Ancient letters typically began by stating the identity of the sender and the recipients, followed by the sender’s greeting and an expression of thanks. This pattern can be seen at the beginning of many New Testament epistles.For the past 2,000 years many people have regarded the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Romans as his greatest epistle, though all his writings are valuable and doctrinally rich. (Institute Manual)
“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.”
READ Romans 1:1
-How does Paul introduce himself?
The fact that he interrupted his introduction by inserting a comment about the gospel of God suggests that Paul wanted to capture the attention of his audience….Generally assumed to be an important statement of faith…the epistle to the Romans declares at the outset that the the gospel of God……
READ Romans 1:3-5
Returning to the standard form, Paul addresses this letter to:
READ Romans 1:7
After Paul greeted the Saints in Rome, he stated what some commentators have called the theme of the Epistle to the Romans, which is found in…
READ Romans 1:16–17
-In what ways does Paul prove he is not ashamed of the gospel?
-In what ways can we prove that we are not ashamed of the gospel?
-How would you state the theme of Romans based on these verses?
How about: “The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all who exercise faith in Jesus Christ.”
Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Romans 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
33-NT SS Lesson Aug. 7-13, 2023 Romans 1-6 “The Power of God unto Salvation”
Define these words which Paul uses In verses 16-17:
Salvation Faith and believeth Jew Greek (Gentile) Righteousness and just (justified)
-How would you state the theme of Romans based on these two verses?
How about: “The gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation to all who exercise faith in Jesus Christ.”
REVIEW Romans 1:18–3:20
-If someone were to say to you, “I have some news of great importance to you, but you may find it unpleasant,” would you want to hear it? -Why or -why not?
The “bad news” Paul told the Roman Saints, both Jew and Gentile, was the truth about what would happen to their eternal souls if they were unrighteous in their thoughts or actions and did not accept their need for the Savior’s Atonement.
READ Romans 1:18
-What happens to men who commit acts of unrighteousness?
The Joseph Smith Translation, Romans 1:18 (footnote b), and Romans 1:19, make clear that Paul was directing his warning to people who knew the truth and chose to “remain in unrighteousness.”
-Why do all acts of unrighteousness bring down God’s wrath?
READ D&C 1:31
The divine standard is perfect righteousness. Because God is perfectly righteous, He cannot condone sin in any degree.
READ Romans 3:10; 23
-What is the problem for all mankind that Paul implied in these verses?
All unrighteousness brings divine displeasure, and all people have failed to be perfectly righteous.
-If there were no Atonement, what would be the eternal consequences for us?
The “good news” of the gospel is that Christ overcame this plight, as Paul went on to teach. But he first emphasized the universal nature of sin. To better appreciate why the gospel is “good news,” we need to understand this universal problem that the gospel can resolve.
Salvation = being saved from physical and spiritual death; resurrection and forgiveness of sins
Faith and believeth = complete trust in Jesus Christ, which leads to faithful obedience
Jew = God’s covenant people, Israel; they had the law of Moses
Greek (Gentile) = children of God who were not born into the house of Israel
Righteousness and just (justified) = obedience to God’s law; pardoned from sin and declared guiltless, made right with God
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
D&C 1:31 For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Paul to the Gentiles:
SCAN Romans 1: 22-27, 29-31
-What sins are listed that were prevalent among Gentiles?
-Are some of these sins present in our world today?
READ Romans 1:18-20
-Why were the Gentiles “without excuse” for their sins? (Because they had received witnesses of the Creator through His creations.
Paul to the Jews:
READ Romans 2:17, 21-25…in Add’l Res
-What is Paul saying here?
READ Romans 2:28-29 (here)
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
READ Why did the Jews feel so comfortable…in Add’l Res
Apparently some Jews believed God would condemn the Gentiles for their sins but judge the Jews more approvingly—even though they had broken the laws of God—because they were God’s chosen people and had His law.
READ Why did Paul challenge the Jews”Teachest…Add’l Res
Paul to us:
-How can Paul’s counsel to the Romans can help us remember to focus more on “the heart [and] the spirit” (Romans 2:29) than on outward actions?
