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The Study of Romans

Romans 3:21 - 4:25
Treatment - Justification by Faith

In last week's lesson man was diagnosed as sinful and guilty before God. Paul will provide the needed treatment in this lesson.

Paul's Roman terminology
In the language of the law court,
      the believer is justified and receives pardon.
In the language of the slave market,
      the believer is redeemed and receives liberation.
In the language of the altar,
      Jesus is the believer's propitiation/sacrifice and receives atonement.

  1. Having shown everyone to be under condemnation due to sin, on what does Paul elaborate as the solution to that condition?


  2. What do Genesis 15:6; Habakkuk 2:4 & Romans 3:21-22 commonly teach?


  3. From verse 22, how does one become righteous?


  4. How do Matthew 25:31-46; James 5:16 & I John 3:7-24 describe a righteous man?
    Cite other scriptures.


  5. Faith is belief. Define faith more fully in light of John 6:28-29; John 12:42; & James 2:19.


  6. In Romans 3:27-28 Paul says man is not justified by works. James 2:14-26 says a man is justified by works. Since all scripture is God-inspired, reconcile the two scriptures.

    (Romans 3:27-31) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then make void the law through faith? Certainly not! On the contrary, we establish the law.

     

    (James 2:14-26) What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe; and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, "Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

     



  7. How can a sinful man be justified?
    How is it given?
    By what means?
    What is redemption?
    What is propitiation/sacrifice?
    How is it to be received?

  8. From the events after Joshua 6:2, Joshua 10: 8 and Judges 4:7, discuss God's giving of gifts and the subsequent action of the receivers.


  9. In 4:1-8 Paul points out that Abraham and David were not justified by _______.

    In 4:9-12 Paul points out that Abraham was not justified by _____________.

    In 4:13-15 Paul points out that Abraham was not justified by __________.

    Upon what does justification depend according to verse 16?


  10. To whom is the promise guaranteed?


  11. Paul makes the point in chapter 4 that faith has always been the basis of acceptance with God. How do you show your faith to others? What practical steps can be taken to increase your personal faith?


Women IN God's Service

The Study of Romans - "Treatment - Justification by Faith" (lesson 2)
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 11 January 2000
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas
Copyright © 2000, West-Ark Church of Christ
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