Plans of Romans

Collegeville Bible Commentary (1989, John J. Pilch)

1.1-17 Greetings and Introduction

1.18-11.36 I. SUMMARY OF PAUL'S GOSPEL

1.18-3.20 The human condition without Christ

3.21-4.25 Salvation through faith in Christ

5.1-8.39 The Christian Life

9.1-11.36 Israel's Hope

12.1-15.13 II. EXHORTATION TO HARMONIOUS LIVING

15.14-33 Conclusion

16.1-23 Phoebe commended

16.25-27 Concluding doxology

New Jerome Biblical Commentary (J. Fitzmyer, 1989)[simplified]

1.1-15 Introduction

1.1-7 Address and greeting

1.8 Thanksgiving

1.9-15 Prooemium: Paul's desire to come to Rome

1.16-11.36 I. DOCTRINAL SECTION - God's Gospel of Jesus

1.16-4.25 A. Through the gospel the uprightness of God is revealed as justifying the person of faith.

1.16-17 The theme announced

1.18-3.20 The theme negatively explained

1.18-32 God's wrath against the gentiles

2.1-3.20 God's judgement against the Jews

3.21-31 The theme positively explained: God's uprightness is manifested through Christ and apprehended by faith.

4 The theme illustrated by Abraham

5.1-8.39 B. The love of God assures salvation to those justified by faith.

5.1-11 The theme announced

5.12-7.25 The theme explained: threefold liberation

5.12-21 from sin and death

6 from self through union with Christ

7 from the Law

8 The theme developed: life in the Spirit

8.1-13 Christian life empowered by the Spirit

8.14-30 children of God, destined for glory

8.31-39 hymn to the love of God

9-11 C.This justification/salvation does not contradict God's promise to Israel of old.

9.1-5 Paul's lament for his former correligionists

9.6-29 Israel's plight not contrary to God's direction of history

9.30-10.21 Israel's responsibility for its failure

11 Israel's failure partial and temporary

12.1-15.13 II. HORTATORY SECTION - demands of life in Christ

12.1-13.14 A. Christian life must be worship in the Spirit

14.1-15.13 B. Charity is owed by the strong to the weak

15.14-33 CONCLUSION

16.1-23 LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION FOR PHOEBE

16.25-27 DOXOLOGY

James Dunn in Word Biblical Commentary (1988)[abbreviated]

1.1-17 Introduction

1.1-7 Introductory statement and greetings

1.8-15 Personal explanations

1.16-17 Summary statement of the letter's theme

1.18-11.36 RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD: GOD'S FAITHFULNESS & MAN'S FAITH

1.18-5.21 The righteousness of God - to man's faith

1.18-3.20 The wrath of God on man's unrighteousness

1.18-32 from a Jewish perspective

2.1-3.8 on Jew as well as gentile

2.1-11 the impartiality of God

2.12-16 possession of Law no safeguard

2.17-24 favoured status no security

2.25-29 circumcision no guarantee

3.1-8 what then of God's faithfulness?

3.9-20 conclusion: God's judgement on all

3.21-5.21 God's saving righteousness to faith

3.21-31 A. To faith in Jesus Christ

3.21-26 God's righteousness in death of Jesus

3.27-31 consequence for Jews' self-understanding

4 B. Abraham as test case

5 C. New perspective of faith

5.1-11 on believer's present and future

5.12-21 on God's righteous purpose for humanity

6-11 Consequences for individual and for election

6-8 for the individual

6 A. Does grace encourage sin?

6.1-11 believer has died to sin

6.12-23 believer should therefore live to God

7 B. What role does the Law play?

7.1-6 believer releasd from Law's condemnation

7.7-25 Law still exploited by Sin and Death

8 C. Eschatological tension & God's purpose

8.1-11 the Spirit of life

8.12-17 the Spirit of sonship

8.18-30 the Spirit as firstfruits

9-11 for Israel

9.1-5 A. Paul's concern

9.6-29 B. The Call of God

9.6-13 the character of God's free choice

9.14-23 those not chosen still within God's plan

9.24-29 those called include Jew & gentile

9.30-10.21 C. The Word of Faith

9.30-10.4 Israel misunderstood God's righteousness

10.5-13 righteousness from the Law & from faith

10.14-21 Israel's failure to respond

11 D. The Mystery of God's Faithfulness

11.1-10 the remnant according to grace

11.11-24 the hope of Israel's restoration

11.25-32 the final mystery revealed

11.32-36 final hymn of adoration

12.1-15.13 CONSEQUENCES FOR REDEFINED PEOPLE OF GOD

12.1-2 basis of responsible living:Christian worship

12.3-8 the body of Christ as social context of faith

12.9-21 love as norm for social relationships

13.1-7 live as good citizens

13.8-10 love of neighbour as fulfilment of Law

13.11-14 imminence of the end as a spur

14.1-15.6 problem of food laws and holy days

14.1-12 challenge to 'the weak'

14.13-23 responsibility of 'the strong'

15.1-6 Christ as exemplar

15.7-13 summary: God's mercy & faithfulness on both

15.14-16.27 CONCLUSION

New Jerusalem Bible - Pocket Edition 1990

1.16-11 Salvation by Faith

1.16-4 I. JUSTIFICATION

1.18-3.20 The retribution of God against gentile & Jew

3.21-31 Faith and the judgement of God

4 The example of Abraham

5-11 II. SALVATION

5.12-7 Deliverance from Sin, Death and Law

8 The Christian's Spiritual Life

9-11 The place of Israel

12.1-15.13 EXHORTATION

15.14-16.27 EPILOGUE

F.F. Bruce - Tyndale Commentary 1963/1983

1.16-11.36 A.THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL

1.16-17 1. Theme: the righteousness of God revealed

1.18-3.20 2. Sin & Retribution, the universal need

1.18-32 the pagan world

2.1-16 the moralist

2.17-3.8 the Jew

3.9-20 all mankind found guilty

3.21-5.21 3. The way of righteousness, universal need met

3.21-31 God's provision

4 Old Testament precedent

5.1-11 accompanying blessings

5.12-21 the old and new solidarity

6-8 4. The way of holiness

6 freedom from sin

7 freedom from Law

8 freedom from death

9-11 5. Human unbelief and divine grace

9.1-5 the problem

9.6-29 God's sovereign choice

9.30-10.21 man's responsibility

11.1-29 God's purpose for Israel

11.30-36 God's purpose for mankind

12.1-15.13 B. THE CHRISTIAN WAY OF LIFE

12.1-2 1. The living sacrifice

12.3-8 2. The common life of Christians

12.9-21 3. The law of Christ

13.1-7 4. The Christian and the state

13.8-10 5. Love and duty

13.11-14 6. Christian life in days of crisis

14.1-15.6 7. Christian liberty & Christian charity

15.7-13 8. Christ and the gentiles

15.14-16.27 EPILOGUE