The Adult Forum meets on Sundays at 9:00am in Wilkinson Hall
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Schedule
Date Chapters to be discussed on that date
April 28 Introduction to the context of Romans
May 5 Chapters 1 – 4
May 12 Chapters 5 – 8
May 19 Chapters 9 – 11
May 26 No class
June 2 Chapters 12 – 14
June 9 Chapters 15 – 16
Context of Romans:
Remember that Paul was a Jewish Pharisee from Tarsus (eastern Turkey) whose experience of the resurrected Christ led him to spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, focusing his efforts on Gentiles.
Paul likely wrote this letter in the mid- to late- 50s. Unlike his other epistles in the New Testament, this letter was written to a congregation (or group of congregations) that he had never visited. Most scholars believe he wrote this letter from Corinth, and he was planning to visit Rome and then go on to Spain.
The Christian community in Rome was comprised of a combination of Jews and Gentiles, and there seems to have been some tension between those two groups. It may have also been the case that some Jews had been exiled under the emperor Claudius, and their return led to additional tensions in the church, which had become predominantly Gentile. This tension is certainly a focus in this letter.
In case you are interested, here is a 14-minute video of an interview about Romans 1 – 3 between two professors at Yale Divinity School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvtth_GkYc8
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 1 – 4
Paul’s epistles follow the standard format of letters in ancient times, but he adds a Christian perspective. The letters include a salutation, a thanksgiving, the main body of the letter, moral exhortations, and a closing greeting. The thanksgiving often offers a key to the themes and concerns of the letter as a whole.
The chapters we read for today include the salutation (1:1-7), thanksgiving (1:8-17), and then the start of the body of the letter.
Salutation (1:1-7)
How does Paul identify himself? Why do you think he goes into this detail?
Thanksgiving (1:8-17)
The rest of chapter 1 as well as 2 – 3 establish humanity’s sinfulness and need for forgiveness, whether Jew (under the law) or Gentile (outside the law).
Chapter 4 focuses on the example of Abraham, who was justified with God because of faith, before the law even existed. Why is this an important example for Paul?
For next week: Read Ch. 5 – 8
Here are links to more of the conversations from Yale Divinity School on these chapters
Chapter 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v303IFNMp0
Chapter 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCLTdGdrdDc
Chapters 7 – 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn3Zqx2Vt0U
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 5 - 8
In these chapters Paul continues a discussion about “justification by faith,” anticipating questions or problems that could come from this concept and responding to those questions.
For instance, at the end of chapter 5, Paul indicates that the more we sin, the more gracious God is, so he then asks at the start of chapter 6, “Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?” Of course, his answer to that is a resounding “by no means!” His argument in chapter 6 is that our baptism transforms us so that we live “in Christ” and in “newness of life.”
One of the problems Paul also has to deal with is the issue of the law. On one hand, he argues in chapter 7 that the law actually causes us to want to sin. But, of course, the law is from God, so he doesn’t want to condemn it. Instead, he says that “sin” worked through the law to cause something that was good to turn bad.
Finally, in chapter 8 Paul discusses what a transformed life in Christ looks like, and the hope that the faithful should have.
Let’s take a look at these famous quotes:
5:18-21
7:14-25
8:18-25
8:38-39
What does it mean to you to live “in Christ”? to have faith?
For next week: Read Ch. 9-11
Here is a link to conversation from Yale Divinity School on these chapters
Chapter 9-11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McAEhwIsJsA
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 9 – 11
These chapters reflect Paul’s struggle with understanding the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and God’s plan for salvation. Remember, he was likely writing to a community in which there was some friction between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
In chapter 9, we can see Paul’s difficulty with the fact that not all Jews have accepted Jesus as the messiah – what is your reaction to his responses to this?
Chapter 10 reasserts Paul’s belief in justification by faith, not by the law. But this leads to the concern that God has in some way rejected the people of Israel, which would certainly be a problematic stance to take.
Chapter 11 uses the image of the olive tree to explain Paul’s view that ultimately God has a plan to save everyone.
No class next week
For June 2: Read Ch. 12 - 14
Here is a link to the conversation from Yale Divinity School on
Chapter 12-13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8bMmloMHQk
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 12 – 14
In these chapters, Paul shifts away from his theological arguments about salvation to moral exhortations about what a Christian life should actually look like. This is typical of his letters—there is usually a section like this near the end of each letter.
The advice in these chapters contains several themes, a major one of which is not judging others, and instead living with love of neighbor. This is seen in his “one body” image in chapter 12 and throughout chapter 14. Remember that he was trying throughout this letter to address the divisions in Rome between Jewish and Gentile Christians, so this emphasis on not judging each other would have been especially important.
