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Theologys Finaledited
Theology Survey I (Liberty
University)
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Explanation of the Flow of Thought in Romans 1:18 – 4:25
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Introduction
The Gospel of God, authored by Paul, the apostle, includes many issues relevant to
the church, including world guilt, salvation beliefs, law, grace, Jews, Gentiles, and
Christianity. Its purpose is to show how God's promises are fulfilled and clear up any
misunderstandings in the church1. Paul stressed his doctrine of validation in this book that
provides believers with grace, love, trust, and mercy. Rendering to dictionary.com,
"validation" refers to the act of demonstrating that something is righteous, just, rational, and
vindicated in God's eyes2. The act or occurrence of justifying something, according to some
authors: Vindication or the doing by which God takes a willing individual from the state of
sin or also prejudice to the state of grace (justice); the alteration in a being's situation going
from the state of iniquity to the state of morality. Over sixty times in this epistle, the term
righteousness is mentioned somehow. For instance, God exposed His righteousness by
punishing iniquity, and He exposed His righteousness by making redemption available to the
trusting sinner through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.3.
The Apostle Paul is the author of the book of Romans, and its main contents have had
a significant impact on the past of theology. According to Armstrong, following exiting
Paul's hands, the epistle of Romans partook on a life of its own, proving to be the gospel in its
wholesome form4. Besides, it could be a mistake to believe that Paul only covers one key
theme in this epistle while reading it5. According to Armstrong, reducing Romans to a single,
all-encompassing issue can be problematic since it forces all things in the letter to be
perceived in a constrained perspective. Nevertheless, it is right to argue that the gospel is the
1 Herrmann, Erik H. "The Creedal Logic of Justification in Martin Luther." Concordia Journal (2018): 41-
57 2 Herrmann, Erik H. "The Creedal Logic of Justification in Martin Luther." Concordia Journal (2018):
41-57 3 Herrmann, Erik H. "The Creedal Logic of Justification in Martin Luther." Concordia Journal
(2018): 41-57
4Armstrong, Jonathan J. "EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS: BIBLE STUDY METHODS."
5Armstrong, Jonathan J. "EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS: BIBLE STUDY METHODS
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central focus of Romans since Paul states in Romans 1:16 that he isn't embarrassed by Jesus
Christ's gospel6. As Brewer points out, the gospel is obligatory to handle the wide range of
themes that Paul raises in this epistle, and it is the gospel that Paul discourses that's at the
focus of his evangelist work.7.
Paul reveals the gospel's core in the initial four chapters of Romans. He reveals the
Rule of sin, for which everyone is responsible. Paul makes it plain that nobody is on their
peculiar; in Romans 3:23, he says that everyone has sinned. He proceeded on to talk about
God's righteousness and validation.8. In Romans 4:1-25, he discusses Justification by
conviction and uses Abraham as an instance, arguing that the faith of Abraham was totaled as
righteousness. Also, in Romans 5-8, Paul explains what validation and a novel life in Jesus
Christ entails.9. This research paper tries to elucidate the thought flow in Romans 1:18-4:25,
demonstrating how Paul progresses from peace with God to amalgamation with Jesus Christ,
liberation from the Commandment of sin, and life existing in the Spirit.10.
Importance of Romans
The gospel of Jesus Christ, God's ability to deliver, God's virtue, the nature of trust,
and God's vengeance, rendering to Gene Cunningham, are the five essential elements of
Romans. All of this is critical to the church. We entirely require the good news of Jesus
Christ, we generally require deliverance from the visible and hidden forces of darkness, we
entirely require God's righteousness because our righteousness is similar to a dirty rag, we
entirely require to live by faith and distinguish that God's wrath falls on the people who defy
6Armstrong, Jonathan J. "EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS: BIBLE STUDY METHODS
7
8Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
9Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
10 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
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God's command.11. We are all required to live by faith and recognize that God's wrath falls on
people who disobey His command. Paul authored the book of Romans while at Corinth,
about the year fifty-seven, ready for his trip to Jerusalem.12. The church developed as Paul
carried the gospel to Rome. He had not met most of the believers there, but he loved them so
much that he sent them an epistle to present himself and create a clear faith statement. They
will dwell by faith, according to Romans 1:17. Through faith in God's Word, we are justified.
Anyone's previous thinking will be transformed by His Word, which will provide them with a
completely novel framework to follow.13.
