Paul’s Epistle to the Roman Church

by, Rev. Eric Alan Greene

The Structure and Themes of Romans

A The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Promises of Scripture, & Obedience to the Faith 1:1-6

B Greetings to the Saints 1:7

C Paul’s Desire to See Them to Impart a Spiritual Gift 1:8-15

D The Reign of Jesus’ Justification 1:16-11:36

a The Gospel of God’s Power & Righteousness 1:16-17
b God's Justice & Old Covenant Insiders and Outsiders Anticipating Justification 1:18-3:20
c The Accomplishment of Justification: The past work through God the Son. 3:21-31
d The Righteousness of Faith: Abraham’s Justification & God’s Promise of Inheritance 4:1-25
e The Benefits of Justification: Peace, Hope, Love, Reconciliation 5:1-11
f Christ's JustificationReigns OverAdam's Condemnation 5:12-21
e' The Life of Justification: Buried & Raised with Christ; Die to sin, Live to righteousness 6:1-23
d' The Sinfulness of the Flesh: Moses’ Law-Condemnation & God’s Rescue from Death 7:1-25
c' TheApplication of Justification: The present & future work through God the Spirit. 8:1-36
b' God's Mercy & New Covenant People Growing Because Of Justification 9:1 - 11:29

a' Praise of God’s Wisdom & Knowledge 11:33-36

D’ The Reign of Jesus’ Justified People 12:1-15:33

a Living Sacrifices & God's Perfect Will 12:1-3
b The One Body of Christ: Gifts of theHoly Spirit 12:4-8
c Same-mindedness To One Another: Be Humble 12:9-21 (see v.16)
d Submit to God's Governmental Authority: Live in Peace 13:1-7
e Fulfill the Law: LoveYourNeighbor 13:8-10
f Put On The Lord Jesus Christ: Reign With Him 13:11-14
e’ Judge Not YourBrother 14:1-13
d' Submit to One Another's Preference: Pursue Peace 14:14-23
c' Like-mindedness To One Another: Bear Burdens 15:1-6 (see v.5) ends with benediction
b' The Jew/Gentile People of Christ: Fruits & Power of the Spirit 15:7-13(see v.13) ends with benediction
a' Gentile Sacrificial Offering &God's Will For Paul's Travel 15:14-33 (see v.16,32) ends with benediction

C’ Paul Sends Phoebe: A Helper of Spiritual Gifts 16:1-2

B’ Greeting to the Saints & Warning of False Brethren 16:3-24

A’ The Gospel of Jesus Christ, Promises of Scripture, & Obedience to the Faith 16:25-27

* A chiastic structure (mirror image) is nothing new, nor extraordinary to Biblical scholarship. Therefore some disregard its significance because it is so pervasive and obvious.

But just because the sunlight is so obvious does not mean we should ignore it. And some disregard the chiastic structure because too often it reflects more of the interpreter’s mind, rather than the Apostle Paul’s. But we all have a viewpoint through which to interpret Paul’s mind, just as we a have viewpoints of understanding the sun whether we are indoors, outdoors, or in the shade. Therefore this structural outline, especially the titles, certainly expresses my viewpoint of the text. But whether it captures the most light and heat of the book is another question. As my understanding grows, by the grace of God, I hope to find better words and structures. In this journey I’m simply trying to find where the sunlight

of Scripture shines the brightest and feels the warmest. There’s always a better perspective, for even the Sun looks bigger and feels warmer the closer you get. (Malachi. 4:2)

Paul’s Introduction

Paul’s Gospel Summary

God’s Impartial Future Judgment & The Work of God’s Spirit During the Old Covenant Era

Observation:

1. Chapter 2 speaks of Old Covenant believers who “do”, “keep”, and “fulfill” the Law. (v.16,26,27) Same will be said about the New Covenant people. (3:31; 8:4,7; 13:8)

2. The fact that Paul never uses the word “faith” in chapter 2, may be more evidence that he is speaking about Old Covenant believers. Their good works were certainly evidence

of their faith. Most likely Paul reserves the word “faith” to speak about the New Covenant people, Abraham to whom it was promised, and Christ who accomplished it. 3:27;4:13,14

Without Justification Being Accomplished, Then Condemnation Is Due Upon All People

The Work of God’s Son Demonstrates God’s Righteousness Justification Accomplished, New Covenant People Constituted

By Faith: Inheritance Is Obtained

Justification Was Received By Faith By Faith: Righteousness Is Reckoned Justification Has Present Benefits

Christ’s Justification Reigns Over Adam’s Condemnation

5:12 – 8: 39

Key Observation: Chapters 6-8 are simply the full blossom and details of what 5:20-21 contain in seed-form:

“…so that grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Chapters 6-8 explain

the manifold and cosmic application of the justification that Jesus accomplished. Presently, justification frees us from

sin’s power. (ch.6) Historically, justification frees us from Moses’ Law, which merely magnified Adam’s condemnation (ch.7)

In the future, the full effect of justification will be applied at the final resurrection, when all creation will be “delivered from

the bondage of corruption” (8:21) Romans 5 – 8 explains God’s victory in accomplishing and applying the full effect

of justification. This is the outworking of grace’s reign through Jesus’ righteousness.

God’s Elect Remnant & God’s Fulfillment of the Old Covenant Law

Romans 9 – 10:13

Chapter 9 Chapter 10:1 - 13

Key Observations:

The “righteousness of Faith” refers both to Christ’s work for us (10:5), and our faith in Him (9:30). Through this “faith” God promised to Abraham and his seed, the world. (4:13)

The “righteousness which is of the Law” (10:5), or “the Law of righteousness” (9:30-31) refers to the good anticipation of how the Law desired life and righteousness only to be

accomplished in Christ. The Law could never give this glory, nor its own promises, not during its time nor within its power. (3:21) (Phil.3:6,9 is about the Law before Christ.)

Our “righteousness” in Christ (10:4) is the long-anticipated new covenant position that now justifies us, since we are now reckoned (6:11) to be in His death and resurrection.

“Justification” is a new-covenant, legal, and two-fold-eschatological declaration. In retrospect, it fulfills the past Law(10:4). In prospect, it secures the future judgment (2:13 & 5:9).

Our present justification produces Spiritual and Lawful fruits, which the future judgment will inspect (2:6) and justify (2:13-16); after the Spirit completes our resurrection (8:23).

God’s Faithfulness To Israel

Chapter 10:14 – 11:36

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to be continued……