The letter to the Romans has been the turning point in the lives of many prominent Christians. Augustine was a playboy in an Italian town when Romans 13:13-14 caught his attention. Soundly converted, he went on to become a church father. Martin Luther read Romans 1:17 and realised that sinners receive forgiveness of sins by trusting in Jesus’ sacrificial death and not through confession and penance. This realisation became the key to the Reformation in the sixteenth century. John Wesley came to a personal relationship with Jesus when he heard someone read Luther’s introduction to a commentary on Romans. Together with his musically talented brother Charles and the preacher George Whitefield, John was at the centre of a revival that prevented a bloody revolt like the French Revolution taking place in England.
This letter to the Romans has an equally
strong message. It highlights the fact that pilgrimages, good works, religious
rituals, alms and sacrifices cannot bring forgiveness of sins or peace with
God. Only Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is adequate for salvation.
The theme of
righteousness in the Epistle to the Romans is crucial as it underscores the concept
of justification by faith, demonstrating how believers are made right with God
through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than by their own works. This theme forms
the foundation of Paul's argument for the universal availability of salvation
and the transformative power of the gospel.
Romans 1:1-17 New International Reader's Version
1 I, Paul, am writing this letter. I serve Christ
Jesus. I have been appointed to be an apostle. God set me apart to tell others
his good news. 2 He promised the
good news long ago. He announced it through his prophets in the Holy
Scriptures. 3 The good news is about
God’s Son. He was born into the family line of King David. 4 By the Holy Spirit, he was appointed to be the mighty Son of God.
God did this by raising him from the dead. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 We received grace because of what
Jesus did. He made us apostles to the Gentiles. We must invite all of them to
obey God by trusting in Jesus. We do this to bring glory to him. 6 You also are among those Gentiles who
are appointed to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 I am sending this letter to all of you in Rome.
You are loved by God and appointed to be his holy people. May God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you.
People all over the world are talking about your faith. 9 I serve God with my whole heart. I preach the good news about his
Son. God knows that I always remember you 10
in my prayers. I pray that now at last it may be God’s plan to open the way
for me to visit you.
11 I long to see you. I want to make you
strong by giving you a gift from the Holy Spirit. 12 I want us to encourage one another in the faith we share. 13 Brothers and sisters, I want you to
know that I planned many times to visit you. But until now I have been kept
from coming. My work has produced results among the other Gentiles. In the same
way, I want to see results among you. 14
I have a duty both to Greeks and to non-Greeks. I have a duty both to wise
people and to foolish people. 15 So
I really want to preach the good news also to you who live in Rome.
16 I want to preach it because I’m not
ashamed of the good news. It is God’s power to save everyone who believes. It
is meant first for the Jews. It is meant also for the Gentiles. 17 The good news shows God’s power to
make people right with himself. God’s power to be made right with him is given
to the person who has faith. It happens by faith from beginning to end. It is
written, “The one who is right with God will live by faith.” (Habakkuk
2:4)
Discussion
questions
- How does
understanding the history and prophecy behind the gospel, including Jesus'
lineage and resurrection, deepen your appreciation of who Jesus is and
what He accomplished? V2-4
Understanding the history and prophecy
behind the gospel, including Jesus' lineage and resurrection, affirms the
fulfillment of God's promises and validates Jesus' divine identity and mission.
This deepens appreciation by connecting Jesus' life and work to God's
overarching redemptive plan.
- How do
Paul's mission as a servant and apostle, our belonging to Jesus, and the
grace we receive through Him shape your daily life and influence your
understanding of your purpose as a Christian? V1, 5-6, 9
Paul's mission exemplifies dedication and
purpose, inspiring believers to live as committed servants of Christ. Belonging
to Jesus and receiving His grace motivates a life of gratitude and purposeful
service, shaping a Christian's identity and daily actions.
- Knowing that
you are loved by God and appointed to be His holy people, how does this
identity impact your faith, decision-making, and actions? V7-8
Being loved by God and appointed as His
holy people instills a profound sense of worth and responsibility. This
identity influences faith by fostering trust in God's guidance and shapes
decision-making and actions toward living in holiness and love.
- How can we
support and encourage one another in our faith communities, and how can we
confidently share the gospel and live out its truth in our everyday lives
and various contexts? V11-16
Supporting and encouraging one another
involves mutual edification, prayer, and sharing spiritual gifts, fostering a
strong community of faith. Confidently sharing the gospel and living out its
truth requires authentic witness, compassionate outreach, and integrity in
various life contexts.
- Reflecting
on Romans 1:17, where it says, "The righteous will live by
faith," how does this principle guide your decision-making and
actions?
"The righteous will live by
faith" emphasizes reliance on God's guidance and promises, rather than
personal ability. This principle encourages decisions and actions rooted in
trust in God's righteousness, fostering a life of faith and obedience.
