12th June 2023
The power of God for salvation
This study is the seventh in a series of studies on the books of the New Testament
(Romans – read in 39 minutes)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17 (NKJV)
The Christians Paul was addressing in Rome were a mixture of Jewish and Gentile converts and this underpins the content of the letter, where the apostle juxtaposes Jewish traditions against those of the Gentiles, to explore and summarise the Christian doctrine of salvation.
The letter was probably written around AD 57, from Corinth, prior to his arrest by Roman authorities (Acts 28:14, 30-31). In Romans 1:11-15 we see his expectation was to be with them in different circumstances – not as a prisoner and under house arrest. (Acts 28:31).
Paul begins with the undeniable need for salvation because of, ‘all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…’ (Romans 1:18). This presumes the subsequent need for a Saviour – provided by Jesus Christ. We are justified and reconciled to God because Christ’s blood covers our sins and we receive salvation through our participation in the life of the risen Lord (Romans 5:10).
To move his arguments along Paul poses over fifty rhetorical questions which he then is able to use as a basis for developing the theme of salvation by grace through faith apart from observance of the law. In Romans 3:1 he asks, ‘What advantage then has the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision?’ Again, ‘What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace?’ (Romans 6:15). One last example, ‘Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?’ (Romans 8:35). Sometimes two or more questions are posed together; sometimes a question is asked and then answered with a number of other questions. Answers take us through a carefully constructed summary of man’s sinful nature, salvation apart from the ‘deeds of the law’, justification by grace through faith in the saving power of Christ, and adoption to sonship through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15). Romans is often seen as a summary of Christian doctrine.
This question-and-answer format suggests a discussion between arguing parties that seeks to reach the truth. Another person is imagined – an opponent in the dialogue who Paul refers to as ‘O man’. In Romans 2:1-11 he addresses ‘O man’ with the explosive, ‘Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself…’
Abraham is used to bring historical relevance to the situation. Romans. 4:1-3 (ESV) reads, ‘What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” ’ Paul’s point is that Abraham, while he was yet uncircumcised and without the law, is given righteousness through the justification of faith, not by his works, using Abraham’s faith as a yardstick, not only for the Jews but also for all humanity.
Beginning with eleven chapters of doctrine, the book transitions into five chapters of practical instruction, illustrating the importance of what we believe and how we live out those beliefs. This provides a guide for making moral decisions, leading to a new life lived in every place where people live and work – making it more relevant to anyone, anywhere, not just in first century Rome.
Prayer
Thank you, Father, that by faith in the saving power of Christ’s sacrifice we can be accounted as righteous before you. In his perfect name, Amen.
Study by Maggie Mitchell
About the writer:
Maggie Mitchell attends the Northampton congregation of Grace Communion International and is Chair of the Pastoral Council
Local congregation:
GCI Northampton
Ecton Village Hall
78A High Street
Ecton
Northampton
NN6 0QB
Local congregational contact:
Maggie Mitchell
Email: maggie.mitchell@btinternet.com
Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church