Romans

Romans

 

WHEN YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE GOSPEL

 

You've encountered Jesus. You believe. But here's what you might not fully understand yet: how does this actually work? What exactly did Jesus accomplish? Why did He have to die? What does it mean to be justified by faith? And what does any of this have to do with your everyday life?

 

Romans answers all of that.

Paul wrote the most systematic, thorough explanation of the gospel ever penned. This isn't a quick overview. It's deep theology made accessible. It's the mechanics of salvation laid bare. If you want to understand what Christianity is actually about, read Romans. If you're confused about the relationship between law and grace, read Romans. If you're wondering how to actually live as a Christian, read Romans.

 

This letter is foundational. Martin Luther said it was "the most important piece in the New Testament, the very purest gospel." It sparked the Reformation. And it will transform how you understand your faith.

 

Romans is sixteen chapters of carefully constructed argument. Paul builds his case step by step. He's writing to both Jewish and Gentile believers, explaining how the gospel unites everyone under grace. He's passionate, logical, theological, practical, all at once.

 

If you've been coasting on emotional experience without theological foundation, Romans will give you that foundation. If you've been trying to earn God's approval through performance, Romans will liberate you. If you've been confused about living in freedom without falling into sin, Romans will clarify.

 

A note before we begin: Romans is dense, rich, layered theology. This summary hits the major movements of Paul's argument, but Romans deserves your careful, repeated attention. Don't just rely on this summary. Open your Bible and read Romans yourself. Let Paul's explanation of the gospel transform your understanding of what Jesus accomplished and what it means to follow Him.

 

The Gospel Paul Preaches

Paul introduces himself as an apostle set apart for the gospel of God. This gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets. It's about God's Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who through His resurrection from the dead was appointed the Son of God in power.

 

Then Paul states his thesis, the theme of the entire letter: 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. 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.

 

This is it. The gospel is God's power for salvation. It reveals God's righteousness. And that righteousness comes through faith, not works. The righteous live by faith. That's the foundation Paul will spend sixteen chapters unpacking.

 

Humanity's Problem

Paul starts with bad news. Everyone needs the gospel because everyone has the same problem: sin.

 

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all godlessness and wickedness. Creation itself testifies to God's existence and power, so people are without excuse. But although they knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks. They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for idols. Therefore God gave them over to the consequences of their choices: sexual impurity, shameful lusts, depraved minds.

 

The result? Humanity became filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice. They know this behaviour deserves death, yet they do it anyway and celebrate others who do it too.

 

Now you might be thinking: I'm not that bad. I'm moral. Paul anticipated that response.

 

You who pass judgment on others are condemning yourself, because you do the same things. God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance, not make you think you're getting away with sin. God will judge everyone according to their deeds. Those who persist in doing good will receive eternal life. Those who reject truth and follow evil will face wrath. God shows no favouritism.

 

Here's the problem: the law requires perfect obedience. No one obeys it perfectly.

 

The Jews thought having the law gave them special status. But Paul confronts their hypocrisy. You boast in the law but break it. You teach others but don't apply it to yourself. You dishonour God. Circumcision means nothing if you break the law. True identity before God isn't about external ritual. It's about internal transformation, circumcision of the heart by the Spirit.

 

Paul addresses an objection: if our sin makes God's righteousness more evident, is God unjust to punish us? Absolutely not. Should we sin so grace increases? No. That deserves condemnation.

 

No One Is Righteous

Paul's conclusion: everyone is under sin's power. Jew and Gentile alike.

 

As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.

 

No one is righteous. No one seeks God. Everyone has turned away. Everyone is worthless. No one does good. Not even one.

 

The law doesn't make you righteous. The law shows you you're a sinner. It silences every excuse. It holds everyone accountable. No one can be justified by keeping the law. Everyone is a sinner. Everyone falls short. Everyone deserves God's wrath. The law can't save you. Good works can't save you. Moral effort can't save you.

 

You're hopeless on your own.

 

But now the good news.

 

Righteousness Through Faith

But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

 

Here it is. The gospel. Righteousness from God, apart from the law. It comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Available to everyone who believes. All have sinned. All fall short. And all are justified freely by grace through redemption in Christ Jesus.

