Bible Study: Romans 1:16-17

Romans 1:16-17 The Gospel: The Power of God for Salvation

1. Unashamed of the Gospel, The Power of God for Salvation (1:16)

• Paul is totally sold out for the gospel without shame and willing to endure whatever persecution is required to see it furthered among the nations. (1:16a)
  
• The Gospel is the Power of God For Salvation to all who believe (1:16b)
  

             A. God demonstrated His Great Power in that He alone can save men from their sin, and this happens through our Lord Jesus Christ.
             B. The gospel is not a respecter of status, etc., for all who call on the name of the Lord believing God raised Christ from the dead will be saved--Rom 10:9-13

• To the Jew First and then the Greek (1:16c)
  

             A. The Gospel was given to the Jews first not because they were inherently better but because they were the ones originally entrusted with the Law.  They were advantaged in that they already had more light than anyone else.  They were favored by grace and not because of anything within them.
             B. From the promise given to Eve in Gen 3:15 to the promise of Abraham, all nations would be blessed, for God’s sheep come from all walks of life.  However, the Gentiles must not boast, for the Jew was partially hardened (Rom 11:25), so that Christ would be crucified and thus open the gates of salvation to all tribes, nations, and tongues. [Edwards describes hardening as 1) God withholding His Spirit and 2) by ordering things which the abuse of hardens the heart. Edwards, Vol II, Sermon IV under 17 Occasional Sermons, 849)].

2. The Righteousness of God Revealed in the Gospel From Faith (1:17)

• Luther agonized over God’s righteousness until he saw justification by faith alone.
  
• The Righteousness of God (1:17a)
  

              A. God is Perfect and Holy; He is set apart from all creation.  
              B. In this fallen world, He is set apart in that He is without sin able to judge justly.  
              C. God is consumed with all that is Right and is thus consumed with Himself since He is the Perfect Standard of Righteousness.
              D. He will never turn a blind eye to sin; He would deny Himself if He did and this would plunge all of reality into total chaos and darkness.

• His Righteousness is Revealed (1:17b)
  

              A. It is made known through the Gospel because His Righteousness must be satisfied against the ungodly if He is to redeem a godless world.
              B. It is revealed in that we see it manifested in Christ’s crucifixion where He ultimately took the wrath of God, which was far worse than any persecution He could receive from man.  In becoming sin, God’s full fury was poured out upon Christ for His most undeserving and vile sheep; all of this was to glorify Himself.

• Revealed From Faith to Faith (1:17c)
  

              A. Through Faith in Christ, Christ’s righteousness is imputed to His sheep
              B. (imputed means belonging to--Wayne Grudem Systematic Theology 726-729)
              C. Everything we do that is considered righteous is by faith: from one act of faith to another--from initial belief to a lifelong trust in the Lord.

• The Righteous Live By Faith (1:17d)
  

              A. From of old, the righteous lived by faith and not by works (Hebrews 11)