Romans 16:21-27 In this final lesson from Paul's epistle to the church in Rome, we considered those who were sending greetings to the believers in Rome, and then contemplated the doxology at the end of the letter. Why was Timothy so dear to Paul? What was outstanding about this young man? Who was Tertius? What are some of the difficulties presented by the doxology at the end of Romans 16? How can we resolve those difficulties? What is Paul's primary point that he sets out to make in the doxology? What is the measure and means by which we are established in the faith? What is the Gospel? What are three things we learn about the Gospel in this doxology? What will be a subject of our glorifying of God throughout the eons of eternity? (57 min.)

Keywords Gospel, Christ, Timothy, Mystery

Romans 10:18-21 Picking up where we left off three weeks ago, we find Paul answering the question of why it is that the Jews have not believed the Gospel. Have they never heard? Have they not understood? To each of these questions Paul answers emphatically that those were not the problem. When God says that he will provoke the Jews to jealousy, is this some random judgment of God, or is there some precedent why He has chosen this particular course? How does Paul know that the Jews have heard the gospel? Why does Paul use the verse from Psalm 19 the way he does? Had the Gospel really been preached in all the world, as Paul claims? How do we know, according to Paul, that the Gospel was not too difficult for the Jews to understand? If the Jews had heard and had understood the word of faith, what explanation does Paul give for their not believing? What does this tell us about the grace of God? (57 min.)

Keywords Gospel, Faith, Jews, Gentiles

Romans 1:13-16 In these verses Paul continues his introductory remarks, but is moving into the substance of his letter. His remark that he does not want the Romans to "be unaware" is not a throw away line. It introduces an important subject to the Romans and to Paul. Though Paul claims to have been hindered in coming to Rome, he does not explain here what hindered him. There is something far more important for the Romans to know, and that is what did not hinder him. Did Paul ever face the temptation to be ashamed of the Gospel? Why does he emphasize here that he is not ashamed? Why might someone be ashamed to take the Gospel into Rome? What was the view of both Gentiles and Jews to the preaching of the cross? What was the "scandal of the cross?" (52 min)

Keywords Romans, Gospel, Cross, Greeks, Gentiles, Barbarians

Romans 1:1-6 This lesson begins our study of the actual text of Romans. Paul's introductory sentence to his letter is seven verses long. As such it takes some careful thinking to understand what he is saying. How is this opening sentence similar to and different from typical letters of Paul's day? Why does Paul go to such length to identify himself and tell what he is about? What are the three things Paul tells us about himself? What is the Gospel, and what is it about? What things does Paul tell us about the Gospel? What are two things about Christ that are made clear in the Gospel? How is this relevant to the people to whom Paul addresses his letter? What does Paul mean by saying that the resurrection declared Jesus to be the Son of God. How does this coincide with the biblical understanding of the eternal sonship of Christ? To whom does Paul say that he was commissioned in his apostleship, and what was he to bring about among those people? How did this relate to the Romans, and how does it relate to us? (In this lesson Rick makes extensive use of a whiteboard illustration. If you wish to view the actual finished illustration from class you may click here.) (59 min)

Keywords Romans, Paul, Apostle, Gospel, Christ, Faith, Son of God, Resurrection