AN ELEMENTARY OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS
- Jim Steel
A. Preliminary Remarks 1-15
1. The Writer Identified 1:1 – Who is Paul?
a. Paul - the man.
b. Paul - the servant.
c. Paul - the apostle.
d. Paul - the separated.
2. The Subject Identified – Who is Jesus?
a. He is the Son of God
b. His name is Jesus.
c. His title is Christ
d. He is Lord
3. The Gospel Identified 1:2-6
4. The Recipients Identified 1:7
5. Paul's Intentions Clarified 1:8-15
a. Healthy Hearts 8
1.) Paul the Participant
2.) Paul the Praise
b. Wholesome Prayers 9
1.) It is good to pray.
2.) It is good to focus your prayers on others.
3.) It is good to tell others that you are praying for them.
4.) It is good to mean it when we say we pray for others.
5.) It is good to pray fervently and without ceasing.
6.) It is good, when praying, to ask for specific things.
7.) It is good to seek the will of God in our prayers.
c. Hindered Plans 11-13
1.) Spiritual People Involve Plans - 10
2.) Spiritual Plans Involve People - 11,12, 13b
a.) The Plan Expressed - "I long to see you"
b.) The Motives Impressed
1. He wanted to care - 1: 11 (It was an unselfish ministry)
a. the goal . . . to impart a gift
b. the end . . . to establish the believer
2. He wanted to share - 1: 12 (It was a reciprocal ministry)
a. the danger of receiving and not giving
b. the danger of giving and not receiving
3. He wanted to bear - 1: 13 (It was Paul's divine obsession)
3.) Spiritual People and their Plans operate with God's
Permission 13
a.) Present duties may hinder future plans.
b.) Plans may be hindered by physical obstacles and illness.
c.) Our plans may be hindered by Satan himself.
d.) Our plans may be hindered by the Holy Spirit.
d. Heavy Debts 14
1.) I am debtor 14
a.) What is owed?
b.) Who owes the debt?
c.) Why is the obligation placed upon us?
1 The Judgment Seat of Christ constrains us.
2 The plight of the lost constrains us.
3 The beauty of the gospel constrains us.
4 The love of Christ constrains us.
d.) To whom do we owe?
e.) Are we ready to pay our debts?
2. I am ready 15
a.) Paul was ready
1 See his intensity - "As much as is in me"
2 See his spontaneity - "I am ready "
3 See his priority - "To preach the gospel"
4 See his consistency - "To you . . . also"
b.) Are we ready?
1 There must be spiritual fire in our bones
2 Our Elders must lead us through open doors
c.) I am not ashamed (1: 16)
B. The "Big Statement of Romans” 1:16-17
1. Paul's Pride Declared
2. Paul's Pride Defended
a. He is proud because of what it is
1. It is the gospel - glad tidings of good news.
2. It is the gospel of God - not our gospel.
b. He is proud because of what it does
1. It produces salvation
a.) Salvation from the guilt of sin
b.) Salvation from the power of sin
c.) Salvation from the pollution of sin
d.) Salvation from the penalty of sin
2. It is energized by God
a.) It is the power of God with respect to its personality
b.) It is the power of God with respect to its authority
c.) It is the power of God with respect to its durability
d.) It is the power of God with respect to its capability
e.) It is the power of God with respect to its integrity
c. He is proud because of who it reaches
a.) This gospel is available to the Jews
b.) This gospel is available to you.
A. The Reason for Gentile Guilt
1. Sin Expressed
a. Knowledge Suppressed 1:18-20
The charge expressed
God’s wrath
b. Knowledge Rejected 1:21-23
c. Knowledge Perverted 1:24 – 32
1.) Terrible filthiness. 24
2.) Unthinkable idolatry 25
3.) Unspeakable vices 26 and 27
4.) Absolute and Complete Depravity 27 – 32
2. Judgment Revealed 2:1-17
a. Its Abuse
1.) They shifted the blame.
2.) They miscalculated their odds. 3
3.) They presumed on God's goodness. 4
b. Its Certainty
c. Its Demands
d. Its Impartiality
- God's judgment is impartial.
- God's judgment is appropriate.
- God's judgment is based on the facts. 13.
- God's judgment is based on all the facts. 16.
- God's judgment is according to the gospel. 16.
B. The Reason for Jewish Guilt
1. False Assumptions… (Jewish Hypocrisy Exposed) 2:17-24
a. The Jews saw themselves as:
1.) Possessors of the Truth 17
2.) Protectors of the Truth 18
3.) Providers of the Truth 19-20
b. In fact the Jews were disobedient to the truth.
1.) The teacher was not a learner 21
2.) The preacher ignored his own message 21
a.) Great contradictions (Stealing / Adultery / Sacrilege / Lawbreaking)
b.) Great consequences 24
2. Based on False Foundations… (Circumcision Misunderstood) 2:24 - 29
a. If....
