Brief Summary:
Paul was excited about being able to minister at last in this church, and everyone was well aware of that fact (Romans 1:8-15). The letter to the Romans was written from Corinth just prior to Paul’s trip to Jerusalem to deliver the alms that had been given for the poor there. He had intended to go to Rome and then on to Spain (Romans 15:24), but his plans were interrupted when he was arrested in Jerusalem. He would eventually go to Rome as a prisoner. Phoebe, who was a member of the church at Cenchrea near Corinth (Romans 16:1), most likely carried the letter to Rome.
The Book of Romans is primarily a work of doctrine and can be divided into four sections: righteousness needed, 1:18–3:20; righteousness provided, 3:21–8:39; righteousness vindicated, 9:1–11:36; righteousness practiced, 12:1–15:13. The main theme of this letter is obvious of course—righteousness. Guided by the Holy Spirit, Paul first condemns all men of their sinfulness. He expresses his desire to preach the truth of God’s Word to those in Rome. It was his hope to have assurance they were staying on the right path. He strongly points out that he is not ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16), because it is the power by which everyone is saved.
The Book of Romans tells us about God, who He is and what He has done. It tells us of Jesus Christ, what His death accomplished. It tells us about ourselves, what we were like without Christ and who we are after trusting in Christ. Paul points out that God did not demand men have their lives straightened out before coming to Christ. While we were still sinners Christ died on a cross for our sins.
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The Book of Romans Summary
Summary of the Book of Romans – Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org
Context Summary
Romans 1:16–17 is often used as the key verses to summarize the book of Romans. Paul declares boldly why he is not ashamed of the gospel about Jesus that he preaches around the world. This message is nothing less than the power of God for everyone who believes, both Jews and Gentiles. It is about being declared righteous by God because of our faith in Him.
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“Romans 1:16” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 1:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, because it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first, and also for the Greek.
Context Summary
Romans 1:18–32 describes why God rightfully condemns humanity and some of what He has done about it. Humanity’s fall is pictured as a downward progression. It starts with rejecting God as creator, refusing to see what can be known about Him by what He has made. We also reject that He is our provider and stop giving Him thanks. We worship His creation instead of Him. Finally, God acts by giving us over to the unchecked expression of our corrupt sexual desires and all other kinds of sin. In part, He expresses His wrath by giving us what we want and condemning us to suffer the painful consequences.
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“Romans 1:21” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 1:21 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 1:21
21 Because knowing God, they didn’t glorify him as God, and didn’t give thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
Context Summary
Romans 2:1–11 springs a trap, of sorts, for every reader who thought that Paul’s devastating list of sins at the end of Romans 1 was about other people. In truth, everyone is guilty of sin. Those who judge others are guilty, also, of hypocrisy. Nobody will escape God’s judgment for personal sin, including religious Jews and Gentiles. God will absolutely judge each person according to what he or she has done. If someone has lived sinlessly, doing only good, he will receive rewards and eternal life. If not, he deserves wrath and fury. This point sets up Paul’s explanation of how we can, in fact, obtain salvation: by grace through faith.
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“Romans 2:4” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 2:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 2:4
4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
Context Summary
Romans 2:1–11 springs a trap, of sorts, for every reader who thought that Paul’s devastating list of sins at the end of Romans 1 was about other people. In truth, everyone is guilty of sin. Those who judge others are guilty, also, of hypocrisy. Nobody will escape God’s judgment for personal sin, including religious Jews and Gentiles. God will absolutely judge each person according to what he or she has done. If someone has lived sinlessly, doing only good, he will receive rewards and eternal life. If not, he deserves wrath and fury. This point sets up Paul’s explanation of how we can, in fact, obtain salvation: by grace through faith.
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“Romans 2:5 ” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 2:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 2:5
5 But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation,
Context Summary
Romans 3:21–31 finally introduces the ”good news” part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Up to this point, Paul has shown that even following the law cannot spare us from being judged by God for our sin. Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God’s sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God’s grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. This is truly good news!
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“Romans 3:22” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 3:22 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 3:21-22
21 But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; 22 even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction,
Context Summary
Romans 3:21–31 finally introduces the ”good news” part of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Up to this point, Paul has shown that even following the law cannot spare us from being judged by God for our sin. Now Paul announces that, through faith in Christ, we can be made righteous in God’s sight. Entirely apart from the law, we can be redeemed by the atoning sacrifice of Christ’s blood, willingly shed for our sin. This gift of God’s grace instead of wrath is available to everyone, Jews and Gentiles alike. This is truly good news!
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“Romans 3:23” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 3:23 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 3:22-26
For there is no distinction, 23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; 24 being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25 whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice,a]”>[a] through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; 26 to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus.
Context Summary
Romans 4:13–25 continues to focus on the faith of Abraham. God made promises to Abraham and his descendants, promises which Abraham believed. Those promises can’t be received by keeping the law, but only by faith. God promised Abraham a son with Sarah, and Abraham continued to believe that promise would be kept even as it became less and less likely in human terms. We, too, can be counted as righteous by faith in Jesus’ death for our sins and God’s resurrection of Him for our justification.
