STUDY QUESTIONS ON ROMANS

We welcome you to this Study. We would like to suggest that one of the most important things for the disciple to do is read, read, and read the Book of Romans with a prayful attitude. Doing this, the Lord will make His Word clear.

Chapter 1:1-17 Introduction

V. 1 Who was the author?

General background Where did Paul write Romans? a. See Rom. 15:25 and I Cor. 16:1-4 (note II Cor. 9:4, 12:20, 13:2, Acts 20:2-3 tells about him going or being there) b. See Rom. 16:1 Where is Cenchreae? c. See Rom. 16:23 and I Cor. 1:14 about Gaius d. See Rom. 16:23, II Tim. 4:20 and Acts 19:21, 19:29 about Erastus. When was the book written? Year Relation to the missionary journeys Relation to Galatians, Corinthians, Ephesians (note - how is the subjects matter of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians relate?) Why did Paul write the book? See Rom. 1:13, 15:23 Why would Paul as an apostle to the Gentiles wish to visit Rome? See Rom. 1:10-12, Acts 23:11 with 28:31
The Church at Rome What was the background of its members? See Rom 4:1, 1:13, 11:13; 11:35. What would Acts 28:21-22 indicate about the number of Jews? How long was the church in existence? See Rom. 1:8, 15:23 Who may have been the founders? See Acts 2:10. Was Peter the founder (this is the Roman Catholic view)? See Acts 19:21, Rom. 15:20, II Cor. 10:16 Romans in relation to the other epistles Why is it first? Because first in __________________. Also first in _______________. Romans chapters 1 to 8 message similar to _______________. Romans chapters 9 to 11 message similar to ______________. Romans chapters 12 to 16 message similar to _____________.
V. 2 What was promised?: See Gal. 3:8, Eph. 1:4, 2:11-3:18, col. 1:26-27
V. 3 Where is the genealogical line to David recorded.: Where else is descendence from David mentioned?
V. 4 How was He declared to be the Son?: Contrast this to Matt. 27:42
V. 5 What did we receive?: What does it bring about?; What people will it work its results?
V. 7 Who are saints?: Compare answer with the Catholic view of sainthood.
V. 8-9 How would you describe this passage?
V. 10-12 Why did Paul want to visit them? ________ _______________
V. 13 What group do the brethren belong to?
V. 14 In what way is Paul a "debtor" (KJV)?: See newer versions.; See I Cor. 9:15-18. What does this add to this passage?; To whom is Paul a "debtor"? Answer with one word.
V. 16 How might this verse be described?: Why would one be ashamed of the gospel?; See Mark 8:38, Matt 10:33, Luke 12:8
V. 17 Where is this quotation from?: Is it quoted any other places in the New Testament?
Chapter 1:18-32 The Gentiles under sin
V. 18 What is the wrath of revealed against?: Does it sound like those who do these things will be saved?
V. 19-20 Do any have an excuse?
V. 21-23 Which came first, knowing God or darkened minds?: Is man always wise, and make the right choice?; What was exchanged?
V. 24-25 Why did God give them up?: How does free will relate to this?
V. 26-27 Why did God give them up?
V. 28-31 Why did God give them up?
V. 32 How does free will relate to this verse?: See James 1:13-16. Who is to blame for sin?
Summarize the above in your own words:
Chapter 2:1-16 The Jew is no better - he too is under sin
V. 1 Is this addressed to Jews or Gentiles? See verse 17: When is judging condemned?; What are the Jews doing?; How do you think this made the Jews feel? Remember they thought they were much better than the Gentiles.
V. 2-3 What do they face?: Compare with verse 11-12; V. 4 How is this verse useful in soul winning?
V. 6-10 On what basis does God judge men?: See Matt. 16:27, John 5:29, Acts 10:34-35, Col. 3:23-25, II Thess. 1:8, Heb. 5:9, Rev 20:12; Explain how this basis relates to justification by faith.; Why might verse 9 be surprising to the Jews?
V. 11-12 Who will perish?
V. 13 Why will the Jew be judged and punished according to the law?
V. 14-16 What is Paul writing about, a method of justification or the principles of judgement?: Is there any differences of the basis of judgement between the Jews and the Gentiles?; Do any Gentiles by nature do what the law requires?
