Romans Bible Exam 2

Romans 6:1-4 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 8:1 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

What's the 4 part outline of Romans?

1-4) Justification by Faith

5-8) Christian Living

9-11) Place of Israel in Salvation history

12-16) Christian relationships

Righteousness

Acting or living in a way that is ethically right and obeys God's laws

Justify

Given right status in the eyes of God

Why does Paul go into detail about the sins of the Gentiles, but then turn right around and show from numerous Old Testament scriptures that the Jews have a long record of sin?

- Mowing the grass

- All equally guilty and righteous

- Show that both were not in right status w/ God

Describe the obedience to the commands of

the Torah

Describe the obedience to the commands of

the Christ

Why might Rom. 3:23-24 be regarded as the theological heart of Romans?

The universal need for salvation and emphasizing justification by grace through faith in Christ.

Why is Abraham the perfect example for Paul to use in Romans 4 in order to make his point about justification by faith rather than by the Torah?

Abraham was deemed righteous before he was circumcised

What is the biblical meaning of "faith"?

Does Paul say that a person is saved by "faith

alone"?

What is a qal wahomer argument?

"From the lesser to the greater"

If ____ is true, how much more is ____ true?

How does the qal wahomer method of reasoning relate to the

phrase "much more" in Romans 5?

God loved us while we were weak and ungodly sinners, therefore, how much more could He show His love for us if we were actively looking/ anticipating it?

According to Romans 5, how is Adam analogous to Christ?

Adam brought Sin into the world and Christ buried Sin --> Death through sin entered the world and sin is now buried w/ Christ but now we must live in newness of life.

What hypothetical question(s) is Paul raising and answering in Romans 6?

1. Should we continue in sin so that grace may abound?

2. Should we sin because we are not under the law but under grace?

Why would these hypothetical questions even be raised in Romans 6?

Because Paul's message of grace could easily be misunderstood as Licentiousness or Antinomianism.

Baptism is discussed in Romans 6 in order to illustrate what point?

Baptism = Death & Resurrection

Christians re-enact the gospel in conversion

In chapter 7, what is Paul trying to accomplish by using the laws for marriage covenants as an analogy?

- Under Mosaic Law

- Released when died in their conversion

- Raise w/ Christ in a new covenant

If Paul's opponents said that Paul is acting as if the Law (Torah) is a problem, would they be right?

No --> Sin is in the wrong, corruption of the human mind

What are some major theories of what persona Paul is taking on when he describes the wretched "I" in Romans 7?

Autobiographical:

- Paul as a Christian

- Paul under the law but before he was a Christian

Rhetorical:

- Israel under the Torah (N.T. Wright)

- Anyone who strives for righteousness by law-keeping alone

What interpretation did your teacher favor for the "I" in Romans 7?

Anyone who strives for righteousness by law-keeping alone

How are sin, flesh, and the Spirit related in Romans 7 & 8?

Flesh/ Sin --> Mind

- Basis of salvation is my works

- My obligation for righteousness is by rule-keeping

- My power source is human flesh (humanity < Sin)

Mind --> Spirit

- Basis of salvation is God's goodness

- My obligation for righteousness is faith working through God's love

- My power source is the grace of God, Holy Spirit, etc.

How is sin depicted in Romans 7 & 8?

Dark spiritual power and not just an act

How is flesh depicted in Romans 7 & 8?

Corruptible part of humanity tied to the body

How is Spirit depicted in Romans 7 & 8?

Life and peace & Christians have a choice

Amer such an exploration of human weakness and propensity to sin in Romans 7, how can he say in Romans 8 that there is no condemnation for us?

God fulfilled the requirement of the law for us through Christ --> Atonement theory and Penal Substitution

What is the Atonement Theory?

Explains how the resurrection does any good for us

What is Penal Substitution?

1) Weak: Because our flesh is so weak, we can't satisfy the law

2) Death: Penalty of Sin/ Law = death

3) Christ: Jesus' flesh suffered condemnation as a substitute for us

What ongoing function(s) does the Holy Spirit have in the life of a Christian?

- Guides us

- Helps us to pray

- Reveals our hearts' true self

What is the significance of saying we cry "Abba!"?

Endearing term in Aramaic for Father

In what sense are Christians the "firstfruits" of the redemption of all creation?

Early indicators of a large harvest

Why does creation need redemption?

Contrast individual predestination with communal predestination.

What does Romans 8:28 mean in its context?

What leads Paul to say, "We are more than conquerors!"?

Licentiousness

Belief in having the freedom to do what we desire

Antinomianism

Belief that there are no laws "I" need to obey

Wretched Person

Only thinking of their weakness failing against Sin's power

Thankful Person

Acknowledge weakness and need for God

What are the 3 Penal Substitutions from Romans 8?

1. (weak) Because our flesh is so weak, can't satisfy the law

2. (death) Penalty of sin & law = death

3. (Christ) Jesus' flesh suffered condemnation instead of us

What is the paradigm comparison from Romans 8?

Flesh --> Death and The Spirit --> Life (peace)

Introduction and Thesis

Paul introduces himself, his gospel, and his desire to visit Rome.

Thesis (1:16-17)

The gospel reveals God's righteousness through faith for both Jew and Gentile.

The Universal Problem: Sin

Gentiles are guilty (1:18-32). Jews are guilty too (2:1-3:8). Conclusion (3:9-20): "All have sinned." No one is righteous apart from God's mercy.

God's Righteousness Revealed in Justification by Faith

Justification comes through faith, not the law. Abraham as the prime example (ch. 4). Peace and new life through Christ (ch. 5).

New Life in Christ: Sanctification and the Spirit

Freedom from sin and the law (6-7). Life through the Spirit (8). Hope of future glory and victory.

Situation in Rome

The Roman church was mixed—Jews and Gentiles. The Edict of Claudius (AD 49) expelled Jews from Rome; when it expired, Jewish Christians returned to Gentile-dominated churches, leading to tension over law, circumcision, and inclusion.

Purpose of the Letter

To unify Jewish and Gentile believers. To explain the gospel clearly before visiting Rome and seeking their support for missions to Spain.

Central Thesis

The righteousness of God is revealed through faith for all who believe (Rom. 1:16-17).

Righteousness (dikaiosynē)

God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

Justify (dikaioō)

To declare someone in right relationship with God (a legal term). Justification comes by faith, not by Torah observance.

Obedience to Torah vs. Christ

Torah → external rules; Christ → internal transformation by the Spirit. Obedience under Christ flows from faith and love, not obligation.

Rom. 3:23-24: The Heart of Romans

All have sinned... and are justified freely by His grace. Captures sin (universal) + grace (universal offer through Christ).

Abraham as Example (Ch. 4)

Justified before the Law, by faith. Shows that justification is based on trust in God, not works or circumcision.

Faith

Biblical faith = trust, loyalty, active reliance on God's promise. Paul never says 'faith alone' (that phrase isn't in Romans), but he teaches salvation by faith apart from works of the Law.

The Holy Spirit and Redemption

The Spirit guides, intercedes, and assures believers of sonship. 'Abba' = intimate, childlike trust in God. Christians are 'firstfruits' → their redemption previews the full renewal of creation.

Predestination & Romans 8:28

Individual predestination: God chooses specific people. Communal predestination: God predestines a group (the Church) to be conformed to Christ. 8:28 means God works through all circumstances for the good of those who love Him—not that all events are good, but that God brings good from them.

'More than conquerors' (8:37)

Despite suffering, believers are victorious through Christ's love—security in salvation.