Romans 3:9-31: The Bad News summarized / A glimpse of Light

• Book of Romans was written: by the Apostle Paul in AD 57, likely from Corinth
• Recipients were believers in Rome, from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds

Questions

1. Summarize the flow of Paul's argument of Romans 1:18-3:20.
2. Lets compare Paul's teaching of Romans 1:18-3:9 with Jesus' famous teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, given in Matthew 5-7 (the Gospel of Matthew was primarily written to the Jews).  Look at each section below and harmonize with Paul's teaching.
   • Matt. 5:1-12.  Who are the blessed?  Who are they pleasing?  Who is not pleased?
   • Matt. 5:13-16.  Are the Jews custodians of something special?  What does God want them to do it?
   • Matt. 5:17-20. The Law. Note the parallel between Matt. 5:17 and Romans 3:31.
   • Matt. 5:21-26. Anger and disputes.
   • Matt. 5:27-32. Sexual relationships.
   • Matt. 5:21-26, 43-47. Treatment of enemies
   • Matt. 5:33-37. Truth-telling.
   • Matt. 6:19-6:34. Attitudes and motivations that will lead to pleasing God.
   • Matt. 7:1-5. Hypocrisy.
   • Matt. 7:6. Truth is not always welcomed.
   • Matt. 7:7-12. God's provision.
   • Matt. 7:13-14. Not a lot of "good" people around.
   • Matt. 7:15-23. Knowing and doing.
   • Matt. 7:24-29.  Reality versus Fantasy.

   In summary, how does Paul's teaching fit with Jesus' teaching?

3. v20.  In view of Jesus' unpacking of the demands of the goodness required by the Law:
   Is it possible to gain God's acceptance by being good?
   Is it possible to gain a personal feeling of peace by doing good?
4. v21-30 The righteousness provided by God is not from the Law. Can you suggest some implications suggested by God's provision of a single way of salvation for both Jew and Gentile?

Next week we will go into the details of Romans 3:21-26.

Discussion

1. Did Jesus teach a new law?  Are Christians and/or non-Christians required to keep this law to be accepted by God?  If not, what does Jesus' teaching mean for us?
2. How would you answer someone who says that Paul is exaggerating in v10-18?