Gospel of God
Paul’s letter to the church in Rome tells us about the Gospel of God. He has wanted to go to Rome for a long time. As he is not there at this writing, he is sending a letter.
This is a Bible Study. Have your own Bible handy to look up the references mentioned.
If you do not have a Bible, I invite you to go to BibleGateway.com or another online Bible.
1. Normally in a letter one starts with a greeting. This is exactly what Paul did.
We learn:
Paul is a servant of Jesus Christ
He was called to be an apostle
He was separated unto the gospel of God.
2. “In Genesis, God spoke of the heel of the woman’s offspring crushing the serpent (Genesis 3:15)” (Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. [Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995], 60)
Psalm 45; 72 Jeremiah 31:31-34
God “Used prophets to communicate his will, and they accomplished that purpose by writing down what God was pleased to reveal. The result was Scripture that is holy.” (Mounce, 60)
3. Jesus in His human nature came from David.
His is God’s Son Jesus Christ our Lord
Son of God
4. “Theology teaches that Jesus was both God and man. Verse 3 declares his humanity: v. 4 proclaims his deity.” (Mounce, 61)
“The resurrection of Jesus Christ clearly divides Him from the rest of humanity, providing irrefutable evidence that He is the Son of God.” (MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. [Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005], 1503)
“It is a most solemn fact that because Jesus Christ came back from the dead, you will have to stand before Him someday. Will you stand before Him as one who has trusted Him as your Savior, or will you stand before Him to be judged? If you have not received Him as your Savior, the condemnation of God must be upon you. You cannot stand before Him in your own righteousness. You must be condemned to a lost eternity unless you trust Him as your Savior. The Resurrection is the guarantee that each one of us is going to have to face the Lord Jesus Christ.” (McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: [Thomas Nelson, 1983], 647-648)
5. Grace “is the unmerited favor which God sows guilty sinners…salvation is a gift from God wholly separate from any human effort or achievement. (Romans 3:24, 27; 4:1-5; 5:20-21; Ephesians 2:8)” (MacArthur, 1503)
Apostleship “Although the term apostle refers to the Twelve in unique way, in a broader and less official sense it can describe anyone whom God as sent with the message of salvation (Acts 14:14; Romans 16:7; Hebrews 3:1).” (MacArthur, 1503)
Obedience to the faith “True saving faith always produces obedience and submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:19, 26; cf. 10:9, 10; cf. Matthew 7:13-14, 22-27; James 2:17-20).” (MacArthur, 1503)
Calling Sinners to Salvation
6. Jesus is calling sinners to salvation.
Are you ready to give your life to Jesus? Trust Jesus ( with your heart. )
7. A saint is a set-apart one, and the person who trusts Jesus Christ is set apart and is a saint. (Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament, Volume 1. [David C. Cook, Colorado Springs, CO, 1989], 515)
“The Greek text records these as three separate privileges: (1) God has set His love on His own. [5:5; 8:35; Eph. 1:6; 2:4-5; 1 John 3:1] (2) He has extended to them not only the general, external invitation to believe the gospel [Is. 45:22; 55:6; Ezek. 33:11; Matt. 11:28; John 7:37; Rev. 22:17], but his effectual calling—or His drawing to Himself all those He has chosen for salvation [8:30; 2 Thess. 2:13,14; 2 Tim. 1:9;] and (3) God has set believers apart from sin unto Himself, so that they are holy ones [1 Cor. 3:16,17; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9].” (MacArthur, 1503)
8. Paul “spoke of ‘my God.’ Religion, for Paul, was an intensely personal relationship. God is not a ruling deity far removed from his people. The true believer views God as a close companion.” (Mounce, 65) Psalm 63:1
Paul is thanking God for those in Rome.
“Real faith results in total surrender.” (Mounce, 67)
“Service and worship translate the same Greek word. To serve is to worship; to worship is to serve. Genuine worship takes place more often in acts of service.” (Mounce, 67)
Desire to Go to Rome
9. I am praying for you.
10. Paul wants to come to see those in Rome.
11. “Paul’s special concern was that he would be able to hare with them some spiritual favor that would provide encouragement and strength.” (Mounce, 67)
“He wants to come to Rome to teach the Word of God. Paul loved to teach the Word of God.” (McGee, 649)
12. “They would be mutually blessed in the Word.” (McGee, 649)
13. Paul had planned to come to Rome but was unable to.
“The gospel produced a harvest because hearts had been prepared.” (Mounce, 69)
14. Paul had an “obligation to carry the message throughout the world irrespective of national origin or intellectual sophistication.” (Mounce, 69)
15. Paul is ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16. I looked up the definition of ashamed on google.
“Reluctant to do something through fear of embarrassment or humiliation.”
Paul had no such hesitation or reluctance.
This is because of the power of God.
17. “God’s righteousness is a right standing he freely gives to those who trust in him.” (Mounce, 73)
“God’s righteousness comes from faith, not works.” (Mounce, 74)
McGee, J. Vernon, Thru the Bible: Volume IV: Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1983
MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Bible Commentary. Nashville, Thomas Nelson Inc., 2005
Mounce, Robert H, The New American Commentary, Volume 27, Romans. Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1995
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary: New Testament, Volume 1. David C. Cook, Colorado Springs, CO, 1989