Summarize the above:
Chapter 2:17-29 The Jew under sin and judgement.
V. 17-20 Into what subtle trap of Satan had the Jews fallen?
V. 21-23 What is the actual moral condition of the Jew?
V. 24 Could this be said of some today? Is it?
V. 25-27 What is God actually looking for in His people?
V. 28-29 Who is the real Jew?: What does this mean for us?
Chapter 3:1-20 The advantage of being a Jew
V. 1-2 What advantage has the Jew?: How does this build on chapter 2?; What objection of the Jews is Paul going to answer?
V. 3-4 Remembering that God promised to be the God of the Jews, does their unfaithfulness change this?
V. 5-8 If the Jews' unfaithfulness shows the justice of God, loan this line of reasoning exempt them from judgement and punishment?: How does Paul answer?
V. 9-18 Why are the Jews not better than others?
V. 19-20 What is the purpose of the law?: What can't it do?
Chapter 3:21-31 How man is justified
V. 21-26 How is righteousness obtained?: What is grace? See Titus 2:11, Romans 6, etc.; How are faith and grace related?; How was it brought about?; What does "propitiation" (KJV) mean? (verse 25)
V. 27-28 Can we boast?: What were the Jews doing?
V. 29-30 How do the Jews and Gentiles stand before God?
V. 31 How is the law upheld?
Chapter 4 Abraham's faith
V. 1-5 How was Abraham justified?: What verse is quoted here?; Look up the meaning of the word "counter." (KJV); Why are works of no value before we are saved?; Are works of value after we are saved? See Eph 2:10; James 2:21-22
V. 6-8 Is David speaking of rewarding the righteous or the unworth? V. 19-22 How strong was Abraham's faith?
V. 23-25 Is our situation comparable to Abraham's?: How did Jesus redeem us?
Chapter 5. Sin and grace
V. 1-5 What are the fruits of our justification?: How can we glory in tribulation?; When is the Holy Spirit "given unto us"
V. 6-9 What is the means of our justification?: Compare with 3:25.
V. 10-11 In what way are we saved through Christ's life?: Compare with 6:4-5
V. 12-14 What brought death to all men?: Do we die because of Adam's sin or our sins?; Is sin dependent on the law? See 4:15.; How was men's sin during the time from Adam to Moses different from Adam's sin?; Way did death occur during the Adam to Moses tine period?; Note: This passage is a most controversial one. Did Adam's sin cause all men to die or did he introduce into the human race a nature which pause all men to sin?; How is Adam a type of Christ? See I Cor. 15:22. Compare the effects of each. Is there a contrast is this type?
V. 15-19 How does our gain through Christ compare with our loss through the fall of Adam?: How is it possible for one man to atone for the sins of the whole world?; How much emphasis is there on "free gift"? What is the effect of law? See 3:20; Does law or grace give eternal life?
Chapter 6 New life in Christ
V. 1-2 Does salvation by grace excuse sin?: Why did Paul ask this question?
V. 3-4 When does this baptism take place?: What baptism is he writing about? See I Cor. 12:13; Does water baptism regenerate a soul?; When Paul writes about baptism, is he writing about the mode of baptism, or the effect of baptism?; See Gal. 3:27, Col. 2:12; Is our "burial" spiritual or literal? What about "crucified" (verse 6), "died" (verse 8), "circumcise" (Col. 2:12)?
V. 5 What is the resurrection experience spoken of here?: See also Eph. 2:5-6, Col. 3; Compare to 7:1-4
V. 9 How many offerings did Christ need to make?: Compare with the Catholic view.; See Hebrews 10:1, 11, 1.
V. 10-11 See Luke 9:23
V. 12-14 How was sin's dominion broken?: See 8:2-3
V. 16 How important is the question of whom we serve?
V. 17 When were we slaves of sin? See 1:5, 15:18, 16:26: What are we now?
V. 21 What would we have gotten once?
V. 22 What two returns does the Christian get?
V. 23 How do the wages compare with the gift?: Read Matt. 20:1-16
Chapter 7 Free from the Law
V. 1 How is one freed from the law?
V. 2-3 What does this say about divorce and remarriage?
V. 4-6 How did the Christian die to the law?: See 6:4,5,8; What is the "oldness of the law" (KJV)? See newer version.
V. 7 Is the law sin?
V. 8-11 In what sense was he dead? saved or lost?: Compare with 8:13, 3:19-20.
V. 12 The law is __________________________.
V. 14 Is Paul speaking of his former unregenerated state or after his regeneration?: Why is the answer to this question important?; What type of person is carnally minded? See 8:5-9, 13:14, 6:13-14, 16, 21-22.
