Romans - September 2, 2007

The Book of Romans
I. Introduction (1:1-17)

I. {ROM 1:1-15} Addressing The Church In Rome
A. Question For Discussion — What do these verses indicate about how Paul gained favorable attention of the church in Roman in this letter; motivate them to read or listen to the letter?

B. Questions For Encouraging Discussion...

1. How did Paul establish a common tie with those who were under the influence of the Jew’s understanding of the gospel and were part of Christ’s church in Rome?
a. (v.2) The gospel had been promised through the Old Testament prophets.
b. (v.3) Jesus was the seed of David as was prophesied.

2. How did Paul establish the authority of his apostleship?
a. (v.1) By claiming he was a “called” apostle.

OBSERVATION: “as” or “to be” is italicized, i.e. added by translators, and gives the wrong idea about Paul’s apostleship. The word “called” is a verbal adjective; it takes the nature of a verb and an adjective; Paul was not telling them what he was called to be, but informing them of his current vocation. A better read would be, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.”
b. (v.1) By claiming he had been separated unto the gospel.
c. (v.5) By claiming he had received grace and favor through Jesus the Christ to be an apostle.

3. PONDER: Consider location of “the” to obedience and faith in Romans 1:5 in KJV and other versions. What do you think is the significance of the location?
a.