Suggested outlines for four messages on Romans 3:21-5:21
We are not trying to suggest that this is the only way to divide up Romans chapters 3-5, or the only way to teach through these chapters! We are trying to illustrate one possible way of dividing up these chapters, based on the principle of working from the whole Bible down to the particular book, and then to the individual message.
The theme of this section of Paul's letter to the Romans is justification: God counts us as if we had never sinned, because Christ died.
1. How can we be made right with God? Romans chapter 3 verses 21-31
The previous section concludes that no-one can be made right with God through keeping the law (chapter 3 verse 20) - neither the Gentile (chapter 1 verses 18-32) nor the Jew (chapter 2 verse 1 to chapter 3 verse 8). Rather, the law shows up our sinfulness and need of rescue (chapter 3 verses 9-20). But now (chapter 3 verse 21) a different way of being made right with God has been revealed - through faith in Christ. Key points:
- the universal need (previous verses)
- we receive God's rescue by faith, whether we are Jews or Gentiles, verses 21-23
- the centrality of the death of Christ in our place, verses 24-26
- Because of this no-one has any reason to boast - not because of their background (e.g. the Jews), nor because of their good works, verses 27-31
Possible applications:
- Have we trusted Christ and his death as the basis for our being accepted by God?
- What are we boasting about?
2. The example of Abraham, Romans chapter 4 verses 1-25
Abraham was vitally important to the Jews as the founder of their nation, so the question of how he was made right with God is of huge importance to them.
Paul uses Genesis chapter 15 verse 6 to establish that Abraham was made right with God through believing Him, not through any law works. (chapter 4 verses 1-8)
Being made right with God through faith is available to Jews (circumcised) and non-Jews (uncircumcised) - Abraham was still uncircumcised when this was true of him. (chapter 4 verses 9-12)
Abraham's true descendants are not just his physical descendants, but those who follow his example of faith. (chapter 4 verses 13-17)
Abraham is our example because he held on in faith, even when the evidence seemed to be against him (chapter 4 verses 18-22).
Possible applications :
- Are we Abraham's descendants? Do we have the same kind of faith he had?
3. Benefits from being made right with God, Romans chapter 5 verses 1-11
Having made his case that the gospel of God's acceptance is for all through faith, Paul rounds off this central section of his argument by spelling out the consequences. For individual believers it means peace with God, an experience of grace which will shape the character through suffering, and a secure basis of hope for the future...[1]
- Peace - not a subjective, inner feeling, but an objective reality: peace with God (verse 1) - see note [2]
- Access into God's presence (verse 2)
- Hope for the future (verse 2, verse 5)
- Progressive character development through the way we respond to present sufferings ( verses 3-4)
- The Holy Spirit (verse 5)
- The greatest benefit of all - saved from God's wrath (verses 6-11)
(Different commentators list different benefits. The main point is that we have a series of positive benefits, both now and in the future, as a result of being made right with God through Christ's death.)
Possible applications :
- How do we respond to the benefits of being made right with God? The response that Paul picks up again and again is 'rejoicing' (verse 2, verse 3, verse 11)
- How do we respond to present sufferings in the light of these benefits? Paul sees sufferings as opportunities for character building (verses 3-5)
4. Death through Adam, life through Christ, Romans chapter 5 verses 12-21
This passage recaps and summarizes the whole argument of chapter 3 verse 21 through to chapter 5 verse 11. Two humanities:
- In Adam
- In Christ
Recap: we are all sinners, and we are all under God's judgment. (Where previously Paul said we were all sinners whether Jews or Gentiles, here he argues that we are all sinners because we are all descendants of Adam, verses 12-14.)
The free gift of rescue and eternal life through Christ is available to all (whether Jews or Gentiles), verses 15-19
God never intended people to be saved through keeping the law. Rather, the purpose of the law is to show how sinful we are. This in turn shows how great God's grace in Christ is, verses 20-21
Possible applications:
- Are we in Adam or in Christ?
- The appropriate response from us is thankfulness for God's great grace
[1] IVP 'Dictionary of Paul and His Letters,' page 846
[2] Some mss read 'Let us have peace with God...' rather than 'We have peace with God...' The Zondervan Expositors' Bible Commentary argues that exhortation is out of place in the overall context of this passage, and that the reading 'We have peace...' is to be preferred. (See EBC volume 10 page 56)