We have been studying the authority and power of the gospel in Romans 1:1-16. We have been searching for impact that the gospel makes on people and the difference it can make in the world. We have emphasized the centrality of Christ and the gospel. Romans 1:16 declares the power of the gospel to save people - to give them justification, sanctification, and ultimately to give them glorification. The gospel of God's Son revealed many things to Paul. This gospel constantly reveals things to us also. In Romans 1:17-18 we hope to see how the gospel reveals God's righteousness and God's wrath.

The righteousness of God - The doctrines of man and of demons create many schemes of righteousness, which are false (Romans 10:1-4; Philippians 3:1-11; Galatians 1:6-9; Colossians 2:20 - 3:4; I Timothy 4:1; II Timothy 4:1-4; II Corinthians 11:1-3,13-15; Jude 1:3-4). Through faith in Christ, we receive God's righteousness (Romans 3:19-22; 5:1-2; Galatians 3:1-9; 5:5). The expression, "from faith to faith" could be showing how the faith of those who are justified grows incrementally (II Thessalonians 1:3). Or this expression could be showing how faith is shared from one person to another (Romans 10:13-17). In either case, the gospel is God's continual power in our lives. See Philippians 3:1-21; I Peter 1:2 - 2:3.

The wrath of God - Some people take God's love and grace for granted. The gospel reveals the holiness, justice, and righteous judgment of God, along with His love and grace. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). Paul made sure his preaching was "warning every man" (Colossians 1:28 cp. I Thessalonians 1:9-10). God's wrath is against those who "hold down / suppress" the truth of God. Paul's teaching of the gospel will continue to explain man's sin, God's wrath and justice, along with His mercy and grace. See the outline below.

If these two revelations constitute the power of God unto salvation, then men must believe on Christ and repent of their sins in order to be saved. May we not attempt to operate the gospel on half-power - calling people to believe but not to repent (Jude 1:3-4). Consider the righteous judgment of God and receive His mercy. Receive His righteousness. Let the goodness of God lead you to repentance and saving faith (Romans 2:4-12,16 (See whole chapter); 3:19-24).

A Gospel-focused outline of Romans 1:14 - 3:31

Romans 1:14-17
The priority of reaching people with the gospel's power to give faith (Romans 10:9-17).

Romans 1:18-20
God's judgment upon those who suppress / hold down the truth of God.

Romans 1:21-23
The history of heathenism / unbelief.

Romans 1:24-32
The pattern of reprobation.

When man deliberately rebels against the knowledge of God (Romans 1:18-23), God may give them up (give them over) to a reprobate mind (i.e., a mind and heart that calls evil good and good evil). See Isaiah 5:20-21 cp. Romans 1:22.

Men may get what they want (i.e., a life without God's influence), but it may cost them more than that for what they bargained (i.e., the degradation of a godless life and the future wrath of God). In reprobation, God's restraint of evil is removed. Men's consciences are defiled (Romans 2:14-15). The following are evidences of reprobation taking place in a society:

• Sexual rebellion (Romans 1:24-25).


• Homosexual rebellion (Romans 1:26-27).


• Breakdown of character, morals, decency, love, compassion, and mercy (Romans 1:28-31 cp. Genesis 6:3,5-8; Matthew 24:37, 12).


• Deliberate resistance to conscience. Unholy camaraderie. See Romans 1:32 cp. I Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 3:1-9; 4:3-4; Titus 1:15-16; Psalm 1:1; 10:3; Proverbs 1:10-32; 16:5; II Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1.

Romans 2:1-27
God will judge religious hypocrisy (Psalm 19:9; 50:6; 98:9; Acts 17:30-31).

The judgment of God is true Romans 2:2.




The judgment of God is righteous (Romans 2:5).




The judgment of God is inescapable (Romans 2:3,6).




The judgment of God is a part of the gospel (Romans 2:11-12,16 cp. I Timothy 1:5-11). See how Paul and James seem to be in harmony: Romans 2:1-29; 8:1-14 and James 2:14-26 (cp. James 2:1-13).

Romans 2:28-29
God's cure for hypocrisy is a changed heart (Romans 6:17 [See Romans 6:8-18]; II Corinthians 5:17; I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Romans 3:1-9
God used the Jews / Israel to bring salvation to mankind (Romans 9:1-5). The Scriptures (The law and the promises) came to us by the Jews (Romans 1:2). The Messiah came to us through the Jews (Romans 1:3). See Luke 24:44-48; Acts 3:24-26; Romans 16:25-27; Galatians 4:4; Hebrews 2:9-16.

Romans 3:10-20
The law reveals the knowledge of sin and the need for a Savior to both Jew and Gentile. See Romans 1:16; 2:9-10; 5:20-21; 7:7-13; 8:1-4; 10:1-4.

Romans 3:21-31
The law confirms the gospel - that we can only be justified by faith. There is a partnership between the proper use of the law and the teaching of grace by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:21-22,31; Galatians 3:21-29).