Key word: Righteousness
The early church was devoted to the apostles’ teaching (Acts 2:42). We find this teaching in the New Testament epistles. The first of these epistles in order and in importance is Romans. Romans is surely the queen foremost of the epistles. It is the deepest, best systematized of the letters, and most theological, not to mention the longest. It was written by the Apostle Paul around A.D. 58 to the church at Rome, a church he had neither founded nor visited. He, therefore, had few personal relationships with the Christians there and kept his teaching general and applicable to Christians everywhere and for all times. Romans is the first of three letters based upon one Old Testament verse – Habakkuk 2:4b – “The just shall live by faith” (1:17). The key word describes the theme of Romans: righteousness and the key verse (1:16) tells us that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
The book can be nicely outlined by five subjects, all beginning with “s”
• Sin (1:18-3:20)
• Salvation (3:21-5:21)
• Sanctification (6-8)
• Sovereignty (9-11)
• Service (12:1-15:13)
The fourth section of the book of Romans details the sovereignty of God using Israel as the object lesson (9-11). Having just affirmed that there is nothing that can separate the child of God from the love of God, someone might ask -- but what about Israel? The Old Testament records both God’s love for Israel and Israel’s frequent rebellion against God. Paul uses this situation as exhibit “A” in his argument. If anyone deserved to be kicked out of God’s love it would be Israel. Yet, the Lord handpicked Israel to be His, not because they deserved but because of His mercy (9:16). Where Israel has stumbled was in trying to create their own righteousness instead of, by faith, receiving God’s (10:2). It is only those who believe in Christ who will never be disappointed (10:11). It is those who call on the Lord in faith who will be saved (10:13).
Chapter 11 makes it clear that the Lord has not rejected Israel (11:5). Most Jews, at this time, have rejected Christ, but the Lord still has a remnant (11:5). Additionally, Israel’s present hardness has resulted in the reception of the gospel by the Gentiles (11:11). But we need not worry for God’s gifts and calling are irrevocable (11:29). No wonder Paul closes this section (chapters 9-11) with the great prayer of wonder at God’s unfathomable ways (11:33).
Key verse: Romans 1:16 – 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.
