October 18, 2026

UNIT 2: Paul's Letter to Romans

LESSON: 7

Study Text: Romans 1:18-32; 31-20

Central Truth: The whole world is guilty before God.

KEY Verse--Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth; there is none that seeketh after Giod

(KJV).

  No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Over the coming weeks, we will look closely at perhaps the most influential letter ever written. Paul's letter to the Romans contributed to the conversion experiences of major figures in church history like Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley. It shaped the theology of major Christian denominations and fellowships, sparking countless renewal movements and revivals. Romans presents us with a challenging study, and we can expect God's Spirit to continually transform us by the power of His Word.

DISCUSSION STARTER--GOOD News, BAD NEWS Has anyone ever asked you, "Which do you want first: the good news or the bad news?" What are the pros and cons of each choice? Which do you typically choose?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In this week's passage, Paul identifies humanity's primary problem: sin Left to our own devices, we ignore God's self-revelation in creation and worship created things instead. God, in His infinite wisdom, allowed humanity to go down path according to our own free choices. As Paul notes, this proves that we have no excuse for our sinfulness. But God does not give up on His creation. No way! Our rebellion did not surprise Him. Before the creation of the universe, He already planned to provide redemption through His  Son.

                                                                   PART 1--Reasons for God's Judgment

          Without Excuse                               Romans 1:18-23

As we'll see in Romans 1, many people don't even real need salvation. They have yet to admit they are sinful deserve God's righteous. Paul teaches that human beings suppress the truth about God because of their sinfulness. By looking at creation, however, people can know God exists and see some aspects of His nature. Instead of glorifying and thanking God, which would be appropriate responses to natural revelation, people arrogantly refused to worship Him and started worshipping created things instead. They looked for "truth" elsewhere, and "their minds became dark and confused." Darkness and confusion still surround us in this rebellious world that refuses to acknowledge its Creator: People still look for anything and everything to worship instead of the true God. Paul's verdict against sinful humanity remains just as true today. Paul's verdict against sinful humanity remains just as true today as it has ever been: "Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools."

? Why do you think humans are drawn to worship idols and other substitutes for the one true God?

The Sin Spiral                       Romans 1:24-32

When humanity turned away from God and worshipped idols, God allowed them to continue on that sinful path and experience its consequences. He "abandoned them" to their shameful impulses, their twisted desires, and their foolish thinking. Untethered from truth, they devoted themselves to their chosen lies and drifted far from the righteousness God intended. This passage includes Scripture's most extensive discussion of homosexuality. As we examine in a bit more detail, recall that homosexuality is just one in a full catalog of sins. Paul also lists other sins like envy, boast sinfulness, quarreling, gossip, lying, disobedient to parents, and a lack of mercy. All of these sins are products of foolish thinking and deserve God's justice, which "requires that those who do these things observe to die." Paul describes both female and male homosexual behavior as being "against the natura way." He was likely alluding to Genesis 1:26-28, where God created both the man and the woman in His image and blessed them with His command to procreate. The outcome of the sin spiral in Romans 1:28-31 is that people not only get swept up in their own sin, but they also encourage others to sin. Paul observed this pattern in the first century, and we can see it at work in the twenty-first century as well.

? Do you think most non-Christians understand their need for salvation? Why or why not?

PART 2--God's Faithfulness and Justice

God Is Faithful                     Romans 3:1-4

Paul used an rhetorical teaching device called "diatribe" in which the speaker fields questions from an imaginary dialogue partner. In this case, the imaginary questioner is a Jew who responded to Paul's redefinition of true Jewishness and true circumcision by asking what advantage there is in being a literal Jew. Were the Jews not God's chosen people? Surely there must be some added value for those whose physical circumcision marked their inclusion in God's covenant. In his reply, Paul reaffirms the considerable benefits of being a Jew: God gave the Jewish people "the whole revelation of God." Through His holy Word, they could know God and His will. God entrusted the Jewish people with a role in His plan to redeem the world from sin's destruction. Their chosen status, however, did not guarantee that every Jewish person would act as a faithful covenant partner. Instead, Paul later observes that God always preserved a "remnant": a smaller subgroup within larger Israel who remained faithful when others did not. Paul's imaginary dialogue partner responds in Romans 3:3: "True, some of them were unfaithful; but just because they were unfaithful, does that mean God will be unfaithful?" Paul responds emphatically: "God forbid!" (JKV; Of course not!" NLT). Even if humans are deceitful, God remains faithful and keeps His promises.