Main Theme of Section
"The virtue of God" is the central subject of Romans. The gospel exposes faith-based
righteousness. In the Old Testament, morality was earned via works, though sinners quickly
learned they couldn't keep God's law and meet His just demands. Paul quotes the book of
Habakkuk 2:4 in the epistle of Romans: "The just will dwell by his faith." This verse appears
in the New Testament three times14. They all appear in the following verses. Romans 1:17,
Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38. The term "righteousness" denotes God's redeemable
work, in which he supports what is "just" by vindicating and releasing his persons from their
pain. A portion of the delinquent is that we don't have an English word that means
"righteousness," though the hint is that God "righteous" his persons.15.
11 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
12 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
13 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
14 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
15 Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a North American
Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021):
442- 463.
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The righteousness of God, which we acquire by faith, enables us to conduct righteous
lives. Even though this was written numerous years ago, we require it now more than ever.
Paul had no qualms about preaching the gospel. He was confident in His message, and he
provided us reasons why he wasn't embarrassed. It's since it's the power of God. "Be right!"
Paul says to us as we linger to study the epistle of Romans. Be straight with God, yourself,
and others through faith.16. He showed himself to us by beginning his message with
humanity's sinfulness. A being cannot enjoy God's tremendous salvation in Jesus Christ till
he realizes he is a sinner. According to some authors, around AD 49, Roman emperor
Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome due to persistent rioting among the Jews over
disagreements regarding Christ Jesus.17.
Many people are unaware of this wonderful news, and numerous Christians are
perplexed by what occurred. Why? Since an issue like Justification by belief is deemed
"irrelevant" by far too many preachers. A renewed pledge on the portion of entire preachers to
present to their congregations what God has considered relevant in his Word shall go a long
way toward bringing the church to a deeper understanding of the realm's most important
truth: that the God of the earth is agreeable to receive us as his own simply because of our
faith.18. Justification by faith and other similar topics are often overlooked or misunderstood.
Thus, we must maintain a sense of equilibrium.19. The message of God's modifying labor in
Christ is at the center of the gospel. The fundamental human dilemma is separation from
God. Only when there is a complete separation between you and the rest of the world will
you be.
16 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
17 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
18 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
19 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
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The covenantal righteousness is a reoccurring subject throughout the first four
chapters of Romans. The conventual righteousness concept is initially established in Romans
1:16-17, where it is said that all people who accept Jesus Christ's message are saved and will
live eternally by faith.20. There was a change in the past of salvation when Jesus Christ was
crucified for the iniquities of humanity and resurrected21. The salvation shift is primarily a
split between Christians and non-believers.
Organization of the Thought
In Romans 1:18, Apostle Paul revealed what will come from heaven due to persons'
bad ideas and wrongdoings, which pushes aside God's certainty and engages in their fantasy.
We must understand that because God's essence is ethically perfect, He can't tolerate wicked
acts or purposeful defiance. The first role of God's law is to show us when we go wrong, as
shown in Romans 3:2022. Being incapable of keeping the law demonstrates our helplessness
as outlaws and the need for Christ to get God's mercy.23. Moreover, we must understand that
obeying the law does not guarantee salvation but that the ethical norms publicized in the law
might guide our actions to meet God's moral standards.24. Apostle Paul demonstrated a
method to be declared not mortified when we place our faith and trust in Christ for sin
pardon.
Validation by faith in God's grace cleanses us from our various iniquities and allows
us to stand Him afore as if we had never transgressed.25. "Who God set out to be a placation
via reliance in his blood, to announce his virtue for the remission of iniquities that have been
20 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
21 Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic Messiah in Romans
1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
22 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia (2018): 63.
23 Crisler, Channing L. An Intertextual Commentary on Romans, Volume 1: Romans 1: 1-4: 25. Wipf and
Stock Publishers, 2021.
24 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia (2018): 63.
25 Crisler, Channing L. An Intertextual Commentary on Romans, Volume 1: Romans 1: 1-4: 25. Wipf and
Stock Publishers, 2021.
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committed in the past, via the restraint of God; To state, his virtue at this period: that he may
be fair and the justifier of all who believes in Jesus" (Romans 3:25-26 KJV) God is rightfully
angry with all outlaws since they choose to cut themselves off from God's life-giving force,
but God, in His mercy, declares Jesus Christ to be the proper sacrifice for our iniquities.26. At
the Cross, Jesus Christ paid the consequence of demise in our place, entirely satisfied God's
demand for iniquity, and brought us forgiveness, freedom, and escape.27. The notion of
Justification by faith has a tumultuous past.