-What was wrong with the Jews’ belief that God would judge them more approvingly than the Gentiles.
Romans 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
True discipleship is found in our inward commitment, not just in our actions.
A quote provided by my daughter, Chelsea:
READ Sister Michelle Craig…on right
READ Romans 2:5-11
Some Jews believed God would condemn the Gentiles for their sins but judge the Jews more approvingly—even though they had broken the laws of God—because they were God’s chosen people and had His law.
-What was wrong with the Jews’ belief that God would judge them more approvingly than the Gentiles.
God will judge all people impartially.
READ Romans 2:28-29
-How would you state in your own words what Paul wrote?
-If you replaced Jew with Latter-day Saint and circumcision with covenant, how would you apply these verses to members of the Church? (The covenants we have made with God are of little value to us unless we keep His commandments. Our outward actions should be a reflection of our inward conversion and commitment.)
Paul’s counsel to the Romans can help us remember to focus more on “the heart [and] the spirit” (Romans 2:29) than on outward actions.
Sister Michelle Craig: Living in convenience does not bring power. The power we need to withstand the heat of our day is the Lord’s power, and His power flows through our covenants with Him. To lean in with our faith when facing strong headwinds—to sincerely strive each day to do what we covenanted with the Savior we would do, even and especially when we are tired, worried, and wrestling with troubling questions and issues—is to gradually receive His light, His strength, His love, His Spirit, His peace.
Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
6 Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Romans 2:28–For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”
READ Romans 3:9-12
(Verse 9, “we” means the Jews and “they” means the Gentiles.)
-What did Paul say about our standing before God without the Atonement?
All accountable people sin and without the Atonement stand condemned before God.
-Why do you think it was important for Paul to establish the guilt of all people before he taught about the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
READ Romans 3:20
-What does Romans 3:20 teach about justification? (No one can be “justified,” or declared guiltless, by the deeds of the law of Moses.)
-What does Romans 3:20 mean for us today? (no one can be justified by his or her own righteous works.)
READ Sister Michelle Craig…on right We need the Lord’s power: A quote provided by my daughter, Chelsea:
READ President Ezra Taft Benson…in Add’l Res
READ Romans 3:21
Paul now turns to the “good news” of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which makes it possible for God’s children to return to His presence. From Romans 1:18 to Romans 3:20, Paul argued that all people are guilty of sin. But at this point, when readers might feel overwhelmed by the evidence of their guilt and expect Paul to issue a statement of condemnation, Paul instead declared the “good news” of the gospel. He signaled the change in his presentation with the words “but now” at the beginning of Romans 3:21. (Institute Manual)
Romans 3:9 What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Sister Michelle Craig: Living in convenience does not bring power. The power we need to withstand the heat of our day is the Lord’s power, and His power flows through our covenants with Him. To lean in with our faith when facing strong headwinds—to sincerely strive each day to do what we covenanted with the Savior we would do, even and especially when we are tired, worried, and wrestling with troubling questions and issues—is to gradually receive His light, His strength, His love, His Spirit, His peace.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
READ Romans 3:21-25, 28-29
-How would you summarize the “good news” Paul taught?
1.The gospel would have helped Jewish members of the Church realize that their salvation did not depend upon their perfect observance of the many rituals and regulations of the law of Moses
2. Both Jewish and Gentile Church members would have realized that all people were justified—declared guiltless and made right with God—by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul understood that faith was manifest by repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and trying to live the teachings of Jesus Christ.
3. Gentile members of the Church would have realized that living the many rituals and regulations of the law of Moses was not required of them and that they too would be justified by faith in Jesus Christ
4. Gentile converts were not inherently less righteous than Jewish converts. All people, Jew and Gentile, have the same God and obtain remission of sins by faith in Jesus Christ
-When we commit sin, what happens to our relationship with God? (He is offended, and our relationship with Him is broken.)
-Since we are the ones who offended God, who would you expect to make an offering in order to repair the broken relationship?
