Romans Chapter 3

A review of chapter 1

I Want to Share the Gospel

— The heart of the Gospel

— Encouraged by the Gospel

— The need for the Gospel

A review of chapter 2

A Warning for Those Who Know

— Knowing right but doing wrong

— Judged on what you know

— The heart is at the heart

NO REASON TO BOAST

A factory employee has worked very hard for many years. Just recently this employee’s manager retired. The factory worker is promoted to the position of manager. What boastful things might such a worker say?

From God’s perspective, why is it completely inappropriate for that worker to boast?

JEWS HAVE BEEN SPECIALLY BLESSED

Romans 3:1-8

God’s words are a treasure

Read Romans 3:1-4

In Romans 2 Paul has explained that Jews do not have a spiritual “leg up” on others simply because of their blood line. At the same time, Paul wants to remind his readers that God had treated Jews in a very special way. What advantage did Jews have over so many others?

Unfortunately many of those who had God’s words chose not to trust God’s words. We also have God’s words. In what different ways can we misuse this special gift God has given us?

Many, many Jews didn’t trust God’s words. That didn’t mean that God’s words weren’t true. Explain how you could use this fact to comfort yourself when you are being tempted to doubt something God has said.

Read Romans 3:5-8

All human doubt and rebellion against God’s words will in the end be seen as tragically silly. God will be seen to be 100% correct. Paul imagines that some might say, “I’m going to sin more, then, so that in the end God might come off as looking even more right.” What other foolish reasons can we humans come up with to excuse our sin?

ALL ARE EQUALLY GUILTY

Romans 3:9-20

Boasting mouths are silenced

Read Romans 3:9-18

Sins of thought, word and action are described in verses 10-18. List phrases that refer to each of these three categories. Then give examples of how we fall into the sins described in these verses.

Read Romans 3:19-20

The phrase “under the law” in verse 19 refers to those who were closely associated with the Old Testament law, the Jews. Paul’s point is that if those with all the advantages of being a Jew are described in such sinful terms, surely the rest of us are in equally bad shape. What evidence do you see in the world around you—and in your own sinful flesh—that human nature violently disagrees with God’s words in verses 19 & 20?

JESUS DIED EQUALLY FOR ALL

Romans 3:21-31

Look—a righteousness from God!

Read Romans 3:21-26

Paul has spent much of the first two and a half chapters making it clear that all humans are the same—they are in huge trouble. Here is a most happy ending. In what wonderful way are humans the same?

Why is it so comforting for you personally to know that all are declared innocent freely by God’s grace?

Jesus is described as the sacrifice of atonement. The word “atonement” brings to mind the atonement cover on the Ark of the Covenant, where blood was sprinkled to “cover” God’s eyes so he wouldn’t “see” the sins of the Jews. Explain how this picture describe well the work of Jesus.

Explain how the cross demonstrates both Law and Gospel.

Read Romans 3:27-31

Previously Jews had been described as boasting because of their special relationship to God through Abraham. Boasting implies that something in humans is deserving of praise. Explain how the concept of faith eliminates all cause for boasting.

What verses in Romans 3 might be especially helpful in a witnessing situation?

NO REASON TO BOAST

Jews have been specially blessed. All are equally guilty. Jesus died equally for all.

Passport to Rome