In terms of faith-based Justification, Faith-based Justification is widely accepted. Its
meaning has been twisted. The nature and application of faith in Justification were brought up
for discussion. Distinctions concerning it obviated the Scripture's double confidence in the
gospel. Acts 8:13; Luke 8:13; Matt. 7:22 are perfect instances28. The roots of historical faith
and its character. There're various covenant heights with it. No Justification height has been
allotted to it. Before it, there was a belief in iniquity.29. The nature of a legal principle, as well
as its implications. Influences to create it as a precondition to faith. It is impossible to
comprehend the fundamental nature of faith without considering it.
Rom.1:17 explains the sequence and relationship of the Commandment and the
gospel. Adam's example. Conviction's Effects Internal: Confusion and sadness; fear of
retribution; wish for deliverance. External: Sin abstinence, duty performance, and life
reformation. Not justification circumstances, formal dispositions toward it, or moral
arrangements. In Justification, God's order. The correct faith object justification, not the
entire divine truth, is created equal, as evidenced by various arguments. If the pardon of our
iniquities is the real object of creed30. As God's decree for the liberation of lost outlaws, the
26 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia (2018):
63. 27 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia
(2018): 63. 28 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in
Asia (2018): 63. Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in
Asia (2018): 63.
29 Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia (2018): 63.
30 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
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correct object of vindicating reliance is the Lord Christ in his effort of mediation.
Sanctification is an additional blessing of God that purifies our spirits slowly and entirely. It
is the second fruit of grace fashioned via people's faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ;
following, we have been justified and set free from our iniquities or renewed.31.
"For everybody has performed sins; we have entirely fallen short of the glory of
God," states Romans 3:23-24. On the other hand, God graciously makes us just in his eyes.
He did this by releasing us from the penalty of our sins via Christ Jesus." He was well aware
that the world of the Gentiles is guilty (1:18-32)32. We can't avoid God's explanation of
sinners because it isn't pretty. God reveals himself to us through His creation, the things He
created. "Abram trusted the Lord, and he counted it to him as a virtue," says Gen 15:6.
Trusting in God makes you righteous in God's eyes.
At least three times in the Christian scriptures, Jesus links the point of faith to the
grade of unpretentiousness (Matthew 8:5–13, Matthew 15:21–28, and John 5:44). The
Church's Fathers and Doctors trailed suit in linking humbleness and trust. St Augustine,
severally than any additional Church Father, is accountable for inspiring humility as a critical
Christian virtue, and he disclosures his want of shyness in the Confessions, saying, "To
possess my God, the modest Jesus, I wasn't yet modest enough."33. 'Certain qualities might
be regarded to precede faith unintentionally, in so far as they eliminate obstacles to believing,'
writes Aquinas.34. Therefore, humbleness removes pride, which causes a being to reject to
submit to the truth of religion.' 1189 (Aquinas, 1991). The Reformers relate humility and
faith. Calvin states that "all pride must be thrown aside and true humbleness embraced, and
31 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
32 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
33 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
34 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
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Luther states that, the renowned proponent of explanation by faith alone, argued that
"humility alone saves" Justification retells us that our relationship with God is based on grace
and that gratitude should characterize all of our interactions with him.35.
In Romans 4:21-25, Paul discusses covenantal morality from the Old Testament,
stating that Abraham put his faith in God, recognized as righteousness, because of his great
faith in God. Paul says that anybody who trusts Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead
shall be rewarded with righteousness because Jesus was died for humanity's sin and rose for
their Justification.36. As Paul points out, covenantal virtue has a more significant influence on
civilization, and the Rule and the Romans are heartened to recognize this. Paul refers to the
Old Testament in the piece: "aside from the law, God's virtue has been portrayed, to which
the Rule and the prophets affirm."37.
Paul argues in this section that the prophets and the Commandments are essential
because they show and antedate righteousness, though that righteousness might only be
obtained by placing our faith in God. The Romans have prompted in Roman 3:23 that all
people sin and fall short of God's glory. In the extract, Paul emphasizes that all humanity
comprises Gentiles and Jews.38. Paul provides humanity hope in Justification, claiming that
even though they fell short of God's glory, they are entirely virtuous by God's love and
converted by Jesus Christ's resurrection.39.
Conclusion
35 Windsor, Lionel J. "The Named Jew and the Name of God: The Argument of Romans 2: 17–29 in Light
of Roman Attitudes to Jewish Teachers." Novum Testamentum 63, no. 2 (2021): 229-248.
