Unit 4: Pauline 1

Romans- 4 weeks

Week 1: Introduction to The Epistle to the Romans + Chapter 1 (The apostolic blessing and encouragement to the believers)

Week 1: Introduction to the book of Romans + Chapter 1 (The apostolic blessings and encouragement to the believers)


    1. How many epistles did St. Paul write in the New Testament?
      A. 12
      B. 13
      C. 14
      D. 15

    2. St. Paul is also known as:
      A. Apostle of the Jews
      B. Apostle of the Gentiles
      C. Apostle of Love
      D. Apostle of Miracles

    3. On which missionary journey did St. Paul write the Epistle to Romans?
      A. 1st Journey
      B. 2nd Journey
      C. 3rd Journey
      D. 4th Journey

    4. During St. Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, how many epistles did he write?
      A. 2
      B. 3
      C. 4
      D. 5


Week 2: God's righteous judgment and justification by faith in Him

Week 2: God's righteous judgment and justification by faith in Him



  1. Introduction:

    1. Author: St. Paul

    2. Written to: believers in Rome

    3. Time of writing:

      1. 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD

    4. Purpose of the book

      1. The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.

      2. How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.

      3. The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.

      4. Basic teachings for practical Christian living.

      5. Care for those weak in faith and encourage them

  2. Outline

    1. The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).

    2. The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).

    3. God chose the Gentiles just as He did to the Jews, who rejected Him but they will repent at the end of days (Chapters 9–11).

    4. Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).

    5. Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).

  3. Reading:

    1. Chapters 2&3

  4. Resources:

    1. Bible Explanation of the Epistle to Romans - Fr. Daoud Lamei English
    2. The Epistle to Romans by Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty- English

  5. Key verse:

    1. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

  6. Comments: Chapters 2&3

    1. Judging Others (Chapter 2: 1-3)

      1. St. Paul begins by warning anyone who believes that their knowledge and understanding of God’s law places them above others, leading them to judge others. He also reminds us that God's judgment is according to truth—not based on outward appearances but by examining the heart as well.

    2. God’s Judgment (Chapter 2: 4-11)

      1. Do you take lightly the riches of God’s kindness and patience for your sins?. God will judge everyone based on his/her deeds.

      2. Verse 6: This verse strongly declares that faith alone is not enough for salvation. Good works are essential (the doctrine of faith and works), which is a clear response to certain heresies that claim faith alone is sufficient for salvation.

        1. Matthew 16:27 “For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.”

    3. Conscience and the Law (Chapter 2: 12-16)

      1. How will God judge the Gentiles, even though they did not receive the Law of Moses like the Jews? What about children born to Gentile parents, who grew up without knowledge of Moses’ law?

        1. The answer is that God has given the Gentiles a natural law, which is the conscience.

      2. Conscience is the voice of God within a person, a moral compass, engraved on the hearts of all people.

    4. Judgment of the Jews (Chapter 2: 17-24)

      1. St. Paul criticizes the hypocrisy of believers from a Jewish background. They teach one thing but do another.

      2. They tell people to avoid sins like theft and adultery, and you preach against idolatry, yet they fall into the sin of stealing, committing adultery, etc.

        1. Contemplation: Examine yourself, so you do not become a stumbling block for others. Make sure that what you teach others, you first apply in your own life. This will make your teaching more powerful.

    5. Circumcision Does Not Justify (Chapter 2: 25-29)

      1. Circumcision is the act of purification for male infants, according to the Law of Moses, where the foreskin is removed on the eighth day after birth. God commanded Abraham, his descendants, and all the people of Israel to practice circumcision as a physical sign distinguishing them as God’s chosen people, set apart from the Gentiles.

      2. However, the one praised by God is not merely the one circumcised in body but the one with a circumcised heart—free from sin and iniquity

    6. Chapter 3: What is the Benefit of Circumcision? (Chapter 3: 1-4)

      1. St. Paul begins this chapter with a question: If following the law and being circumcised doesn’t guarantee justification and salvation, why did God command them in the first place?

        1. God’s Trust in the Jewish People: God entrusted the Jewish people with His commandments and promises.

        2. Human Failure Doesn’t Cancel God’s Truth: Even if some people are unfaithful and fail to live according to God’s commandments, that doesn’t make God’s law wrong.

