“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his
meditation day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
LESSON 1
ROMANS 12:1-8 Living Sacrifices
A Living Sacrifice
12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not
conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then
you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For
by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly
than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the
faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many
members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though
many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.6 We have different
gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in
accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to
encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it
diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
1. In your own words, what is the main thing Paul is trying to communicate in this
passage? Paul is attempting teach us that we should do all works to the best of our
ability, because God sent us to do those tasks.
2. What do you think it means to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices”? I think it means
that we must live our lives to the fullest according to the will of God.
3. How is this an act of worship, and why are these sacrifices “holy and pleasing to God”? It
is an act of worship because they devote our lives to God completely. These sacrifices
are pleasing and holy to God because we are God’s servants and He wants us to serve
Him.
4. What does the “therefore” in verse 1 refer back to? (in other words, what’s the
“therefore” there for?) The “therefore” refers back to the teaching of God’s mercy and
about our disobedience to Him.
5. How would you state the connection between what he was referring to (question 4) and
Paul’s command here to “offer your bodies as living sacrifices”? We need to please God
so that we may receive His mercy and go to heaven. We must offer our bodies as
sacrifices, body and soul.
6. What does it mean to “renew your mind”? What are some practical ways of doing this?
To renew your mind means to reset your mind and create new observations and
conclusions about the world and everything out of it. We can ask questions as: Is this
right for me? Should I be doing this? Would I be happy with my kids if they believed in
something and did something?
7. Why is this necessary? What is the result of doing it? This is necessary because renewing
our minds creates a more clear path to God and having a better relationship with Him.
8. In your own words, what is Paul telling us to do in verse 3? What is he telling us to
avoid? Paul tells us to be humble and not boast about anything, and he does not want
us to think we are better than anyone else because we are all equal.
9. What is the point of the “body” illustration in vv. 4-8? The point of the illustration is to
strengthen our connection to Jesus. He is in us and we should treat ourselves and others
the same way we would treat Him.
10. What is the logical connection between the command in verse 3 and the illustration in
verses 4-8? We are all connected, and Jesus is inside everyone. If we judge and criticize
others, we are doing it to ourselves as well.
11. What does Paul mean when he says that “each member belongs to all the others”? We
should all help each other and not try to bring each other down. We all belong to each
other. We need to depend on one another to live and flourish.
12. Based on your interests and experiences, list one or two gifts in verses 6-8 that you think
you may have. Then list each person in your group and at least one of these gifts that
you think they might have. In my opinion, I am a great teacher. I have always taught
basketball to younger kids and most people tell me I do a great job. I would love to be a
teacher some day.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his meditation
day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
ROMANS 12:9-21
Love in Action
9 Love
must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another
in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in
prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be
willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
17 Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If
it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take
revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
1. What general principles is Paul most concerned about here? (vv. 9,18) Paul is most
concerned about our attitudes towards and evil. We should love and have peace with
others, but we should all hate evil.
2. What is the difference between “sincere” and “insincere” love? (see John 3:16-18)
Sincere love is unconditional and it is meant to make the person or persons we love feel
as if they have someone to rely on. Insincere love is love based on gifts or material
things. We love insincerely when we want things from that person.
3. What examples does Paul give in this passage of what it means to be “devoted to one
another in brotherly love”? He says to be joyful in hope. To be patient in afflictions, and
he wants us to be faithful in prayer.
4. How are we to respond to those who mistreat us? (see vv. 14,17,18,19,20,21) We are to
pray for them and bless them. We should mistreat those who mistreat us. We must
overcome evil with goodness and holiness.
5. What does it mean to “bless those who persecute you?” What kinds of people does this
apply to? We are to pray for and bless the people who have wronged us. We must also
forgive them because God forgives us. This applies to the Christians who were being
persecuted because of their faith.
6. What knowledge helps us to be “patient in affliction (Romans 5:2-5;8:18;8:23-25) The
glory from God in the future will be worth the wait. Heaven is an amazing place and we
must be patient if we want to make it to paradise.
7. Why does Paul specify that we are to share with “God’s people” who are in need?
Shouldn’t we share with everyone? (see Gal 6:10) We should share and help everyone,
but we must first take care of those who need it the most first.
8. How does this command (Question 7) compare with 2 Thessalonians 3:10. In this verse,
it says those in need must do their part to be helped.
9. How does the Christian view of hospitality differ from the world’s view? As Christians,
we must help other Christians first before we help others.
10. What knowledge helps us from taking revenge on those who mistreat us? (Romans 2:911) If we do good and live by the way of God, we will receive mercy and honor from
God. If we do evil, we will have a stressful life.
11. In light of question 10, if God can take revenge, then why can’t we? We are to take part
in God’s work because we are not God. We should not judge others because we are not
better than them. God is perfect.
12. In your own words, what is Paul saying we should avoid in verse 21? What should we do
instead? We should overcome with goodness not by destroying evil with more evil.
APPLICATION
1. How has Romans 12:1-8 affected your view of worship? It has showed me that we are
all connected and have Jesus inside us. We all belong to Christ.
2. What do feel is the greatest impediment to your serving God more faithfully with your
gifts? As a young kid, we may be made fun of for having a string faith. Also, the world
has many other beliefs and ideas when it comes to God.
3. How does the world try to squeeze us into its mold? Social orders are a big thing.
Society thinks we should act a certain way and if you don't, you are looked down
upon.
4. What resources are available to us to assist in the renewing of our minds? Priests,
preachers, and Churches are available.
5. How do pride and conceit conflict with brotherly love? We are not able to love others
as we love ourselves, if we think we are better than everyone.
6. Of the commands listed in verses 12:9-21 which do you find relatively easy to keep?
Which are more difficult? Why? It is easy to love everyone and show people kindness
who are your friends and who you get along with. With my enemies, I do not usually
show love, respect, or humility. It is much harder to show love to someone who you
do nit like.
7. Do you truly “hate what is evil”, or only those evils others commit against you?
Explain. I do not hate evil when it is done to others. I feel bad when it happens but no
one is perfect so I expect it. When it happens to me or my family, I truly hate evil.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his
meditation day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
LESSON 2
ROMANS 13:1-7
Submission to Governing Authorities
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that
which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by
God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has
instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror
for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the
one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority
is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the
sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the
wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of
possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This
is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time
to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue,
then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
1. How should Christians relate to government? The government is created because of
God. Everything we create is God’s will so government is the same.
2. What reasons does Paul give in support of his position? Paul says the government was
created by God. People rebel against government are also rebelling against God’s will. If
we rebel, we receive punishment.
3. Topical Study: In your own words, what do these passages tell us about the Christian’s
relationship to human government? ( Mark 12:17; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17; Acts 5:29;
Hebrews 11:31) It tells me that Christians have had a stressful and hard relationship
with human government. Christians have been told for a long time to listen to
governments and its officials.
4. How do verses 4 and 5 imply a limit on our obedience to human government? (see Acts
5:29) Since we obey God and God created government to help us and lead us through
life, we must obey our governments as well.
5. Why must we pay taxes? We must pay taxes because we need to give back what we
owe to the servants of God.
6. What else do we “owe” our government officials and civil servants? We owe them
loyalty, respect, and thankfulness.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his meditation
day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
ROMANS 13:8-14
Love Fulfills the Law
8 Let
no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for
whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit
adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever
other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as
yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
The Day Is Near
11 And
do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake
up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first
believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of
darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in
carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and
jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how
to gratify the desires of the flesh.
1. What words or phrases does the term “neighbor” bring to mind for you? The word
neighbor brings to mind the people I live next to.
2. According to the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), what makes someone
our neighbor? A neighbor is someone who shows mercy to others despite their beliefs,
gender, or race.
3. Look up the following Old Testament passages containing the word “neighbor” and
write in your own words what they command: Leviticus 19:13-18 We must not steal or
cause harm to our neighbors; Deuteronomy 5:20-21 We must not covet what our
neighbor has; Proverbs 3:28 We must not lie to our neighbor.
4. How does Paul’s statement of our obligation to our neighbor compare with these Old
Testament passages? They are the same. We must show love and must not harm our
neighbors.
5. What does Paul mean by the phrase “let no debt remain outstanding”? Does this mean
that we should never incur any kind of debt? We should not hold a debt over our
neighbor forever. People should pay their debt. The debt is love.
6. In what sense is love a fulfillment of the law? (see Matthew 22:37-40; Galatians 5:13-14)
We can follow all the laws by showing love to others and God.
7. What des it mean to “understand the present time”? To understand the present time
means that God is coming soon.
8. What reasons does Paul Give as to why we should “put aside the deeds of darkness”?
We must behave gold towards others and ourselves so God can be happy with us.