1.) The value of circumcision lies in the
obedience of its owners, 24;
and;
2.) The value of circumcision is voided in the
disobedience of its
owners, v24;
b. Then...
1.) The uncircumcised who are righteous shall be
counted as
circumcised, 26; and
2.) The uncircumcised who so fulfill the law may
judge the circumcised
who do not.
c. Because real Jewishness is inward, not outward. 28-29
3. Always Lead to False Conclusions, (We Cannot Reason With God) 3:1-8
a. The truthfulness of God cannot be preempted by privilege 3:1-2
1.) The Question: Was being Jewish and circumcised of no value? 1
2.) The Answer: Jews were at great advantage
because they had the
truth. 2
4. The truthfulness of God cannot be negated by unbelief 3:3-4
5. The truthfulness of God cannot be obligated by patronization 3:5-7
6. The truthfulness of God cannot be intimidated by propaganda 3:8
C. The Reason for Universal Guilt
1. The Verdict Announced 3:9,10
a. We are all guilty 3:9
b. We are guilty of all 3:10
2. The Evidence Documented 3:11-18
a. Sins of character 11, 12
b. Sins of speech 13, 14
c. Sins of conduct 15 - 17
d. Sins of conscience 18
3. The Case is Closed 3:19-20
A. The Concept of Justification by Faith 3:21-30
1. The Provision of Justification by Faith 3:21-30
a. Its Autonomy 3:21a
b. Its Authority 3:21b
c. Its Availability 3:22, 23
1.) By faith in Jesus Christ 22a
2.) Available to all men 22b
3.) Required for all men 23
d. Its Attributes 24 - 30
1.) It is free because it is by grace 24a
2.) It is redemptive in its scope 24b
3.) It is just because:
a.) It satisfies the wrath of God 3:25
b.) It vindicates the integrity of God 3:26
c.) It excludes the boasting of men 3:27
d.) It establishes, yet supersedes the law 3:28
e.) It demonstrates the equity of God 3:29-30
2. The Primacy of Justification by Faith - 4:1-15
a. It was the basis of Abraham's righteousness 4:1-5
b. It was the basis of David's righteousness 4:6-8
c. It preceded and validated the seal of circumcision 4:9-12
d. It preceded the law 4:13-15
3. The Purpose of Justification by Faith 16:-24
a. It was provided so that grace could be revealed 16a
b. It was provided so that all the seed could obtain righteousness 16b-18
c. It was credited to Abraham, (not earned) 19-22
1.) The belief of Abraham and Sarah produced works, (19-21), but
2.) The righteousness was credited, (not earned) 22.
4. The Promise of Justification by Faith 23-25
a. It was not for Abraham's sake alone 23
b. It was also provided for our benefit 24
c. It must now be obtained through the risen Christ 24-25
1.) Notice that our belief is in the One who raised up Jesus (the Father)
2.) Notice that Christ was delivered for this specific purpose
3.) Notice that Christ was raised as proof of our justification.
B. The
Certainty of Justification By Faith - Romans 5:1-11
1. The Benefits of Justification By Faith 5:1-5
a. A New Position
1.) Peace with God 5:1
2.) Access into Grace 5:2a
b. A New Perspective
1.) We rejoice in our new hope 5:2b
2.) We rejoice in our tribulations 5:3
a.) We understand the process of tribulation 3b-4
b.) We understand the product of tribulation 5
C. The Assurance which Justification By Faith provides us 5:6-11
1. Consider how far God went while we were yet enemies: 6-9
a. In the timing of God's provision - 6
b. In the greatness of the One who provided our justification 6b
c. In the distance to which Christ stooped to reach us 6b -7
d. In the level to which His love extended 8
2. Consider how much more God cares for us now! 9-11
a. If God did so much for us before we were justified,
consider how
committed He is to us right now!