V. 15-22 Does being energetic and wanting to do right prove that one has a right relation to God?
V. 23 Is a regenerated person under the law of sin? See 8:2
V. 24-25a What is the way of escape?
V. 25b Does this summarize the chapter?
Chapter 8 The Spirit of Life
V. 1 Who is the one "in Christ"?
V. 2-3 What can the "law of the Spirit" do that the old law could not?
V. 4 What is the just requirement of the law?: How was it fulfilled?
V. 5-8 In how many ways are the flesh and the Spirit contrasted?: See Gal. 5:16-26
V. 9 What must one have to be Christ's?
V. 10-13 What is the Spirit's work in this conflict with the flesh?
V. 14-16 Those who are led by the Spirit are __________________.: Thereby we speak of God as our___________________.; Do we need to fear God?
V. 17 With whom are we "joint-heirs" (KJV)?: Under what condition?
V. 18-22 What does the imperfection of the present creation point to? See II Peter 3:13
V. 23 What part of our inheritance do we have now?: Compare with Eph. 1:13-14
V. 26-27 How does the Holy Spirit help us in our prayers?: Who makes the "groanings" (KJV)?
V. 28 How does this verse relate to preceding thoughts?: Note verse 18, 26
V. 29-30 What had God provided?: Do these steps necessarily follow one another?; See Matt. 22:14
V. 31-39 Can anything outside the Christian rob him of his salvation?: What light does James 1:13-15 give on this passage?; What can separate us from the love of God?
Chapter 9 God's People--Believing remnant from Israel and the believing Gentile Israel's rejection and the Gentile's acceptance.
V. 1-3 How much sorrow did the Jew's rejection of the Gospel bring to Paul?
V. 4-5 What advantages and privileges did the Jew have?: Should they have been the first to accept Jesus Christ?
V. 6-8 Did Israel's rejection show that God was unfaithful?: Did their ancestry guarantee favor with God?
V. 9-13 Who determined which of Abraham's descendants would become the heirs of the promise given to him?: Were the heirs of the promise dependent on birthright or works?; Did this election primarily concern individuals or nations?; Is Israel as a nation or Jacob as an individual the primary concern here?; Did Jacob and his descendants receive eternal life because of their call? What did they receive?
V. 14 Did God's choice of the nation Israel make him unjust?
V. 15-16 On what basis did God make His choice?
V. 17-18 What purpose did God have for Pharaoh?: Was he raised up for eternal damnation or to be a governmental leader God could use?; Why was "pharaoh's heart hardened"? Compare 1:24, 26, 28.; See Exodus 5:2, 8:15.; See also Exodus 7:3, 9:12, 10:1, 20, 27, 11:10.; Was this the results of God working through natural laws?
V. 19-20 Can man question God's choices?
V. 21 Who is the potter? Who is the clay? Is the clay individuals or national Israel?: Read Jeremiah 18:1-11
V. 22 Why are they fitted for destruction?: Who are the "vessels of wrath"?; See Hebrews 3:12.; Is God unjust if He rejects unbelieving Israelites and saves Gentiles who believe? Did God quickly condemn the unbelieving Israelites or was He patient and long-suffering with them.; How did God use "the vessels of wrath"?
V. 23-24 Who has God now elected to be vessels of mercy? Israel, Gentiles or both?: Read Ephesians 2:11-22, Acts 10:34.
V. 25-26 Who does Paul apply Hosea's words, "not my people" and"not beloved" to?
V. 27-28 How many Israelites will be saved? Compare Matthew7:13-14.
V. 29 Why didn't God reject and forget the Jews?
V. 30 Why did the Gentiles obtain righteousness?
V. 31-33 Why did the Jews not succeed in obtaining righteousness?: Who did they stumble over? See Matthew 21:38, 42; See I Peter 2:4-8.
Chapter 10 The cause of the Jew's failure
V. 1 Is Paul concerned about the Jew's spiritual state?: Does the Scriptures anywhere else speak of prayer for the unsaved?
