Summary of Doctrines in Romans

The Book of Romans, authored by the Apostle Paul, is one of the most theologically dense and foundational letters in the New Testament. It systematically sets out Paul’s understanding of Christian doctrine. Here are the main doctrinal themes found in the Book of Romans:

1. Righteousness of God and Justification by Faith (Chapters 1-5)

   – The universal sinfulness of humanity (1:18-3:20)

   – Justification by faith apart from works (3:21-5:21)

2. Sanctification and the New Life in Christ (Chapters 6-8)

   – Freedom from the power of sin through union with Christ (Chapter 6)

   – The ongoing struggle with sin and the law (Chapter 7)

   – Life in the Spirit as the solution to the struggle (Chapter 8)

3. God’s Plan for Israel (Chapters 9-11)

   – The sovereignty of God in election and Israel’s current unbelief (Chapter 9)

   – Salvation open to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike (Chapter 10)

   – The future hope for Israel in God’s redemptive plan (Chapter 11)

4. Christian Conduct and Practical Living (Chapters 12-15)

   – Living sacrificially and using spiritual gifts (Chapter 12)

   – Respecting and obeying governing authorities (Chapter 13)

   – Dealing with disputes over doubtful issues and weaker brothers (Chapters 14-15)

5. The Nature of the Gospel

   – The power of the gospel for salvation (1:16-17)

   – The global scope of the gospel for both Jew and Gentile (1:16, 2:9-10)

6. The Wrath of God and Human Sinfulness

   – The wrath of God revealed against ungodliness and unrighteousness (1:18-32)

   – The impartiality of God’s judgment against sin (2:1-16)

7. The Role of the Law

   – The inability of the law to justify (3:20)

   – The law’s function in pointing out sin (7:7-12)

8. Assurance and Hope

   – Assurance in God’s love and the Spirit’s work (5:1-5; 8:31-39)

   – The hope of future glory and creation’s redemption (8:18-25)

9. Love as the Fulfillment of the Law

   – Love for one’s neighbor encapsulates the law’s requirements (13:8-10)

10. The Unity of Believers

   – The call for unity among diverse members of the body of Christ (14:1-15:7)

Romans provides a comprehensive overview of the Christian gospel, moving from the plight of sinful humanity to the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, and from there to practical instructions for living out this redemption in the world. It remains one of the most studied and quoted books in the entire Christian Bible.

Justification By Law

In Paul’s epistle to the Romans, the concept of “justification by law” is a central theme, but it’s important to clarify that Paul argues against the idea that anyone can be justified (or declared righteous) before God by merely observing the Law. Instead, Paul uses the Law to highlight human inability to achieve righteousness on their own.

Here’s a breakdown of how Paul discusses “justification by law” in Romans:

1. The Law Reveals Sin:

   – The primary function of the Law (referring primarily to the Mosaic Law) was to define and reveal sin. It acts like a mirror, showing humanity its sinful nature. “Through the law we become conscious of our sin” (Romans 3:20).

2. No One is Justified by the Law:

   – Despite the Law’s holiness and righteousness, Paul emphasizes that no human can be justified or made right with God simply by observing it. This is because all have sinned and fall short (Romans 3:23). In essence, the Law sets a standard that humans, in their fallen state, cannot perfectly meet.

   – “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin” (Romans 3:20).

3. The Law Highlights the Need for a Savior:

   – By revealing human sinfulness, the Law makes it evident that humanity needs a Savior. It points to the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ for justification.

   – “But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe” (Romans 3:21-22).

4. The Law and Faith:

   – Paul does not dismiss the Law but shows its proper role in God’s plan. While the Law cannot justify, it leads people to Christ, in whom they can believe and be justified. The Law and faith are not opposed; the Law reveals the need for faith.

   – “So the law was our guardian until Christ came that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24, another of Paul’s letters, but it succinctly captures this point).

