- Romans overview (video): Part 1, Part 2
- What is Romans?
- Romans contains letters from Paul to the churches of Rome.
- The church of Rome had existed for a long time and was made up of Jews and Gentiles. Emperor Claudius had banished the Jews from the church for 5 years. When the Jews returned there was a split between Gentiles and Jews in how they should follow Jesus and practice their faiths. Paul’s letters were an attempt to explain his faith and unite the Jews and the Gentiles into one faith worshiping Jesus. Paul hoped the Roman churches could become a staging ground to enable Paul to expand the church into Spain and beyond.
- Romans is structured as follows:
- Books 1-4: Revealing God’s Righteousness
- Books 5-8: Creating a New Humanity
- Books 9-11: Fulfilling God’s Promise to Israel
- Books 12-16: Unifying the Church
ROMANS 2
- Romans 2 Reading Guide
- Romans 2 Teaching Notes (PDF)
- Romans 2 Video
- At a Glance: Romans 2 sets the stage for the rest of the letter by establishing that everyone is a sinner and needs God’s grace for salvation. It critiques both those who rely solely on external rituals and those who trust in their own righteousness. Romans 2 is foundational toPaul’s doctrine of Justification by Faith which must have been a difficult concept for first century Jewish believers to grasp. Most of their lives have been characterized by rote obedience and adherence to the Law until Paul told them that it isn’t about what you do, but why that makes it important…. and more difficult.
- Key verses:
- Romans 2:6: “He will render to everyone according to their deeds:” (NIV)
- This verse emphasizes God’s justice and the principle that everyone will be judged based on their actions. It sets the stage for the universality of sin and the need for God’s grace.
- Romans 2:29: “But a Jew is one who is inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; his praise is not from man but from God.” (NIV)
- This verse challenges external markers of faith and emphasizes a genuine heart transformation as the true mark of being a follower of God. It’s a core concept in Pauline Christianity.
- Romans 2:6: “He will render to everyone according to their deeds:” (NIV)
- Key verses:
- Important points:
- Universal Condemnation (vs. 1-16)
- Paul confronts both Jews and Gentiles by saying everyone sins and deserves God’s judgment.
- He argues that even those who follow a moral code will be judged based on their actions, not just their knowledge of the law.
- Conscience as Internal Witness (vs. 14-15):
- Paul introduces the concept of conscience as an internal witness that accuses or excuses people based on their actions.
- This conscience can be seen as a reflection of God’s moral law written on the human heart.
- Jews Not Automatically Justified (vs. 17-29):
- Paul challenges the idea that simply being Jewish guarantees salvation.
- He argues that true righteousness comes from following God’s will, not just possessing religious knowledge or heritage.
- Circumcision (vs. 25-29)
- Paul redefines circumcision as a matter of the heart, meaning obedience to God’s law, not just a physical act.
- This challenges the Jewish emphasis on physical circumcision as a sign of God’s covenant.
- Universal Condemnation (vs. 1-16)
- Chapter 2 Summary:
- Do not judge others since you do the same things. God’s kindness intends to turn you from your sins.
- Everyone will be judged according to what they have done – those that live for themselves will be punished (Jews first, then Gentiles).
- Those Gentiles who sin but do not have God’s written law will still be punished. (2:12)
- Gentiles instinctive obey God’s law even though they have never heard it (2:14)
- Merely listening to the law is not enough – you must obey it as well. (2:13)
- Jesus will judge everyone’s secret life (2:16)
- Jews boast about a special relationship with God (2:17) yet continue to sin (2:21-2:27)
- Jews who don’t obey God’s law are not God’s chosen people. Gentiles who obey God’s law can be God’s chosen people. (2:25-2:26, 2:28-2:30). Note: This contradicts the belief of most Jews – this might be why Jews don’t read or study the New Testament.
