Romans 1:1-17: Introduction

• Written: by the Apostle Paul in AD 57, likely from Corinth
• Recipients: believers in Rome, from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds

Introduction (v1-7)

1. (v1,5) How does Paul introduce himself?  What are his credentials?
2. (v2-4) The core of the "good news" (gospel)
   • Why is Jesus himself the gospel? (cf. John 14:6-7)
   • What event confirmed the gospel?
   • What is a proper response to the gospel?
3. (v6-7) Why should we listen to Paul?

Purpose and Theme (v8-17)

4. (v8-15) The heart of an apostle
   • v8. What gives Paul joy?  v9-10. What does he think about? v11-13. What is he longing to do?
   •  What does Paul say motivates his preaching?
5. The theme of Romans is stated in v16-17.  Lets unpack it:
   • Who is the gospel for?
   • What does the gospel do for us?  At what point in our lives is the gospel effective?
   • How is the gospel different than what we'd expect?
6. What are some different ways people try to justify themselves? What are some ways people cope when these attempts fail?
7. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. Why would anyone be ashamed of the gospel?
8. Neither Paul or any other apostle had visited Rome (1:13,14:20).  The fellowship in Rome probably started from ordinary believers arriving there from elsewhere.
   • If you had responsibility for a group of believers in such a situation, what would you do? What would you want to teach them?
   • What did Paul do?  What foundational truths did Paul decide to teach?