THE STUDY OF THE BOOK OF ROMANS: FOCUS ON CHAPTERS 3&4. A SYSTEM OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
TEXT: ROMANS 3:21-31
INTRODUCTION/SUMMARY
We will continue our study of the Book of Romans by looking at Chapters 3 and 4. In chapters 1 and 2, we saw the depravity of human beings because they rejected God in their minds. We also saw that both the Jews and Gentiles need salvation because they could not meet up with God’s requirements by themselves. So in chapters 3 and 4, Paul continues to demonstrates the Jews’ need of salvation; he also proceeds to answer questions that he envisions protesting Jews might ask. He goes on to explain the faithfulness of God in spite of the Jews’ unbelief, and the right of God to condemn the unrighteousness of man. Paul then declares that God’s righteousness is to be found in a system involving justification by faith and not by keeping the works of any law. He then proceeds to provide evidence by referring to Abraham as an example. May the Lord open our hearts and give us more understanding of His Word in Jesus name, amen.
ROMANS CHAPTER 3
OBJECTIVES OF STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
- To understand the key elements of God’s righteousness: grace, redemption, propitiation, faith in Jesus, and justification and; 2) To see the difference between a law of works and the law of faith
OUTLINE
I. THE JEWS’ NEED OF SALVATION (1-20)
A. THE JEWISH ADVANTAGE (1-2)
1. In many respects (1)
2. Especially in having the “Oracles of God” (2)
B. ANSWERS TO POSSIBLE OBJECTIONS (3-8)
1. Unbelieving Jews will not make the faithfulness of God without effect (3-4)
2. God is right to be angry, even if “unrighteousness” demonstrates His Own righteousness (5-6)
3. Though sin might increase God’s truth and give Him glory, people will still be judged for their sins (7-8)
C. THE JEWS INDICTED AS SINNERS BY THEIR OWN SCRIPTURES (9-20)
1. Despite advantages, Jews like Greeks are under sin (9)
2. Biblical proof (10-18)
3. Application and conclusion (19-20)
a. The Law condemns all, especially to whom it was given (19)
b. Law cannot justify, but only reveal the knowledge of sin (20)
II. THE PROVISION: JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (21-31)
A. GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS REVEALED (21-23)
1. Apart from law, but witnessed by the Law (21)
2. A righteousness through faith in Jesus (22a)
3. For all who believe, for all have sinned (22b-23)
B. GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS EXPLAINED (24-26)
1. Justification by grace through redemption in Christ (24)
2. Jesus’ blood offered by God as a propitiation through faith (25a)
3. This demonstrates God’s righteousness toward the one who has faith in Jesus (25b-26)
C. IMPLICATIONS OF GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS (27-31)
1. Boasting on man’s part is excluded (27a)
2. For justification is based on faith, not deeds of law (27b-28)
3. God is God of Jews and Gentiles, for He justifies both by faith (29-30)
4. This does not void the need for law, but rather meets the requirements of law (31)
WORDS TO PONDER
Redemption:
“a releasing, a payment for a ransom; refers to being released from the guilt of sin by the blood of Christ”
Justified:
“a legal term, indicating a verdict of ‘not guilty’; in
regards to sin, he who is justified is not held accountable for his sins”
propitiation:
“used to refer to an offering designed to appease; God offers the blood of Christ to appease for man’s sins”
sin:
“a missing of the mark” (Ro 3:23) — “a breaking of the law” (1Jn 3:4)
ROMANS CHAPTER 4
OBJECTIVES OF STUDYING THIS CHAPTER
1) To understand how Abraham was justified in God’s sight; 2) To see that the “righteousness” God imputes to man is actually justification (i.e., forgiveness); 3) To comprehend the nature of justifying faith by considering the example of Abraham
OUTLINE
I. JUSTIFICATION OF ABRAHAM AS AN EXAMPLE (1-8)
A. HOW ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED (1-5)
1. If by works, then he could boast (1-2)
2. The Scriptures reveal it was by his faith in God (3)
a. One who trusts in works, seeks God’s debt, not His grace (4)
b. But when one trusts in God to justify him, such faith is counted for righteousness (5)
B. THE TESTIMONY OF DAVID (6-8)
1. Even David spoke of God imputing righteousness apart from Works (6)
2. Blessed are those against whom God does not impute sins (7-8)
II. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH AVAILABLE TO ALL BELIEVERS (9-25)
A. BECAUSE ABRAHAM WAS JUSTIFIED BEFORE CIRCUMCISION (9-12)
1. His faith was counted for righteousness before he was circumcised (9-10)
2. Circumcision was a seal of the righteousness he had while uncircumcised (11a)
3. Thus he became the father of all who have the same kind of faith, both circumcised and
uncircumcised (11b-12)
B. BECAUSE THE PROMISE TO ABRAHAM WAS GRANTED THROUGH FAITH (13-25)
1. The promise to be the heir of the world given in view of his faith (13)
2. It was not given through law (14-15)
3. But in light of faith, according to grace, to assure that all who are of the same faith as Abraham
might be heirs of the promise (16-17)
4. The kind of obedient faith illustrated by Abraham (18-22)
5. Abraham’s justification by faith assures that we who believe in Him who raised Jesus from the dead
shall find justification (23-25)
WORDS TO PONDER
Impute: “to reckon, take into account, or, metaphorically, to put down to a person’s account”
Righteousness: as used in this chapter, the idea seems to be akin that of “justification”, where one is
declared “not guilty” (see Rom 4:5-8)
CONCLUSION
The mistake made by many Jews…Believing their obedience and animal sacrifices (i.e., the Law) was all they needed and; failing to heed the Law and the Prophets, who bore witness regarding God’s justification.
The mistake many people make today…Believing that faith only saves, and obedience is not necessary and; failing to heed the gospel and the apostles, that the faith which saves is an obedient faith.
When we are careful to note “The Righteousness Of God Revealed”, we learn that God saves those whose faith in Jesus prompt them to obey His Word. Has your faith in Jesus led you to obey His Word?
Thank You Jesus,
Salvation Prayers
If you don’t Know Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour and would like to accept him into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, Please say this prayer:
Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from You. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward You. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that Your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send Your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your Will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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