The advice in 13:1-7 can sometimes be challenging, as it has been used to justify horrific acts by ruling authorities. Many scholars believe it was Paul’s response to a practical question being asked by Roman Christians at the time—should they pay taxes to the emperor (since this could be perceived as idolatry)? Paul’s advice is that they should pay their taxes, and these verses explain his reasoning. However, we should interpret this advice in the light of Paul’s view that the world was soon coming to an end anyway—this is again evident right in this chapter in 13:11-12.
I unexpectedly need to be away next week. Let’s plan to meet June 16 to finish the last two chapters!
Here is a link to the conversation from Yale Divinity School on
Chapter 14-16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkWNY8fJEek
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 15 – 16
15:1 – 13
These verses finish up the moral exhortation section that began in chapter 12. They again emphasize the importance of accepting each other and doing things that build up and support each other as opposing to dividing into factions (like his advice in 1 Corinthians).
15:14 – 33
In these verses Paul shares his travel plans. Where does he hope to go? Why is this important?
16:1 – 23 (27)
As is typical, Paul ends with closing greetings, but this is an especially long ending. He mentions many names, perhaps to show the Romans (whom he has never met) who they know in common. Here are a few things to note:
As we finish the letter, let’s reflect on its larger messages and also the figure of Paul:
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Schedule
Date Chapters to be discussed on that date
April 28 Introduction to the context of Romans
May 5 Chapters 1 – 4
May 12 Chapters 5 – 8
May 19 Chapters 9 – 11
May 26 No class
June 2 Chapters 12 – 14
June 9 Chapters 15 – 16
Context of Romans:
Remember that Paul was a Jewish Pharisee from Tarsus (eastern Turkey) whose experience of the resurrected Christ led him to spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, focusing his efforts on Gentiles.
Paul likely wrote this letter in the mid- to late- 50s. Unlike his other epistles in the New Testament, this letter was written to a congregation (or group of congregations) that he had never visited. Most scholars believe he wrote this letter from Corinth, and he was planning to visit Rome and then go on to Spain.
The Christian community in Rome was comprised of a combination of Jews and Gentiles, and there seems to have been some tension between those two groups. It may have also been the case that some Jews had been exiled under the emperor Claudius, and their return led to additional tensions in the church, which had become predominantly Gentile. This tension is certainly a focus in this letter.
In case you are interested, here is a 14-minute video of an interview about Romans 1 – 3 between two professors at Yale Divinity School: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvtth_GkYc8
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 1 – 4
Paul’s epistles follow the standard format of letters in ancient times, but he adds a Christian perspective. The letters include a salutation, a thanksgiving, the main body of the letter, moral exhortations, and a closing greeting. The thanksgiving often offers a key to the themes and concerns of the letter as a whole.
The chapters we read for today include the salutation (1:1-7), thanksgiving (1:8-17), and then the start of the body of the letter.
Salutation (1:1-7)
How does Paul identify himself? Why do you think he goes into this detail?
Thanksgiving (1:8-17)
- What is the first thing Paul is thankful for?
- What do we learn about his plans?
- vv. 16-17 are often described as the “thesis” of the letter – let’s spend some time examining what these verses mean
The rest of chapter 1 as well as 2 – 3 establish humanity’s sinfulness and need for forgiveness, whether Jew (under the law) or Gentile (outside the law).
- Do you see how Paul is trying to include both Jews and Gentiles without denigrating the law? Do you think he is successful?
- What passages do you find confusing?
Chapter 4 focuses on the example of Abraham, who was justified with God because of faith, before the law even existed. Why is this an important example for Paul?
For next week: Read Ch. 5 – 8
Here are links to more of the conversations from Yale Divinity School on these chapters
Chapter 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v303IFNMp0
Chapter 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCLTdGdrdDc
Chapters 7 – 8: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qn3Zqx2Vt0U
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 5 - 8
In these chapters Paul continues a discussion about “justification by faith,” anticipating questions or problems that could come from this concept and responding to those questions.
For instance, at the end of chapter 5, Paul indicates that the more we sin, the more gracious God is, so he then asks at the start of chapter 6, “Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound?” Of course, his answer to that is a resounding “by no means!” His argument in chapter 6 is that our baptism transforms us so that we live “in Christ” and in “newness of life.”
One of the problems Paul also has to deal with is the issue of the law. On one hand, he argues in chapter 7 that the law actually causes us to want to sin. But, of course, the law is from God, so he doesn’t want to condemn it. Instead, he says that “sin” worked through the law to cause something that was good to turn bad.