9. What “slumber” is Paul exhorting his readers to awaken from? (see Matthew 24:36-39)
The slumber is caused by society and the world. Society inflicts sin upon us and we do
not always see it coming.
10. What are the “night” and “day” being referred to in verse 12? The day is God’s glory and
the night is evil.
11. What is the “armor of light”? Why does a Christian need it? (see Ephesians 6:13-17) The
armor of light is everything God has taught us and has given us to overcome evil.
APPLICATION
1. Why is rebellion against the government such a serious matter? What are its
consequences? When we rebel against the government, we are rebelling against God.
God put certain people in charge to lead us and help us.
2. How might these principles be applies by Christian living in a totalitarian state in
which evangelism and Christian church meetings are illegal? God is testing us to see if
we remain faithful to His cause.
3. How might these principles be applied by Christian living in a democratic political
system? We choose whether God would be happy with us if we do certain things.
4. Case study: An organization which promotes civil disobedience to prevent abortions, is
organizing a rally in your city. You are on the committee which is responsible for
recommending whether church members should participate. What do you
recommend and why? I do not think anyone should attend because all life is sacred.
Abortions kill children across the world.
5. What do you think constitutes showing respect and honor to a president? What would
be excluded? Why? He is the leader of the free world and God put him there for a
reason. We do not have to like him or agree with him. We all have a choice and that is
why we vote.
6. How is our debt of love to one another like a car loan or a mortgage? How is it
different? Car loans or mortgages eventually are paid or taken. Love is everlasting. We
owe everyone and God love.
7. How is Paul’s view of love different from contemporary ideas of love? Paul’s idea of
love is simple while in society today there are many attachments and ideals that go
with love
8. What do you think it means to “clothe” yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ? How do
you do that in real life? It means that we must surround ourselves with the love of
Jesus Christ. In real life, we must be faithful to Him and love Him.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his
meditation day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
LESSON 3
Romans 14:1-15:13
The Weak and the Strong
14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters.2 One
person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only
vegetables. 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does
not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has
accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant?To their own master, servants
stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One
person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike.
Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as
special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to
God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives
for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord;
and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this
very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead
and the living.
10 You,
then, why do you judge your brother or sister Or why do you treat them with
contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’”
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore
let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to
put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 14 I am convinced, being
fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards
something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. 15 If your brother or sister is
distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating
destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be
spoken of as evil. 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,18 because anyone who serves Christ in this
way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.
19 Let
us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual
edification. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is
wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. 21 It is better not to
eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
22 So
whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the
one who does not condemn himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts is
condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not
come from faith is sin.
15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please
ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.3 For even
Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have
fallen on me.” 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that
through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we
might have hope.
5 May
the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of
mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may
glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept
one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.8 For I
tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the
promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might
glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:
“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;
I will sing the praises of your name.”
10 Again, it says,
“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again,
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;
let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again, Isaiah says,
“The Root of Jesse will spring up,
one who will arise to rule over the nations;
in him the Gentiles will hope.”
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may
overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1. In this passage, what does it mean to be “weak” in faith? To be weak in faith is to doubt
God or not put him first.
2. In 14:1-12 Paul describes the typical (wrong) attitudes of the meat-eater and the nonmeat-eater toward one another. Paraphrase these attitudes in form of a dialogue
between the two. God must be mad that you eat meat. God does not care about meat,
He cares about love. I do not eat meat so God is pleased with me.
3. Why should the “strong” and “weak” Christians stop judging and condemning one
another? God is the only person that can judge us. We are not supposed to judge one
another.
4. Under what circumstances should we choose not to exercise our freedom? What should
be the guiding principle in decisions of this kind? If our freedoms are going to hurt
others, we should not exercise them. The guiding principle should be whether our
actions are going to hurt others or judge them.
5. What does it mean to “cause your brother to fall”? It means that when we cause harm
to someone and it leaves a negative impact on their lives, we are bringing our brother
down.
6. If “all food is clean”, does that mean everyone should eat meat? I think we have the
choice to eat but we should all keep in mind what God would want us to do.
