Outline for the Epistle to the Romans

OUTLINE FOR THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

(Adapted from Multiple Sources)

I.      Introduction (1:1-17)

A.    Greetings (1-7)

B.    Theme of the Letter: The Gospel of Righteousness (8-17)

                       i.    The Gospel at work in Rome (8-16)

                     ii.    The Gospel reveals God's Righteousness (17)

II.   God's righteousness is revealed through divine judgment. (1:18-3:20)

A.    Gentiles are under the judgment of God. (1:18-32)

                       i.    God's wrath is already evident. (18)

                     ii.    God's wrath is connected to man's choices. (18-32)

                   iii.    God's wrath includes negative consequences. (18-32)

B.    Jews are under the judgment of God. (2:1-3:8)

                       i.    God judges according to truth. (1-5)

                     ii.    God judges according to human conduct. (6-11)

                   iii.    God judges according to human knowledge. (12-16)

                   iv.    God judges according to divine privileges. (2:17-3:1-8)

a.   The privilege provided by the Law. (2:17-24)

b.   The privilege provided by the covenant. (2:25-29)

c.    Greater privilege means greater liability. (3:1-8)

C.    The whole world is under the judgment of God. (3:9-20)

                       i.    A probing question is asked. (3:9)

                     ii.    A summary of wickedness is described. (3:10-18)

                   iii.    Condemnation of all is restated. (3:19-20)

III. God's righteousness is revealed through justification. (3:21-5:21)

A.    The concept of justification is explained. (3:21-31)

                       i.    It is supported in OT Scriptures. (3:21)

                     ii.    It is received through faith in Christ. (3:22-23)

                   iii.    It is an acquittal based on Christ’s sacrifice (3:24-26)

                   iv.    It is provided apart from the law (3:27-31)

B.    The reality of justification is illustrated. (4:1-25)

                       i.    It is apart from works. (4:1-8)

                     ii.    It is apart from circumcision. (4:9-12)

                   iii.    It is apart from the law. (4:13-15)

                   iv.    It is by grace through faith for all. (4:16-25)

C.    The benefits of justification are described. (5:1-21)

                       i.    It produces peace with God. (5:1)

                     ii.    It procures access to grace. (5:2a)

                   iii.    It provides hope in adversity. (5:2b-8)

                   iv.    It provides reconciliation with God. (5:6-11)

                     v.    It reverses the curse of sin and condemnation. (5:12-21)

IV. God's righteousness is revealed through sanctification. (6:1-8:39)

A.    Sanctification means grace has been victorious. (6:1-23)

                       i.    Victory comes through knowledge of the truth. (6:1-10)

a.   The truth is we have died to sin. (6:1-7)

b.   The truth is we are alive in Christ. (6:8-10)  

                     ii.    Victory comes through identification with Christ. (6:11-14)

a.   Identification is a fact to be accepted. (6:11)

b.   Identification is a fact to be practiced. (6:12-14)

                   iii.    Victory comes through slavery to righteousness. (6:15-23)

a.   Slavery implies only one master. (6:15-20)

b.   Slavery produces consequences. (6:21-23)

B.    Sanctification means the law has a purpose. (7:1-25)

                       i.    The purpose of the law is defined and illustrated. (7:1-6)

a.   Its purpose is to exercise dominion. (7:1)

b.   Its dominion is illustrated by marriage. (7:2-3)

c.    The believer is united to a new spouse. (7:4-6)

                     ii.    The purpose and character of the law is defended. (7:7-13)

a.   The law was designed to expose sin. (7:7-11)

b.   The law is holy and good. (7:12-13)

                   iii.    The weakness of the law is explained and illustrated. (7:14-25)

a.   The Apostle’s experience validates the law.

b.   The law is powerless to deliver or rescue.

C.    Sanctification means the Spirit has control. (8:1-39)

                       i.    The Spirit produces true freedom. (1-25)

a.   We now have freedom from condemnation. (1)

b.   We now have freedom from sin and death. (2)

c.    We now have freedom to live righteously. (3-17)

1.     Righteous demands were fulfilled in Christ. (3)

2.     Righteousness is imparted by the Spirit. (4a)

3.     Righteousness requires a spiritual mind. (4b-8)

4.     Righteousness comes by spiritual power. (9-11)

5.     Righteousness is based on relationship. (12-17)

b.   We shall have freedom from the curse of sin. (18-25)

                     ii.    The Spirit achieves God’s purposes: (26-30)

a.   By aiding us in prayer. (26-27)

b.   By orchestrating our circumstances. (28)

c.    By fulfilling God’s scheme of salvation. (29-30)

                   iii.    The Spirit brings ultimate and final victory. (31-39)

a.   Victory is tied to the gifts of God. (31-34)

b.   Victory is assured despite great opposition. (35-39)

V.    God's righteousness is revealed through His sovereign choices. (9:1-11:36)

A.    Israel’s history illustrates God’s sovereign choices. (9:1-29)

                       i.    Paul expresses sorrow over wasted opportunity. (1-5)

                     ii.    God’s choices harmonize with His Word. (6-13)

                   iii.    God’s choices harmonize with His character. (14-18)

                   iv.    God’s sovereignty is defended and illustrated. (19-29)

B.    Israel’s rejection illustrates God’s sovereign privileges. (9:30-10:21)

                       i.    God connects righteousness with faith. (9:30-10:13)

a.   Gentiles exercised faith but not Israel. (9:30-33)

b.   Paul laments Israel’s lack of faith. (10:1-4)

c.    Righteousness by faith is expounded. (5-13)

1.     Faith eliminates the distance to God. (5-8)

2.     Faith restores the relationship with God. (9-11)

3.     Faith erases human distinctions (12-13)

                     ii.    God offers righteousness by faith to the world. (14-21)

a.   The offer involves messengers and receivers. (14-17)

b.   The offer is universal. (18-19)

c.    The offer is optional. (20-21)

B.    Israel’s restoration illustrates God’s sovereign love. (11:1-36)

                       i.    God’s love is shown by His remnant in Israel. (1-10)

                     ii.    God’s love is shown by Israel’s restoration. (11-32)

a.   The purpose of Israel’s rejection. (11-24)

b.   The promise of Israel’s restoration. (25-32)

                   iii.    God’s nature is exalted in praise. (33-36)

VI. God's righteousness is revealed through transformed behavior. (12:1-15:13)

VII.         Conclusion (15:14-16:27)