Romans

15 : 5 – 7
 INTRODUCTION Romans 1: 9 - 15
9
  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of
his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers;
10
  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a
prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11
  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift,
to the end ye may be established;
12
  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual
faith both of you and me.
13
  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I
purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have
some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14
  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the
wise, and to the unwise.
15
  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome also.
 INTRODUCTION Romans 1: 9 - 15
9
  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of
his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers;
10
  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a
prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11
  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift,
to the end ye may be established;
12
  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual
faith both of you and me.
13
  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I
purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might
have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14
  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the
wise, and to the unwise.
15
  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome also.
 INTRODUCTION Romans 1: 9 - 15
9
  For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of
his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers;
10
  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a
prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11
  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established;
12
  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the
mutual faith both of you and me.
13
  Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I
purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might
have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14
  I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the
wise, and to the unwise.
15
  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that
are at Rome also.
INTRODUCTION Romans 15: 22 - 29
Paul bringing monetary gifts from
Jerusalem Macedonia and Achaia to the
believers in Jerusalem

ROME Paul planned to visit Rome en

route to Spain

Spain
THE SITUATION Romans 16: 17 - 18
• Who’s affecting the Roman believers?
People causing division by their false doctrines

• Result: Tense relationship between the Jewish believers and

the Gentile (Greek) believers

Aim: RECONCILIATION
THE SITUATION Romans 16: 17 - 18
• How was Paul going to resolve the conflict?

1. Reiterating the gospel (Romans 1 – 11)

The righteousness of God revealed in Jesus Christ
The power of God for the salvation of ALL who believes
The plan of God for the salvation of the Jews 1st and also the Greeks

2. Articulating the implications of the gospel (Romans 12 – 16)

The transformation of the believers’ lives by the renewal of the mind
THE TENSION
Two issues:

CIRCUMCISION (2:23 – 3:1; 4:9 – 12)

FOOD LAWS (14:1 – 23)
THE TENSION
CIRCUMCISION (Romans 2:23 – 3:1; 4:9 – 12)

Covenant between An important rite in

God and Abraham (& the Jewish tradition.
his descendents) Determines the
“Jewishness” of a
person.
THE TENSION
FOOD LAWS (Romans 14:1 – 23)
JUDGE

“Weaker” Christians “Stronger” Christians

 Eats vegetables only (14:2)  Eats all things (14:2)
 Likely the Jewish converts  Likely the Gentile converts

REGARD WITH
CONTEMPT
THE RESOLUTION
Argument 1
All have sinned and are in need
of the same grace to be saved
• Sin is a universal problem, thus both Jews & Greek under sin
(3:9)
• The gospel has the power to save (1:16)
• God’s wrath will be upon the godless (2:9)
• God’s blessings will be upon the godly (2:10)

“…first for the Jews and also for the Greeks…”

Look at the issue from the perspective of the gospel!

THE RESOLUTION
Argument 2
Understanding the gospel, there ought
to be a right response within the church
in relating to one another

“…be of the same mind…”

• 12:16 – toward one another
• 15:5 – with one another
THE RESOLUTION

The Principle of Conscience

• Romans 14: 13
Do not stumble a brother!
• Romans 14: 21 – 23
Do not make a brother act against his
conscience!
THE RESOLUTION

The Principle of Love

• Romans 14:13
Do not judge!
• Romans 14:15
If the brother is hurt  not
walking in accordance with love!

• 15:1 Bear with weaker brother’s weakness

• 15:2 Think fort he good of others
• 15:7 Accept one another
 DISCUSSION
1. How much consideration do we give to our brothers & sisters when we
make a decision?
Can the Christian be free from their responsibility toward their fellow
believers?
Have I been responsible towards the people in YF/ Church?
2. Knowing a lot about the Bible does not equal to maturity (that is, a strong
Christian in the context of Romans is not equal to a mature Christian).
How are we to translate what we know to how we live such that we are
growing towards maturity? (ref Heb 5:12 – 14)
How can we exhibit maturity in a situation when there are differences in
conviction?
3. Would there be any attitude/ mindset among you that will make it difficult
for a new believer to integrate into your YF/ church?
4. (Optional – for older groups)
What are some issues that have caused the church to be in factions?
Some argue that these are essential doctrines and cannot be compromised.
What are the underlying assumptions when we measure what is essential and
what is not?