 

God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood, to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate His righteousness. How is God both just and the one who justifies sinners? Through Jesus. Jesus took the punishment you deserved. God's justice was satisfied. Now God can declare you righteous through faith.

 

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. You're justified by faith apart from works. You didn't earn it. You can't take credit. It's a gift.

 

Abraham Justified by Faith

What does Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. If you work for something, you earn it. But righteousness isn't earned. It's credited to you when you trust God. You don't work for it. You believe, and God credits righteousness to your account.

 

Abraham believed God and was credited with righteousness before he was circumcised. That means righteousness comes through faith, not through ritual. Abraham is the father of all who have faith, whether circumcised or not.

 

The promise came through faith, not law. If it came through law, faith would be meaningless. The law brings wrath because it reveals sin. The promise comes through faith because God gives it freely.

 

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed. He was a hundred years old. Sarah was barren. But he didn't waver. He was fully persuaded God could do what He promised. This is why it was credited to him as righteousness.

 

The words were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness, for us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

 

Peace With God

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

 

You're justified by faith. You have peace with God. You have access to grace. You stand in grace.

 

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.

 

You even glory in suffering because it produces perseverance, character, hope. Hope doesn't disappoint because God's love has been poured into your heart through the Holy Spirit.

 

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: whilst we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Christ died for you when you were powerless, ungodly, a sinner. That's love.

 

Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through Him! For if, whilst we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life!

 

If Christ died for you when you were God's enemy, how much more will He save you now that you're reconciled?

 

Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ

Sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin. Death spread to everyone because everyone sinned. Adam is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. One man's sin brought condemnation. One man's gift brings justification. Grace overflows.

 

For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!

 

Death reigned through Adam. Those who receive grace reign in life through Christ.

 

Just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

 

Adam's disobedience made many sinners. Christ's obedience makes many righteous.

 

The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

The law revealed sin. Sin increased. But grace increased even more. Grace reigns through righteousness to bring eternal life.

 

Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning, so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

 

Should you keep sinning so grace increases? Absolutely not. You died to sin. How can you keep living in it?

 

You were baptised into Christ's death. Buried with Him. Raised with Him. To live a new life. Your old self was crucified with Christ. The body ruled by sin was done away with. You're no longer a slave to sin. You've been set free.

 

Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.

 

Count yourself dead to sin. Alive to God. Don't let sin reign. Offer yourself to God as an instrument of righteousness.

 

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

 

Sin is not your master. You're under grace, not law.

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! You're a slave to whatever you obey. Sin leads to death. Obedience leads to righteousness. You used to be slaves to sin. Now you're slaves to righteousness. You've been set free.

 

When you were slaves to sin, what benefit did you get? Things you're now ashamed of. Things that lead to death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Sin pays wages: death. God gives a gift: eternal life in Christ Jesus.

 

Released From the Law and the Struggle Within

The law has authority over you only as long as you live. You died to the law through Christ's body. Now you belong to Christ. You bear fruit for God. When you were in the flesh, the law aroused sinful passions. You bore fruit for death. But you died to what bound you. Now you serve in the new way of the Spirit, not the old way of the written code.

 

Is the law sinful? Certainly not. The law reveals sin. But sin used the law to kill. The law is holy, righteous, good. Sin is utterly sinful.

 

Then Paul gets brutally honest about the internal war every believer faces:

 

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do, this I keep on doing.

 

You know this feeling. You wake up determined to be patient, and by noon you've snapped at someone. You promise yourself you won't look at that website again, and you do it anyway. You know you should forgive them, but the resentment sits in your chest like a stone. You want to be generous, but you hold back. You want to pray, but you don't. You want to be different, but you keep doing the same things you hate.

 

Paul describes the war: For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me.

 

Two laws. The law of God that you delight in. The law of sin at work in you. They're at war. You feel like a prisoner.

 

What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?

 

Paul cries out. And then he answers his own question:

 

Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

 

This is crucial. You're not crazy. You're not the only one. This struggle is normal. Even Paul felt it. The presence of the struggle doesn't mean you're not saved. It means you're alive. Dead people don't fight. The fact that you hate your sin, that you want to do good, that you're frustrated with yourself, that's evidence the Spirit is at work in you.

