Theme of Romans: Gospel, Righteousness, Grace

Structure of Romans based on Rom 1:16-17

1. Theology (1-8): The gospel reveals the righteousness of God.
2. History (9-11): First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
3. Application (12-16): The righteous by faith will live.

"What God has given to us" (1-11) gives way to "what we are to give to God." But what we are to give to God cannot be produced independently of God's continuing gracious provision. It is not simply a transition from "theology" to "practice." It is rather a focus more on the "indicative" side of the gospel to a focus on the "imperative" side of the gospel.

1. The heart of the gospel (1-4): What the gospel is.
2. The assurance of the gospel (5-8): What the gospel does.
3. The spread of the gospel (9-11): Jew first, Gentile next is how the gospel grows.
4. The transformation of the gospel (12-16): How the gospel works.

Analysis of Romans (Douglas Moo, The Epistle to the Romans)

1. Introduction (1:1-17): The theme of the letter (1:16-17).
2. The Heart of the Gospel (1:18-4:25): Justification by faith.
3. The Assurance of the Gospel (5:1-8:39): The hope of salvation.
4. The Defense of the Gospel (9:1-11:36): The problem of Israel.
5. The Transforming Power of the Gospel (12:1-15:13): Christian conduct.
6. Conclusion (15:14-16:27).

A Brief Overview (John Stott, The Message of Romans)

1. Introduction: The two main themes are the gospel and the solidarity of Jews and Gentiles (1:1-17).
2. The wrath of God against all mankind (1:18-3:20): Irreligious Gentiles and religious Jews are all under sin.
3. The grace of God in the gospel (3:21-8:39).
4. The plan of God for Jews and Gentiles (9-11): Israel's fall, fault and future.
5. The will of God for changed relationships (12:1-15:13): With God, ourselves, one another, our enemies, the state, , the law, the day, the weak.
6. Conclusion (15:14-16:24): The providence of God in the ministry of Paul.

Tracing the Righteousness of God Through Romans (Bob Deffinbaugh)

1. The Righteousness of God - Introduction (1:1-17).
2. The Righteousness of God in Revealing the Unrighteousness of Man (1:18-3:20).
3. The Righteousness of God in Saving Unrighteousness Man (3:21-5:21).
4. The Righteousness of God is the Goal of Salvation (6:1-8:39).
5. The Righteousness of God in History (chaps. 9-11).
6. The Righteousness of God Reflected by Believers (chaps. 12-15).
7. Paul's Postscript (chap. 16).

Structure of Romans Based on the Theme of Grace (Christopher Ash; ESV Gospel Transformation Bible)

1. Introduction (1:1-15).
2. Body (1:16-15:13).
1. Coming under grace (1:16-4:25).
2. Living under grace (5:1-8:39).
3. The overflow of grace (9:1-11:36).
4. A church shaped by grace (12:1-15:13).
3. Conclusion (15:14-16:27).