D. The Answer which Justification By Faith provides for Adam's sin 12-21
1. Adam infected the whole human race 12-14
2. Christ provided the cure for the whole race 15-21
A. Justification by Faith – Its Abuse Does Not Negate It
1. The Question Stated As It Relates to Grace 6:1-13
a. Its Doctrinal Answer 6:2
1.) The argument 6:2b
2.) The evidence 6:3-10
a.) Our union with Christ forbids its abuse 6:3-10
1. Our union in death frees us from sin's penalty
2. Our union in resurrection frees us from sin's power
3.) The application 6:3:11-13
a.) We reckon ourselves as dead 11-12
b.) We yield ourselves as alive 13
2. The Question Restated As It Relates to the Law 6:15 - 7:24
a. Its Personal Answer 6:15
1.) The argument 6:16
a.) The first illustration - (the servant master relationship) 6:17-23
1.) The illustration expressed 6:17, 18
2.) The illustration explained 6:19-20
3.) The evidence asserted 6:21-23
4.) The conclusion reaffirmed 6:23
b.) The second illustration (the marriage relationship) 7:1-6
3. The purpose of the law revealed 7:1-24
B. The Law Does Not Negate It
1. The Question of Its Legal Authority 7:1-6
a. The Principle Stated 6
b. The Example Cited 2, 3
c. The Conclusion Asserted 4-6
2. The Question of Its Moral Integrity 7:7-12
a. The Principle Stated 7a
b. The Example Cited 7b-11
c. The Conclusion Asserted 12
3. The Question of its Present Influence 7:13-25
a. The Principle Stated 13a
b. The Example Cited 13b-24
c. The Conclusion Asserted 25 (and all of chapter eight)
C. The Spirit Effects It! 8:1-4
1. Freedom Declared! 1
2. The Spirit Replaces the Flesh 2
3. The Spirit Succeeds Where the Flesh Failed 3-4
4. The Revolution Explained 5- 17
a. The Failure of the Old Regime 5-8
1.) The fleshly minded mind the flesh vs5
2.) The spiritually minded mind the spirit 5
3.) Flesh minding produces death 6
4.) Spirit minding produces life and peace 6
5.) The fleshly mind wars against God and cannot please Him 7-8
b. The Power of the New Regime 9-13
1.) Your position stated 9
2.) Your power revealed 10-11
3.) Your practice demanded 12-13
D. Our Adoption Guarantees It! 8:14-16
1. Adoption Means Sonship 8:14, 15
[Added notes which are not in outline of Romans text:
Adoption - Its Use in History
Adoption - The Greek Word
Adoption - Its Roman Use
Adoption - Its Biblical Application
Adoption - Its Biblical Definition
Adoption - Its Testimony to God's Prenatal Love]
2. Adoption - Means Participation 8:16-39
a. Adoption - Our Participation With Christ 8:16-25
b. Adoption teaches us who we are - 16
c. Adoption teaches us why we suffer - 17
d. Adoption teaches us why the creation suffers - 19- 22
e. Adoption teaches us to wait for its consummation 23- 25
3. Adoption - Our Participation With the Spirit 8:26-27
a. Adoption teaches us what the Holy Spirit does for us 26a
b. Adoption teaches us how the Holy Spirit does it 26b
c. Adoption teaches us why the Holy Spirit succeeds 27
4. Adoption - Our Participation With the Father 8:28-39
a. Adoption teaches us what the Father purposes. 28
b. Adoption teaches us how the Father proceeds 29, 30
1.) The first step is foreknowledge 29
2.) The second step is predestination 29
3.) The third step is calling 30
4.) The fourth step is justification 30
5.) The final step is glorification 30
c. Adoption teaches us why the Father protects us 31-34
1.) There is no greater defender 31
2.) There is no greater defense 32
3.) There are no rightful accusers 33, 34
d. Adoption teaches us what causes the father to preserve us 35-39
A. Israel's Position Examined 9:1-33
1. Israel's lost majority 9:1-3
2. Israel's great privileges 9:4-5
3. Israel's true minority 9:6-19
a. The majority rejected -They are not all Israel. 9:6-8
1.) The scriptures are not to be blamed 6
2.) The principle of promise asserted 6-8
a.) They are not all of Israel who are Israel 6
b.) They are not all of Isaac who are Abraham's seed 7
c.) The children of the promise (not the flesh) are counted for seed. 8
3.) The principle of promise illustrated
a.) Through the promise made to Sara 9
b.) Through he promise made concerning Rebecca's conception 10-13
1. Rebecca's child (not Hagar's) was chosen, and; (Gen 21:12)
2. Jacob was chosen over Isaac before their births; 11
3. Therefore election is not based upon works 11-13
B. Israel’s God is Exonerated 9:14-24
1. The question asserted - is God unrighteous? 14
2. The answer revealed - from the scriptures 15-18
a. God claims the right to select His objects of mercy and compassion 15
b. The decision is based upon God's mercy, not man's will 16
c. An example may be found in God's treatment of Pharaoh 17
d. God may choose to be merciful and He may choose to harden. 18
3. God's Purpose Defended 19-29
a. God's Authority Asserted 19-21
b. God's Glory Manifested 22-24
c. God's Program Culminated 25-29
1.) As prophesied by Hosea 25-26
2.) As prophesied by Isaiah 27-29
C. Israel’s Problem Recognized 1-10
1. Israel's Great Need 1
2. Israel's Great Error 2-10
a. The wrong righteousness was sought 2-3
b. The righteousness of Christ and Moses contrasted
1.) Christ's righteousness terminates Moses righteousness 4
a.) Moses righteousness was by works 5
b.) Christ's righteousness is by faith 6-10
1. It does not need to be sought 6-8
2. It is present and available by faith 9-10
D. Israel’s Solution Revealed 11-15
1. The Offer Tendered 11-13
2. The Offer Transmitted 14-15
E. Israel’s Response Recorded 16-21
1. Not all have obeyed 16
a. Isaiah's acknowledgment 16
2. But all are accountable 17-21
a. The Word of God taught the way of faith vs17
b. The Word of God went to the ends of the world vs18
c. Moses testified of its rejection 19
d. Isaiah testified of its rejection 20-21
F. Israel’s Present Condition 1-24
1. The Burning Question 1-2a
2. The Believing Remnant 2b-6
3. The Blinded Remainder 7-24
a. God's purpose
1.) To blind the rebellious 7-10
a.) Isaiah's declaration (Isaiah 29:10) 8
b.) David's declaration (Psalm 69:22, 23) 9,10
2.) To bring salvation to the Gentiles 11a
3.). To provoke Israel to jealousy 11b - 12
b. Paul's participation
1.) The affirmation 13-16
2.) The analogy (the olive tree) 17-21
3.) The admonition 22-24
G. Israel’s Future Salvation 25-32
1. Israel's blindness is short-lived 25
a. It will end when the fullness of the Gentiles comes in.
