The study takes the perspective that the letter to the Romans was written to address problems within the Jewish community in Rome. That synagogue was undergoing internal strife with the influx of gentile believers. Paul addresses both the traditional Jews and the incoming gentiles in this pastoral letter. The letter is best understood as a conversation within Judaism rather than as a treatise on Christianity.

This study was recorded during Tuesday evening Bible study at Restoration Messianic Fellowship in northern Colorado. The original recordings have been edited for clarity and continuity. While the original sessions each lasted one hour, the MP3 files have been broken into 15-20 minute segments. Jon Behrens is the teacher.

• Romans Intro

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  Introduction and overview of Paul's letter to the synagogue in Rome. This segment discusses to whom the letter was written and for what purpose.

• Romans 1.1-17

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  The basis of Paul's authority.

• Romans 1.18ff

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  The nature of sin, the purpose of judgment and the limits of free speech.

• Romans 2.1-4

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  Romans 2, the problem of judgment among men.

• Romans 2.4-8

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  God's judgment and human presumption.

• Romans 2.8ff

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  God's standards for human behavior.

• Romans 3.1-20

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  What are works of the law and why do they not justify?

• Romans 3.21ff

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  What does Paul mean when he writes about 'law'?

• Romans 4.1-8

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  Discussion of James' and Paul's criteria for justification. Is it faith or works?

• Romans 4.9-22

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  God's promises are made concrete through human faith.

• Romans 4-5

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  The basis for substitutionary atonement.

• Romans 5.12-14

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  What it means to be a child of Adam.

• Romans 5-6

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  Why was the Torah given at Sinai?

• Romans 6.15ff

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  The gift of God through His grace.

• Romans 6.15-7.4

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  The death of the Messiah frees us from our marriage to sin and death.

• Romans 7.5ff

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  What then, is the Law sin?

• Romans 8.1-17

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  The Law allows you to get the music out of life.

• Romans 8.9-25

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  In this hope we are saved. Hope in what? Hope for what?

• Romans 8.26ff

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  And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.

• Romans 9

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  Children of the flesh and children of the promise.

• Romans 10.1-10

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  The one who does the commandments shall live by them.

• Romans 10.8ff

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  How does Messiah's sacrifice apply to our sins?

• Romans 11.1-12

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  How much more will the full inclusion of the Jews mean?

• Romans 11.13ff

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  The mystery of the inclusion of the gentiles. Romans is cross referenced with Ephesians.

• Romans 11.25-end

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  Discussion of orders of priesthood and the salvation of Israel.

• Romans 12

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  The problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps trying to crawl off the altar.

• Romans 13.1-7

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  What is Paul talking about when he says to obey the governing authorities? Is it the secular government or is it the synagogue?

• Romans 13.8ff

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  The kindness we owe to others

• Romans 14.1-4

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  Does Romans 14 tell us that pork chops are now permitted to us for food? Don't think so.

• Romans 14.5ff

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  Do not judge your brothers on the observation of various days.

• Romans 15.1-7

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  Encourage one another.

• Romans 15.8-21

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  Become servants to one another.