 

Jesus delivers you. Not instantly. Not all at once. But progressively, day by day, as you walk by the Spirit.

 

Life Through the Spirit

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.

 

No condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. The Spirit has set you free from the law of sin and death.

 

What the law couldn't do because the flesh is weak, God did by sending His Son. Jesus condemned sin in the flesh. Now the righteous requirement of the law is met in you. Not by your effort. By the Spirit.

 

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

 

Two ways to live. According to the flesh: death. According to the Spirit: life and peace.

 

You are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. If Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.

 

If the Spirit lives in you, you're not in the flesh. You're in the Spirit. Your body is subject to death. But the Spirit gives life.

 

The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. He will give life to your mortal body too.

 

Therefore, we have an obligation, not to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

 

You have an obligation. Not to the flesh. If you live according to the flesh, you'll die. If by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you'll live.

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father.

 

You're not a slave. You're a child. The Spirit adopted you. You cry out, Abba, Father.

 

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs, heirs of God and co heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.

 

The Spirit testifies you're God's child. If you're a child, you're an heir. Co heir with Christ. You share in His sufferings now. You'll share in His glory later.

 

Future Glory and God's Love

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Creation itself is waiting to be liberated. We groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for the redemption of our bodies. In this hope we were saved.

 

Present suffering is nothing compared to future glory. Creation is groaning. You're groaning too. Waiting for the redemption of your body.

 

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.

 

The Spirit helps you in weakness. You don't know how to pray. The Spirit intercedes with groans.

 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

 

In all things, God works for your good. Not some things. All things.

 

For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.

 

God foreknew you. Predestined you. Called you. Justified you. Glorified you. The chain of salvation is secure.

 

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

 

If God is for you, who can be against you? He gave His Son. He'll give you everything else.

 

Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died, more than that, who was raised to life, is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

 

Who can accuse you? God justifies. Who condemns you? No one. Christ died, was raised, sits at God's right hand, intercedes for you.

 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.

 

Nothing can separate you from Christ's love. In all these things, you're more than a conqueror.

 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

Nothing can separate you from God's love. Not death. Not life. Not angels. Not demons. Not the present. Not the future. Not powers. Not height. Not depth. Not anything in all creation.

 

God's Plan for Israel

Paul shifts to address a painful reality: his own people, the Jews, have largely rejected Jesus. He's heartbroken. He'd be willing to be cursed if it would save them.

 

Now you might be thinking: why does this matter to me? I'm not Jewish. Here's why: Paul's about to explain how God's faithfulness works. If God abandoned His promises to Israel, how do you know He won't abandon His promises to you? This section isn't just about Israel. It's about whether God keeps His word.

 

Israel had every advantage: adoption, glory, covenants, law, temple, promises, the patriarchs. The Messiah came from them. So why did most Jews reject Jesus?

 

But God's word hasn't failed. Not all physical descendants of Israel are true Israel. Being Abraham's physical descendant doesn't make you Abraham's child. The children of the promise are Abraham's offspring. It's always been about faith, not bloodline.

 

Before Jacob and Esau were born, before they'd done anything good or bad, God chose Jacob. This shows that God's purpose in election stands. Not by works but by God's call.

 

Now here comes a hard question: Is God unjust? If He chooses some and not others, is that fair?

 

Paul's answer: Not at all. God has mercy on whom He wills. He hardens whom He wills. The potter has the right to make what He wants from the clay.

 

This is difficult theology. You might not understand it fully. That's okay. Here's what you need to know: God is sovereign. God is just. God shows mercy. And salvation has always been by faith, not by human effort or ethnic identity.

 

Gentiles obtained righteousness by faith. Israel pursued righteousness by works and didn't attain it. They stumbled over the stumbling stone: Jesus.

 

Christ is the culmination of the law for righteousness. Everyone who believes in Him is righteous. No difference between Jew and Gentile.

 

Then Paul explains how you're saved: If you declare with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

 

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But people need to hear to believe. Faith comes from hearing the message. The message is heard through the word about Christ.

 

Israel heard. The message went out. But most refused.

 

Did God reject His people? By no means. Paul himself is proof. He's an Israelite. God didn't reject His people. There's always been a remnant chosen by grace. Not by works. If it's by works, it's not grace.