7. Are there any circumstances in which we should continue to exercise our freedom, even
if it offends others? (see Galatians 4:8-11; Col. 2:16-23) If others are causing harm to us
or are judging us, then we should use our freedoms to stop it.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his meditation
day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
LESSON 4
ROMANS 15:14-33
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I
myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of
goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written
you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave
me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of
proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to
God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore
I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of
anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey
God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power
of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed
the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was
not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. 21 Rather, as it is
written:
“Those who were not told about him will see,
and those who have not heard will understand.” [g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul’s Plan to Visit Rome
23 But
now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been
longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you
while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed
your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the
Lord’s people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the
poor among the Lord’s people in Jerusalem.27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they
owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews’ spiritual blessings, they owe it to
the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task
and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you
on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing
of Christ.
30 I
urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join
me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the
unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received
by the Lord’s people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God’s will, and in your
company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
1. In verses 14-16, Paul clarifies his attitude toward the Roman Christians and defends his
writing style. In the space below, restate these verses in your own words. Paul explains
we are all capable of teaching one another about God. God gave Paul the responsibility
to preach His word so that the Gentiles could be accepted and sanctified by the Holy
Spirit.
2. From verses 17-22 what desires motivated Paul? Why do you think he tells the Roman
Christians about these desires? Paul says that he will preach about his own
accomplishments to lead the Gentiles to God. He preached the gospel of Christ. Paul
teaches us this so we can teach others so His word spreads.
3. THE TRINITY: In this passage, God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are
mentioned as working together in the work of the gospel. What does Paul say about
each? The Lord urges us and the Holy spirit prays for us to God so that we are safe from
nonbelievers.
“This Epistle is the chief book of the New Testament, the purest gospel. It deserves not
only to be known word for word by every Christian, but to be the subject of his meditation
day by day.”
– MARTIN LUTHER
LESSON 5
ROMANS 16:1-27
Personal Greetings
16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to
receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need
from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.
3 Greet
Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not
only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.
5 Greet
also the church that meets at their house.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
6 Greet
Mary, who worked very hard for you.
7 Greet
Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are
outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
8 Greet
Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
9 Greet
Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet
Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet
Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet
Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
13 Greet
Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
14 Greet
Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters
with them.
15 Greet
Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the Lord’s people who
are with them.
16 Greet
one another with a holy kiss.
All the churches of Christ send greetings.
17 I
urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put
obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from
them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.By smooth
talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your
obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and
innocent about what is evil.
20 The
God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy,
my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my
fellow Jews.
22 I,
Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius,
whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings.
Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their
greetings.
25 Now
to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I
proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long
ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the
command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that
comes from faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.
1. Paul closes this letter with greetings to specific people. What does this tell us about Paul
and his ministry? Does it say something about the purpose for which it was written? It
shows us that Paul intended this letter to go to the Romans and it had a purpose and he
is speaking directly to them. The purpose is tell his followers to be aware of obstacles in
our life that can impede our faith and to preach about Jesus Christ.
2. What qualities does Paul commend? Paul commends those who give help to others and
to God.
3. What should be our response to those who cause division through false teaching? We
should not believe in them and ask God to lead them on the right path.
4. How do these people typically operate? They operate by talking convincingly and in a
soft tone.
5. How does Paul seek to encourage his readers? He tells us to follow the light of Christ
and to stay on that path.
6. How does Paul end this passage? (vv. 25-27) Why is this significant? Paul says he wrote
the letter for God and he gives credit to God.
APPLICATION
1. Case Study: Bob was raised in a home where drinking alcohol was strictly forbidden.
After studying Romans he felt freedom to drink as long as he does not get drunk. He
feels so liberated by his discovery that he orders beer or wine whenever he eats with
other believers , and tries to persuade them to join him in doing so. What do you think
of Bob’s behavior? Why? Bob is allowed to make his decisions and to voice his
opinions. But we should not enforce faith on others, just like Bob is not to force his
way on others.
2. How do your ambitions compare with Paul’s terms of clarity? Eternal value? Paul’s
time of clarity has ended, but mine has just begun. I want to have an impact on the
world just as he did. My ambitions are just starting.
3. What in your life has impressed on you the importance of world missions? I have
volunteered in other countries and here, and there is nothing better than watching
the face of someone you are helping. Poverty is a big thing for me and that showed
me why we all need to help others.
4. How has ROMANS helped you grow in your understanding of the Bible and the
Gospel? In your relationships with other believers? And in your personal spiritual life
and Christian walk? From reading this, I now understand the Bible and the Gospel a lot
better. I can now talk and feel comfortable and intelligent about speaking about my
faith with other believers. I am aware of the gifts I have been given and how I should
be using them.