Romans 1
My notes show the following structure of Romans
1.1-7 Opening
1.8-15 Paragraph of Thanksgiving
1.16-17 Statement commonly seen as the theme: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
1.18 - 11.36 The theological argument has two parts: 1.18 - 8.39 develops the meaning of God's righteousness and chs. 9-11 focus on the meaning of Israel. The ethical section (12.1-15.13 deals first with various matters (12-13), then with the "weak" and the "strong" The rest of ch. 15 reflects on Paul's work and travel plans.
Back to Chapter One"
18 - 33 The Guilt of the Gentiles
Paul rails against those who "suppress the truth." He speaks of God's condemnation of their many sins. (Note the first verse of chapter two, however: "Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, when you judge others; for in passing judgement on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things."
1 comment:
Great notes!
A few nitpicks from your liberal friend:
17 - My definition of "gospel" is not the Bible. It is the good news that Jesus died for our sins (remember that Paul didn't have the Bible as we do today). We must also find our purpose through prayer and fellowship (as well as through the Bible).
26 - 27. Paul doesn't identify "homosexuality" (as a state) as evil, but rather for women "unnatural relations" "lust" and "indecent acts with other men" (He attacks the sin - lust, adultery, etc.) The spirit of this is, as you wrote, is the absense of God.
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