Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
Romans 3:1-31
- BREAKDOWN OF LINKS TO PERICOPES (considering ebible, listeners' commentary & Serendipity)
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
Summarize the main story: Describe the events and context of the chapter in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
Historical Background
Paul wrote Romans around AD 57
from Corinth, preparing for a visit to the capital. Jews had recently returned
after Claudius’s expulsion (Acts 18:2). Mixed house-churches now wrestled with
questions of Law, faith, and identity. Inscriptions from Roman catacombs
confirm an active Jewish community, lending weight to Paul’s address concerning
their privileges and responsibilities.
INITIAL SUMMARY OF ROMANS CHAPTER 3:
The text discusses God's faithfulness and the concept of righteousness. It begins by affirming the value of being a Jew, as they were entrusted with God's words. Despite human unfaithfulness, God's faithfulness remains unchanged. The text argues that all, both Jews and Gentiles, are under the power of sin, emphasizing that no one is righteous or seeks God. The law reveals sin but does not justify anyone. Righteousness from God is now available through faith in Jesus Christ for all believers, regardless of their background. This righteousness is a gift of grace, made possible by Christ's sacrifice. The text concludes that justification comes through faith, not works, and affirms that God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, upholding the law through faith rather than nullifying it.
OUTLINE
ROMANS 3
Paul presents six questions and answers them for his readers.
I. First Question and Answer (3:1–2)
A. Question (3:1): What are the advantages of being a Jew or of being circumcised?
B. Answer (3:2): The most important advantage is that Israel has been entrusted with the Word of God.
II. Second Question and Answer (3:3–4)
A. Question (3:3): Will Israel’s unfaithfulness nullify God’s promises?
B. Answer (3:4)
1. Paul’s testimony (3:4a): “Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true.”
2. David’s testimony (3:4b): Paul quotes from Psalm 51:4 to prove his point.
III. Third Question and Answer (3:5–8)
A. Question (3:5): If our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness, isn’t he unfair to punish us?
B. Answer (3:6–8)
1. The reprobation (3:8b): Paul has been falsely accused of teaching this very thing—that is, do evil that good may result.
2. The reply (3:6–8a): Paul responds, “If you follow that kind of thinking … you might as well say that the more we sin, the better it is! Those who say such things deserve to be condemned.”
IV. Fourth Question and Answer (3:9–20)
A. Question (3:9a): Are the Jews better than all other people?
B. Answer (3:9b–20)
1. The corruption (3:10–18): Paul describes the cancer of sin that has infected the human race.
a. Human conscience is corrupted (3:10–11): No one even desires to know and follow God.
b. Human character is corrupted (3:12): All have left the path of good and have become worthless.
c. Human conversation is corrupted (3:13–14): People’s talk is foul and filthy, resembling:
(1) The stench from an open grave (3:13a)
(2) The poison from a deadly snake (3:13b–14)
d. Human conduct is corrupted (3:15–18).
(1) “They are quick to commit murder” (3:15–17).
(2) “They have no fear of God” (3:18).
2. The conclusion (3:9, 19–20): After presenting all the terrible facts, Paul reaches this twofold conclusion:
a. Both Jew and Gentile have sinned against God (3:9).
b. Both Jew and Gentile stand accused before God (3:19–20).
V. Fifth Question and Answer (3:21–30)
A. Question (3:21a): How then does God save people?
B. Answer (3:21b–30)
1. The need for salvation (3:23): It is desperately needed, for all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
2. The Old Testament witness to salvation (3:21b): The Scriptures promise salvation apart from the law.
3. The method of salvation (3:22, 24–25, 27–28)
a. Negative (3:27–28): It is not accomplished by good works.
b. Positive (3:22, 24–25): It comes about by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Christ.
4. The legal accomplishment of salvation (3:26): It permits a just and holy God to declare repenting sinners righteous.
5. The scope of salvation (3:29–30): It is available for both Jews and Gentiles alike.
VI. Sixth Question and Answer (3:31)
A. Question (3:31a): Does faith nullify the law?
B. Answer (3:31b): To the contrary, faith fulfills the law!
|
People |
Places |
Points of Teaching |
Practical Application |
|
Jew Gentiles God Jesus Christ |
|
The Universality of Sin The Purpose of the Law Righteousness Through Faith God’s Justice and Mercy |
Acknowledge Your Need for a Savior Embrace Humility Share the Gospel Live in Gratitude |
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- What transformative move needs to be made?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts, or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Other Resources:
- Other YouTube Videos
No comments:
Post a Comment