Dr. J. Vernon McGee :: Outline for Romans

I. Doctrinal, “Faith,” Chapters 1—8

A. Justification of the sinner, Chapters 1:1—5:11

1. Introduction, Rom 1:1-17

a. Paul’s personal greeting, Rom 1:1-7

b. Paul’s personal purpose, Rom 1:8-13

c. Paul’s three “I am’s,” Rom 1:14-17

Key verses 16, 17 — the revelation of the righteousness of God.

2. Revelation of the sin of man, Rom 1:18—3:20

This is “Sinnerama.” Universal fact: Man is a sinner. Ecumenical movement is away from God. Axiom: World is guilty before God — all need righteousness.

a. Revelation of the wrath of God against sin of man, Rom 1:18-32

1) Natural revelation of God (original version), vv. 18-20

2) Subnatural response of man (reversion), vv. 21-23

3) Unnatural retrogression of man (perversion), vv. 4-27

4) Supernatural requital of God (inversion), vv. 28-32

b. Revelation of the sin of good people, Rom 2:1-16

Respectable people need righteousness.

c. Revelation of the sin of Israel under the Law, Rom 2:17—3:8

d. Revelation of the universality of sin, Rom 3:9-20

1) Judge’s verdict of guilty against mankind, vv. 9-12

Man cannot remove guilt.

2) Great Physician’s diagnosis of mankind, vv. 13-18

Man cannot change his nature. Man has an incurable disease.

3) Purpose of the Law, vv. 19, 20

Law reveals sin, not salvation. Last word is “sin” (v. 20).

3. Revelation of the righteousness of God, Rom 3:21—5:11

Righteousness provided.
Righteousness of God defined — not the character of God nor self-righteousness of man.

a. Justification by faith explained, Rom 3:21-31

DEFINITION: Justification is the act of God that declares a sinner righteous by faith on the merit of Christ’s sacrifice. It is the addition of the righteousness of Christ as well as the subtraction of sins.
Propitiation — “mercy seat” (Hebrews 9:5)
Redemption — to pay a price for deliverance
Propitiation is toward God.
Redemption is toward sin.

b. Justification by faith illustrated, Rom 4:1-25

(Demonstration — Abraham and David)

c. Justification by faith — results derived, Rom 5:1-11

Eight benefits:

1) Peace, v. 1
2) Access, v. 2
3) Hope, v. 2
4) Patience — fruit of tribulations, v. 3
5) Love, v. 5
6) Holy Spirit, v. 5
7) Deliverance from the Great Tribulation, v. 9
8) Joy, v. 11

Reconciliation is toward man. Definition: Change from enmity to friendship. Justification by faith is an act of God which is permanent.

B. Sanctification of the saint, Chapters 5:12—8:39

1. Potential sanctification, Rom 5:12-21

Federal headship of Adam and Christ

a. Headship of Adam, vv. 12-14

Death — sin

b. Headship of Christ, vv. 15-17

Life — righteousness

c. Offense of Adam vs. righteousness of Christ, vv. 18-21

Disobedience	vs.	Obedience
Judgment	vs.	Free Gift
Sin	vs.	Grace
Condemnation	vs.	Justification

2. Positional sanctification, Rom 6:1-10

Union with Christ in His death and resurrection is the basis of deliverance from sin.

3. Practical sanctification, Rom 6:11-23

Obedience to God leads to the experience of deliverance from sin.

4. Powerless sanctification, Rom 7:1-25

a. Shackles of a saved soul, vv. 1-14

Spiritual emancipation

b. Struggle of a saved soul, vv. 15-25

Civil war (No good in old nature, no power in new nature)

5. God’s new provision for sanctification, Rom 8:1-39

(Powerful sanctification)

a. New law: Holy Spirit vs. Law, vv. 1-4

b. New struggle: Holy Spirit vs. flesh, vv. 5-13

c. New man, son of God: Holy Spirit and spirit of man, vv. 14-17

d. New creation: old vs. new, bondage vs. liberty, vv. 18-22

e. New body: groaning vs. redeemed body, vv. 23-27

Holy Spirit helps us in our present bodies.

f. New purpose of God, vv. 28-34

God’s purpose guarantees the salvation of sinners.

g. New security of the believer, vv. 35-39

God’s love guarantees the security of the believer.

II. Dispensational, “Hope,” Chapters 9—11

A. God’s past dealings with Israel, Chapter 9

1. Israel defined, vv. 1-5

2. Israel identified, vv. 6-13

3. Choice of Israel in the sovereign purpose of God, vv. 14-24

4. Choice of Gentiles in the scriptural prophecies of God, vv. 25-33

B. God’s present purpose with Israel, Chapter 10

1. Present state of Israel — lost, vv. 1-4

Reason: Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.

2. Present standing of Israel — same as Gentiles, vv. 5-12

“For there is no difference.”

3. Present salvation for both Jew and Gentile — hear and believe the gospel, vv. 13-21

C. God’s future purpose with Israel, Chapter 11

Remnant regathered as a nation and redeemed.

1. Remnant of Israel finding salvation, vv. 1-6

2. Remainder of Israel blinded, vv. 7-12

3. Reason for setting aside the nation Israel — salvation of the Gentiles, vv. 13-21

4. Restoration of nation Israel — greater blessing, vv. 22-32

5. Reason for restoring the nation Israel, vv. 33-36

Locked in the riches of the wisdom of God.

III. Duty, “Love,” Chapters 12—16

A. Service of “the sons of God,” Chapters 12, 13

1. Relationship to God (“present — yield”), Rom 12:1-2

2. Relationship to gifts of the Spirit, Rom 12:3-8

3. Relationship to other believers, Rom 12:9-16

4. Relationship to unbelievers, Rom 12:17-21

5. Relationship to government, Rom 13:1-7

6. Relationship to neighbors, Rom 13:8-14

B. Separation of “the sons of God,” Chapters 14—16

1. Relationship to weak believers, Rom 14:1—15:3

Three principles of conduct for Christians

a. Conviction, Rom 14:5

b. Conscience, Rom 14:22

c. Consideration, Rom 15:1-3

2. Relationship of Jews and Gentiles as believers, Rom 15:4-13

(Racial relationships)

3. Relationship of Paul to Romans and Gentiles generally, Rom 15:14-33

(The gospel and Gentiles, v. 16)

4. Relationship of Christians to one another demonstrated, Rom 16:1-27

Thirty-five individuals mentioned by name — mutual love and tender affection.