ROMANS Study Guide

but not as a person to be known and pursued. Vs.12 a “They have gone out of the way”: Like a car out of alignment – cannot stay on the right path. Vs.12 b “All have become unprofitable”: the word means “useless” - Like a wineskin that is no longer able to hold wine. Humanity cannot hold righteousness or be profitable to God in it’s present condition. Vs.12 c “ There is no ne that does good”: None that “habitually or continually” does what is right or good both in action and thought. Vs.13a Their “throat is an open grave”: source of death and corruption (Prov.18:21: James 3:6-8) Vs. 13b “With their tongue they use deceit”: hiding true feeling with misleading words. Vs. 13c. “Poison is under their lips”: hidden intent to hurt or destroy Vs.14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”: using words to bring calamity out of an evil heart. Vs.15- 16 “Feet swift to shed blood - in their way is destruction and misery”: a history of violence and destruction and misery. Vs. 17 “No peace is in their life”: endless conflict and restlessness Vs. 18 “No fear of God”: God is of no concern to them.

b. The purpose of the law is to expose our sin nature – to produce a

full knowledge of our sin. Vs.19-20)

Justification must be gained apart from the Law

Rom 3:21 But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets . Rom 3:22 even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference, Rom 3:23 for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,

4. Even the law and the prophets testify to the need of justification by

faith in God’s grace. (Hab.2:4; Isa.49:23)

a. All have the need to be saved. All hearts are wicked and

deserving of divine judgment on the condition of their hearts.

(Ps.10:7; Ps.14:3; Ps.5:9; Ps.140:3; Isa.59:7 – insight

into the fallen condition of mankind)