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“Romans 4:17” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 4:17 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 4:17
17 As it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations.”Genesis 17:5 This is in the presence of him whom he believed: God, who gives life to the dead, and calls the things that are not, as though they were.
Context Summary
Romans 4:13–25 continues to focus on the faith of Abraham. God made promises to Abraham and his descendants, promises which Abraham believed. Those promises can’t be received by keeping the law, but only by faith. God promised Abraham a son with Sarah, and Abraham continued to believe that promise would be kept even as it became less and less likely in human terms. We, too, can be counted as righteous by faith in Jesus’ death for our sins and God’s resurrection of Him for our justification.
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“Romans 4:24” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 4:24 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 4:24
24 but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in him who raised Jesus, our Lord, from the dead,
Context Summary
Romans 5:1–11 describes the amazing benefits that come with being declared righteous before God by faith in Christ’s death for our sin. God has made peace with us. We stand in His grace, and we rejoice in the sure hope that we will share in His glory. Our suffering brings growth, which leads to even more potent hope. God has proven His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to God in Christ.
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“Romans 5:2-3” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:2-3
2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance;
Context Summary
Romans 5:1–11 describes the amazing benefits that come with being declared righteous before God by faith in Christ’s death for our sin. God has made peace with us. We stand in His grace, and we rejoice in the sure hope that we will share in His glory. Our suffering brings growth, which leads to even more potent hope. God has proven His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to God in Christ.
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“Romans 5:5” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:5
5 and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Context Summary
Romans 5:1–11 describes the amazing benefits that come with being declared righteous before God by faith in Christ’s death for our sin. God has made peace with us. We stand in His grace, and we rejoice in the sure hope that we will share in His glory. Our suffering brings growth, which leads to even more potent hope. God has proven His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are saved from God’s wrath and reconciled to God in Christ.
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“Romans 5:11” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:11
11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.
Context Summary
Romans 5:12–21 compares the work of Adam with the work of Christ to show how sin and death came into the world, and how God made a way to escape them. Adam, specially created by God, became the first lawbreaker when he ate from the restricted tree. He brought sin and death to all who came after him. Jesus, hung on a tree—a phrase implying crucifixion—paid for our sin, making it possible for all who believe to reign with Him in eternal life.
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“Romans 5:12” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:12 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:12
12 Therefore as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; so death passed to all men, because all sinned.
Context Summary
Romans 5:12–21 compares the work of Adam with the work of Christ to show how sin and death came into the world, and how God made a way to escape them. Adam, specially created by God, became the first lawbreaker when he ate from the restricted tree. He brought sin and death to all who came after him. Jesus, hung on a tree—a phrase implying crucifixion—paid for our sin, making it possible for all who believe to reign with Him in eternal life.
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“Romans 5:17” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:17 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:17
17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
Context Summary
Romans 5:12–21 compares the work of Adam with the work of Christ to show how sin and death came into the world, and how God made a way to escape them. Adam, specially created by God, became the first lawbreaker when he ate from the restricted tree. He brought sin and death to all who came after him. Jesus, hung on a tree—a phrase implying crucifixion—paid for our sin, making it possible for all who believe to reign with Him in eternal life.
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“Romans 5:20” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 5:20 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 5:20-21
20 The law came in that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly; 21 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Context Summary
Romans 6:1–14 explores how Christians should think about and respond to sin now that we are in Christ and our sins are forgiven. In explaining this, Paul reveals new information about what happened when we put our faith in Christ. In a spiritual sense, we died with Him, and to our sin. We were then resurrected to a new spiritual life. Now Paul instructs us to continue remembering that we are no longer slaves to sin. We must not offer our bodies to be used for sin, but we must offer ourselves as instruments of righteousness, instead.
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“Romans 6:1” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 6:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 6:1
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Context Summary
Romans 6:15–23 asks why we should not keep sinning once we have come to faith in Christ and are no longer under the law of Moses. Paul answers that we can continue to lead lives of volunteer slavery to sin if we don’t resist it. Instead, we should live as if righteousness was our master, which, in a sense, it is. We should obey righteousness instead of our sinful desires, in part, because we now understand the consequences of sin. Instead of shame and death, we should serve God who gives eternal life as a gift.
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“Romans 6:23” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 6:23 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Context Summary
Romans 7:7–25 explores the relationship between the law of Moses and human sin. Paul insists that the law is how he came to know and understand sin, in general, and his own sin specifically. He also explains how knowing the law does not make a person holier; it can actually tempt us to sin even more! Paul changes his perspective in this passage, speaking in a first-person-here-and-now manner, as a Christian, wanting to do what is right and finding himself doing what is sinful instead. Paul recognized his natural inability to do right and realized his need to be delivered from sin by God through Jesus.
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“Romans 7:18” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 7:18 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 7:18
18 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don’t find it doing that which is good.