V. 2-4 What was the Jew's basic problem?: Note how this relates back to 9:30-33.; How were they trying to attain righteousness?; Were they faithful in this attempt? See Hebrews 8:9, Matthew 15:6.
V. 5 What is necessary if one is going to obtain righteousness through the law?: See Leviticus 18:5 and Galatians 3:10.
V. 6-8 Is the Gospel something hard or far off? Refer to Deuteronomy 30:11-14
V. 9-11 What two things are necessary for salvation?
V. 12 Are there two groups of people with different ways to obtain righteousness before God?
V. 13 Does this verse say anything about the nationality of the believer?
V. 14-15 Why should the Gospel be universally preached: See verse 13
V. 16 Did the Jew believe the Gospel when he heard it?
V. 18 How much opportunity did the Jew have to believe?
V. 19-21 What had Isaiah prophesied? Who found God?: Was God patient with Israel?
Chapter 11 The Jewish rejection is not total or final
V. 1 What evidence does Paul offer to show that God did not completely reject Israel?
V. 2-4 How many were saved from Israel in Elijah's days? See9:27, I Kings 19:9-18.
V. 5 Was there any difference in the number who were saved in Paul's day?
V. 5-6 On what basis is the remnant chosen? See Ephesians 2:8.
V. 7 What was the basis for the election of some and the hardening of others?: Was it due to God or man? Review 9:30-33.; What did God want? See 11:32, Titus 2:11, I Timothy 2:4.
V. 8-10 See Matthew 13:14-15: Why has God given them the spirit of slumber?; Note: In the preceding verses (Matthew 13:12) we see how blessing and cursing can become progressive, as God responds to our own choices.; See also John 12:36-43
V. 11 Did God completely cast away Israel?: What good came out of Israel's rejection? How did it come?; See Matthew 22:8-9, Acts 18:5-6. When Israel rejected the Gospel what did the apostles do?; How did Israel react?
V. 12 What will be the results of Israel's conversion?
V. 13-14 What did Paul hope to do by winning Gentiles to Christ?
V. 15 What is meant by "lefe from the dead." How does this expand on the previous verse?
V. 16 Who are the "first fruits" and the "root"?: Who are the "whole lump" and the "branches"?; What must they have in common?
V. 17 Who was broken off?: Who is the wide olive shoot?
V. 18-22 Why shouldn't the "wild olive shoot" boast?: What can happen to them?; See Hebrews 3:8-13.
V. 23-24 Can the natural branches be grafted back in?
V. 25 Should the Gentiles think they are better than the Jews, and look down on them?: How will the hardening be on part of Israel?
V. 26-27 What is going to happen to Israel?: When will it happen? Note Luke 21:24.; See Isaiah 59:20-21, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 11:16-20, 36:22-3???
V. 28-32 To whom is this addressed?: Is the mercy God will offer to different than the Gentile received?
V. 33-36 What is our response when we see God's plan of redemption and how it is worked out among the Jews and Gentiles?
Chapter 12 The Christian Life
V. 1 What is the Christian to present?
V. 2 Negatively we are to _____________.: Positively we are to _____________.; How are these interrelated?; How important are these verses to the Christian life?; What do they mean in our lives?
V.s 3 What danger should we avoid?: What is meant by "measure of faith"?
V. 4-8 Do we all have the same gifts?: See Ephesians 4:7, 10-16.
V. 9 What is the meaning of "dissimulation" (KJV)?: How does love express itself?
V. 10 How essential is this love? See John 13:35, I John 3:15.
V. 11 What is meant by "not slothful in business" (KJV)?: How does this tie in with the rest of the verse?
V. 13 Through who does God work to help the needy Christian?: Is there any other type of giving in the New Testament?
V. 14 See Matthew 5:44
V. 15 How much do Christians share together?
V. 16 How are we to live together?
V. 17-18 What do we do when faced with evil?
V. 19-21 Why can't we avenge? What are we to do?: In what sense does the Christian "heap coals of fire on his head?"
Chapter 13:1-7 The Christian and The State
V. 1 Where does the government leaders obtain their power?: See John 19:10-11, Daniel 2:21.
V. 2 Should the Christian take part in acts of civil disobedience and rebellion against governments?: Give two reasons.
V. 3-4 Who should fear the government?
V. 5 Why should one be subject to the government?: Can one ever disobey the authorities? See Acts 5:29, Mark 12:14.; See I Peter 2:13, Titus 3:1.
