GETTING READY: What is the layout to Romans?

The first book we'll be studying for the 2013-2014 season will be the epistle to the Romans.  The next few weeks of the "Getting Ready" series, we will be considering the high-level questions about this book.  If you have additional questions, don't be shy about e-mailing the coaches!

How is the epistle to the Romans laid out?

Last year, we studied the Gospel of Matthew so the structure of the book wasn't a big deal.  It was a story where event followed event.  Essentially, it was a biography of Jesus (though it had a point of view and an intended message).

This year, we are studying an epistle.  It's a letter that Paul wrote to real people in Rome (and he probably had no idea it would one day be included into the Bible as scripture).  He is trying to teach the Romans about Christianity, and address specific questions and problems that they had.  We study chapter by chapter, but Paul intended it as one whole lesson and argument.

Here is an excellent outline from Bible.Org:

III. Outline

I. Introduction: The Revelation of Righteousness (1:1-17)

• A. Salutation (1:1-7)
  B. Thanksgiving and Longing (1:8-15)
• 1. Paul’s Prayer of Thanks for the Romans (1:8-10)
  2. Paul’s Desire to Visit the Romans (1:11-15)
• C. The Theme of the Epistle (1:16-17)

II. Justification: The Imputation of Righteousness (1:18–5:11)

• A. Condemnation: The Universal Need of Righteousness (1:18–3:20)
• 1. The Guilt of the Gentiles (1:18-32)
• a. The Basis of Gentile Guilt (1:18-23)
  b. The Results of Gentile Guilt (1:24-32)
• 2. The Guilt of the Jews (2:1–3:8)
• a. The Stubbornness of the Jews (2:1-16)
  b. The Hypocrisy of the Jews (2:17-29)
  c. The Privilege of the Jews (3:1-8)
• 3. The Proof of Universal Guilt (3:9-20)
• B. Salvation: The Universal Provision of Righteousness (3:21–5:11)
• 1. Manifestation of the Universal Provision of Righteousness (3:21-26)
  2. Unification: The Universal God of Righteousness (3:27-31)
  3. Justification of Universal Justification: Proof from the Life of Abraham (4:1-25)
• a. Abraham Justified by Faith, not Works (4:1-8)
  b. Abraham Justified by Faith, not Circumcision (4:9-12)
  c. Abraham’s Seed Justified by Faith, not Law (4:13-17)
  d. Abraham Justified by Faith in the Promise (4:18-25)
• 1) Explanation of the Hope of Abraham (4:18-22)
  2) Application: Faith in Christ (4:23-25)
• 4. Exultation because of the Certainty of Justification (5:1-11)
• a. Present: Peace with God (5:1-5)
  b. Past: Powerlessness of Sinners (5:6-8)
  c. Future: Escape from God’s Wrath (5:9-11)

III. Sanctification: The Impartation of Righteousness (5:12–8:39)

• A. The Reign of Grace Vs. the Reign of Sin (5:12-21)
  B. The Rationale for Sanctification (6:1-23)
• 1. Union with Christ (6:1-14)
• a. The Divine Reckoning (6:1-10)
  b. The Believer’s Reckoning (6:11)
  c. The Believer’s Responsibility (6:12-14)
• 2. Enslavement to Righteousness (6:15-23)
• C. The Inability of the Flesh and the Law to Sanctify (7:1-25)
• 1. The Believer’s Relationship to the Law (7:1-6)
  2. The Law is Good but Sterile (7:7-13)
  3. The Flesh is Bad and Powerless (7:14-25)
• D. The Power of the Spirit to Sanctify (8:1-17)
• 1. Over Sin (8:1-8)
  2. Over Death (8:9-11)
  3. Over Slavery (8:12-17)
• E. The Goal of Sanctification (8:18-39)
• 1. Present Sufferings (8:18-27)
  2. Future Glory (8:28-30)
  3. Hymn of Assurance (8:31-39)

IV. Vindication of God’s Righteousness in His Relationship to Israel (9:1–11:36)

• A. God’s Past Dealings with Israel (9:1-33)
• 1. Preface: Paul’s Deep Sorrow because of Israel’s Great Privileges (9:1-5)
  2. The Grace of God’s Election (9:6-29)
• a. Seen in Israel’s History (9:6-13)
  b. Seen in Principle (9:14-29)
• 3. The Nation’s Rejection of the Messiah via Legalism (9:30-33)
• B. God’s Present Dealings with Israel (10:1-21)
• 1. Equality with the Gentiles (10:1-13)
  2. Obstinance of the Jews (10:14-21)
• C. God’s Future Dealings with Israel (11:1-33)
• 1. The Rejection is not Complete (11:1-10)
  2. The Rejection is not Final (11:11-32)
• a. The Present “Grafting” of Gentiles (11:11-24)
  b. The Future Salvation of Israel (11:25-32)
• 3. Doxology: In Praise of God’s Wisdom (11:33-36)

V. Application: God’s Righteousness at Work (12:1–15:13)

• A. In the Assembly (12:1-21)
• 1. The Consecrated Life (12:1-2)
  2. The Use of Spiritual Gifts (12:3-8)
  3. The Sincerity of Love (12:9-21)
• B. In the State (13:1-14)
• 1. In Relation to Authorities (13:1-7)
  2. In Relation to Neighbors (13:8-10)
  3. Because of our Eschatological Hope (13:11-14)
• C. In Relation to Weak Believers (14:1–15:13)
• 1. Judging and the Principle of Liberty (14:1-12)
  2. Stumbling Blocks and the Principle of Love (14:13-23)
  3. Selfishness and the Imitation of Christ (15:1-13)

VI. Conclusion: Paul’s Purpose, Plans and Praise in Connection with the Dissemination of Righteousness (15:14–16:27)

• A. Paul’s Mission Explained (15:14-33)
• 1. His Reason for Writing (15:14-16)
  2. His Work among the Gentiles (15:17-21)
  3. His Plan to Visit Rome (15:22-33)
• B. Final Greetings (16:1-27)
• 1. Greetings to Believers in Rome (16:1-16)
  2. Warnings about Divisive Brothers (16:17-20)
  3. Greetings from Believers with Paul (16:21-24)
  4. Final Benediction (16:25-27)