Barton's Bible Study Notes

Overview Outline of Romans

SALUTATION AND INTRODUCTION Rom. 1:1-1:17
I.   The Salutation   (1:1-7)
II.  The Introduction   (1:8-17)
 
THE WRATH OF GOD REVEALED Rom. 1:18-3:20
I.   The Statement of the Main Idea: God’s wrath (His just punishment of sin) is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of mankind.   (1:18-32)
II.  The Explanation:
A.  God judges all men impartially by their actions.   (2:1-11)
B.  God judges all men by the standard of righteousness they possess.   (2:12-29)
C.  Questions raised about the Jew’s special position   (3:1-20)
 
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD REVEALED Rom. 3:21-8:39
I.   Introduction: Man is justified through faith in Jesus Christ apart from the Law.   (3:21-31)
II.  The Discussion of Justification:   
A.  The First Issue: Justification is by faith, not works.   (4:1-8)
B.  The Second Issue: Is justification by faith just for Jew or for the Gentile as well?   
1.  The Answer: Justification by faith is for Jew and Gentile alike.   (4:9-25)
2.  The Application: We should be at peace with God and rejoice!   (5:1-11)
C.  The Third Issue: Does justification by faith nullify the Law?   
1.  Introduction to This Issue: The Relationship of Sin, Grace, and the Law.   (4:9-25)
2.  Four Questions Which Arise in Dealing with This Issue:   
a.  QUESTION: Should we continue in sin so that God's grace can increase?   
     ANSWER: No! Since we have died to sin, let us no longer live in it!   (6:1-14)
b.  QUESTION: Then should we sin because we are not under Law but under grace?   
     ANSWER: No! We have been released from the law to serve God.   (6:15-7:6)
c.  QUESTION: Then does this mean that the Law itself was sinful?   
     ANSWER: No! The law itself is not sin; it is holy, righteous, and good.   (7:7-12)
d.  QUESTION: Then did the Law cause my spiritual death?   
     ANSWER: No! It was sin to which I am a slave, not the law, that caused my death.   (7:13-25)
3.  Conclusion to the Third Issue:   
a.  There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, so live that way!   (8:1-13)
b.  What is more, those who live by the spirit are the children and heirs of God.   (8:14-30)
III. Conclusion to Section Three: We are eternally secure in Jesus Christ. No one can ever condemn us or separate us from His love.   (8:31-39
 
THE PROBLEM OF THE NATION OF ISRAEL   Rom. 9:1-11:36
I.   Introduction: God’s plan for Israel has not failed.   
A.  Paul grieves for his brothers, the nation of Israel.   (9:1-5)
B.  God's plan for Israel has not run aground, for not all who are Jews by birth are the elect of Israel.   (9:6-13)
C.  God, whose sovereign right it is to do so, elected just a remnant of Israel so that the Gentiles also might become His children.   (9:14-33)
 II.  Israel’s Failure of Faith: Israel failed in faith to obey the gospel although she both heard and understood the message.   (10:1-21)
III. God’s Election of Grace:   
A.  QUESTION: Has God rejected His people?   
     ANSWER: No! God has not rejected His people Israel; a remnant is reserved by grace.   (11:1-10)
B.  QUESTION: But has Israel’s unbelief resulted in her fall as a nation?   
     ANSWER: No! Israel's failure now results in salvation for the Gentiles, but one day all Israel will be saved.   (11:11-32)
C.  Conclusion: Praise God!   (11:33-36)
 
THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE GOSPEL   Rom. 12:1-15:13
  I.  Introduction: Because of God's mercy, we ought to live a life of sacrificial and sanctified worship.   (12:1-2)
 II.  This sacrificial and sanctified life is one in which:   
A.  We must honestly evaluate and exercise the gifts which God has given us.   (12:3-8)
B.  Love is not hypocritical.   (12:9-21)
C.  We live in obedience to those in authority.   (13:1-7)
D.  We love our neighbor but do not lust.   (13:8-14)
E.  We live in harmony with those of differing opinions:   
1.  Do not scorn those who do not exercise the freedom you exercise, nor condemn those who exercise a freedom you do not.   (14:1-12)
2.  Do not flaunt your freedom of faith.   (14:13-23)
3.  Follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.   (15:1-13)
 
CONCLUSION   Rom. 15:14-16:27
  I.  As a minister of Jesus Christ, Paul was used by God to proclaim the gospel where no one had ever heard.   (15:14-21)
 II.  Paul declares his plans to visit and requests their prayers.   (15:22-33)
III.  Paul concludes his letter with a commendation, greetings, a warning, and a doxology.   (16:1-27)