Part IX
To ensure we stay grounded as we progress, let’s review our outline so far. This includes refinements made along the way for better clarity and understanding. Part 1 introduced Paul’s letter to the Romans:
Romans Outline
Part 1: Introduction (1:1–17)
I. General Study Introduction
Authorship
Date of writing
Purpose of writing
II. Theme of Romans—The Gospel (1:16–17)
Paul is unashamed of the gospel
The gospel is God’s power for salvation
The gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike
God’s salvation reveals his righteousness
His righteousness is revealed from faith to faith
III. Letter Introduction (1:1–15)
Paul introduces himself
Paul’s calling: delivering the gospel
Paul’s mission: bringing about the obedience of faith
After the introduction, we moved into the heart of Paul’s message: understanding humanity’s condition outside of relationship with God. Humanity’s rejection of God’s truth, goodness, and beauty (TGB)—the essence of his Trinitarian covenant—leads to the necessity of divine judgment. Here’s where we’ve progressed in the next section:
Part 2: God’s Righteousness: Judging TGB (1:18–3:20)
I. God’s Revelation and the Effects of Turning Away (1:18–32)
Connection between 1:16–17 and the rest of the letter (“For”)
Revelation of God’s judgment
Revelation of God’s attributes
Revelation within humanity of God’s attributes and judgment
The exchange of God’s glory for idolatry
God “delivered them over” to their desires
II. God Will Judge Good and Evil (2:1–16)
Understanding Paul’s rhetorical approach
In our last session, we finished discussing the effects of humanity turning away from God, culminating in God “giving them over” to their own choices. This wasn’t an act of malice but a relinquishing of his relational care for those who reject him. Now, before jumping into Chapter 2, let’s take a moment to reflect on the foundation Paul is building.
God’s Righteousness and the Trinitarian Covenants
Let’s revisit what we mean by "righteousness." We’ve touched on this in previous summaries, but now we’ll expand the idea. At its core, righteousness is faithfulness to covenant. It’s about standing rightly in relation to agreed-upon obligations.
God’s righteousness is rooted in his Trinitarian covenants, which are commitments he makes within himself:
The Covenant of Operational Essence – God will always act according to his essence of truth, goodness, and beauty (TGB).
The Covenant of Creative Purpose – God will create image bearers for everlasting love relationship.
The Fall disrupted the harmony of these covenants. Humanity’s sin created a tension:
God’s righteousness demands separation from evil (Operational Essence).
But annihilating humanity would violate his purpose of love (Creative Purpose).
To resolve this, God established a third covenant:
3. The Covenant of Redemption – Through self-giving love, God would restore creation while upholding his righteousness.
This chart should visualize the three Trinitarian covenants and their interplay: how they frame God’s righteousness, the tension introduced by sin, and the solution provided in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Why Judgment Matters
Paul doesn’t shy away from judgment in Romans. In fact, he highlights it as essential to God’s righteousness. God’s judgment isn’t arbitrary or cruel; it reflects his unwavering commitment to TGB. He draws a hard line between good and evil because his essence requires it.
But here’s the challenge: how does God’s judgment align with his mercy? Are love and justice truly at odds? These are questions Paul will address later. For now, he wants us to see how critical TGB is to God and why judgment is part of the gospel story.
Setting the Stage for Chapter 2
Paul’s rhetorical style in Chapter 2 (known as diatribe) engages imaginary opponents—non-Christian Gentiles and Jews—who represent different moral frameworks. Both groups judge others without recognizing their own sin. Paul’s rebuke is sharp: “You, therefore, have no excuse!”
This judgmental attitude despises God’s mercy, which grants time for repentance. The Greek word for “despise” (kataphroneo) means to consider something worthless. By judging others while ignoring their own sin, these individuals undervalue God’s mercy and reveal hard, unrepentant hearts.
The Gospel as God’s Faithfulness
Paul’s excitement about the gospel is rooted in God’s faithfulness to his Trinitarian covenants. Through Jesus, God’s righteousness is revealed:
The Covenant of Operational Essence is upheld as sin is judged.
The Covenant of Creative Purpose is honored as image bearers are redeemed.
The Covenant of Redemption is fulfilled in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
The gospel reveals God’s righteousness and his plan to make all things right. Jesus is the covenant keeper and Lord of redeemed creation. This is the good news Paul proclaims!
Next Steps:
As we move into Chapter 2, we’ll explore how God’s judgment reflects his commitment to TGB. Paul is laying a foundation for understanding the gospel, so take time to reflect on these principles.