5. The Danger of Boasting:

   – If one could be justified by observing the Law, there might be room for boasting about one’s moral achievements. But since justification is through faith in Christ apart from the works of the Law, boasting is excluded (Romans 3:27).

In conclusion, when Paul discusses “justification by law” in Romans, he is not presenting it as a viable path to righteousness. Instead, he underscores that the Law, while holy and good, reveals human sin and shows the impossibility of earning righteousness by human effort. The true path to justification, Paul argues, is through faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification By Faith

Justification by faith is one of the central doctrines of Christianity, especially emphasized during the Protestant Reformation. It refers to the act by which God declares sinners to be righteous before Him, solely on the basis of their faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s a breakdown of the concept:

1. Meaning of Justification:

   – “Justification” is a legal term used in the Bible to describe the act of God where He declares a sinner to be “righteous” in His sight. In this act, God is not making the sinner righteous in behavior or character; rather, He is declaring them to be righteous in a legal sense.

2. The Need for Justification:

   – According to the Bible, all humans are sinful and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The consequence of sin is spiritual death and eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23). Thus, there arises a need for humans to be justified or declared righteous before God.

3. Faith as the Means:

   – In the Old Testament, righteousness was often associated with obeying the Mosaic Law. However, Paul, in his letters in the New Testament, particularly Romans and Galatians, emphasizes that no one can achieve righteousness through works or following the Law (Romans 3:20).

   – Instead, righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22). When a person places their trust in the redemptive work of Christ (His death and resurrection), God credits them with the righteousness of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21).

4. Grace, not Works:

   – Justification by faith underscores that salvation is an act of God’s grace. It’s not something humans can earn or deserve. Paul emphasizes that if justification were through works, then grace would no longer be grace (Romans 11:6). It’s a free gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9).

5. Results of Justification:

   – Being justified by faith, believers have peace with God (Romans 5:1). They are no longer subject to the condemnation of sin (Romans 8:1).

   – This justification also assures the believer of eternal life and makes them heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).

6. Historical Significance:

   – The doctrine of justification by faith was a central theme of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther, who was deeply influenced by his study of Romans, called it “the article upon which the church stands or falls.” He and other reformers contended against the prevailing view that humans could be justified through their own efforts or merits.

In essence, justification by faith highlights the core Christian belief that salvation and righteousness before God come not by human efforts or works but solely through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.

Salvation

In the Book of Romans, the Apostle Paul provides a systematic exposition of the Gospel and the process of salvation. According to Romans, salvation is a gift from God, achievable through faith in Jesus Christ. Here’s a breakdown of the progression and prerequisites to salvation as outlined in Romans:

1. Recognition of Humanity’s Sinful State (Romans 1:18-3:20)

   – Paul begins by addressing both Gentiles and Jews, demonstrating that all are under sin and none is righteous on their own.

   – The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.

   – Jews, despite having the Law, and Gentiles, despite having a moral conscience, all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.

2. Justification by Faith (Romans 3:21-5:21)

   – Righteousness is available apart from the Law, through faith in Jesus Christ, for all who believe (Romans 3:21-22).

   – Believers are justified freely by God’s grace through the redemption in Christ (Romans 3:24).

   – Faith is counted as righteousness, as illustrated by the example of Abraham (Romans 4).

   – The result of justification is peace with God, access to God’s grace, and hope in the glory of God (Romans 5:1-2).

3. Death to Sin, Life in Christ (Romans 6)

   – Believers are baptized into Christ’s death and raised with Him to live a new life.

   – Sin no longer has mastery over believers, and they should offer themselves to God as instruments of righteousness.

4. Life in the Spirit (Romans 8)

   – There’s no condemnation for those in Christ because they walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh.

   – The Spirit helps believers in their weaknesses and intercedes for them.

   – Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

5. Prerequisites and Response to the Gospel (Romans 10)

   – The word of faith is preached: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).

   – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).

Prerequisites for Salvation:

– Recognition of Sin: Before one can appreciate the need for salvation, there must be an acknowledgment of one’s sinful state.

– Faith: This is the central prerequisite. It involves trusting in Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection as the sole means of salvation (Romans 3:22; 10:9-10).

– Repentance: While the term “repentance” is not as prominent in Romans as in some other New Testament books, the idea of turning from sin is implicit, especially in passages like Romans 6 where believers are called to consider themselves dead to sin.

The progression to salvation in Romans underscores the depth of human sin, the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, and the transformative power of faith and the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.

Sin, Law, Grace, and Mercy

The Book of Romans delves deeply into the relationship between Sin, Law, Grace, and Mercy, providing a theological framework for understanding the process of salvation. Here’s how Paul relates these concepts in Romans:

1. Sin:

   – Nature: Sin is a pervasive force that affects all of humanity. It is rebellion against God and leads to death (Romans 3:23; 5:12).

   – Universal Problem: Both Jews and Gentiles are under the power of sin, and no one is righteous by their own efforts (Romans 3:9-12).

2. Law:

   – Revealer of Sin: The Law (referring mainly to the Mosaic Law) makes humans aware of sin. It serves as a mirror, showing us our transgressions (Romans 3:20; 7:7).

   – Cannot Justify: While the Law is holy and good, humans, because of their sinful nature, cannot fully adhere to it. Therefore, the Law can’t justify or make anyone right with God (Romans 3:20; 7:12).

   – Accentuates Sin: The Law even provokes sin in some ways, making the sinful passions more evident. It’s not that the Law is sinful, but sin uses the Law to produce death (Romans 7:8-11).

3. Grace:

   – Gift of God: Grace is God’s unmerited favor towards humanity. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not something earned (Romans 3:24; 5:15; 6:23).

   – Abounds Over Sin: Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. Grace triumphs over sin and its consequences (Romans 5:20-21).

   – Empowers Believers: Through grace, believers die to sin and live to God. They are not under the Law but under grace, which leads to righteousness (Romans 6:14).

4. Mercy:

   – Compassionate Action: Mercy refers to God’s compassionate action towards those in a helpless state, particularly sinners. In Romans, Paul talks about God having mercy on whom He wants to have mercy (Romans 9:15).

   – Part of God’s Plan: God’s hardening of certain individuals and showing mercy to others is part of His sovereign plan to make His riches and glory known (Romans 9:18, 23).

   – For Both Jews and Gentiles: God has bound everyone over to disobedience so He could have mercy on them all. Both Jews and Gentiles experience God’s mercy (Romans 11:30-32).

Relationship to Achieve Salvation:

– Sin places humans in a state of separation from God and under condemnation.

– The Law highlights and accentuates the problem of sin, demonstrating humans’ inability to achieve righteousness by their own efforts.

– Grace provides the solution. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus, believers receive righteousness as a gift from God.

– Mercy is intertwined with grace, showing that God doesn’t give believers what they deserve (judgment) but instead offers forgiveness and eternal life.

In Romans, Paul makes it clear that salvation is entirely an act of God’s grace and mercy. While sin condemns and the Law exposes the depth of human rebellion, grace and mercy bring reconciliation and righteousness.

Sanctification and the New Life in Christ

“Sanctification” and the “New Life in Christ” are core theological concepts within Christianity, particularly emphasized in the New Testament writings, including those of the Apostle Paul.

Sanctification:

Definition: Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God and His purposes and are progressively made more righteous and holy in their character and conduct.

1. Initial Sanctification:

   – This refers to the immediate change that occurs in believers when they first come to faith in Christ. They are set apart as God’s own and are justified, meaning declared righteous in God’s eyes.

   – At this moment, the believer is seen as holy in position because of Christ’s righteousness credited to them.

