- Augustine of Hippo (4th Century Bishop)
- Christian mom – Turned back on her faith
The tumult of my heart took me out into the garden where no one could interfere with the burning struggle with my self in which I was engaged, I was twisting and turning in my chains. Suddenly I heard a voice from the nearby house chanting as if it might be a boy or a girl, “pick up and read pick up and read.” I Open to the book of Romans, opened it and in silence read the first passage on which my eye lit: “Not in riots or drunken parties, not in eroticism and indecencies, not in strife and rivalry, but put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh in it’s lusts (13:13-14). I am neither wished nor needed to read further. At once, with the last words of this sentence, it was as if a light of relief from all anxiety flooded into my heart. All the shadows of doubt or dispelled.”
- John Stott (English Pastor and Theologian)
“I have a love/hate relationship with Romans, because of its joyful-painful personal challenges… It was Paul’s devastating exposure f the universal human sin and guild in Romans 18-3:20 which resumed me from that kind of superficial evangelism which is preoccupied only with peoples felt needs.”
- Martin Luther
- German monk who hated God because he was taught he had to live a righteous life to be saved
- Hated God because of righteousness… Couldn’t attain it
Although an impeccable monk, I stood before God as a sinner… therefore I did not love a righteous an angry god, but rather hated and murmured against him… then I grasp that the righteousness of God is that righteousness by which through grace and shear mercy God justifies us by faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn into have gone through open doors into paradise… I broke through. And as I had formerly hated the expression, “The righteousness of God” I now began to regarded as my dearest in most comforting word.”
- John Calvin
Romans is entrance to all the most hidden treasures of scripture. The subject then of these chapters may be stated thus — men’s only righteousness is through the mercy of God in Christ, which being offered by the gospel is apprehended by faith.
- John Wesley
- (Founder of Methodism, Grandfather of Pentecostalism)
Converted to Christianity when hearing Luther’s Romans commentary read allowed
Quotes:
Tony Evans: Romans is the constitution of the church.
Luther: Romans is the true masterpiece of the NT
William Tyndale: Romans is the principle and most excellent part of the NT
R.C. Sproul: No book has had such a powerful impact on my life as Romans
Paul:
- Born to Jewish parents (Roman citizens) so he has Roman citizenship as well
- Perfect person to step into a Jew vs. Gentile divided church
- Paul studied under Gamaliel, was on the fast track to becoming an elite Pharisee leader, persecuting the church and killing Christians. Religious terrorist
- Then he encounters Jesus on the Damascus road, RADICALLY turns from persecuting Christians to preaching Christianity.
Context:
- The church in Rome was made up of Jews and Gentiles
- Most of the Roman churches were started by Hellenistic Jews
- Claudius Caesar deported all the Jews from Rome (49AD), seeing them as a religious threat
- Leadership of the churches was assumed by Gentiles who were following Jesus
- 5 years later (54AD) the Jews were allowed to return
- The Greeks divided the world into two: Greeks and the rest. “Barbarians”
- The Jews divided the world into two: Jews and the rest. “Nations.”
- They came back and the church is COMPLETELY divided
Paul is writing Romans to unify the church by reestablishing the gospel.
| 1-4: Establish the Gospel 5-8: Explains the Gospel Impact 9-11: Example of the Gospel 12-16: Experience of the Gospel Life |
Romans 1:1-10, 16-17 New International Version
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
[11-14 He longs to go to Rome]
Romans 1:16-17 New International Version
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Unashamed
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
| Gospel (euangelion) is a Greek word, used to refer to the good news of a victory for Cesar. Originated with the gospel of Cesar. | Theos (God) is a Greek word fist associated with the divinity of Caesar. | Soterios (Salvation) is a Greek word they used for armies, Caesar saving them.
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…because it is the power of God that brings salvation…
that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Romans 1:17 New International Version
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Paul elaborates…
Romans 3:21-24 New International Version
21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Revealed – Gr. apokalypto – Apo, to separate, kalypto concealed