BIBLE BOOK GUIDE
Romans
16 chapters
God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel, justifying sinners by faith in Jesus Christ and transforming them into a holy new life.
Romans
Choose a chapter
Pick a chapter and it opens in the Current chapter tab. Come back here whenever you want to choose another one.
Why this book was written
Written before visiting Jerusalem, Paul wrote to formalize the gospel for the Roman church: human sinfulness, the equal need of Jews and Gentiles, justification by faith, sanctification by the Spirit, and God's ultimate plan for Israel and the nations. He also hoped to strengthen the believers and gain their support for his mission to Spain.
Structure
- 1–4Sin and God's Wrath
- 5–8Justification by Faith and New Life
- 9–11God's Sovereignty and Israel's Salvation
- 12–14Holy Living in Christ
- 15–16Conclusion, Greetings, and Mission
Major themes
Justification by Faith
Paul argues all are under sin, but through Christ's obedience and atoning sacrifice, believers are counted righteous by faith (Rom 1:17; 3:21-26; 5:1).
Universal Sin and the Fall
Both Gentiles (1:18-32) and those under the Law (2:1-3:20) are bound by sin; none can be saved by their own works.
New Life and Sanctification in Christ
United with Christ in death and resurrection, believers are freed from slavery to sin and transformed by the Spirit to live in righteousness and love (chs. 6, 8, 12).
The Spirit and Sonship
The Spirit testifies that we are God's children, and we share in both Christ's sufferings and His future glory (Rom 8:14-17, 26-30).
God's Sovereign Plan for Israel and the Gentiles
The gospel comes to the Jews first and also to the Gentiles; Israel's hardening is partial and temporary, and God's mercy will reach the full number of the saved (chs. 9-11).
Practical Christian Living in the World
In view of God's mercies, believers present themselves as living sacrifices, serve one another in love, submit to authority, and overcome evil (chs. 12-15).
How it points to Christ
Romans exalts Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of sinners: His righteousness is credited to believers (3:21-26), His death and resurrection reconcile us to God (5:6-11), and His return is the believer's hope of full redemption (8:31-39). Christ is both the Messiah of Israel and the Lord of the Gentiles; through Him the gospel reveals God's righteousness and mercy.
Key verses
- 1:16–17Paul declares the gospel as God's power, revealing the righteousness by faith.
- 3:23–24All have sinned and are justified freely by grace through redemption in Christ.
- 5:1–2Justified by faith, we have peace with God and hope in His glory.
- 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ.
- 8:1No condemnation in Christ assures believers of freedom from guilt.
- 8:28–29All things work together for good, conforming us to Christ's image.
- 10:9–10Confessing Christ as Lord and believing in the resurrection brings salvation.
- 12:1–2Present yourselves as living sacrifices, transformed by renewed minds.
Reflections on Romans
People in this book
Questions for reflection
- ·Romans 1:17 says "the righteous shall live by faith." What area of your life today most needs to be held by faith rather than by sight?
- ·In chapter 6, Paul says we are dead to sin. Are there habits or attitudes where you are still letting sin reign? Ask the Spirit to reveal them and help you let go.
- ·Romans 8:28-30 describes God's unbroken chain: foreknown, called, justified, glorified. How does this picture comfort you in present weakness or confusion?
- ·Paul weeps for Israel in chapters 9-11. How urgent is your prayer and witness for those who have not yet heard the gospel?
- ·Romans 12:1-2 calls us to present our bodies as living sacrifices. How does this self-offering look in your daily work, family, and church life?
Want to read Romans start to finish? Open the reader for parallel Chinese/English text and ask anything as you go.
Start reading RomansRomans
Chapter 16
1I commend unto you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church that is at Cenchreae:
2that ye receive her in the Lord, worthily of the saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever matter she may have need of you: for she herself also hath been a helper of many, and of mine own self.
3Salute Prisca and Aquila my fellow-workers in Christ Jesus,
4who for my life laid down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles:
5and salute the church that is in their house. Salute Epaenetus my beloved, who is the firstfruits of Asia unto Christ.
6Salute Mary, who bestowed much labor on you.
7Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also have been in Christ before me.
8Salute Ampliatus my beloved in the Lord.
9Salute Urbanus our fellow-worker in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
10Salute Apelles the approved in Christ. Salute them that are of the household of Aristobulus.
11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus, that are in the Lord.
12Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute Persis the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.
13Salute Rufus the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brethren that are with them.
15Salute Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints that are with them.
16Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you.
17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which ye learned: and turn away from them.
18For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts of the innocent.
19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple unto that which is evil.
20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21Timothy my fellow-worker saluteth you; and Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22I Tertius, who write the epistle, salute you in the Lord.
23Gaius my host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the treasurer of the city saluteth you, and Quartus the brother.
24Eliad, who was in charge of the treasury in the city, and his brother Gemariah, send their greetings to you.
25Now to him that is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which hath been kept in silence through times eternal,
26but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith:
27to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever. Amen.