 

Israel sought righteousness earnestly but didn't obtain it because they sought it by works, not faith. The elect obtained it. The others were hardened.

 

Now Paul addresses Gentile believers directly, and this is where it gets personal for you:

 

Israel stumbled but didn't fall beyond recovery. Their transgression brought salvation to Gentiles. Think about that. You're a Gentile. You have access to God because Israel rejected the Messiah. Their loss became your gain.

 

But don't be arrogant about it.

 

Gentiles are wild olive shoots grafted into the cultivated olive tree. You don't support the root. The root supports you. Natural branches were broken off because of unbelief. You stand by faith. Don't be arrogant. If God didn't spare natural branches, He won't spare you either.

 

Consider God's kindness and sternness. Stern to those who fell. Kind to you if you continue in His kindness. If you don't continue, you'll be cut off. But if Jews don't persist in unbelief, they'll be grafted back in. God can graft them in again.

 

Here's the mystery Paul reveals: Israel has experienced partial hardening until the full number of Gentiles comes in. Then all Israel will be saved. God's gifts and call are irrevocable.

 

God bound everyone over to disobedience so He could have mercy on everyone.

 

Why does this matter to you? Because it shows you that God's plan is bigger than you realized. Your salvation is connected to a story that's been unfolding for thousands of years. God hasn't abandoned His promises to Israel, and He won't abandon His promises to you. He's faithful. Even when people are unfaithful, He remains faithful.

 

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! For from Him and through Him and for Him are all things. To Him be the glory for ever! Amen.

 

Living as a Christian

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

 

In view of God's mercy, offer your body as a living sacrifice. This is true worship. Don't conform to the world. Be transformed by renewing your mind.

 

Don't think too highly of yourself. Think with sober judgment. You're part of one body. Many members. Different functions. Use your gifts: prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, showing mercy.

 

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another. Honour one another. Keep your spiritual fervour. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with those in need. Practise hospitality.

 

Bless those who persecute you. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony. Don't be proud. Don't be conceited.

 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge. Leave room for God's wrath. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. Overcome evil with good.

 

Submit to governing authorities. God established them. Rebelling against authority is rebelling against God. Rulers are God's servants. Do what's right. Pay your taxes. Give everyone what you owe: taxes, revenue, respect, honour.

 

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another. Love fulfils the law. All the commandments are summed up in: love your neighbour as yourself.

 

The hour has come for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now. The night is nearly over. The day is almost here. Put aside deeds of darkness. Put on armour of light. Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't gratify the desires of the flesh.

 

Freedom and Unity

Here's where it gets practical for Christian community. You've encountered Jesus. You're part of a church or a Christian group now. And you're discovering that Christians disagree about a lot of things. Some think you can do certain things. Others think you can't. Some have rules. Others have freedom. And everyone seems to think their way is the right way.

 

Paul addresses this directly:

Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. Don't judge each other over food, special days, or other matters of conscience. Each should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whatever you do, do it to the Lord.

 

Notice that word: disputable. Not everything is disputable. The gospel isn't disputable. Jesus' death and resurrection aren't disputable. Justification by faith isn't disputable. But there are secondary issues where mature Christians genuinely disagree.

 

In Paul's day, it was food and special days. Some Jewish Christians still followed dietary laws. Some observed the Sabbath. Gentile Christians didn't. Both groups were tempted to judge each other.

 

In your day, it might be: Can Christians drink alcohol? Watch certain films? Listen to certain music? Date non Christians? Get tattoos? The list goes on.

 

Here's Paul's principle: You don't live for yourself. You don't die for yourself. If you live, you live for the Lord. If you die, you die for the Lord. You belong to the Lord.

 

Your relationship with Jesus is primary. If you can do something in faith, to the Lord, with a clear conscience before God, that's between you and Him.

 

But here's the catch:

Why judge your brother? You'll both stand before God's judgment seat. Every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess. Each will give account of themselves.

 

You're not their judge. God is. They'll give account to Him, not to you.

 

Stop judging each other. Don't put a stumbling block in front of others. Nothing is unclean in itself. But if someone thinks it's unclean, for them it is. Don't destroy your brother by what you eat. Act in love.

 

This is huge. You might have freedom to do something. But if doing it causes a newer, weaker believer to stumble, love says don't do it. At least not in front of them.

