Common Questions
Explore answers to theological dilemmas, historical contexts, and challenging verses in Romans.
Does Romans say Christians should continue in sin so grace may increase?
Romans raises the question, "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?" and answers, "By no means!" It ties the answer to dying to sin and being baptized into Christ’s death. See Romans 6:1–3.
Does Romans say God shows favoritism in judgment?
Romans explicitly says, "God shows no partiality." This statement is part of Paul’s claim that God repays each person impartially. See Romans 2:11.
What does Romans mean by "circumcision is a matter of the heart"?
Romans contrasts outward circumcision with an inward reality, saying a person is a Jew inwardly and that circumcision is "a matter of the heart." It adds that this is "by the Spirit, not by the letter." See Romans 2:28–29.
What does Romans mean by "I do not do what I want"?
Romans describes an inner conflict where the speaker does not do the good he wants but does the evil he does not want. The passage repeats the pattern to show a struggle between desire and action. See Romans 7:15 and Romans 7:19.
What does Romans mean by "the righteous shall live by faith"?
Romans connects the gospel with God’s righteousness being revealed "from faith for faith" and supports it with the line, "The righteous shall live by faith." The statement is used to summarize how life is tied to faith rather than to earning. See Romans 1:17.
What does Romans mean when it says God presented Christ as a propitiation?
Romans says God put Christ forward "as a propitiation by his blood" to show God’s righteousness. The verse ties this to God passing over former sins and to God being "just and the justifier" of the one who has faith in Jesus. See Romans 3:25–26.
What does Romans say about Abraham being counted righteous?
Romans quotes, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." It uses this to contrast wages earned by works with righteousness counted through faith. See Romans 4:3 and Romans 4:4–5.
What does Romans say about all people being under sin?
Romans says that both Jews and Greeks are "under sin." It supports this with Scripture language like "None is righteous, no, not one." See Romans 3:9 and Romans 3:10.
What does Romans say about being justified by faith apart from works?
Romans says people are "justified by his grace as a gift" through redemption in Christ Jesus. It also concludes that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the law. See Romans 3:24 and Romans 3:28.
What does Romans say about being released from the law?
Romans says believers have "died to the law" through the body of Christ so that they may belong to another, the risen Christ. It adds that they are released from the law to serve "in the new way of the Spirit." See Romans 7:4 and Romans 7:6.
What does Romans say about God demonstrating his love?
Romans says God shows his love for us in that "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." The statement is used to ground assurance in what God has already done. See Romans 5:8.
What does Romans say about no condemnation for those in Christ?
Romans states, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." It explains this with freedom from the law of sin and death through what God did by sending his Son. See Romans 8:1–3.
What does Romans say about peace with God?
Romans says that since believers have been justified by faith, they have peace with God through Jesus Christ. It also connects this with access into grace and rejoicing in hope. See Romans 5:1–2.
What does Romans say about people knowing God through creation?
Romans says God’s invisible attributes are clearly perceived in the things that have been made. Because of this, people are described as "without excuse" when they do not honor God as God. See Romans 1:20.
What does Romans say about sin entering the world through one man?
Romans says sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all because all sinned. This begins Paul’s Adam-and-Christ comparison. See Romans 5:12.
What does Romans say about the law written on Gentile hearts?
Romans says that Gentiles who do not have the law sometimes do what the law requires, showing that the work of the law is written on their hearts. It also mentions conscience and conflicting thoughts that accuse or excuse. See Romans 2:14–15.
What does Romans say about the Spirit helping in weakness?
Romans says the Spirit helps in weakness, especially when people do not know what to pray for as they ought. It adds that the Spirit intercedes with groanings too deep for words. See Romans 8:26.
What does Romans say happens when people exchange God’s truth for a lie?
Romans describes people exchanging the truth about God for a lie and worshiping the creature rather than the Creator. In that context, it says God "gave them up" to impurity and dishonorable passions. See Romans 1:25 and Romans 1:26.
What does Romans say the gospel is the power of God for salvation?
Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel because it is "the power of God for salvation" to everyone who believes. He adds that it is for "the Jew first and also the Greek." See Romans 1:16.
What does Romans say the law does rather than justify people?
Romans says that by works of the law no one will be justified in God’s sight. Instead, it says, "through the law comes knowledge of sin." See Romans 3:20.
What does Romans say the wages of sin and the gift of God are?
Romans contrasts two outcomes: "the wages of sin is death" and "the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The verse summarizes the end-results of serving sin versus belonging to God. See Romans 6:23.
Why does Romans say you are without excuse when you judge others?
Romans says the person who judges another condemns himself because he practices the same things. The point is that judging others does not remove accountability before God. See Romans 2:1.