ROMANS 2


     We find in Romans one of Paul's finest letters. Paul touches on
exactly what the cross of Christ did for every Christian. Paul wrote
this letter to the Christians in Rome from Corinth about A.D.57. This
is called the epistle to the Romans. Epistle means letter. The main
theme of Romans is justification by faith; to the Jew first and then
to the Gentile. This letter explains how God justifies the sinner.
All have sinned and come short of the glory of God, but God provided a
way of salvation to whosoever will. If we were to sum it up in one
word, it would be justification (just as if I had never sinned).

     We will begin in Romans 1:1 "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,
called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,"

     In this very first verse Paul introduces himself to the Roman
Christians. Notice that Paul calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ.
Perhaps these Roman Christians have not heard that Paul was
commissioned of Jesus Christ to bring the gospel (good news) of Jesus
to the Gentiles.

     Romans 1:2 "(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the
holy scriptures,)"

     In the book of Isaiah, we see numerous prophecies. Of course all
of the Old Testament prophets prophesied of Jesus, but Isaiah probably
had the most to say. At any rate, I will give you a number of these
prophecies from Isaiah. Isaiah chapter 11 verse 3 prophesied Jesus
would be Judge, chapter 42 verse 4 shows Him as Law Giver, chapter 42
verse 7 shows Him as Liberator, chapter 53 verse 4 shows Him as
Burden-Bearer, chapter 53 verse 6 shows Him as Sin-Bearer, chapter 53
verse 12 shows Him as Intercessor, chapter 53 verse 5 shows Jesus as
our only Saviour. We see in chapter 7 verse 14, He is Immanuel (God
with us), in chapter 9 verse 6, we see Him as mighty God. I could go
on and on for there are 35 prophecies in Isaiah alone on Jesus. Of
course Jeremiah, Psalms, Ezekiel and all the others prophesied of
Jesus, too.  I think this thoroughly covers verse 2 without showing
more.

     Romans 1:3 "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was
made of the seed of David according to the flesh;"

     In Matthew, we see Jesus as descendent of David. Matthew 1:1 "The
book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of
Abraham." We can also see David in the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3:31
"Which was [the son] of Melea, which was [the son] of Menan, which was
[the son] of Mattatha, which was [the son] of Nathan, which was [the
son] of David," This genealogy is of the flesh and not the Spirit.

     Romans 1:4 "And declared [to be] the Son of God with power,
according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the
dead:"

     Jesus was definitely God the Son. The proof was on the 3rd. day
he arose from the tomb. Jesus not only had resurrection power, but is
in fact the Resurrection and the Life, as he told Lazarus' sister on
the way to the tomb. John 11:25 "Jesus said unto her, I am the
resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were
dead, yet shall he live:" Jesus was the Son of God. God the Holy
Spirit hovered over Mary and she conceived by the Holy Spirit of God.
Luke 1:35 "And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost
shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow
thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall
be called the Son of God." We should also read Colossians 1:19 "For it
pleased [the Father] that in him should all fulness dwell;" We may
read the very same thing in Colossians 2:9 "For in him dwelleth all
the fulness of the Godhead bodily."

     We see that the power of Jesus was unlimited. Ephesians 1:19 "And
what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power," Ephesians 1:20 "Which
he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him]
at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],"  Ephesians 1:21 "Far
above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every
name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is
to come:" Ephesians 1:22 "And hath put all [things] under his feet,
and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,"
Ephesians 1:23 "Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all
in all."  This leaves no doubt that Jesus is all powerful.

     Romans 1:5 "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for
obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"

     Faith is what saved Abraham. Without faith it is impossible to
please God. Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith [it is] impossible to
please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
[that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." We also
read that obedience is better than sacrifice. I Samuel 15:22 "And
Samuel said, Hath the LORD [as great] delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey [is]
better than sacrifice, [and] to hearken than the fat of rams."

     To become an apostle (one sent with a special message) we must
have great faith and be obedient to God. We must make Jesus Christ not
only our Saviour, but our Lord, as well. We were not saved by our
great deeds, but were saved because we had faith in God. To work for
God, we must submit our will to Him. We must be obedient to His Word
and His will. We will not know what His will is unless we know His
Word.  Apostles or anyone who desires to minister have been given a
commission to go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every
nation.  Mark 16:15 "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world,
and preach the gospel to every creature." We could say from this that
truly all believers are ministers of His Word.

