Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are available here. The first 56 volumes are compiled in the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Thanks for joining our study. If you are a fan of St. Paul, raise your hand. I am an adoring fan of his interpretive insights and his smooth-as-silk poetic prose. After last week’s Vol. 331: What St. Paul Says About Death, I was inspired to review the book of Romans for its “best” and most meaningful verses.
The book of Romans, Paul’s longest letter, also called an epistle, was addressed to the church in Rome, which he planned to visit. Scholars agree that Paul wrote this significant letter in Corinth during his third missionary journey around AD 57. Corinth is in Greece but, at the time, was governed as a Roman colony. (Note: I used “AD” 57, not “CE,” in line with my Vol. 297 rant on biblical dating.)
Loyal readers may recall that in January I wrote Vol. 303: The Best of St. Paul. Today’s Best of Romans offers more space to discuss the most powerful and influential verses in this literary and theological masterpiece. Paul’s epistle has shaped Christ-centered faith for generations past and will no doubt continue to do so for those to come.
Given that Romans has so many “bests,” if yours did not make the cut, note that this is a “quick Bible study.” The selected verses appear in the order they appear, starting with:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile” (Romans 1:16).
This powerful verse near the beginning of Paul’s epistle is widely regarded as the theme of Romans. One could consider “not ashamed” the operative phrase, since those who believed in the teachings of a crucified Messiah were often ridiculed and persecuted. However, Paul’s letter theologically explains why those who ridiculed and persecuted Christ’s followers were blind to the truth and God’s power over them.
Paul demonstrates confidence, secure in the truth of Jesus’s identity and teachings because of his dramatic personal encounter with the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Furthermore, although Jesus had publicly died on the cross, His body had not been found when Paul wrote this epistle approximately 24 years later. It was also well known that a resurrected Jesus had appeared to the apostles and many others.
Paul teaches that “God brings salvation to everyone” through “the power of God.” Throughout his letter to the Romans, he repeats this theme: because of Jesus' death and resurrection, God changes hearts, forgives sin, and offers eternal life to those who believe in His Son, the Messiah.
Lastly, Paul states that the message of salvation was first given to the Jewish people but is now open to non-Jews, the Gentiles.
Next, in chapter three, we read:
“…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).
That phrase confirms a condition that plagues humanity, but the next verse states: "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:24).
Because you are human, you sin. But first, God offers forgiveness (grace), and second, a restored relationship is promised through faith in Christ Jesus.
Moving to chapter 5, Paul teaches an important concept:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Through action, God shows us His love. He did not wait for us to deserve His love because He knows we have a sinful nature. We are always separated from Him by that sin. But when Jesus died for us, He took on our sin debt and paid the price so that anyone who believes and trusts in Him can be forgiven and the separation from God can be overcome.
Next is a “billboard verse” I saw years ago while driving in North Carolina. At the time, its meaning was unclear, but now I can clearly see the billboard as I type:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
In last week's Vol. 331: What St. Paul Says About Death, I wrote the following about that familiar verse, whose meaning never gets old:
“There is no need to fear death because Christ conquered it. God offers humankind salvation from sin through true faith in Christ. However, God knows whether your faith in His Son is genuine by how you comport yourself in accordance with His Commandments and Christ’s teaching. We must ‘walk the walk,’ not just ‘talk the talk.’ God is watching us!”
Turning to chapter 8, we encounter one of Paul’s most memorable verses:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The verse speaks to you and offers comfort when you are defeated and trying to understand what happened and why. Life’s ups and downs are viewed through God’s perspective, who knows our past, present, and future. God’s long view is always reconciled when, years later (or sometimes sooner), after a major disappointment or calamity, you begin to see God’s hand and understand why painful events lined up the way they did. Nonetheless, in tragedy, understanding God’s ways is difficult.
The following verse is empowering:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Paul, originally named Saul, was a Pharisee, meaning he was a Hebrew Bible scholar. (At the time, the Bible was not called the “Old Testament” because there was no “New Testament.”) Therefore, Paul’s writing, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” was influenced by two Hebrew Bible verses. First, from a Psalm:
“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6). Second, Paul knew the verse from the prophet Isaiah:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
Next is one of my favorite passages, with the numerical citation engraved on my husband’s and my silver wedding cups:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
The verse is triumphant, emphatic in its truth. Then we have another declaration:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Never doubt Paul!
Finally, words to the wise:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
So how are we supposed to be transformed when the world tries to conform us to its ungodly ways? Answer:
“Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power!” (Ephesians 6:10).
That verse heralds next week’s study, “The Best of Ephesians.” Stay tuned, because Paul’s writings are God’s gift to the world. Amen!
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2" reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can help support our six-month exhibit at the Basilica in Orlando, Florida. Read more here. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com
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