Romans 16: The God of Peace Will Soon Crush Satan under Your Feet

In Chapter 16 Paul closes out one of the greatest letters ever written. He spends some time on the final greetings then closes with some final instruction. Since the original readers of this letter would have most likely read the entire letter in one sitting, all that Paul had said would still be fresh in their minds as he made his closing statements. In this final study we will look at five phrases made in chapter 16 and relate them to other passages in Romans to recall some of the great things we have learned along the way.

V. 19 “Be wise as to what is good.

Chapter 6:1 & 15 – We are not to continue in sin.
Chapter 8:9 - The Spirit of God dwells in us.
Chapter 12:1 – We are to be living sacrifices.
Chapter 13:9-10 – Love is the summary of the law.
Chapter 14:1 – Care for the weaker brother.
Chapter 15:2-3 – Christ is our example.

V.19 Be “innocent as to what is evil.”

Chapter 1:18 – Do not suppress the truth.
Chapter 3:23 – All have sinned. That includes us.
Chapter 7:15 – Hate sin even you are guilty of it.

V. 20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Chapter 1:16 – The Gospel is the Power of God unto salvation.
Chapter 5:1 – We have peace with God.
Chapter 6:9 – Death no longer has dominion.
Chapter 7:24 – He will deliver us from this body of death.
Chapter 8:1 – No condemnation.
Chapter 8:33 – No accusation.
Chapter 8:37-39 - No separation

V. 25 “Now to Him who is able to strengthen you.”

Chapter 5:2-5 – We have hope because of the Holy Spirit’s work.
Chapter 8:28 – