Book of Romans Introduction

The book of Romans: An Introduction. Notes and audio download. A great tour to the book of Romans with Dr. McGee. Notes & audio built into study. Romans has been rightly called the constitution of Christianity or the gospel according to Paul.

Let me state in subdued language that Romans is an eloquent and passionate declaration of the gospel of Jesus Christ by a man who made an arduous but productive journey to die for Christ, the One who died for him. Romans is more than cold logic; it is the gospel stated in warm love. – J. Vernon McGee

Romans KEY VERSES:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For in it is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:16, 17)

Romans An Introduction

These verses set before us the subject of the epistle. Although each word in the epistle is important, these are significant in their marvelous unfolding of the entire epistle. These words are keys on a mighty organ which, if played, give forth the music of the whole masterpiece. These are the high notes:

(1) gospel (6) everyone (11) revealed

(2) Christ (7) believeth (12) faith

(3) power (8) Jew (13) just

(4) God (9) Greek (Gentile) (14) live

(5) salvation (10) righteousness

These words form the subject matter of the epistle. Perhaps some might want to add:

(1) Holy Spirit (5) identification (9) service

(2) sin (6) sanctification (10) separation

(3) imputation (7) security
(4) law (8) predestination

Dr. Griffith Thomas has given us a fitting word:

We must never forget that the term “righteousness” is much wider than justification, though this is, of course, included. Righteousness really covers all that is necessary to reinstate a sinner as right with God and therefore includes his position, his character, his privileges, and his prospects. It embraces the past, present, and future, and it means “the state of being right.”

On this thesis he gives the following outline of the epistle:

(a) Righteousness needed by sinful men (1:17 — 3:20)

(b) Righteousness provided by God (3:21-26)

(d) Righteousness experienced in the soul (5:1 — 8:17)

(e) Righteousness guaranteed as permanent blessing (8:18-39)

(f) Righteousness rejected by the Jewish nation (9 — 11)

(g) Righteousness manifested in practical life (12 — 16)

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