        3. God’s Words Are Always True: God’s truth remains constant and powerful, no matter what people think.

    7. Does doing evil glorify God? (Chapter 3:5–8)

      1. St. Paul addresses a false argument “"If my sins show God’s righteousness and mercy more clearly, isn’t my sin a good thing?"

        1. The answer to this argument: Just because God can bring good out of evil doesn’t mean the evil itself is good. Sin is still sin and deserves judgment.

    8. The Sins of the Jews before Christ (Chapter 3: 9-20):

      1. "There is none who does good, no, not one" Before Christ's coming and crucifixion, no one was truly perfect or able to achieve full righteousness on their own. Even the righteous people of the Old Testament, despite their good deeds.

      2. When righteous individuals died before Christ’s crucifixion, they went to Hades. They were in a temporary state of waiting, not yet experiencing the fullness of salvation. Paradise was not available to them until Christ’s death and resurrection.

      3. This part shows the importance of Christ’s sacrifice in completing the work of salvation.

    9. Justification by God's Grace (Chapter 3:21-31)

      1. The righteousness of God revealed through the redemption of humanity, which occurred through the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

      2. Before Christ, people relied on the law, including practices like circumcision and animal sacrifices, to try to achieve righteousness and favor with God. However, with Christ’s work, established a new way of salvation based on faith in Him.

  7. Review/recap questions

    ** Servant may add more questions

      1. What warning does St. Paul give about judging others?
      2. How will God judge the Gentiles who do not have the Law of Moses?
      3. What is true circumcision according to St. Paul?
      4. How are people justified and saved after Christ’s resurrection—through the law or by grace?

  1. Homework

    ** Servant may add more questions

      1. Who does the Lord Jesus Christ favor the most among nations?
        a) Jews b) Greeks c) Romans d) none of these
      2. What are the rewards for everyone who does GOOD work? a) glory b) honor c) peace d) all of these
      3.  God is the God of whom? a) Jews only b) Gentiles only c) sinners only d) everyone
      4. What is God’s judgment based on—outward appearances or the heart?
      5. What law do Gentiles have in place of the Law of Moses?
      6. What is more important: physical circumcision or circumcision of the heart?
      7. Is faith alone enough for salvation?






Week 3: Salvation Through Faith

Week 3: Christ the Righteous One: Salvation Through Faith

  1. Introduction:

  1. Homework

     ** Servant may add more questions

    1.  The Holy Scripture states "Abraham believed in God, and it was accounted to him for _____________."
      a) works b) righteousness c)grace d) spirituality

    2. What is the result of Jesus Christ's sacrifice according to Romans 5?
      A) It condemns all people
      B) It offers reconciliation and peace with God
      C) It brings judgment
      D) It ends the law

 


Week 4: Christ Frees Me from the Law and Saves Me from Sin

Week 4: Christ Frees Me from the Law and Saves Me from Sin

    • The Role of Baptism in Justification (Romans 6: 1-10)

      • Verse 3: "Baptized into His death" – This means that through baptism, a person dies with Christ when immersed in the water. This immersion symbolizes Christ’s death on the cross.

      • Verse 5: "We shall also be in His resurrection" – Baptism leads to a life of resurrection, victory over sin, and communion with Christ.

      • Verse 6: "Old man" – Refers to the corrupt nature inherited from Adam.

      • Verse 10: "Once for all" – Indicates that baptism is not repeated, just as Christ died once for all.

    • The Human role in Justification (Romans 6: 11-14)

      • After highlighting God's role in salvation and justification, St. Paul shifts to the human responsibility.

      • Our role is not to return to sin and to dedicate our bodies to righteousness and to the will of God.
      • Do not let your tongue be used for cursing, your hands for violence, or your body for impurity.
      • Instead, offer yourself—your mind, heart, and body to God.

      • St. Paul emphasizes that salvation is available to all, not just Jews, and is based on faith, not the law.

    • Slave to sin or slave to Christ (Romans 6: 15:23)

      • As Jesus said, " No one can serve two masters" Matthew 4:24. A person must choose between two paths:
        • A slave to sin:
          • Those who obey sin's desires become its slaves, leading to spiritual death.
        • A Slave to Christ:
          • Those who follow God's commandments become righteous and gain freedom and eternal life.

