(All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible).

The Significance of Romans
 

Paul’s epistle to the Romans is the most significant book of the New Testament. It is the most powerful presentation of the Christian Gospel in existence. In the words of John Stott, It is the fullest, plainest and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. But Romans is not a simple gospel tract written to show the A, B, Cs of salvation, rather it is a theological exposition of the gospel of God and the revelation of the righteousness of God. In Romans we have a systematic summation of the doctrine of salvation. Hence we can call the book of Romans the first Christian theology.

Paul wrote Romans from Corinth probably in A.D.57. He greatly desired to visit the Roman church. At this time, however, he could not go to Rome, so he sent a letter there intending to visit Rome while en route on a mission to Spain. This letter served as a theological introduction to his apostolic ministry and gave him the opportunity to expound eloquently and systematically the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ. Romans is the open door to the treasuries of redemption (A.T. Pierson). 

Throughout the history of the church, lives have been radically transformed through the influence and impact of Romans. Great revivals and reformations in the history of the church have been directly related to the book of Romans. Aurelius Augustine (St. Augustine), Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Tyndale, John Wesley and several other notable church leaders have testified to the impact  which Romans has made on their lives. There is no telling what may happen when people begin to study the epistle to the Romans (F.F. Bruce).

Even in the modern era, the Swiss theologian Karl Barth was gripped and challenged by the power of the message of Romans. It clearly answered many of his questions on Man, God and history. Barth’s commentary on Romans (1918) shattered the illusions of liberal optimism.
It has been said that Romans is not an epistle about the Gospel, it is the Gospel, and to be ignorant of Romans is to be ignorant of Christianity. It is the fullest, grandest, and most comprehensive statement of the Gospel. Romans focuses on the great themes of the Bible sin, judgment, faith, works, grace, justification, sanctification, glorification, election, the work of Christ and of the Holy Spirit, the plan of salvation, the nature of Israel and the church, the purpose of history, the duties of Christian citizenship, service, dedication, principles of personal godliness and morality, and Christian hope. No wonder, Frederick Godet, the noted Bible commentator called Romans the cathedral of Christian faith.

The epistle of Romans quotes the Old Testament some 57 times, more than any other New Testament book. The repeatedly used key words in Romans are: God (153 times), Christ (66 times), Jesus (36 times), Lord (44 times), Spirit (34 times) Law (77 times), Sin (48 times), Grace (24 times), Faith (40 times), to Believe (21 times), Gospel (9 times), and Righteousness (34 times).

In a world that was filled with philosophical reasoning and pagan religious systems which did not offer any hope for mankind, Paul introduced the Gospel of God; a revelation of the radical righteousness of God, rescuing and redeeming a believing sinner.
I invite you to come with me to dwell upon the meaning and message of Romans, the profoundest piece of writing in existence  (Coleridge). Although our study will not be too exhaustive or intense, I hope it will expose us to many of the rich details of the most hidden treasures of Romans. Let us search the depths of the great truths of the Gospel of God, which is the good news of salvation in Christ alone. It is these truths that stimulate evangelism, promote holiness, inspire worship and instill hope.

Outline of Romans

The epistle is divided into two major parts. The first 11 chapters form the Doctrinal section of the epistle. The second section (chapters 12-16) gives the Practical ramifications of the doctrines presented in the preceding section.
The following is a broad outline of Romans based on the main theme, the Gospel and the Righteousness of God by Faith (the Gospel of God includes justification by faith, but it also embraces such related ideas as sanctification, security, and glorification). Paul sets forth a theology of the Gospel that demonstrates the righteousness of God. The gospel displays the righteousness of God “not merely God’s righteous character but his gracious bestowal of a righteous status on believers (Romans, Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible).

I. Introduction: The Gospel as the Revelation of the Righteousness of God (1:1-17)
II. Sin, the Unrighteousness of Mankind: The Need for Righteousness (1:18-3:20)
III. Justification: The Imputation of Righteousness (3:21-5:21)
IV. Sanctification: The Impartation of Righteousness (6:1-8:39)
V. Israel & Gentiles in God’s Redemptive Plan & Purpose: The Vindication of God’s Righteousness (9:1-11:36)
VI. Our Spiritual Service: The Practice of Righteousness (12:1-15:13)
VII. Conclusion (15:14-16:27)

The theme of Righteousness can be summarized as:
1. Righteousness Revealed
2. Righteousness Needed
3. Righteousness Imputed
4. Righteousness Imparted
5. Righteousness Vindicated
6. Righteousness Practiced

Another simple outline tracing the theme of the Righteousness of God in Romans (the Gospel Reveals the Righteousness of God):
1. The Righteousness of God in Revealing the Unrighteousness of Man (1:18-3:20)
2. The Righteousness of God in Saving Unrighteous Men (3:21-5:21)
3. The Righteousness of God is the Goal of Salvation (6:1-8:39)
4. The Righteousness of God in History (9-11)
5. The Righteousness of God Reflected by Believers (12-15)

(Bob Deffinbaugh, Bible. org)

An Overview of the Soteriology (the Doctrine of Salvation) of Romans

(Need of salvation, Way of salvation, Life of salvation, Scope of salvation & Service of salvation)

1. Man’s Sin: The Need for Salvation (chapters 1-3a)
2. The Atoning Work of Jesus Christ on Man’s behalf, Received by Faith alone: The Provision for Salvation (chapters 3b-5)
3. The Pursuit of Righteousness and Holiness through the Power of the Holy Spirit: The Result of Salvation (chapters 6-8)
4. Salvation of the Gentiles and the Restoration of the Jews: The Unfolding of God’s Salvation in History (chapters 9-11)
5. Salvation lived out by the Saints: The Practice and Application of Salvation (chapters 12-16).
 

Romans is not a problem-centered epistle. From beginning till the end, it is God-centered and Gospel-centered. No wonder, it has impacted and transformed the lives of men and women throughout the past two thousand years. If we focus on God and the Gospel, it will make its distinctive mark on us as we run our course here on earth.