-According to Romans 3:24–25 who actually offers the gift in order to reconcile our broken relationship with God and what is offered as the gift.
-How does this help you understand Heavenly Father’s love for you?
Through faithful acceptance of the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be justified and receive salvation.
Romans 3:21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
LAST WORDS: In these verses, in the process of teaching the truth, Paul wrestles with attitudes, the attitudes of Jews who feel that their heritage transcends the Law, and who also feel that law is the Law of Moses; and the Gentiles who do not feel accepted by the Jews. Later, in Romans, Paul will teach them as Christians who must subscribe to the Law of Christ, which encompasses all.
Our modern day leaders also wrestle with those who fail to recognize and accept truth. President Nelson, speaking to the students at BYU in September, 2019 talked about laws and the love of God, saying: ,,,,”I wish to discuss five truths that I feel impressed to share with you:
Truth number one: You are sons and daughters of God…..Let me clarify a distinguishing characteristic about your identity. You are the children whom God chose to be part of His battalion during this great climax in the longstanding battle between good and evil—between truth and error.
Truth number two: Some things are simply true. The arbiter of truth is God—not your favorite social media news feed, not Google, and certainly not those who are disaffected from the Church. Many now claim that truth is relative and that there is no such thing as divine law or a divine plan. Such a claim is simply not true. There is a difference between right and wrong. Truth is based upon the laws God has established for the dependability, protection, and nurturing of His children. Eternal laws operate in and affect each of our lives, whether we believe them or not.
Truth number three: God loves every one of us with perfect love. More than anything, our Father wants His children to choose to return home to Him. Everything He does is motivated by His yearning desire….
Truth number four: The Lord Jesus Christ, whose Church this is, appoints prophets and apostles to communicate His love and teach His laws.
Thus our commission as apostles is to teach nothing but truth. That commission does not give us the authority to modify divine law.
For example, let’s consider the definition of marriage. In recent years, many countries, including the United States, have legalized same-sex marriage. As members of the Church, we respect the laws of the land and abide by them, including civil marriage. The truth is, however, that in the beginning—in the beginning—marriage was ordained by God! And to this day it is defined by Him as being between a man and a woman. God has not changed His definition of marriage.
Now, for the fifth truth: You may know for yourself what is true and what is not by learning to discern the whisperings of the Spirit. “For the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. . . . It speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be.”
Concluding his remarks, President Nelson says: “Ask your Heavenly Father if we truly are the Lord’s apostles and prophets. Ask if we have received revelation on this and other matters. Ask if these five truths are, in fact, true. Now, in my capacity as president of the Church, I invoke a blessing upon you to be able to discern between right and wrong, between the laws of God and the conflicting voices of the world. I bless you with power to detect the adversary’s deceptions. I bless you with greater capacity to receive revelation. And I bless you to be able to feel the infinite reach of God’s perfect love for you.I so bless you and express my love for you, along with my witness that this is the Lord’s Church and that He presides over and guides all we do, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.”
Study the words of Paul, examine the words of our prophet, pray for the ability to recognize the truth and to make good choices. Lean into the wind, gain God’s power by keeping our covenants. Have a good week and be of good cheer.
Greg
Romans 2:17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
Why did the Jews feel so comfortable in their position? (2:17-20) “Paul’s description of the Jews in these verses was accurate. The Jews were in a unique position, and many felt the responsibility required of them. ‘Jewish sages often warned that sages should be humble and not boast in their knowledge. But Israel could boast of their sole possession of the law, because they alone worshipped the one true God.’” (Keener, Bible Background Commentary, 418)
Why did Paul challenge Jewish Christians with the declarations, ”Teachest Thou not thyself”? “The Jews considered themselves to be the God’s chosen people. Having the Law of Moses they assumed the prerogative to stand as lights to the world and as teachers to all mankind. But when violators of the law do the teaching, their professions of religion and morality lead to sacrilege and blasphemy.” (McConkie, Doctrinal NT Commentary, 2:227)
President Ezra Taft Benson “Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect upon all mankind” (“The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 85).