EXPOSITION OF
THE BOOK OF
ROMANS
WRITTEN BY
MICHAEL C. MAGEE
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PREFACE
There has always been a reluctant write on the book of Romans. Hearing so
many sermons preached on this one book and having read The Normal Christian
Life, by Watchman Nee, there seemed to be no need. In teaching a series of lessons
on this one book over the years many who heard the lessons wanted to know why
this was not in print. Therefore after much prayer and study this task has now
started.
It is unknown at this time how many volumes will be involved. But each
section will limit itself to 100 pages or less due to cost and the people who put these
books together.
I want to thank all who proof read these manuscripts, and for my friends in
Las Vegas/Oregon, my mom Nora Magee, and my sister Robin for editing the books.
All Bible Quotes are from the New American Standard Bible.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
PREFACE....................................................................................................................II
INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS.......................................................................... IX.
CHAPTER ONE: ROMANS 1:1-4..............................................................................1
INTRODUCTION PART ONE
CHAPTER TWO: ROMANS 1:5-16...........................................................................7
INTRODUCTION PART TWO
CHAPTER THREE: ROMANS 1:17-20...................................................................15
THE PROSECUTION SPEAKS
CHAPTER FOUR: ROMANS 1:21-32.....................................................................20
THE PROSECUTION CONTINUES
THE SEVEN STEPS OF THE FALL OF MAN
CHAPTER FIVE: ROMANS 2:1-8...........................................................................28
PROSECUTION CONTINUES
CHAPTER SIX: ROMANS 2:9-16...........................................................................34
THE PROSECUTION CONTINUES
PROVING THE LAW-ABIDING JEWS GUILTY
CHAPTER SEVEN: ROMANS 2:17-29..................................................................42
THE PROSECUTION CONTINUES: PROVING THE LAW
ABIDING JEW GUILTY BEFORE GOD
CHAPTER EIGHT: ROMANS 3:1-9.......................................................................39
THE PROSECUTION CONTINUES:
PROVING ALL MEN GUILTY BEFORE GOD
CHAPTER NINE: ROMANS 3:10-23.....................................................................43
PROSECUTION'S FINAL ARGUMENTS
CHAPTER 10: THE LOSS OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD...................................50
GRAPHS OF THE SACRIFICES OF THE LAW OF MOSES
IV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
CHAPTER 11: THE DEFENSE BEGINS HIS ARGUMENTS...............................63
BEING JUSTIFIED BY THE WORKS OF THE CROSS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 12: ROMANS 3:24-25...........................................................................69
BEING JUSTIFIED BY THE FINISHED WORK OF THE CROSS;
JESUS OUR PASSOVER FULFILLED
CHAPTER 13: ROMANS 3:25-31...........................................................................76
PROPITIATION, THE DAY OF ATONEMENT AND JUSTIFICATION
BY FAITH
CHAPTER 14: ROMANS 4:1-14.............................................................................83
FAITH IN THE PROMISE BRING RIGHTEOUSNESS
CHAPTER 15: ROMANS 4:15-25...........................................................................90
RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW OR RIGHTEOUSNESS IMPUTED
BY FAITH
CHAPTER 16: ROMANS 5:1-2...............................................................................97
MAKING PEACE WITH GOD
CHAPTER 17: ROMANS 5:3-11............................................................................106
PEACE WITH GOD CONTINUED, TRIBULATION AND
BEING RECONCILED
CHAPTER 18: ROMANS 5:12-21 .........................................................................113
JESUS CHRIST THE PROMISE OF EVE'S
COVENANT COMPARING ADAM WITH CHRIST
CHAPTER 19 ROMANS 6:1-7............................................................................121
JESUS THE END OF EVE'S COVENANT
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
CHAPTER 20: ROMANS 6:8-23..............................................................................127
BEING MADE ALIVE IN CHRIST JESUS
CHAPTER 21: ROMANS 7:1-6..............................................................................135
ANOTHER PRINCIPLE: WHO HAS JURISDICTION
CHAPTER 22: ROMANS 7:7-25............................................................................140
THE PROBLEM: OBTAINING THE RESURRECTION
CHAPTER 23: ROMANS 8:1-13............................................................................149
THE TWO SPIRITS: THE FLESH AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD
CHAPTER 24: ROMANS 8:14-23..........................................................................160
THE RESURRECTION CONTINUED: SONSHIP
CHAPTER 25: ROMANS 8:24-30..........................................................................169
THE WORK OF HOPE: WHAT IS IT?
