ROMANS: Heart & Soul of the Gospel
A Devotional Study of Romans
by Max Frazier, Jr.
Introduction and Table of Contents
Welcome to our study in the book of Romans. Romans is one of my favorite books in the Bible. It shares the heart and soul of the Gospel. It is not an easy book to study, but it is well worth the time spent giving it a serious reading. What I will do almost every week is to share some thoughts on a few of the verses by way of study notes, then share a devotional thought or two from that section, and close with some study questions for you to use in your own devotions. By year's end, we all should be enriched with what God has taught us in this marvelous book!
Romans is an important book for us to study as it proclaims the foundation upon which our faith is built.
This letter, written by Paul, was sent to the Christians living in Rome, the capital of the Empire. This book portrays the revelation of the righteousness of God to sinful man and the application of this righteousness to man's everyday spiritual being. The letter was written during Paul's third missionary journey while he was in Corinth and dates approximately to the year 57 AD.
The twin themes of Romans are justification, found in the first eight chapters, and sanctification, found in the last five chapters. Between these two sections is a parenthetical section on the nation of Israel.
I believe the key verses of the book are found in chapter one, verses 16 and 17: I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentiles. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."
Some of the characteristics of this book include:
1. A lengthy introduction because Paul is writing to a church that is not of his own planting.
2. A lengthy conclusion that contains the names of a large number of people whom the apostle greets personally.
3. Paul makes frequent us of the Old Testament, either by direct quotation or use of Old Testament terminology.
4. The doctrinal discussion (chapters 1-8) proceeds in the fashion of a debate.
5. The vocabulary is rich in theological terms.
The book of Romans can be outlined briefly as follows:
1. Salutation - Romans 1:1-17
2. Paul's relationship to the Roman Christians - Romans 1:8-15
3. Doctrinal exposition - Romans 1:16-8:39
4. Problem of Israel - Romans 9:1-11:36
5. Practical exhortations - Romans 12:1-15:13
6. Closing remarks - Romans 15:14-16:27
Enjoy your reading of this great book!
We have one request of you: Please read the appropriate passage of Scripture before you join us in these studies. Better yet, read the passage of Scripture and choose your own key verse, which to you reflects the key message of the chapter. This will encourage you in your own searching of the Scriptures!
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