    • Freed from the law through Christ (Romans 7: 1-6):

      • St. Paul explains in this chapter that the law no longer has authority over us after Christ's resurrection.

      • After His death and resurrection, Christ fulfilled the Law and freed us from it and united us with him.
      • The purpose of the law was to show people what sin is, but it couldn't save them from sin.

    • The Law reveals sin but cannot save (Romans 7:7-13):

      • The Law itself is not sinful, but its role was to make people aware of sin, exposing all forms of sin, but it did not have the power to save anyone from it.

      • The Law is like a warning sin, it tells us the danger of sin but cannot save us. True salvation comes only through faith in Christ.

    • The struggle between good intentions and sin (Romans 7: 14-25)

      • St. Paul describes the inner conflict that we experience, the struggle between wanting to do good and being overcome by sin.

      • Paul acknowledges that he desires to do what is right, but he often finds himself doing the opposite, due to the weakness of human nature.
      • Christ is the only solution, "Who will rescue me from this body of death?"
      • Christ has come to free us from the power of sin and bring reconcile us with the Father.

  2. Review/recap questions

     ** Servant may add more questions

    • What is the role of baptism in justification?

    • What is the human role in justification?
    • Can we be slave to sin and slave to Christ at the same time?
    • What is the purpose of the law?
    • What is the solution for the human between wanting to do good and being overcome by sin.?

  1. Homework

     ** Servant may add more questions


Week 5: Christ grants us eternal life

Week 5: Christ grants us eternal life

    • No condemnation for those who walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8: 1-17)

      • Those who united with Christ Jesus have been rescued and saved- on the condition that they live a spiritual life

        • Living according to the Spirit: submitting to God's commandments, pleasing God, focuses on spiritual matters such as prayer, spiritual readings, and fasting.

        • Living according to the flesh: concerned about what to eat, drink, wear, and pleasing the flesh.
      • Verse 14-17: Confirms that those who are led by the Holy Spirit are truly God's children. Since we are God's children, we also inherit eternal life and the Kingdom of Heaven.
        • Led by the Spirit = True children of God.
        • We are no longer slaves to fear but are adopted as God's children.
        • The Holy Spirit confirms our identity in Christ.
        • As heirs with Christ, we inherit eternal life

    • Renewal of Creation and the Hope of Coming Glory (Romans 8:18-25):

      • St. Paul discusses the suffering of present time and contrasts it with the glory that will be revealed in the future.
      • Creation, affected by sin, suffers from wars, diseases, famines, natural disasters and more, but one day will be freed from corruption.
      • St. Paul teaches that true hope is not about what is seen, but about waiting for what is promised (the fullness of God's sonship), which requires faith and patience.

    • The Intercession of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26-27):

      • The Holy Spirit intervenes to support, guide, teaches us to pray and request.

      • If you don’t know what to say in prayer, or if the devil attacks you with laziness or wandering thoughts, ask for God's help; He will support you and guide you, all through the work of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.

    • Christ the Sustainer and Intercessor (Romans 8:28-34)

      • God's plan for us is above our understanding. He turns all things, without exception, for the building up of our souls, working for our good both on earth and for His glory in heaven.

      • The phrase "work together" means that while some events in life may seem bad or confusing, they ultimately come together in harmony to serve our good and well-being.
      • After His resurrection, Christ ascended to heaven to demonstrate the possibility of humans entering the glory of the Kingdom. He is the firstborn of all believers.
      • We cannot doubt God's love, for He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ for our redemption. Therefore, it is only natural that He will grant us all the gifts and graces necessary for our salvation.
    • Noting can separate us from the love of Christ (Romans 8:35-39)
      • The devils attempts to separate us from God's love through trials and distractions.
      • Despite these challenges, tribulations, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or death, nothing can separate us from God's love.
      • Examine yourself at the end of each day to see what has prevented you from enjoying the love of Christ. Make more time and give up not only evil desires or the worries and disturbances of life, but also any distractions that deprive you of your spiritual life.

  2. Review/recap questions

     ** Servant may add more questions

  1. Homework

     ** Servant may add more questions