CHAPTER 26: ROMANS 8:30-39..........................................................................180
AND WHAT CAN WE SAY TO THIS
FINAL ARGUMENTS OF THE DEFENSE
PART TWO
CHAPTER 27 ...........................................................................................................191
INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 9 TO ROMANS 11
PART ONE: TIME FROM NOAH TO SOLOMON
CHAPTER 28.............................................................................................................201
INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 9 TO ROMANS 11
PART TWO: SEPARATION OF THE KINGDOMS
CHAPTER 29............................................................................................................212
INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS 9 TO ROMANS 11
PART THREE: THE NORTHERN TRIBES POSSIBLE MIGRATION
MAPS AND CHARTS
CHAPTER 30............................................................................................................221
THE NATURAL SEED (PART 1)
Romans 9:18-17
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
CHAPTER 31............................................................................................................207
THE PREDESTINATION OF GOD
Romans 9:18 - 33
CHAPTER 32............................................................................................................ 216
SALVATION BY FAITH
Romans 10:1-21
CHAPTER 33.......................................................................................................... 228
THE NATURAL SEED ACCORDING TO PROMISE
Romans 11:1-10
CHAPTER 34.......................................................................................................... 233
THE NATURAL SEED CONTINUED AND THE OLIVE TREE
Romans 11:11-24
CHAPTER 35.............................................................................................................
241
WHO THEN IS ISRAEL?
Romans 11:25-33
CHAPTER 36............................................................................................................ 248
PRESENTING OURSELVES TO THE WILL OF GOD
Romans 11:33 - Romans 12:2
CHAPTER 37.............................................................................................................259
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Romans 11:25-33
CHAPTER 38.............................................................................................................271
GOVERNMENT
Romans 13:1-14
CHAPTER 39.............................................................................................................279
WHO IS WEAK?
Romans 14:1-23
VII
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
CHAPTER 40.............................................................................................................285
THOSE WHO ARE STRONG IN THE FAITH
Romans 15:1-13
CHAPTER 41.............................................................................................................293
THE PRIEST OF THE GOSPEL
Romans 15:14-33
CHAPTER 42.............................................................................................................298
FINAL WORDS
Romans 16:1-27
CHAPTER 43.............................................................................................................301
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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INTRODUCTION
The book of Romans is called the principle book of doctrine. When the
church fathers put the books in their order they organized the books by superiority in
doctrine and by times. The gospels were first, with the synoptic gospels the foremost
for historical accuracy. Since Matthew presented the King line of David and the
history of the birth of Jesus, it was set up as the first gospel. However, Mark possibly
was the first of the gospels written, believed to be dictated to Peter's disciple Mark
and presenting Jesus as a servant to mankind. The third book Luke presented Jesus
as a man, and for this reason the word "son of Man" is used. For historical accuracy
and order Luke's writings are precise and many textual critics consider this book the
premier Classical Greek writing for its style. Another reason for Luke writing this
gospel was for the case of Paul's trial. Later John's Gospel was agreed to be authentic,
as beforehand was considered one of the "doubted books" when the church fathers
agreed that the author was John the disciple of Jesus.
The book of Acts begins with the resurrection of Jesus, and His great
commission. It tells of the beginning of the church up to the time of 66 AD., which
most historians believe was used for the major source of Paul's trial along with the
gospel of Luke. It should be said that in the Vatiacanus the 29 chapter appears which
shows Paul's release from Prison and his final capture by the Romans.
The epistles were organized by doctrinal order. Romans was considered the
principle of the doctrine books for it gives the detail of the cross, the walk of the
believer, and the final outcome. On one hand it is believed that I Thessalonians is the
first written by Paul, yet Romans is the first epistle found in The New Testament for
the following reasons.
It is the most emphatic of all epistles in doctrinal issues.
No other book explains the cross and resurrection as Romans does.
It is considered the preachers of preachers in all doctrines of the Bible.
It gives the insight in the personality of Paul
History of the book of Romans
The book was written to The Roman believers around 55 AD., in the Third
Missionary journey of Paul while at Corinth. Here Paul had a pledge to be at
Jerusalem before Pentecost. Also there were many prophecies given about possible
physical harm to Paul, and Paul's necessity to share the gospel to the Roman
Christians was expedient. This was the motivation for Paul's words, "For this reason
I have often been hindered from coming to you; but now, with no further place for me
in these regions, and since I have had for many years a longing to come to you
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whenever I go to Spain for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way
there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while but now, I am going
to Jerusalem serving the saints." (Romans 15:22-25)
Three basic theories on how it was written.
Paul wrote the book by hand.
Paul wrote the first 15 chapters of the book while the 16th chapter was
written by Tertius as it says, "I, Tertlus, who write this letter, greet you in
the Lord." (Rom 16:22)
Paul dictated the book to Tertius where the greeting of Tertius was
permitted by Paul.
