Romans: The Power of the Gospel and the Tragedy of Man

2025-06-01

Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Today, we begin our study of the book of Romans. Paul wrote this letter during his stay in Corinth around 57-58A.D. He wrote for the following purpose:

  • To announce his plans to visit the Christians in Rome, and to enlist support in his mission (15:24, 28–29)
  • To teach the fundamental doctrine of salvation in order to fortify them against the Judaizers (1–8)
  • To explain the unbelief of Israel and vindicate God’s faithfulness in his dealings with that nation (9–11)
  • To give practical instruction in Christian living (12–16)[1]

Paul, through God’s inspiration, wrote to speak of the righteousness of God and to give a clear picture of solid doctrine of the Gospel of God. The book of Romans is an important message from God to every believer on how to live out one’s faith.

Martin Luther said, “It is the true masterpiece of the New Testament, and the very purest gospel, which is well worthy and deserving that a Christian man should not only learn it by heart, word for word, but also that he should daily deal with it as the daily bread of men’s souls. For it can never be too much or too well read or studied; and the more it is handled the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.” [2]

1. We are called

Romans 1:1–6 (NKJV) Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

  • Paul begins this epistle with a clear statement: he is a slave!
  • A slave to Christ and separated to the “Gospel of God”
  • Verses 3 & 4 give us a clear description of the “object” of this Gospel: Jesus Christ!
  • We have received…and we are the called

2. To share the Good News

Vss 7-8 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

  • Paul was the founder of the church in Rome even though he had not yet visited
  • We are referred to here as “beloved of God” and “saints”

 

Vss 15-17 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. 16For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

  • Paul knew his mission was to preach the Gospel everywhere, including Rome
  • His journey with God had started later in life and from the moment of his conversion, there was never a doubt of his mission

 

3. For we are without excuse

Vss 18-21 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Vss 22-23 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

  • We have replaced the glory of God with the glory of man
  • Oliver B. Greene said, “The first step toward heathenism is to demote God to the level of man”[3]

4. And in danger of being lost

 Vss 24-25 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

  • Here, Paul references the world’s desire to dismiss God’s truth as a lie and introduce its own ideas as truth
  • When this takes place, the Creator is dismissed, and the creation becomes God

 

5. And falling for the lie

Vss 28-32 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

  • Mankind knew there was a Creator God, yet chose to ignore Him. As a result, God allowed their minds to be filled with the evil of this world.
  • Even though man knows there is a God (we are without excuse) we accept, we participate and we celebrate evil.
  • John MacArthur said, “God’s giving over sinful mankind has a dual sense. First, in an indirect sense God gave them over simply by withdrawing His restraining and protective hand, allowing the consequences of sin to take their inevitable, destructive course.”[4]

[1] H. L. Willmington, Willmington’s Bible Handbook (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1997), 664.

[2] J. Vernon McGee, Briefing the Bible, Thru the Bible, 2018, pg 548.

 

[3] Oliver B. Greene, The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, The Gospel Hour, 1962, Page 40

[4] MacArthur, John. Romans 1-8. Moody Publishers, 1991.

 

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