Finally, in chapter 8 Paul discusses what a transformed life in Christ looks like, and the hope that the faithful should have.
Let’s take a look at these famous quotes:
5:18-21
7:14-25
8:18-25
8:38-39
What does it mean to you to live “in Christ”? to have faith?
For next week: Read Ch. 9-11
Here is a link to conversation from Yale Divinity School on these chapters
Chapter 9-11: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McAEhwIsJsA
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 9 – 11
These chapters reflect Paul’s struggle with understanding the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and God’s plan for salvation. Remember, he was likely writing to a community in which there was some friction between Jewish and Gentile Christians.
In chapter 9, we can see Paul’s difficulty with the fact that not all Jews have accepted Jesus as the messiah – what is your reaction to his responses to this?
Chapter 10 reasserts Paul’s belief in justification by faith, not by the law. But this leads to the concern that God has in some way rejected the people of Israel, which would certainly be a problematic stance to take.
Chapter 11 uses the image of the olive tree to explain Paul’s view that ultimately God has a plan to save everyone.
- How is this metaphor a warning/reminder to the Gentiles in the community?
- What does it demonstrate about the importance of the Jews?
- What does it show about Paul’s view of God and God’s plan?
- How do you think Paul’s discussion of the Jews could be problematic for us today?
- What positive message might we take from these chapters that goes beyond Paul’s particular situation and concerns?
No class next week
For June 2: Read Ch. 12 - 14
Here is a link to the conversation from Yale Divinity School on
Chapter 12-13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8bMmloMHQk
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 12 – 14
In these chapters, Paul shifts away from his theological arguments about salvation to moral exhortations about what a Christian life should actually look like. This is typical of his letters—there is usually a section like this near the end of each letter.
The advice in these chapters contains several themes, a major one of which is not judging others, and instead living with love of neighbor. This is seen in his “one body” image in chapter 12 and throughout chapter 14. Remember that he was trying throughout this letter to address the divisions in Rome between Jewish and Gentile Christians, so this emphasis on not judging each other would have been especially important.
- What divisions does Paul seem to be addressing?
- What divisions exist in our church today? In our country/world?
- How might Paul’s advice apply to us today?
- What are the challenges in applying Paul’s advice?
The advice in 13:1-7 can sometimes be challenging, as it has been used to justify horrific acts by ruling authorities. Many scholars believe it was Paul’s response to a practical question being asked by Roman Christians at the time—should they pay taxes to the emperor (since this could be perceived as idolatry)? Paul’s advice is that they should pay their taxes, and these verses explain his reasoning. However, we should interpret this advice in the light of Paul’s view that the world was soon coming to an end anyway—this is again evident right in this chapter in 13:11-12.
- How does Paul’s view of the end of time affect his advice?
- What value might there be in his advice? What danger might there be?
- What do you think Jesus would say about this advice?
I unexpectedly need to be away next week. Let’s plan to meet June 16 to finish the last two chapters!
Here is a link to the conversation from Yale Divinity School on
Chapter 14-16: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkWNY8fJEek
St. Paul’s Adult Forum
Spring 2019
Exploring Paul’s Letter to the Romans
Chapters 15 – 16
15:1 – 13
These verses finish up the moral exhortation section that began in chapter 12. They again emphasize the importance of accepting each other and doing things that build up and support each other as opposing to dividing into factions (like his advice in 1 Corinthians).
15:14 – 33
In these verses Paul shares his travel plans. Where does he hope to go? Why is this important?
16:1 – 23 (27)
As is typical, Paul ends with closing greetings, but this is an especially long ending. He mentions many names, perhaps to show the Romans (whom he has never met) who they know in common. Here are a few things to note:
- There are both men and women in this list, and Phoebe is identified as a “deacon.”
- There are names that are both Greek and Hebrew – emphasizing Paul’s message of unity.
- Verse 22 was probably noting the scribe to whom Paul was dictating the letter.
- There is debate about whether vv. 25 – 27 were in the original letter.
As we finish the letter, let’s reflect on its larger messages and also the figure of Paul:
- Salvation by faith is an important concern of this letter, but Paul is careful to respect the law as well.
- Paul sees a life in Christ as a transformed life – what might this mean to you?
- Paul’s emphasis on the gospel being for both Jews and Gentiles addressed a division in the Roman church at the time, but it also provides a larger message of unity and acceptance for us in our time.
- As you reflect on Paul’s travels and this letter, what impressions do you have of him as a person?