2. Israel's salvation is sure 26
a. Isaiah asserts it. (Isaiah 59:20) 26
b. God's covenant insists on it 27
c. God's plan requires it 28-32
3. God's Wisdom is supreme 33-36
A. Living Sacrifices 12:1-21
1. In Service Toward God 1-2
a. Your Presentation 1
b. Your Prohibition 2a
c. Your Provision 2b
2. In Service Toward the Body of Christ 3-8
a. Your Position
1.) Personal Estimation 3
2.) Proper Differentiation 4
3.) Perfect Integration 5
b. Your Performance
1.) Recognize your role 6a
2.) Realize your duty 6b-8
a.) Prophesy 6
b.) Ministry 7
c.) Teaching 7b
d.) Exhortation 8
e.) Giving 8
f.) Ruling 8
g.) Showing mercy 8
3. In Service Toward All Men 9-16
The Sacrificial Servant. . .
• Communicates his love with sincerity 9
• Clings to the good 9
• Cares for the brethren 10
• Consecrates his spirit 11
• Continues constant in testing 12
• Considers saints in need 13
• Controls himself in conflict 14
• Commiserates with his companions 15
• Condescends to the commonplace 16
• Constrains his responses 17
• Commends his integrity 17
• Commits to peace 18
• Ceases from anger 19
• Conquers evil with good 20-21
B. Loving Servants 13:1-14
1. Submitting to Authority 1-7
a. Authority Delegated 1-2
b. Authority Defended 3-4
c. Authority Demanded 5-7
2. Settling Our Debt of Love 8-10
a. Love Effects the Law
b. Love Elevates our Neighbor
3. Sensing the Urgency of the Hour 11-14
a. It is High Time 11a
b. It is the End Time 11b
c. It is Daytime 12-14
C. Nurturing Servants 14:1-15:7
1. Accept Weaker Brethren 14:1-3
a. Disregard his arguments 1
b. Discern his need 2
2. Correct Weaker Brethren 14:4-12
a. Correct Him In Attitude - concerning his humility 4
b. Correct Him In Philosophy - concerning his conscience 5
c. Correct Him In Motive - concerning his purpose 6
d. Correct Him In Accountability - concerning his Christ 7-12
3. Protect Weaker Brethren 14:13-18
a. A new criterion 13
b. A new standard 14
c. A new goal 15-18
4. Perfect Weaker Brethren 14:19-23
a. The purpose is peace 19
b. The priority is people 20
c. The privilege is to abstain 21
d. The proof is a clear conscience 21-23
5. Please Weaker Brethren 15:1-7
a. Elevate the weak
1.) Carry his infirmity 1
. 2.) Cater to his need 1
b. Emulate the Savior 3-7
1.) His example was sacrificial 3a
2.) His example was scriptural 3b-4
3.) His Father will enable 5-7
D. A Leading Servant – Paul’s Ministry 15:8-33
Concerning his ministry, we see that it was:
1. A Prophetic Ministry 8-12
2. A Personal Ministry 13-14
3. A Priestly Ministry 15-16
4. A Powerful Ministry 17-19
5. A Planned Ministry 20-29
a. It was an aggressive plan 20
b. It was a biblical plan 21
c. It was a flexible plan 22-23
d. It was a purposeful plan 24-28
e. It was an affirming plan 29
F. A Prayerful Ministry 30-33
1. Why we pray 30a
2. How we pray 30b
3. What we pray 31-33