2. Progressive Sanctification:

   – This is a continuous process throughout a believer’s life. It involves the Holy Spirit working within believers to make them more Christ-like in thought, word, and deed.

   – It’s an ongoing struggle between the old sinful nature and the new nature in Christ, with the aim of the believer growing in holiness over time.

3. Ultimate Sanctification:

   – This is the final state of believers when they are completely free from sin. It takes place in the afterlife when believers are in the presence of God.

New Life in Christ:

Definition: The New Life in Christ refers to the transformative experience and lifestyle of a person after they’ve come to faith in Jesus.

1. New Creation:

   – Believers are considered a new creation, with the old life passing away and a new life beginning (2 Corinthians 5:17).  

2. Empowered by the Spirit:

   – The Holy Spirit indwells believers, empowering them to live a life that pleases God and to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).  

3. Dead to Sin:

   – Believers are taught that they are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11). This means they no longer have to be slaves to sin but can live in righteousness.  

4. Living in Freedom:

   – While the Law was a tutor to lead people to Christ, in Christ believers are free from the condemnation of the Law. They live not by rules, but by the Spirit, in freedom (Galatians 5:1).

5. Eternal Perspective:

   – With the new life in Christ, believers have the hope of eternal life. Their perspective shifts from a temporal, worldly focus to an eternal one, setting their minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-2).

 Interrelation:

Sanctification and the New Life in Christ are closely interrelated. The New Life in Christ initiates the process of sanctification. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, they are progressively sanctified, living out their new identity and reflecting Christ more in their daily lives. The ultimate goal is to be completely conformed to the image of Christ, which will be fully realized in eternity (Romans 8:29).

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Paul’s epistle to the Romans provides one of the most comprehensive explanations of the Gospel and the role of Jesus Christ’s atonement in salvation. Let’s explore how the atonement enables salvation according to Paul’s writings in Romans:

1. The Problem of Sin:

   – Paul starts by establishing the universality of sin, stating that both Jews and Gentiles are under its power: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

   – Sin leads to death, and humanity is therefore under condemnation (Romans 6:23).

2. The Inadequacy of the Law:

   – The Law (referring to the Mosaic Law) served to reveal sin but could not solve the problem of sin. In fact, it accentuated it by setting a standard that fallen humanity could not achieve (Romans 3:20; 7:7-9).

3. Jesus Christ’s Atonement:

   – Christ’s sacrificial death is presented as the solution to the problem of sin. He was put forward as a “propitiation” (a sacrifice that bears God’s wrath to divert it from us) through faith in His blood (Romans 3:25).

   – By dying on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, satisfying God’s justice and demonstrating His righteousness (Romans 3:26).

4. Justification by Faith:

   – Jesus’ atoning sacrifice makes it possible for humans to be justified, meaning declared righteous. This justification is not achieved by human works but is received through faith in Jesus Christ: “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28).

   – The idea is that Christ’s righteousness is imputed or credited to believers, while their sins were imputed to Christ on the cross (Romans 4:22-25).

5. Reconciliation and Peace:

   – Through Jesus’ atonement, believers are reconciled to God, moving from a state of enmity to one of peace: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

   – The love of God is poured into believers’ hearts through the Holy Spirit, assuring them of salvation (Romans 5:5).

6. Victory over Sin and Death:

   – Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. By this union, they die to sin’s power and are raised to a new life in Christ (Romans 6:4-11).

   – Through Christ’s atonement, believers are set free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:2).

7. The Role of the Spirit:

   – The Holy Spirit is given to believers as a result of Jesus’ atonement. The Spirit enables them to live in accordance with God’s will, intercedes for them, and assures them of their future glory (Romans 8:11, 26-30).

In summary, according to Paul in Romans, the atonement of Jesus Christ addresses the core problem of human sin and the inadequacy of the Law to rectify it. Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus offers justification, reconciliation, and victory over sin and death. This salvation is accessible to all through faith, and it brings believers into a renewed relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.