V. 6-7 Should the Christian pay his taxes? Any exceptions?
Chapter 13:8-14 Live by love and keep alert
V. 8-10 How do we fulfill the law?: See Galatians 5:14, Matthew 22:34-40
V. 11-12 What should we keep in mind?
V. 12-13 How does the preceding verses effect our lives?: See Matthew 14:42-44, I Thessalonians 5:1-6, II Peter 3:9-18
V. 14 What about satisfying our bodily lusts and carnal desires?: See 8:13, Galatians 5:16-24.
Chapter 14 Our Christian Brother and Opinions
V. 1 What disputes should be avoided? With whom?: What type of person is this weak one? See verse 6.
V. 2 What issue does Paul give as an example?: Is there a Bible principle involved here?
V. 3-4 What is each side to do?: Must a person become a vegetarian to please the vegetarian?; See I Timothy 4:3-4.
V. 5 What issue does Paul give as a second example?: What days is Paul referring to? See Colossians 2:16, Galatians 4:10.
V. 6-9 What is really important?
V. 10-12 Should we pass judgement on issues not involving Biblical principles?: What about issues involving Biblical principles?; See I Cor. 5:12-13.; What will each of us do someday?
V. 13 What must we avoid?
V. 14 Why does something clean become unclean? See verse 23
V. 15 What is to control our actions.
V. 17 What issues was Paul speaking about?: See I Corinthians 8, Hebrews 13:9.; What is important in the kingdom of God?
V. 19 What should we pursue?
V. 20-21 What must we avoid?: Does this chapter give the Christian license or limits his action?
V. 23 How must a Christian control his life?: See James 4:17.
Chapter 15:1-13 Christ is our example
V. 1 How does this verse relate to the proceeding chapter?: Should we do everything we want to do?
V. 2 What should we do?
V. 3 Whom should we imitate?
V. 4 Is there value in Old Testament Scriptures?
V. 5-6 What should be the results of our lives?
V. 7 See how this verse relates to 14:1.
V. 8-9 What did Christ do, and why? Note Matthew 15:24.
V. 9-12 Who are called to receive benefits of the promises?: When was this calling revealed?
V. 13 What blessings do we receive?
Chapter 15:14-33 Paul's personal remarks
V. 14 What was Paul's opinion of the Roman's Christians?: How should they be able to help each other?
V. 15-16 What did Paul want them to understand?
V. 17-21 What did Paul want to do?: How much effect did he put forth?
V. 22 What hindered Paul coming to them?
V. 23-26 What is Paul's plans?
V. 26-27 Why did these Christians wish to share with those at Jerusalem?: See II Corinthians 8:1-15.
V. 28-29 What was Paul's plans?
V. 30-32 Why was Paul interested in their prayers?: Do you think the Judea unbelievers were friends in light of his conversion and efforts to spread the gospel?
Chapter 16 Conclusion
V. 1-2 What type of person was Phoebe?: Where is Cenchrcae located?
V. 3-4 In what sense have they "laid down their own necks"?
V. 5 Where did some of the early congregations meet?: Are large, elaborate church buildings needed?; < What distinction is attributed to Epaenetus?
V. 6-15 What does this greeting say of Paul's character?
V. 16 How were the early church to greet one another?
V. 17 Who should be avoided?: See II Thessalonians 3:6-15, Titus 3:10
V. 18 What danger do those who create dissensions and difficulties cause?: Read I Corinthians 1 and 2, II Corinthians 1:13, 11:6.
V. 19-20 What type of church existed at Rome?
V. 21-23 Does Paul leave room for others?
V. 25 What is the mystery he speaks of?: See I Corinthians 2:7, Ephesians 2:19, Colossians 2:2 and I Timothy 3:9
V. 26 What does this mystery do?

This rewrite of G. Richard Culp's 1961 Romans Study Questions was done by Leland Haines, Northville, MI. Used at the Bean Blossem Mennonite Church, and the Cuba Mennonite Church Revised Fall 1974, August 28, 1995, HTML version July 1999

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June 22, 2000