36 Windsor, Lionel J. "The Named Jew and the Name of God: The Argument of Romans 2: 17–29 in Light
of Roman Attitudes to Jewish Teachers." Novum Testamentum 63, no. 2 (2021): 229-248.
37 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
38 Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
39 Fredriksen, Paula. "How Jewish Is God? Divine Ethnicity in Paul’s Theology." Journal of
Biblical Literature 137, no. 1 (2018): 193-212.
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Paul was not embarrassed by his message since it was wonderful news about Christ.
Humanity required a Savior to save us from Satan's clutches.40. "For I aren't embarrassed by
the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it's the control of God to redemption for everybody who trusts,
both Jews and Gentiles." Because it reveals God's virtue from faith to faith, as it is inscribed,
"The just will live by faith." Because God's wrath has been exposed from heaven alongside
all ungodliness and wickedness of humanity, which overpower the reality in
unrighteousness..." Romans 1:16–1841. The Jews and also Gentiles might be saved owing to
God's mercy. He can save anybody He wants because He is sovereign. God's love,
refinement, mercy, trust, and Jesus Christ are present to everybody who trusts with individual
trust, self-assured surrender, and steadfast dependence, to the Jew first and equally to the
Greek.42.
Finally, in the epistle to the Romans, published in the initial four chapters of the
Romans, Paul defines God's morality. Paul briefly mentions God's morality in Romans 3:21-
24, which highlights the difficulty of sin, the persons of God, righteousness justification,
God's glory, redemption, and grace via faith. Paul settles that all people are born into iniquity
slavery and fallen short of God's glory, though God's grace redeems them.43. Owing to their
trust in God, humans will be rendered virtuous if they trust that Jesus Christ deceased for
their iniquities and was elevated from the deceased by God.44.
40 Windsor, Lionel J. "The Named Jew and the Name of God: The Argument of Romans 2: 17–29 in Light
of Roman Attitudes to Jewish Teachers." Novum Testamentum 63, no. 2 (2021): 229-248.
41 O'Leary, Joseph S. "Justification Vindicated Justification: Volume One, Michael Horton, Zondervan,
2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐49160‐6), 400 pp., pb£ 39.99 Justification: Volume Two, Michael Horton,
Zondervan, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐57838‐3), 528 pp., pb£ 39.99." Reviews in Religion & Theology 26, no. 4
(2019): 553-561.
42 Herrmann, Erik H. "The Creedal Logic of Justification in Martin Luther." Concordia Journal (2018): 41-57
43 Fredriksen, Paula. "How Jewish Is God? Divine Ethnicity in Paul’s Theology." Journal of
Biblical Literature 137, no. 1 (2018): 193-212.
44 Fredriksen, Paula. "How Jewish Is God? Divine Ethnicity in Paul’s Theology." Journal of
Biblical Literature 137, no. 1 (2018): 193-212.
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Bibliography
Armstrong, Jonathan J. "EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS: BIBLE STUDY METHODS."
Bibliography
Brewer, Brian C. "Denominating “Justification” and “Faith”: Catholics, Lutherans, and a
North American Baptist's Response to the Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of
Justification." Pro Ecclesia 30, no. 4 (2021): 442-463.
Crisler, Channing L. An Intertextual Commentary on Romans, Volume 1: Romans 1: 1-4: 25.
Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2021.
Dunnington, Kent. "Justification by faith." Religious Studies 54, no. 4 (2018): 527-547.
Fredriksen, Paula. "How Jewish Is God? Divine Ethnicity in Paul’s Theology." Journal of
Biblical Literature 137, no. 1 (2018): 193-212.
Herrmann, Erik H. "The Creedal Logic of Justification in Martin Luther." Concordia
Journal (2018): 41-57.
Kim, Myong. God's Judgment through the Davidic Messiah: The Role of the Davidic
Messiah in Romans 1: 18--4: 25. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2020.
Lee, Yongbyon. "Nomos in Paul and Philo." Sola Scriptura in Asia (2018): 63.
O'Leary, Joseph S. "Justification Vindicated Justification: Volume One, Michael Horton,
Zondervan, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐49160‐6), 400 pp., pb£ 39.99 Justification:
Volume Two, Michael Horton, Zondervan, 2018 (ISBN 978‐0‐310‐57838‐3), 528 pp.,
pb£ 39.99." Reviews in Religion & Theology 26, no. 4 (2019): 553-561.
Windsor, Lionel J. "The Named Jew and the Name of God: The Argument of Romans 2: 17–
29 in Light of Roman Attitudes to Jewish Teachers." Novum Testamentum 63, no. 2
(2021): 229-248.