 ? How may we reconcile the judgment of God with His mercy and grace?

  God's Justice            Romans 3:5-8

Paul next imagines another objection to his argument: "Our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn't it unfair, then, for him to punish us?" Paul declares this response foolish by describing it as "merely a human point." He responds yet again with an emphatic negative: "Of course not!" Paul holds a position of authority; he identifies himself as a sinner just like his audience. He then points to God's widely acknowledged role as Judge of the world (Gen 18:25; Job 34:17). Next, Paul raises another potential objection closely related to the one in verse 5: "How can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory? 

(By contrast, see how one does in fact glorify God by holiness in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20). This line of reasoning leads the imaginary dialogue partner to accuse Paul or teaching people that "the more we sin, the better it is!" Paul found the suggestion ludicrous that humans should sin more to increase God's glory.

 ? Have you ever been tempted to think that sin does not matter because of God's abundant grace? How did you address that wrong thinking?

PART 3-Human Depravity and Sinfulness

   There Is None Righteous               Romans 3:9-18

Drawing mostly from the Psalms, but also from Ecclesiastes and Isaiah, Paul assembles evidence to prove the universality of sin. Following the Jewish tradition of compiling texts based on key words or concepts, Paul gathers his list of passages based on (1) their connections to sin and death (Romans 3:10-18) and (2) their vivid use of body parts. These passages paint a bleak picture. No one is righteous; all have turned away. People are known for lies, cursing, bitterness, bloodshed, ruin, and misery. This mounting evidence forces readers to hang their heads and agree when, only a few verses later, Paul famously declares, "Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard."

 ? Do you think people who have been Christians for a long time have any advantage over others when it comes to sin? What do you think Paul might say?

The Entire World Is Guilty                  Romans 3:19-20

Paul uses much of Romans 1-3 to explain the bad news of human sinfulness. Before turning his attention to the good news in Romand 3:21, Paul declares that God's law silences every objection and holds all people accountable to God. Paul takes his argument a step further when he claims that the law's commandments--holy, just, and good though they are--can never justify someone before God. The Law simply doesn't work that way. Instead, God uses it to reveal our sinfulness. Verse 19-20 mark the end of a long section in which Paul painstakingly proves humanity's sinfulness. You might describe this section as the " bad news." In the next passage, he transitions to the heart of the good news. As Paul explains the good news in the remainder of Romans, he clarifies that "God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

? What excuses do we sometimes make for or sin? How do we move past making excuses so that we can receive forgiveness and celebrate God's grace?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

We typically make one or two errors when we consider our sin. First, we downplay it. We refuse to admit our guilt and need for salvation. Second, we feel our guilt so intensely that we lose hope. We convince ourselves that we lie beyond the reach of God's love. For those of us who tend to downplay our sin, may God remind us of His holiness and the righteous demands of His law. For those of us who struggle with condemnation over past sin, may God remind us of His faithfulness and underserved grace!

             DAILY BIBLE READINGS

                    Monday: Unintentional vs. Brazen Sins. Numbers 15:22-3

Tuesday: Wicked Priests. 1 Samuel 2:12-17

                    Wednesday: Multiplying Abominations. Ezekiel 16:44-52

   Thursday: Woe to Sinful Leaders. John 8:31-3

Friday: Rebellious Hearts. Hebrews 3:12-1

Saturday: Captive to Sin. 2 Peter 2:12-22

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 3 Mar. Apr. May 2026

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