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Romans

[Note: This is a working draft of the outline.]

I. Greeting (1:1-7)

II. Thanksgiving: Paul’s desire to preach in Rome (1:8-15)

III. Theme: God’s salvation comes through faith for both Jew and Gentile (1:16-17)

IV. Salvation through faith in Christ is God’s response to the sinfulness of humanity (1:18-3:31)

V. Abraham as the ancestor of all believers (4:1-25)

VI. As Adam’s sin brought death to all, so Christ’s sacrifice brings reconciliation with God and life for all (5:1-21)

VII. The free gift of righteousness in Christ creates freedom, not increased sin (6:1-23)

A. Baptism is sharing in Christ’s death so that we will share life with God (6:1-11)

B. "Dying" in baptism means dying to the passions which made us slaves to sin (6:12-23)

VIII. The law could not bring righteousness and life (7:1-25)

A. Human example: The law only binds those who are alive, not the Christian who has died with Christ and now lives by the Spirit (7:1-6)

B. Sin was able to pervert the law to awaken passions that led to death (7:1-12)

C. The law itself is good but the "fleshly" nature of humans makes it possible for sin to enslave us even when we want what is good (7:13-25)

IX. Christ has freed us from bondage by making life in the spirit possible (8:1-38)

A. Freedom is life in Christ/the Spirit, and is opposed to the slavery of sin which works through the flesh (8:1-11)

B. Baptism is our adoption as children of God/Abba in the Spirit (8:12-17)

C. The Spirit helps us live in this world of creation waiting for its final redemption (8:18-30)

D. Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ (8:31-39)

X. Although Israel is rejecting Christ now, God may still bring the people of the promises and covenants to salvation (9:1-11:36)

XI. Ethical instructions on mutual love, service, and tolerance in the Christian community (12:1-15:13)

XII. Paul’s mission and plans to come to Rome (15:14-33)

XIII. Recommendation for Pheobe and greetings to fellow workers (16:1-16)

XIV. Final warning and greetings from Paul’s associates (16:17-23)

XV. [Doxology, missing from many early manuscripts, 16:25-27)]

Biblical Books

Romans