The Salutation, vv. 1-7
A. The Writer–Paul
1. Servant of Jesus Christ
2. Called to be an Apostle
3. Separated to the Gospel of God
B. The Ministry: the “Gospel of God,” the Gospel of His Son,” and the “Gospel of Christ”
1. This Gospel was promised by the Prophets of the OT.
2. The Gospel concerns Christ:
a. according to the flesh, a Jew, v. 3;
b. according to God’s power of the resurrection, the Son of God, v. 4.
c. Proves the humanity and deity of Jesus.
3. Purpose of the Gospel is to bring all nations into obedience to the faith, v. 5.
C. The Recipients
1. Those in Rome called of Jesus Christ, v. 6.
2. Those in Rome, beloved of God.
3. Those in Rome called to be saints, v. 7.
The Purpose, vv. 8-17
A. Why Paul is writing, vv. 8-15:
1. Paul wants to visit the Roman saints for 3 reasons:
a. to establish them in the faith, v. 11;
b. that they would be a blessing to him, v. 12;
c. that he would win other Gentiles to the Lord, v. 13.
2. Paul had been hindered from visiting before now because of his many opportunities elsewhere, Romans 15:19-23.
3. Paul’s motivations:
a. “I am a debtor to the Greeks and Barbarians”–he is indebted to Christ for salvation to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
b. “I am ready to preach the Gospel at Rome.”
c. “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.”
B. What Paul is writing about, vv. 16-17
1. The Gospel reveals God’s righteousness unto salvation.
2. God is both just and justifier; He makes sinners righteous by faith and upholds His holy law.
3. This righteousness is based on faith, not works.
The Sinful Progression of Man, vv. 18-32
A. Man knew God, vv. 18-20
1. through conscience
2. through creation
B. Man did not glorify God as God, vv. 21-23
1. indifference
2. ingratitude
3. ignorance (classical definition of ignorance is knowing the law and ignoring it)
4. idolatry, worshiping the creature rather than the Creator
C. Man exchanged God’s truth for Satan’s lie.
1. Worship the creature, not Creator.
2. Worship man, not God.
3. Worship things, not Christ.
D. Man rejected the knowledge of God, vv. 26-32
1. The decline of man: from the noblest of God’s creatures to beasts.
2. God’s three-fold judgment on man:
a. God gave them up to uncleanness and idolatry, vv. 24-25
b. God gave them over to vile passions, vv. 26-27
c. God gave them over to a reprobate mind (unworthy of God’s favor, thrown away), v. 28
Conclusion
Mankind is a sinner by nature and choice.
Man’s sin makes him a castaway by God.
The Gospel is that God can redeem man by faith.
Great outline.