by David E. Pratte - Bible Study Lessons

1 Commentary on the Letter to the Romans Bible Study Notes and Comments by David E. Pratte Available in print at Study Notes on Romans Page #2 Commentary on the Letter to the Romans Bible Study Notes and Comments Copyright David E. Pratte , 2017 All rights reserved ISBN-13:978-1545123386 ISBN-10:1545123381 Note carefully: No teaching in any of our materials is intended or should ever be construed to justify or to in any way incite or encourage personal vengeance or physical violence against any person. Front Page Photo The Colosseum in Rome (Photo in the public domain) Other Acknowledgements Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are generally from the New King James Version (NKJV), copyright 1982, 1988 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

2 Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NASB) are from Holy Bible , New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible , English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (MLV) are from Modern Literal Version of The New Testament, Copyright 1999 by G. Allen Walker. Scripture quotations marked (RSV) are from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible , copyright 1952 by the Division of Christian Education, National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.

3 Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are from the New International Version of the Holy Bible , copyright 1978 by Zondervan Bible publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Page #3 Study Notes on Romans Other Books by the Author Topical Bible Studies Growing a Godly Marriage & Raising Godly Children Why Believe in God, Jesus, and the Bible ? (evidences) The God of the Bible ( Study of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) Grace, Faith, and Obedience: The Gospel or Calvinism? Kingdom of Christ: Future Millennium or Present Spiritual Reign? Do Not Sin Against the Child: Abortion, Unborn Life, & the Bible True Words of God: Bible Inspiration and Preservation Commentaries on Bible Books Genesis Joshua and Ruth Judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job proverbs Gospel of Mark Gospel of John Acts Romans Ephesians Philippians and Colossians Hebrews 1 & 2 Peter Bible Question Class Books Genesis Joshua and Ruth Judges 1 Samuel Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther Job proverbs Ecclesiastes Isaiah Gospel of Matthew Gospel of Mark Gospel of Luke Gospel of John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians and Galatians Ephesians and Philippians Colossians, 1&2 Thessalonians 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon Hebrews General Epistles (James Jude) Revelation Workbooks with Study Notes Jesus Is Lord.

4 Workbook on the Fundamentals of the Gospel of Christ Following Jesus: Workbook on Discipleship God s Eternal Purpose in Christ: Workbook on the Theme of the Bible Visit our website at to see a current list of books in print. Study Notes on Romans Page #4 Other Resources from the Author Printed books, booklets, and tracts available at Free Bible Study articles online at Free Bible courses online at Free class books at Free commentaries on Bible books at Contact the author at Page #5 Study Notes on Romans Table of Contents Introduction to Romans .. 8 Part 1: An Explanation of Justification by Faith Chapters 1-11 .. 13 Romans 1 .. 13 Romans 2.

5 63 Romans 3 .. 95 Romans 4 .. 117 Romans 5 .. 133 Romans 6 .. 149 Romans 163 Romans 8 .. 181 Romans 9 .. 221 Romans 245 Romans 11 .. 264 Part 2: Practical Applications of the Gospel Chapter 12-16 .. 292 Romans 12 .. 292 Romans 13 .. 315 Romans 14 .. 330 Romans 15 .. 365 Romans 16 .. 380 (Due to printer reformatting, the above numbers may be off a page or two.) Notes to the Reader To save space and for other reasons, I have chosen not to include the Bible text in these notes (please use your Bible to follow along). When I do quote a Scripture, I generally quote the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated. Often especially when I do not use quotations marks I am not quoting any translation but simply paraphrasing the passage in my own words.

6 Also, when I ask the reader to refer to a map, please consult the maps at the back of your Bible or in a Bible dictionary. You can find Study questions to accompany these notes at To join our mailing list to be informed of new books or special sales, contact the author at Study Notes on Romans Page #6 Introductory Thoughts about Commentaries Only the Scriptures provide an infallible, authoritatively inspired revelation of God s will for man (2 Timothy 3:16,17). It follows that this commentary, like all commentaries, was written by an uninspired, fallible human. It is the author s effort to share his insights about God s word for the purpose of instructing and edifying others in the knowledge and wisdom found in Scripture.

7 It is simply another form of teaching, like public preaching, Bible class teaching, etc., except in written form (like tracts, Bible class literature, etc.). Nehemiah 8:8; Ephesians 4:15,16; Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:12-14; 5:12-14; 10:23-25; Romans 10:17; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 8:4; 2 Timothy 2:2,24-26; 4:2-4; 1 Peter 3:15. It follows that the student must read any commentary with discernment, realizing that any fallible teacher may err, whether he is teaching orally or in writing. So, the student must compare all spiritual teaching to the truth of God s word (Acts 17:11). It may be wise to read several commentaries to consider alternative views on difficult points.

8 But it is especially important to consider the reasons or evidence each author gives for his views, then compare them to the Bible . For these reasons, the author urges the reader to always consider my comments in light of Scripture. Accept what I say only if you find that it harmonizes with God s word. And please do not cite my writings as authority, as though people should accept anything I say as authoritative. Always let the Bible be your authority. He who glories, let him glory in the Lord 1 Corinthians 1:31 Page #7 Study Notes on Romans Abbreviations Used in These Notes ASV American Standard Version b/c/v book, chapter, and verse ESV English Standard Version f the following verse ff the following verses KJV King James Version NASB New American Standard Bible NEB New English Bible NIV New International Version NKJV New King James Version RSV Revised Standard Version Study Notes on Romans Page #8 Introduction to Romans Author The apostle Paul was the inspired author of this book 1:1.

9 Horne states: ..this Epistle has always been acknowledged to be a genuine and authentic production of Saint Paul .. Consider a few facts we know about Paul: * He was present at Stephen s death (Acts 7). * He persecuted the church (compare 1 Timothy 1:12ff; Acts 8,9). * He was converted as a result of Jesus appearance to him on the road to Damascus. Ananias was sent to baptize him (Acts 9,22,26). * He then preached in Damascus, then in Jerusalem, and later went on three preaching trips, preaching even in Rome (Acts 9-26). * He especially preached to Gentiles and worked to prove that they need not be circumcised and obey the Old Testament to be saved (Acts 15; Galatians, Romans) * He wrote more New Testament books than any other man.

10 Date written It was likely written in 57 or 58 AD, from Corinth. It was surely written before Paul visited Rome (1:10-15), so it had to be before his prison epistles and before his trip to Rome as a prisoner. The connection between Romans 15:25-27, 1 Corinthians 16:1-4, and 2 Corinthians 8&9 implies it was written during Paul s third preaching trip as he was traveling to Jerusalem. This would make Romans one of the earlier epistles of the New Testament. Epistles that Paul wrote before Romans probably include Galatians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, and 1 and 2 Corinthians. Horne states: The most probable date is that which assigns this Epistle to the end of 57, or the beginning of 58; at which time Saint Paul was at Corinth, whence he was preparing to go to Jerusalem with the collections which had been made by the Christians of Macedonia and Achaia for their poor brethren in Judaea.