals. These are the first in several “reveals” in the book of Romans (see also 2:5, 8:18-19, 10:20, 16:26) Remember that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the only unpardonable sin. That is because the Spirit testifies of Jesus as the only way. When we reject the only way, then we have no other recourse. The revelation of God’s wrath is also what transpired on the Cross of Christ. God’s wrath will also be revealed at the last day.
· Truth has been revealed by virtue of an internal witness (v19) and an external witness (20.) The internal witness we call conviction, guilt, shame, insight, or any of several factors which depend upon God’s active work in our lives to help us understand our fallen nature and need for redemption. The external witness is seen through creation and also depends upon God’s active work to reveal Himself in the wonder and majesty of the creation. It is obvious by its complexity and wonder that the creation must have a creator whom we should honor and to whom we should submit ourselves. The things of God we see in creation include: His invisible attributes among which are His eternal power and divine nature.
·
Man rejects God by false confidence in his
intellect (v21-23): futile speculations, foolish hearts, false wisdom, exchange
of an incorruptible God for images in the form of corruptible things.
Leslie Allen describes the state of the Hellenistic world of that day as
chaotic. “Animals have become gods, man has become woman, wrong has become
right. Nature without the true God has
become unnatural. The Creator has been rejected and the creation is in chaos.”
· There is a progression to the revelation of God’s wrath (historical-but also present and ongoing judgment)
1. (Therefore) God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity – v24
· Dishonoring of their bodies
· Exchange the truth of God for a lie
· Worshiping the creation
2. (For this reason) God gave them over to degrading passions – v26
· Women exchanged the natural function for the unnatural -
· Men abandoned the natural
· Receiving due penalty
3. (Just as …) God gave them over to a depraved mind – v28
· A litany of unrighteous deeds
· Wholehearted approval
· Total depravity
The wrath of God is a discouraging subject. So also is the subject of our sinful and depraved nature. However, it is the first in a sequence of logical proofs that we are bent on rebellion and that salvation can only come from God.
Lest one despair over sin, there is good news, which is “revealed” in later chapters of Romans. Paul will subsequently lay out the principles of Justification by Faith, Peace with God, the victorious Life in the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit and the Christian life. But, the good news is also affirmed in verse 17 which speaks to the righteousness we obtain by faith. You can have peace with God today simply by confessing Jesus as Lord and believing on Him alone for your salvation.
Questions for
discussion:
How can a holy God ever forgive sinners and still be holy?
Why does God bother to reveal His wrath?
How is God’s wrath different from man’s wrath?
From what is man without excuse in verse 20? (see verse 18)
When God gives us over (sinful desires, shameful lusts, depraved
mind), what is He trying to accomplish?
Why doesn’t God stop us from sin instead of giving us over to it?
Can you as a Christian explain why you experience freedom from the
bondage of sin?
What is our Christian mandate in light of the sinfulness of man? -
2 Corinthians 5:11
Romans 1:18-3:20
As
Paul penned these first chapters of Romans, one reality dominated his thoughts.
That thought is stated in a critical verse in Rom 5: "By the trespass of
the one man [Adam], death reigned" (v. 17). Our understanding of salvation must grow from our
awareness of man's utter lostness. (from
The Teacher's Commentary. Copyright © 1987 by Chariot Victor Publishing. All
rights reserved.)
Zech 4:6-7
(substitute your name where you see “Zerubbabel”)
6 Then he said, "This is God's message to Zerubbabel:1538 'Not by might, nor by
power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty-you will succeed because of my
Spirit, though you are few and weak.' 7
Therefore no mountain, however high, can stand before Zerubbabel! For it
will flatten out before him! And Zerubbabel will finish building this Temple1539 with mighty shouts of
thanksgiving for God's mercy, declaring that all was done by grace alone."
- TLB