Page 43 - Romans Student Textbook.doc

not know that to whom you offer yourselves as slaves unto obedience, slaves you are to whom you obey,
either to sin unto death or to obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God that you were slaves of
sin, but you obeyed out of the heart unto which you entrusted an example of teaching, but now having
been made free from sin you have served righteousness. I am speaking humanly because of the weakness
of your flesh. For just as you offered your members as slaves to uncleanness and to lawlessness unto
lawlessness, for when you were slaves to the sin you were free from righteousness. Therefore, what fruit
did you have then? Upon which now you are ashamed for the end of those things is death. But now being
set free from the sin, by serving God you have your fruit unto sanctification, now the end is eternal life. For
the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We are set free from slavery to sin so that we might use that freedom to serve righteousness that leads to
the sanctification of eternal life.

I. Know the Wonder of Your Salvation in Christ. (Foundation for the Instructions that follow.) (1:18-11:39)

A. Salvation expounded and explained. (1:18-8:39)

The Context for Christ’s Redeeming Ministry. (1:18-4:24)

Man’s sin deserves God’s wrathful, impartial judgment. (1:18-2:16)
God’s law to Israel revealed sin but did not save from sin. (2:17-3:31)
Abraham as the example of faith in God’s promises. (4:1-24)

The Explanation of Christ’s Redeeming Ministry. (5:1-8:39)

The big picture of what Jesus has done. (5:1-12)
How Jesus compares to Adam. (5:13-21)
Questions about the relationship between sin and grace. (6:1-23)
Questions about the relationship between sin and law. (7:1-25)
How the Holy Spirit works with Christ in the word of salvation. (8:1-30)
A Concluding Doxological Homily. (8:31-39)

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7.4 Chapter 6: The Explanation of Christ’s Redemption: Questions About Sin and Grace

One of the techniques that Paul used effectively in the construction of this letter was that of
anticipating thoughts — either puzzlements or objections — that those who would be listening
to the reading of the letter might have. What he had to say about the next two subjects of
discussion in the letter was organized around questions that were generated out of
contemplating those anticipated thoughts. If we want to see the structure of Paul’s thinking we
need to follow the rhetorical questions and pay attention to what he said when he answered
them. Following such a strategy will help us understand what Paul taught in both Romans 6 and Romans
7.

The pattern Paul established was (1) to ask a flurry of questions to get his readers’ attention and direct
their thinking; (2) follow the questions with the articulation of theology that provides perspective and
answers to those questions; (3) which in turn leads to directions on how to live in such a way that that

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