Context Summary
Romans 7:7–25 explores the relationship between the law of Moses and human sin. Paul insists that the law is how he came to know and understand sin, in general, and his own sin specifically. He also explains how knowing the law does not make a person holier; it can actually tempt us to sin even more! Paul changes his perspective in this passage, speaking in a first-person-here-and-now manner, as a Christian, wanting to do what is right and finding himself doing what is sinful instead. Paul recognized his natural inability to do right and realized his need to be delivered from sin by God through Jesus.
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“Romans 7:20” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 7:20 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 7:20
20 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
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“Romans 8:1” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:1 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Romans 8:2” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:2 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
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“Romans 8:3” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:3 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:3
For what the law couldn’t do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God did, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh;
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
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“Romans 8:4” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:4 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:4
4 that the ordinance of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
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“Romans 8:5” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:5 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:5
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
Paul is describing the difference between living by the flesh—selfish, sinful human wants and desires—and living by God’s Spirit. He has written that those who are in Christ live by the Spirit.
One difference is that those who live by the flesh set their minds on things of flesh and those who live by the Spirit on things of the Spirit. Setting our minds on one or the other leads in two different directions. A focus on our sinful, selfish desires—the flesh—leads to death. That’s the law of sin and death from verse 2. Sin always leads to death.
Focusing on the things of the Spirit leads to life and peace. That’s the law of the Spirit of life, also from verse 2.
Notice this: The law of the Spirit of life is what frees us from the law of sin and death. Paul is showing here, though, that God does not intend for it to stop there. We have not just changed status from “death” to “life.” We have changed roads from “the road to death” to “the path of life.” The idea is that we will keep going down this road.
That’s what Christians do. They keep their minds focused on the Spirit’s things because that’s the way we’re going. That’s who we are now. We have left the death-way behind.
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“Romans 8:6” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:6 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:6-7
6 For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace; 7 because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God; for it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Romans 8:10” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:10 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:10
10 If Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the spirit is alive because of righteousness.
Context Summary
Romans 8:1–11 begins with an enormous declaration about the grace of God: There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. After describing how this is possible, thanks to the life and death of Jesus, Paul compares two kinds of life. One is life in the Holy Spirit, for those who are in Christ, the other is a life lived according to the flesh. Those in the flesh, meaning non-Christians, are hostile to God. Christians have the Spirit; those who do not are not Christians. Because the Spirit is in us, we will be resurrected from the dead as Jesus was.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
“Romans 8:11” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:11 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:11
11 But if the Spirit of him who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Context Summary
Romans 8:12–17 describes our position in Christ as God’s children; those who have been saved through faith in Christ. First, though, Paul warns us that we owe nothing to our old lives in the flesh. That’s not who we are any longer. No, since we are led by God’s Spirit, we are God’s children. God has not given to us a spirit of slavery, but a spirit of adoption into His family. By God’s Spirit, we cry out to Him as our ”Abba,” which is an informal term for ”Father.” He confirms in our spirit, too, that we are His children.
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“Romans 8:14” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:14 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:14
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are children of God.
Context Summary
Romans 8:12–17 describes our position in Christ as God’s children; those who have been saved through faith in Christ. First, though, Paul warns us that we owe nothing to our old lives in the flesh. That’s not who we are any longer. No, since we are led by God’s Spirit, we are God’s children. God has not given to us a spirit of slavery, but a spirit of adoption into His family. By God’s Spirit, we cry out to Him as our ”Abba,” which is an informal term for ”Father.” He confirms in our spirit, too, that we are His children.
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“Romans 8:16-17” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:16 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:16-17
16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God; 17 and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified with him.
Context Summary
Romans 8:18–30 talks about the participation of Christians in the everyday suffering experienced by all of creation. We all groan together as a woman in labor while we wait for God to reveal His children. As His children, we are waiting for the Father to complete our adoption by redeeming our bodies so that we can be with Him. God’s Spirit helps us in the season of waiting by taking our unformed prayers to God. We trust that God uses every circumstance in our lives for His purposes and that He has chosen us long ago to be His children.
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“Romans 8:19” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:19 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:19
19 For the creation waits with eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.
Context Summary
Romans 8:18–30 talks about the participation of Christians in the everyday suffering experienced by all of creation. We all groan together as a woman in labor while we wait for God to reveal His children. As His children, we are waiting for the Father to complete our adoption by redeeming our bodies so that we can be with Him. God’s Spirit helps us in the season of waiting by taking our unformed prayers to God. We trust that God uses every circumstance in our lives for His purposes and that He has chosen us long ago to be His children.
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“Romans 8:27” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:27 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:27
27 He who searches the hearts knows what is on the Spirit’s mind, because he makes intercession for the saints according to God.
Context Summary
Romans 8:18–30 talks about the participation of Christians in the everyday suffering experienced by all of creation. We all groan together as a woman in labor while we wait for God to reveal His children. As His children, we are waiting for the Father to complete our adoption by redeeming our bodies so that we can be with Him. God’s Spirit helps us in the season of waiting by taking our unformed prayers to God. We trust that God uses every circumstance in our lives for His purposes and that He has chosen us long ago to be His children.
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“Romans 8:28” Bibleref.com
What does Romans 8:28 mean? | BibleRef.com
Romans 8:28
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
