Romans

Question 1

In addition to the text from the Prophets quoted in Romans 1:17 (Has. 2:4b) to show a righteousness apart from law, what scriptures does Paul appeal to from the Law and the Writings to show that God’s way of righteousness through faith attested in all three divisions of the Hebrew Bible.
Who were the two chief characters used in these examples?

Answer 1

Genesis 15:6, Abraham

Psalm 32:1-2, David

Question 2

If the sacrificial death of Christ is said to be the means of justification (3:24-25, 5:9), what is the role of Jesus’ resurrection?

Answer 2

Atonement

Question 3

What are the 3 objects of joy mentioned in Romans 5:1-11 that accompany justification?

Answer 3

1. Hope of glory
2. Unexpected: ‘we rejoice in our suffering’
3. Learning to rejoice in God himself.

Question 4

What is noteworthy regarding Adam in Romans 5:14?

Answer 4

Adam is the only Old Testament character who is explicitly called a ‘type’ of Christ in the New Testament.

Question 5

What “preposterous argument” does Paul reply to in chapter 6?

Answer 5

That one ought really to go on sinning, so that God’s grace might abound the more.

Question 6

When using the analogy of a slave-market to exemplify freedom from sin, what does Paul specifically point out?

Who are the “masters” in this analogy?

Answer 6

The master’s authority over a slave is at an end when the slave passes into the ownership of a new master.

Old Master: sin
New Master: God

Question 7

Romans 7:14-25 is a treatment of the spiritual battle that wages within all mankind. Define the following elements (or players) in that battle mentioned by Paul.

Answer 7

The independent witness within
(Voice of conscience)

“This body of death”
(Human nature under hostile occupation)

The “mind” with which the law of God is served
(Mind responding to the voice of conscience)

The “flesh” which does the bidding of the law of sin (Fallen nature which death alone will annihilate)

Question 8

What familiar term used by Hebrew-speaking children is also used to address God?

Answer 8

Abba Father

Question 9

Where else in the New Testament is the term “Abba Father” used (other than Romans)?

Answer 9

Mark 14:36 (Jesus’ prayer in Gethsename)

Galatians 4:6

Question 10

Although FF Bruce is not a Pentecostal scholar, what does he say regarding the phrase, “the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words”?

Answer 10

Speaking to God in the Spirit with “tongues” may be included in this expression, but it covers those longings and aspirations which well up from the depths of the spirit and cannot be imprisoned within the confines of everyday work.

Question 11

What are the 4 answers that Paul gives to address the problem of Israel’s unbelief?

Answer 11

1. This is how it has come about in the unchallengeable ordering of God’s sovereign choice.
2. Human responsibility also comes into the picture: Israel’s resistance to the Gospel follows the precedent repeatedly set throughout her history.
3. The fact that a ‘remnant’ of Israel has already believed the Gospel is the token that, in God’s purpose, Israel as a whole will yet do so.
4. If Israel’s present rejection of the Gospel has been the occasion of so much blessing for the Gentiles, Israel’s future acceptance of the Gospel will usher in the day of world-wide regeneration.

Question 12

According to Romans 9:4-5, what the things that “belong” to Israel?

Answer 12

Sonship
Glory
Covenants
Giving of the law
Worship
Promises
Patriarchs
Christ

Question 13

Although God is not answerable to us for what He does, what can we rely on regarding His action?

Answer 13

To act in consistency with His character, which has been disclosed supremely in Christ.

Question 14

What 2 elements are inseparable to justification & salvation?

Answer 14

1. Believing

2. Confessing

Question 15

Who compromises the remnant of Romans 11:5?

Answer 15

‘The remnant that is left’ after the Assyrian invasion in Hezekiah’s day.

Question 16

According to Dr. Bruce’s comments on the restoration of Israel, how does the order of the proclamation of the Gospel differ from the order of the reception of the Gospel?

Answer 16

Proclamation: To the Jews first.

Reception: By the Gentile first, and then by the Jew.

Question 17

Furthermore, when Paul says of “all Israel will be saved,” does this imply every Jew without exception will receive Christ? Why or why not?

Answer 17

No, not every Jew without exception. It means ‘Israel as a whole.’
Thus all Israel has a portion in the age to come!…and proceeds immediately name certain Israelites who have no portion therein.

Question 18

What is God’s ultimate purpose for the human race, as revealed in Romans 11:30-36?

Answer 18

Mercy for both Jew & Gentile.

Question 19

What are the 2 possible meanings for the Greek adjective ‘logikos’ , in Romans 12:1?

Which meaning does the author of the text prefer?

Answer 19

1. Reasonable
2. Spiritual

Spiritual

Question 20

Where else in the New Testament is the verb ‘metamorphoo’ (transformed) used?

What is its meaning in those texts?

Answer 20

Matthew 17:1-2
Mark 9:2
2 Corinthians 3:18

Being ‘changed’ into the likeness of Christ. Transfiguration narratives.

Question 21

To exemplify the common life of Christ, what illustration does Paul use that he also used in 1 Corinthians 12?

Answer 21

Figure of a human body

Question 22

The injunctions of Romans 12:9-21 are similar to what New Testament discourse?

Answer 22

Sermon on the Mount

Question 23

What are the 3 possibilities of interpretation for “governing authorities” in Romans 13:1?

Which interpretation is best according to FF Bruce?

Answer 23

1. Angelic powers
2. Human powers
3. Both angelic & human powers

Both angelic & human powers

Question 24

What does the catchword phrase “put on” mean when used in the following Scriptures?

Answer 24

Colossians 3:12
To put on Christian virtues as they would put on new clothes.

Ephesians 4:24
To put on the new man; or to live as befitted those who had put him on once for all.

Romans 13:14
To put on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Question 25

What 2 areas of life might believers have had trouble with regarding their Christian liberty?

Answer 25

1. Food

2. Religious observance of certain days

Question 26

What would the advice concerning food have agitated Jewish believers the most?

Answer 26

The Jewish food laws, which had been observed by the nation from the early days, constituted one of the principal features which distinguished Jews from their Gentile neighbors.

Question 27

What did Jesus imply about restrictions of various foods?

Answer 27

Jesus declared all foods clean (Mark 7:19)

Question 28

What does the statement “whatsoever does not proceed from faith is sin” (14:23) imply?

Answer 28

An action performed against the voice of conscience can never be right.

Question 29

When commending the church to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you,”(15:7), what may Paul have especially had in mind?

Answer 29

Practice of unreserved fellowship between Jewish and Gentile believers.

Question 30

Paul admonishes believers to “take not of those who create dissensions and difficulties, in opposition to the doctrine which you have been taught” and “avoid them” (16:17). What do the terms “dissensions” and “difficulties” imply?

Answer 30

Dissensions: works of the flesh

Difficulties: obstacles in the way

Question 31

Define the word “mystery” as used in the book of Romans and other Pauline literature.

Answer 31

“Mystery” is the Gospel, made known to Paul himself on the Damascus road for proclamation to the Gentiles…on account of which Paul would shortly be imprisoned.