 

The kingdom of God isn't about eating and drinking. It's about righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit. Make every effort for peace and mutual edification. Don't destroy God's work for the sake of food.

 

You're building something together. The body of Christ. Don't tear it down over secondary issues. Prioritize unity. Prioritize love. Prioritize building each other up.

 

If eating causes your brother to fall, don't eat. Whatever you believe, keep between yourself and God. If you doubt, don't do it. Whatever doesn't come from faith is sin.

 

Here's the test: Can you do it in faith? Can you do it with a clear conscience before God? If you're not sure, don't do it. And even if you can, if it causes someone else to stumble, don't do it in front of them.

 

The strong should bear with the weak. Don't please yourself. Please your neighbour for their good. Christ didn't please Himself. Have the same attitude towards each other that Christ had. Accept one another as Christ accepted you.

 

This is what Christian community looks like. Not everyone agreeing on everything. But everyone loving each other, bearing with each other, building each other up, accepting each other as Christ accepted them.

 

Paul's Ministry and Final Greetings

Paul explains his ministry to the Gentiles. He's written boldly as a reminder. God gave him grace to be a minister to Gentiles. He's preached the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum. His ambition: preach where Christ wasn't known.

 

He plans to visit Rome on his way to Spain. First he's going to Jerusalem with a contribution from Macedonia and Achaia for the poor. He asks for prayer: that he'll be kept safe, that the contribution will be favourably received, that he'll come to them with joy.

 

Paul then greets many believers in Rome by name and warns them to watch out for those who cause divisions. Keep away from them. They serve their own appetites, not Christ. They deceive with smooth talk.

 

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.

 

Timothy, Paul's co worker, sends greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius (the scribe), Gaius (the host), Erastus, and Quartus.

 

Now to Him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith, to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

 

What This Means for You

Romans is the most comprehensive explanation of the gospel in Scripture. Paul systematically unpacks salvation from humanity's problem to God's solution to practical daily life.

 

Everyone is a sinner. No one is justified by works. You're justified by faith apart from works. Righteousness is credited to you when you believe. You didn't earn it. It's a gift.

 

Jesus died for you whilst you were a sinner. He took the punishment you deserved. You're dead to sin, alive to God. Your old self was crucified with Christ. You're no longer a slave to sin. You're not under law but under grace.

 

There's no condemnation for those in Christ. The Spirit has set you free from the law of sin and death.

 

Nothing can separate you from God's love. Not death, life, angels, demons, the present, the future, powers, height, depth, or anything in creation.

 

Offer your body as a living sacrifice. Don't conform to the world. Be transformed by renewing your mind. Love fulfils the law. All commandments are summed up in: love your neighbour as yourself.

 

Your Next Steps

Have you been trying to earn God's approval through works? Stop. You're justified by faith, not works. Accept righteousness as a gift.

 

Have you been living in sin thinking grace covers it? Stop. You died to sin. You're alive to God. Don't let sin reign.

 

Have you been judging other believers over disputable matters? Stop. Accept one another as Christ accepted you.

 

Have you been conforming to the world's pattern? Stop. Be transformed by renewing your mind. Offer your body as a living sacrifice.

 

Are you walking in love? Love your neighbour as yourself. Overcome evil with good.

 

Are you confident in God's love? Nothing can separate you from it.

 

Read It Yourself

This summary covers Romans' major themes, but Paul's argument is tightly constructed, carefully reasoned, and deserves your full attention. Don't just read about Romans. Read Romans. Open your Bible to chapter 1 and work through all sixteen chapters. Let Paul's systematic explanation of the gospel transform your understanding of salvation, sanctification, and the Christian life. Let the assurance that you're justified by faith, that nothing can separate you from God's love, that you're not under law but under grace, sink deep into your soul.

 

The Gospel According to Paul

Romans is Paul's magnum opus. His fullest explanation of what Jesus accomplished and what it means to follow Him.

 

You're a sinner saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. You're justified. Adopted. Sealed by the Spirit. Dead to sin. Alive to God. Not under law but under grace. Nothing can separate you from God's love.

 

Now live like it.

 

 

Scripture paraphrased and quoted from various translations for clarity.

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