Today’s passage: Romans 1:8-17
Helpful thoughts:
- As Paul often does, he includes early on in this letter a thanksgiving and prayer to God for the church to whom he is writing (Verses 8-15), along with a purpose statement for the letter (Verses 16-17).
- Paul is not the giver of spiritual gifts, that’s the Holy Spirit’s job (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). His desire is to exercise his gifting from God for the benefit of the church in Rome.
- In the Jewish perspective, the world was divided between Jews and Gentiles. In the mind of the Greeks, the world was divided between the Greeks and barbarians…or the Romans and the barbarians. Christ came to save people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 7:9-10).
- God’s perfect righteousness is revealed in the Gospel. Knowing the Gospel deeply is to know God more deeply.
- Studying this book will give us a greater understanding of the Gospel, the God who designed it, and we who so desperately need it.
Questions to consider:
- If Paul used the terms, Greeks and barbarians instead of Jews and Gentiles, what must be true of his original audience? When you think of yourself and others, what designation(s) do you make? What identifies you first? What is the difference between you and those who differ from you in this primary identification? How does that affect how you treat others?
- If the Gospel teaches us about who God is, why is it only right to not be ashamed by it? If we are ashamed of the Gospel, what else are we ashamed of? What does the Gospel teach us about ourselves (And God) that would cause us to despise any shame we might feel?
- How are you using your spiritual gifts to strengthen others in your local church? Think of real examples. What could you do today, this week, moving forward to give of yourself for the benefit of others?