Week 3: Romans 4-5

Week 3: Christ the Righteous One: Salvation Through Faith

Brief introduction about St. Paul
- The Lord said to him: "I will send you far from here to the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21)
- Unmarried: “For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that." 1 Corinth 7:7
- Roman Citizen: Born a Roman citizen, enabling safe travel and legal protection.
- Greek education: Born in Tarsus, major center of Greek learning, exposure to Greek philosophy.
- Jewish heritage: Adhering to Jewish law and traditions and studied under Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem
- 1st Journey (44 AD, 2 years):
- 2nd Journey (51 AD, 3 years):
- 3rd Journey (54 AD, 4 years):
- 4th Journey (Rome):

St. Paul wrote 14 epistles out of the 27 books in the New Testament.

Known as the Apostle of the Gentiles

Received 4 crowns: martyrdom, purity, apostleship, and righteousness.

His early preparation for ministry

Missionary trips:

Introduction:
1. Author: St. Paul
2. Written to: believers in Rome
3. Time of writing:
  - 58 AD in Corinth, before Paul’s visit to Rome in 62 AD
4. Purpose of the book
  - The need for all people, Jews or Gentiles, to be justified by Christ.
  - How a person can obtain justification and its blessings in life.
  - The rejection of faith by many Jews is temporary, but some will return to faith in Christ after the Gentiles accept the faith.
  - Basic teachings for practical Christian living.
  - Care for those weak in faith and encourage them

Outline
- The apostolic blessing and encouragement of the believers (Chapter 1).
- The need for all humanity to be justified by Christ, how they can receive it, and its blessings (Chapters 2–8).
- 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).
- Practical commandments for Christian behavior (Chapters 12–15).
- Paul’s fatherly care and his greetings to his beloved friends (Chapter 16).

Reading:
- Chapters 4,5

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

Key verse:
- “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

Comments: Chapters 4&5
- Ibrahim is justified by his faith. (Romans 4: 1-8)
  - St. Paul clarifies that righteousness does not come from works alone but through faith, using Abraham as an example. If Abraham were justified by works, he could boast before people, but true justification came when he believed in God. Those who rely solely on works receive only material rewards, like hired laborers, without grace or justification, remaining unworthy of God's Kingdom.
- Abraham Was Justified Before Circumcision (Romans 4:9-12):
  - St. Paul emphasizes that justification is by faith, not circumcision. He proves this by highlighting that Abraham was declared righteous while still uncircumcised, long before circumcision and the Mosaic Law, showing that righteousness is available to both Jews and Gentiles.
- Faith as a Condition for Righteousness (Romans 4:13-17):
  - St. Paul emphasizes that salvation is available to all, not just Jews, and is based on faith, not the law.
  - God's forgiveness of sins is a grace and gift, not a payment for faith, but a reward far greater than what humans deserve.
  - Abraham's faith in God was demonstrated in two key moments:
    1. "God is able to raise the dead" verse 17– When Abraham obeyed God by offering his son Isaac as a sacrifice and raised the knife to kill him, he was fully certain that God would raise Isaac back to life.
    2. "He calls things that do not exist as though they did" verse 17– When Abraham believed he would have a descendant (Isaac), even before Isaac was born.
- Everything is Possible for the Believer (Romans 4:18-25):
  - Abraham was strong in his faith and believed that he can have children when he is old. He trusted in a God who is capable of everything, for what is impossible for people is possible only for Him. So, trust in Him and do not be afraid.
- The Fruits of Christ's Righteousness (Romans 5:1-5):
  - When we received justification through faith, we entered into a state of peace with God. This reconciliation was made possible through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  - Rather than focusing on the bitterness of trials, focus on God's loving hand guiding them, as everything that happens is for your earthly good and heavenly glory.
- Christ the Righteous One, the Savior of Sinners (Romans 5:6-11):
  - Human logic suggests that one might die for a righteous or good person, but no one would die for a wicked person. Yet, Christ, the righteous one, demonstrated His great love by dying for sinners like us.
  - Christ, when He was dead in the flesh, was the cause of our reconciliation with the Father, after we have been reconciled, we will receive salvation by growing in His love and remaining close to Him by partaking of His Body and Blood and living a righteous life.
- The Sin of Adam and the Righteousness of Christ (Romans 5:12-21):
  - (The first Adam) Adam's sin brought death to all humans, while (The second Adam) Christ's grace grants believers the gift of eternal life to reign with Him in the heavens.

Review/recap questions

** Servant may add more questions
- - How was Abraham justified before God?
    - (Was it by faith or by works, and what does this teach us about justification?)
  - Who can receive the promise of righteousness through faith? is it only for the Jews?
  - What is the contrast between Adam and Christ in terms of their impact on humanity?

Homework

** Servant may add more questions
1. 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