     Romans 1:6 "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:"

     Matthew 20:16 "So the last shall be first, and the first last:
for many be called, but few chosen." Salvation is offered to whosoever
will. John 3:16  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life." God has called everyone to salvation, but He
will not override our will. We have to decide to follow Him.

     Ephesians 4:10 "He that descended is the same also that ascended
up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)" Ephesians
4:11 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" Ephesians 4:12 "For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ:" Ephesians 4:13 "Till we all come in
the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a
perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ:"  There is a group of the called, who are called to the
ministry. My own opinion of those who are called to work for God, is
that the call was there even before birth. We see this in people like
John the Baptist.  God protects these people supernaturally until they
accept their call.  This is so even before they know there is a call.

     Romans 1:7 "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to
be] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ."

     We see in verse 7 Paul speaking a blessing on these followers of
Jesus in Rome. Paul loved the Romans, being a Roman himself. Those who
are Christ's are beloved.

     Romans 1:8 "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you
all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world."

     It appears that long before Paul goes to Rome there are many
Christians there. It seems they are so zealous for the Lord that it is
common knowledge. This spreading of this information to the world just
means that Rome is a trade center and people who come there to sell or
buy have heard of the Christian movement in Rome. They then go home to
their respective countries and tell the good news.

     Romans 1:9 "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in
the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you
always in my prayers;"

     We see here that Paul prays intercessory prayers for these new
Christians in Rome. Notice in the verse above that Paul does not serve
the Lord in his flesh, but in his spirit.  I believe that Paul is
saying (only God and myself) know the hours that I have spent praying
for you.

     Romans 1:10 "Making request, if by any means now at length I
might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you."

     Paul will leave Corinth here and go to Jerusalem and be sought
after by the authorities. It will be several years after this is
written before Paul actually reaches Rome. One important statement
above is (by the will of God). Paul has submitted his will to God.

     Romans 1:11 "For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you
some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;"

     Paul is speaking here of laying his hands on them that they might
receive the power of the Holy Ghost.  1 Corinthians chapter 12
explains what these Spiritual gifts are. You should read the whole
chapter, but I will quote a little here. I Corinthians 12:8 "For to
one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of
knowledge by the same Spirit;" I Corinthians 12:9 "To another faith by
the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;"
I Corinthians 12:10 "To another the working of miracles; to another
prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another [divers] kinds
of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:" I Corinthians
12:11 "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit,
dividing to every man severally as he will." The statement (that ye
may be established) just means that power to minister will come upon
them. Many very shy people, become bold workers for the Lord when they
receive the Holy Spirit.


                                 Notes
































                              Questions 2

1.  Who penned Romans?
2.  What does epistle mean?
3.  What does Paul teach in Romans?
4.  Where was Paul when he wrote this?
5.  Approximately when was this written?
6.  What is the main theme of Romans?
7.  Who is salvation offered to?
8.  What does justification mean?
9.  Whose servant was Paul?
10. What was Paul separated unto in verse 1?
11. Who had prophesied of Jesus in the Old Testament?
12. Give several Scriptures in Isaiah prophesying Jesus?
13. According to the flesh, who was Jesus descended from?
14. What 2 books of the Bible show David in the genealogy of Jesus?
15. Verse 4 tells us Jesus was the Son of God with power; what was it
    according to?
16. Proof of Jesus' Godhood was what?
17. Who did Mary (mother of Jesus) conceive by?
18. What does Colossians chapter 1 verse 19 tell us?
19. What is Jesus' body?
20. In verse 5 Paul received 2 things because of his obedience and
    faith, what were they?
21. Without ____ it is impossible to please God.
22. To be an apostle of Jesus, we must make him not only Saviour but
    what?
23. Verse 6 says, among whom are ye the ____ ____ ____ ____.
24. Many shall be called, but few ____.
25. In verse 7 they are called to be what?
26. What blessing did Paul speak on them in verse 7?
27. Where is their faith spoken of?
28. What is the type of prayer Paul is praying for these saints?
29. Paul does not serve the Lord in his ____ but in his ____.
30. Where was Paul when he wrote this letter to the Romans?
31. What did Paul want to impart to these Roman Christians?
32. Name some of the Spiritual gifts.


                                 Notes