Romans - Books of the Bible Laminated Outlines

Outline of Romans

This chart outlines the main characteristics of the
Apostle Paul’s Letter to the church of Rome.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all
good works. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Introduction, 1:1–15
  A.                Formal opening, 1:1–7
  B.                Paul's interest in Rome, 1:8–15
  C.        The theme: the righteousness of God 1:16,17

I.        The need of mankind for righteousness before God, 1:18–3:20
  A.                The need of the world in general, especially the Gentiles, 1:18–32
                  1.        Mankind under the wrath of God (v. 18a)
                  2.        Man’s inexcusable blameworthiness (vv. 18b–23)
                  3.        The evidence of God’s judgement (vv. 24–32)
  B.                The fact that he Jews are not exceptions, 2:1–3:8
                  1.        The impartial judgement of God (2:1–16)
                  2.        The failure of the Jews under the law (2:17–29)
                  3.        Answering Jewish objections (3:1–8)
  C.        Conclusion: the sinfulness and guilt of all, 3:9–20
                  1.        A universal charge (v. 9)
                  2.        Scriptural proof (vv. 10–18)
                  3.        The clinching proof (vv. 19–20)

II.        The provision of God for man’s righteousness, 3:21–4:25
  A.                The divine method of justification, 3:21–31
  B.                Illustration: the case of Abraham, 4:1–25
                  1.        Abraham was not justified by works (vv. 1–8)
                  2.        Abraham was justified before he was circumcised (vv. 9–12)
                  3.        The Abrahamic promises were not based on the law but on faith (vv. 13–12)
                  4.        The application of the illustration to us (vv. 23–25)

III.        The Christian experience of righteousness with God, 5:1–8:39
  A.                The immediate results of justification, 5:1–21
                  1.        The present effects of God’s justification on us (vv. 1–11)
                  2.        Contrast between these effects and those of Adam’s fall (vv. 12–21
  B.                The believer’s new relationship to sin, 6:1–23
                  1.        Dead to sin: the meaning of baptism (vv. 1–11)
                  2.        Free from the dominion of sin: the analogy of servitude (vv. 12–23)
  C.        The believer’s new relationship to the law, 7:1–25
                  1.        Dead to it: the analogy of the marriage bond (vv. 1–6)
                  2.        Appreciating the ministry of the law (vv. 7–25)

  D.        The believer’s new life in the Holy Spirit, 8:1–39
                  1.        The effects of the indwelling Spirit (vv. 1–27)
                  2.        Our assurance in the purpose of God (vv. 28–39)

IV.        The righteousness of God and the standing of the Jews, 9:1–11:36
  A.                Israel’s rejection and the righteousness of God, 9:1–33
                  1.        Opening lament for Israel’s condition (vv. 1–5)
                  2.        Election was never by fleshly descent (vv. 6 –13)
                  4.        God had warned Israel by the prophets (vv. 25–29)
                  5.        Israel rejected righteousness by faith (vv. 30–33)
  B.                Israel’s rejection as her failure to heed the gospel, 10:1–21
                  1.        Israel's misguided zeal (vv. 1–5)
                  2.        The nearness of the salvation Israel has rejected (vv. 6–13)
                  3.        The worldwide gospel that Israel has rejected (vv. 14–21)
  C.        Israel’s rejection and the purposes and promises of God, 11:1–36
                  1.        Not all Israelites are rejected (vv. 1–10)
                  2.        God purposed to provide for Gentile salvation (vv. 11–24)
                  3.        All Israel will yet be saved (vv. 25–32)

V.        The practice of righteousness in the believer’s life, 12:1–15:13
  A.                The Christian’s service, 12:1–21
                  1.        A call for consecration (vv. 1,2)
                  2.        A basis for service (vv. 3–8)
                  3.        Responsibilities toward others (vv. 9–21)
  B.                The Christian’s obligation, 13:1–14
                  1.        Obligation to civil authorities (vv. 1–7)
                  2.        The debt of love (vv. 8–10)
                  3.        Responsibility to live as sons of light (vv. 11–14)
  C.        The limitations of liberty, 14:1–15:13

Conclusion, 15:14–16:27
  A.                Paul’s motives and plans, 15:14–33
  B.                Messages and greetings, 16:1–24
  C.        Doxology, 16:25–27

The theme of Romans

The theme of Romans is the righteousness that God provides and recognizes: it is for all by faith and not by
works or for the Jews alone. The Book of Galatians is related to Romans as the rough draft is to the finished
work. The arguments which are pressed on the churches of Galatia are expounded more systematically in
Romans.