Overview of the Book of Romans

 By:  Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 12:1-2

 

Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,[a] by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.[b] 2 Do not be conformed to this world,[c] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

(ESV)

 

Many believers in Jesus Christ were led to Christ by someone leading them down the Romans Road which uses four verses in the book of Romans; Romans 3:23; 5:8; 6:23; and Romans 10:9-10. However, doing an overview of the book of Romans indicates the entire book is a road map for a believer to follow in their walk of faith with the Lord. An outline of the Book is as follows

 

I)             From Sinner to Righteous (Romans 1-11)

a.            Sin, why we need God’s Righteousness (Romans 1-3) – Guilty

b.            Salvation, God’s provision of righteousness (Romans 4-5) - Guiltless

c.             Sanctification, God’s ongoing work of Righteousness (Romans 6-8) - Growth

d.            Sovereignty, God’s freedom in granting Righteousness (Romans 9-11) – Glorifying God

II)            Expressing God’s Righteousness through service (Romans 12-16) – Going

 

The historical context of the Book of Romans is as follows,

 

I)             Author: Paul (Romans 1:1)

II)            Audience: Believers in Rome (Romans 1:7) who are strong in their faith but who will be tested through persecution in seven years by Nero who had been in power for three years

III)          Date: 57 AD the third year of the reign of Nero who would later persecute and execute Christians for their faith.

IV)          Setting: Corinth where Paul observed the sin and debauchery around him wanting the believers in Rome to remain strong in their faith.

 

Paul did not know that Nero would later persecute and execute Christians. Some commentators believe the reason for Nero’s persecution of Christians and Jews occurred after the great fire in Rome in 64 AD with Nero making Christians a scapegoat for the fire, justifying the execution of Christians and the destruction of Jerusalem including the destruction of the Temple in 70 AD. This sounds eerily like leadership in countries in our world today where leaders, like Nero fiddle as their nations figuratively burn, seeking a scapegoat for their failures with Christians and Jews often a convenient choice. Therefore, it is even more important for believers to develop intimacy and a closeness to God through the study of His Word and why this study of the Book of Romans has importance and relevance for Christians and Jews today. Acts 17:10-11

 

The book of Romans begins by telling us that God is present in our world through His creation (Romans 1:19-20). It goes on to describe how sin has separated us from God but does not leave us in the guilt of humanity to die in its sin but reminds us of the death of Christ making us guiltless in the eyes of God (Romans 5:8; 6:23). While salvation makes us right with God, God is a good Father who wants His children to grow in their faith by studying His Word, the Bible, like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). God then reminds those in Rome to do all for the glory of God, something he reminded the Corinthians of in 1 Corinthians 10:31-33. He then finishes the book by reminding the believers in Rome, not to be spectators but players in the work of the Gospel by sharing what God has done in their lives with others for faith without works does not make us unrighteous for in the eyes of God, all who profess Jesus as Savior will be saved (Romans 10:9-10), but faith without works is dead faith (James 2:21).

 

We live in perilous times and a world dominated by evil. In many ways, countries like the United States that once had a Godly foundation, are in danger of falling from within like the Roman Empire. The Church should be at the forefront of sharing the Gospel with others with pastors equipping, empowering, and encouraging their congregations to share the Gospel. Unfortunately, the Church today resembles the Church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-21), more interested in helping people feel good and encouraged than challenging believers to share the Gospel by sharing what Jesus did to save them and bring reconciliation with God. Please share this post with others so they will be blessed and challenged and join us for the rest of this study. May God bless and challenge those reading this post.