Kress Biblical Resources :: Overview Outline

Overview Outline of Romans

The Gospel of Salvation by Faith Unites All Believers—Jew and Greek

The Prologue, Prayer Report, and Primary Theme of the Epistle (Rom 1:1-17)

1. Paul’s Introduction (Rom 1:1-7)
   1. The author (Rom 1:1-5)
   2. The audience (Rom 1:6-7a)
   3. The aim (see detailed outline)
   4. The Apostolic greeting (Rom 1:7bc)
2. Paul’s prayer report (Rom 1:8-13)
   1. His prayers for the Roman church (Rom 1:8-10)
   2. His passion for the Roman church (Rom 1:11-13)
3. Paul’s passion and primary theme in the epistle (Rom 1:14-17)
   1. His duty in regard to the gospel and all men (Rom 1:14)
   2. His desire in regard to the gospel and those in Rome (Rom 1:15)
   3. His delight in regard to the gospel itself (Rom 1:16-17)

The Proclamation of the Gospel (Rom 1:18-4:25)

1. The gospel proclaims the guilt of all men—condemnation before the righteous Judge (Rom 1:18-3:20)
   1. God’s wrath against unrighteousness [sin characteristic of Gentiles] (Rom 1:18-32)
   2. God’s judgment against self-righteousness [sin characteristic of Jews] (Rom 2; Rom 3:1-8)
   3. God’s verdict against all humanity (Rom 3:9-20)
2. The gospel proclaims the gift of God—justification by grace through faith in the righteous Savior (Rom 3:21-31; Rom 4;)
3. 1. Justification by faith proclaimed [The revelation of the righteousness of God, received by faith] (Rom 3:21-31)
   2. Justification by faith pictured in the Old Testament [The reception of the righteousness of God by faith, illustrated] (Rom 4:1-25)

The Promises, Provisions, and Privileges of the Gospel (Rom 5:1-8:39)

1. Salvation—freedom from the wrath of God, and the joyous hope of glory (Rom 5)
   1. The results of being justified by faith (Rom 5:1-11)
   2. The results of Adam’s sin—sin and death (Rom 5:12-14)
   3. The reversal of the results of Adam’s sin—grace and life in Christ (Rom 5:15-21)
2. Sanctification—freedom from the captivity of sin, the condemnation of the Law, and freedom to conduct ourselves in view of the certain hope of glory (Rom 6; Rom 7; Rom 8:1-30)
   1. The gospel sets us free from captivity to sin (Rom 6)
   2. The gospel sets us free from the condemnation of the law (Rom 7)
   3. The gospel sets us free to conduct our lives according to the Spirit, as sons of God rather than slaves to the flesh (Rom 8:1-17)
   4. The gospel seals us for glory in God’s sovereign plan and power (Rom 8:18-30)
3. Security—freedom to live victoriously no matter the circumstances we may face, because of God’s indestructible love in Christ (Rom 8:31-39)
   1. The indestructible love of God extolled in poetic form (Rom 8:31-37)
   2. The indestructible love of God apprehended by faith (Rom 8:38-39)

The “Problem” of Israel and the Gospel (Rom 9:1-11:36)

1. God’s sovereign plan and Israel’s election (Rom 9:1-29)
   1. The sorrow concerning Israel confessed (Rom 9:1-5)
   2. The sovereign freedom of God in election introduced (Rom 9:6-13)
   3. The sovereign freedom of God in election defended (Rom 9:14-29)
2. God’s sovereign plan and Israel’s rejection (Rom 9:30-33; Rom 10;)
   1. They stumbled over faith in Christ (Rom 9:30-33)
   2. They stumbled in self-righteousness (Rom 10:1-13)
   3. They stumbled in willful unbelief (Rom 10:14-21)
3. God’s sovereign plan and Israel’s salvation (Rom 11:1-29)
   1. There remains a remnant—the present rejection of Israel is not total (Rom 11:1-10)
   2. There remains an opportunity for repentance—the present rejection of Israel is not final [but it should warn us against arrogance and unbelief] (Rom 11:11-24)
   3. There remains the predetermined plan and promise of God—the promised redemption of Israel is irrevocable (Rom 11:25-29)
4. God’s sovereign plan and irrepressible exultation (Rom 11:30-36)
   1. The undeserved mercy of God’s sovereign plan (Rom 11:30-32)
   2. The unfathomable majesty of God’s sovereign plan (Rom 11:33-36)

The Practice of the Gospel (Rom 12:1-15:13)

1. Worship God and humbly serve others in love (Rom 12)
   1. The gospel calls believers to a life of worship (Rom 12:1-2)
   2. The gospel calls believers to a life of humility and ministry within in the body of Christ (Rom 12:3-8)
   3. The gospel calls believers to a life of love (Rom 12:9-21)
2. Walk in submission to civil authorities and walk in love (Rom 13)
   1. Walking in submission to civil authorities (Rom 13:1-7)
   2. Walking in love (Rom 13:8-14)
3. Willingly accept one another and walk in love—in spite of divergent personal convictions on how to apply biblical principles to culture (Rom 14; Rom 15:1-13)
   1. Refuse to condemn other believers’ opinions/personal convictions on how to personally apply the faith (Rom 14:1-13a)
   2. Refrain from allowing your personal opinions/convictions on how to apply the faith to become a stumbling block to others (Rom 14:13b-23)
   3. Reflect the same perspective and purpose as Christ (Rom 15:1-13)

The Plans and Partnership of the Gospel (Rom 15:14-16:24)

1. The plans explained [to Paul’s ministry partners in Rome] (Rom 15:14-33)
   1. The encouragement and explanation as to why Paul had not yet visited them (Rom 15:14-22)
   2. The expectations in regard to Paul’s desired future visit (Rom 15:23-29)
   3. The exhortation to intercessory prayer concerning Paul’s future visit (Rom 15:30-33)
2. The partners encouraged (Rom 16:1-24)
   1. A call to help a partner in the ministry (Rom 16:1-2)
   2. A concern to honor and encourage gospel partners (Rom 16:3-16)
   3. A caution and encouragement in hope (Rom 16:17-20)
   4. A continued concern for the encouragement of gospel partners (Rom 16:21-24)

The Purpose of the Gospel—Praise Be to God Forever! (Rom 16:25-27)

1. Praise God for His power (Rom 16:25-26)
   1. The recognition of God’s power (Rom 16:25a)
   2. The revelation of God’s power (Rom 16:25bc, Rom 16:26)
   3. The results of God’s power (Rom 16:25a, Rom 16:26c)
2. Praise God for His wisdom (Rom 16:27ab)
   1. His wisdom is unique (Rom 16:27a)
   2. His wisdom is mediated through Jesus Christ (Rom 16:27b)
3. Praise God forever (Rom 16:27c)
   1. He possesses eternal glory
   2. Amen