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Galatians
Introduction to Galatians
Section 1: Paul Defends His Apostolic Authenticity
Galatians 1:1 to 2:14
Chapter 1 – Paul’s First Defense: Against the Accusation That His Gospel Was Inadequate
Galatians 1:1-9
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Romans

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Introduction to the book:

Author

Paul the Apostle through the Scribe, Tertius

Date

Generally agreed to have been written during Paul’s third missionary journey somewhere around A.D. 57 A.D. from Corinth.

Main Motivation

In Romans, Paul explains the central doctrine of salvation which is justification by righteousness. Yet, how can we ever be justified by righteousness when we are unrighteous by nature? Paul explains how the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us in a legal sense while the life of Christ is imparted to us in a practical sense which enables us to live righteously. The importance of this concept in the Book of Romans is verified by the fact the word “righteousness” is used 34 times in the Book of Romans and the word is only used 92 times in the entire New Testament.

Main Theme

There are three reasons why Paul authored the book of Romans.

  1. There was a personal reason. In Chapter 1 he states the purpose was to introduce himself to the Romans.
  2. There was also an educational reason which was to establish the relationship between the doctrine of righteousness and the practice of righteousness. Paul addresses the concepts of moral righteousness, social righteousness, and theological righteousness.
  3. And finally, there was a financial reason. Paul wrote Romans to enlist support to his trip to Spain.

Main Players

  • Paul: Paul had never visited the Roman church personally although at the end of the book he states he hoped to go to Rome on his way to Spain (Romans 15:23-25).
  • The Roman Church: The church was a mixture of Jewish and pagan converts as well as slave and free. Nevertheless, most of the church was made up of Gentiles. We are not told how or who founded the church in Rome. The Roman Catholic view is that Peter founded the church, but others believe after Pentecost converts from Rome returned to Rome whereupon they started churches, or believers from other established churches went to Rome to start churches.
  • The Roman Empire: Rome was the greatest city of the greatest empire of the world with over a million inhabitants. It was the strategic center of civilization. A nineteen-year-old named Nero was emperor. Some ancient historians note that there was “an immense multitude” of believers in Rome by the time of the persecutions of Nero.

Section 1: Condemnation – Unrighteousness' Problem

Romans 1:1-3:20

    Click a Chapter Link to View Chapter Below:

  • Chapter 1 – Paul’s Introduction to the Romans - Romans 1:1-17
  • Chapter 2 – Condemnation of the Defiant Rebel - Romans 1:18-32
  • Chapter 3 – Condemnation of the Decent Person - Romans 2:1-16
  • Chapter 4 – Condemnation of the Devoutly Religious - Romans 2:17-29
  • Chapter 5 – The Entire World is Accountable to God - Romans 3:1-20

Section 2: Justification - The Provision of Imputed Righteousness

Romans 3:21-5:21

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  • Chapter 6 – Righteousness is Freely Given - Romans 3:21-31
  • Chapter 7 – The Example of Abraham - Romans 4:1-16
  • Chapter 8 – Is By Faith Reasonable? - Romans 4:17-25
  • Chapter 9 – By Faith Has Immeasurable Benefits - Romans 5:1-11
  • Chapter 10 – Righteousness is Provided by One Man - Romans 5:12-21

Section 3: Sanctification - The Power of Righteousness Imparted

Romans 6:1-8:39

    Click a Chapter Link to View Chapter Below:

  • Chapter 11 – Dead to Sin and Alive in Christ - Romans 6:1-14
  • Chapter 12 – No Longer a Slave to Sin - Romans 6:15-7:6
  • Chapter 13 - Sin is Still at Work in the Flesh - Romans 7:7-25
  • Chapter 14 - Power Over the Flesh Through the Spirit - Romans 8:1-17
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