Paul brings his argument to a sobering verdict—there is no one righteous…not even one. Both Jews and Gentiles alike are subject to the power, pain, and penalty of sin equally – and our minds, motives, mouths, and movements testify against us. Thus, no matter how good we might think we are, we are in fact—NOT! We are all sinners. Even worse, there is no amount of Law keeping that declare us righteo...  Read More

After showing in chapters 1–2 that both Gentiles and Jews stand guilty before a holy God, Paul anticipates the pushback: “So what advantage is there to being a Jew?” He answers—MUCH—because they were entrusted with the very words of God to be the chosen vehicle of grace for the redemption of all humanity. Yet privilege doesn’t equal immunity. As a result, Israel’s failures might have cost them the...  Read More

In this passage, Paul turns to the Jewish believers who were putting their confidence in their ability to keep the Law and in their circumcision as proof of their faith superiority. He says bluntly that outward markers of good effort mean nothing without an inward faith reality. He implies that if a person teaches others to keep the Law while they break the Law, then their faith is lacking blasphe...  Read More

In this passage, Paul continues confronting the spiritually smug and self-righteous tendency we are all capable of embracing. Whether Jew (with the written Law) or Gentile (without it), God’s standard remains the same for intimate relationship with Him is perfect righteousness. Those “under the Law” will be judged by it, while those“without the Law” still reveal its reality because their conscienc...  Read More

After exposing the flagrant idolatry and immorality in humanity as a result of living in a fallen, sinful world in Romans 1:18-32, Paul turns to the moralist—the privileged, self-righteous Jew or the self-assured Gentile—and says, “you realize that you are no better—and maybe worse.” He says this because God’s judgment is not according to our goodness but to His truth (v.2), that’s aimed at repent...  Read More

Paul pulls back the curtain on the human heart: we know there is a God, yet we refuse to glorify Him or give thanks. That refusal dims our thinking, darkens our hearts, and drives a tragic exchange—trading the glory of the immortal God for created things we think we can manage. This is the essence of idolatry: “I’ll worship anything or anyone—as long as Iremain on the throne, master, boss, and sav...  Read More

Right after proclaiming the gospel’s power, Paul shows why we need it: God is holy, holy, holy, and His wrath is revealed against sin because people “suppress the truth.” Yet God hasn’t hidden Himself—He has made His reality plain. From creation’s order and beauty to the conscience within, His eternal power and divine nature are clearly seen, leavinghumanity without excuse.This doesn’t cancel grac...  Read More

Paul’s declaration is crystal clear: “I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Why? Because the Gospel is the power of God –which is the only power capable of transforming a depraved life. Thus, the Gospel doesn’t occur by human effort but through surrendered followship to Christ. In Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, God’s righteousness has been revealed and for the transaction to be completed, it...  Read More

In this passage, Paul opens with thanks for the faith and influence of the Roman believers that has echoed through the entire Roman empire. He then pulls back the curtain on his heart sharing that he has been praying constantly for them and asking God to allow him to visit Rome so that he might encourage them and share the gospel with the Gentiles. Paul recognized his responsibility to invest the ...  Read More

When Paul opened his letter to the Romans, he introduced himself in a striking way: “Paul, a (doulos) of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1).  Read More