"THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"
Author: Mark A. Copeland
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To see the importance of combining zeal with knowledge
2) To understand that Israel had plenty of opportunity to heed the
gospel of Christ, but for the most part they had rejected it
SUMMARY
As Paul continues to explain God's dealings with the nation of Israel,
he repeats his expression of love towards them (1). Though as a nation
they had plenty of zeal, unfortunately their zeal was not according to
knowledge (2). Thus they rejected the righteousness of God while
trying to establish their own righteousness through the Law of Moses.
But Paul explains that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and has
brought it to an end (3-4).
The righteousness God now offers is based upon faith in Christ, not
keeping the Law. It involves not the accomplishment of some great feat
(like ascending to heaven or descending to hell), but such things as
confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the
dead (5-10). As foretold by Scripture, it is offered to all, both Jew
and Gentile (11-13). And it is offered through the medium of preaching
the Word (14-15).
The problem with the nation of Israel, then, is that not all of them
received the gospel message, even when they had ample opportunity
(16-18). But as Moses predicted, the day would come when God would
provoke Israel to jealousy by another people, who Isaiah said did not
seek God yet found Him, while Israel was constantly rebelling against
Him (19-21).
OUTLINE
I. ISRAEL'S REFUSAL OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS (1-15)
A. PAUL'S EXPRESSION OF CONCERN FOR ISRAEL (1-4)
1. That Israel be saved, for they have zeal but not knowledge
(1-2)
2. Through ignorance, they seek to save themselves by the Law,
and do not submit to God's righteousness in Christ which
brings an end to the Law (3-4)
B. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW vs. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IN CHRIST (5-15)
1. Righteousness of the Law as defined by Moses (5)
2. Righteousness by faith as defined by Paul (6-15)
a. Involves the mouth and the heart (6-8)
b. Involves confessing Jesus and believing in His resurrection
(9-10)
c. Offered to all who believe and call on Him (11-13)
d. Accomplished through the medium of preaching (14-15)
II. ISRAEL'S NEGLECT OF THE GOSPEL (16-21)
A. NOT ALL OBEYED THE GOSPEL (16-18)
1. As Isaiah predicted (16)
2. Even though they had ample opportunity (17-18)
B. THEIR NEGLECT, AND THE GENTILES RECEPTION, FORESEEN BY SCRIPTURES (19-21)
1. As spoken by Moses (19)
2. As spoken by Isaiah (20-21)
WORDS TO PONDER
confess - lit., to speak the same thing, to assent, accord, agree
with...; to declare openly by way of speaking out freely,
such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts
(Mt 10:32; Ro 10:9,10) - VINE
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) List the main points of this chapter
2) What was Paul's prayer in behalf of the nation of Israel? (1)
3) What was good about them? What was wrong with them (2)
4) Why was Israel not submitting to the righteousness of God? (3)
5) What should one confess? What should one believe? (9-10)
6) For whom is righteousness by faith intended? (11-13)
7) What begins the process which finally enables one to call upon the Lord? (14-15)
8) How does one come to have faith? (17)
9) Did the Jews have opportunity to call upon the Lord? (18)
10) How did God say He was going to make His people jealous? (19-20)
Source - http://executableoutlines.com/ro/ro_01.htm
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