Other questions arise on how the Church of Rome began. Possible theories
arise such as:
(1) Priscilla and Aquila were one of the founders, possibly having services
in their home. This may answer the question how Paul knew about the saints in
Rome. "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus," (Rom 16:3)
(2) Other historians believe that the church at Philippi had many ministers
that went throughout the providence of Rome, thus establishing a group of people
there. These historians link their theory to the quote in Romans 16:5 "also greet the
church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus my beloved, who is the first convert to
Christ from Asia." The problem here is that Paul established the work at Philippi and
the time span may not be acceptable.
(3) Many historians believe that one of the disciples of Peter or someone from
the house of Cornelius may have went into Rome preaching the gospel of the
Kingdom. These historians use Romans 16:7 as their source, "Greet Andronicus and
Junias, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are outstanding among the
apostles, who also were in Christ before me." The theory continues to say that Lynas
became the first bishop of Rome when Peter laid his hands on him.
STYLE OF WRITING
As in most of Paul's writings, Romans is set in a court room session, God the
judge, Paul the prosecutor, Paul the council, and the reader the jury. The facts are
presented in orderly fashion so that the jury can decide the outcome. These are a few
of the witnesses of Paul.
First witness is nature, "For since the creation of the world His invisible
attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being
understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." (Rom
1:20).
The second witness is the Law of Moses, where he proves all men to be guilty
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before God. (Rom 2 & 3).
Third: Paul uses the covenant of Abraham and David, establishing the faith
of the believer.
Fourth: Paul uses Adam as all of mankind, to bear the mark of the
transgressor, therefore showing why Jesus had to come and Pay this debt.
Fifth: Paul Uses the resurrection to show how we are no longer in bondage
to Adam or the Law of Moses.
About the Author
There is speculation of Paul's decent. Many noble historians believed that
Paul may have been a descendent to Saul of Kish, the first King of Israel. These
Historians link Paul's heritage to Mordecai that later became prime minister of Persia.
On one hand, for this reason, Paul was known as Saul, a prominent name given to
those of the tribe of Benjamin. If this theory is correct, one would Suspect that Paul
possibly came from Jonathan's house, therefore fulfilling David's covenant with
Jonathan.
On the other hand, we know that Paul was a Roman citizen which gave him
special privileges.
He could travel by boat for the fare of the Roman citizen's, which would be
about $15.00 today.
If accused, Paul had the right to write letters to all of His friends.
He had the right in trial to appeal to Caesar.
This may give some insight why Paul used his Gentile name rather than his
Hebrew name.
Last we must consider Paul himself. Educated in Jerusalem under the teacher
Gamaliel, possibly from age 8 until age 30. His Hebrew name was Saul of Tarshish,
but his Gentile name was Paul. It may not seem important to many, but if Paul were
to use his common name Paul, then he was forbidden to participate in the Sanhedrin.
This may give insight for the writing the following: "although I myself might have
confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh,
I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor
of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But
whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of
Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of
knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and
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count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not
having a righteousness of my own derived from {the} Law, but that which is through
faith in Christ, the righteousness which {comes} from God on the basis of faith," (Phi
3:4-9).
It must be recognized that Paul had some power with the Sanhedrin Court, for
he was allowed to carry papers to deliver Christians to be bound. As one can observe
the attitude of Saul, he was willing to go across the desert at midday when the
temperatures were 100-130 degrees, just to deliver saints into prison. Then, while on
his way to Damascus, a great light appeared, knocking him off his horse, blinding his
eyes just to talk with him. This is the conversion of Paul.
Paul used his education in many of His writings. The insight of the Law of
Moses, The Prophets, and the Law, is not superseded by any other New Testament
writer. The explanation of the cross, resurrection, and covenant, may have never been
known without Paul.
Purposes for writing the book
Paul's purpose in writing the book was to prepare the people for his possible
coming to Rome, while establishing them in the faith of Jesus Christ. Considering
himself the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul had an obligation to inform them of their
blessing. This is why Paul could say, "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for
you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the whole world. For
God, whom I serve in my spirit in the (preaching of the} gospel of His Son, is my
witness {as to} how unceasingly I make mention of you, always in my prayers making
request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For
I long to see you in order that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may
be established; that is, that I may be encouraged together with you {while) among
you, each of us by the other's faith, both yours and mine. And I do not want you to
be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been
prevented thus far), in order that I might obtain some fruit among you also, even as
among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation, both to Greeks and to
barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. Thus, for my part, I am eager to
preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel,
for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and
also to the Greek." (Rom 1:8-16).
Additions to the Revision of the First Writing
In March of 2008 we have made two changes that may help the reader. The
Greek Letters were added when reference was made to the word. Example: ãáðÞ
“AGAPÇ” the first is the Greek spelling and the second is the transliteration of the
word in English. The transliteration is the same as the one used in Strong’s and not
Modern Greek Pronunciation. It is the hope of the author if you do not know already,
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you will learn the basics of the language and possibly learn the language itself.
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