Studies In The Book Of Romans

by Devadas Prakash
1. What are we justified by?
Faith [though, as we’ll address in the notes below, that does not mean “faith only”]: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).
· Justified by faith (Acts 13:38-39, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11-14, and Galatians 3:24).
· Not justified by faith alone (Matthew 12:37, Romans 2:13, Romans 3:24, Titus 3:7, and James 2:14-26). *We’ll even see this in the same context of our study (Romans 5:9).
· Peace with God (Romans 15:33, I Corinthians 14:33, and Colossians 3:15) through Jesus (Acts 10:36 and Philippians 4:6-7).
2. What should we rejoice in?
Hope [though, as we’ll address in the notes below, that does not mean we rejoice in “hope alone”]: “By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:2).
· We have access by faith into grace (Ephesians 2:16-18; cf. I Peter 3:18).
· We stand (I Corinthians 15:1 and I Corinthians 16:13).
· We rejoice in hope (Romans 12:12 and Hebrews 3:6), but we also rejoice in other things too (Acts 15:31, Philippians 3:3, Philippians 4:4, and II John 4).
3. Are there things, other than faith, that build us up to hope in God?
Yes: “(2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (3) And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; (4) And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:2-4).
· Glory in tribulations (Matthew 5:10-12, Luke 6:22-23, Acts 5:40-42, II Corinthians 12:6-10, and I Peter 4:16-17).
· Tribulation works patience (James 1:2-4).
· Patience and experience [proof; trials (Strong’s # 1382] bring hope (cf. II Timothy 4:16-18).
4. What prevents a Christian from being ashamed?
Hope: “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5).
· Hope maketh not ashamed (Psalms 22:4-5 and II Timothy 1:12).
· Prior to the word of God being fully revealed and man being fully equipped (II Timothy 3:16-17), the Holy Ghost was given for confirmation of the truth in all things (Romans 8:16, Ephesians 1:13, and I John 4:12-13).
· Now, we have the love of God in our hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17), through the word of God (Colossians 3:16; cf. Romans 10:17). *Remember, faith was a spiritual gift (I Corinthians 12:9) prior to the word of God being complete (I Corinthians 13:8-13).
5. Did Jesus die for righteous people?
No, for the ungodly: “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).
· Due time (Galatians 4:1-5; cf. John 7:6).
· For the ungodly (Matthew 1:21, Luke 5:27-32, Luke 19:1-10, John 1:29, Galatians 1:4, I Timothy 1:15, and I John 4:9-10).
6. What stands out about the love of God through the death of Christ?
The love of God stands far above what man would do even for a righteous person, yet what Jesus did was for sinners: “(7) For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. ( But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8).
· John 15:13 and I John 3:16.
7. What saves us from the wrath of God?
The blood of Christ: “Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him” (Romans 5:9).
· By His blood (Matthew 26:28, Ephesians 2:13, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 10:1-18, I John 1:7, and Revelation 1:5).
· The shedding of the blood of Christ, if alone, does nothing (I Corinthians 15:12-22).
8. How are we reconciled to God?
By the death of Christ: “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life” (Romans 5:10).
· Separation comes through our sins (Isaiah 59:1-3, Jeremiah 5:25, John 9:31, and II John 9).
· Reconciliation comes through Christ (II Corinthians 5:18, Colossians 1:18-21, and Hebrews 2:8-17).
· Salvation and the resurrection are tied together (John 11:25, I Corinthians 15:23, and I Peter 1:21).
9. Considering the fact that we can be reconciled to God, should we have joy?
Yes: “And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement” (Romans 5:11).
· Joy (Galatians 5:22-23, Philippians 4:4, and I Peter 1:3-9).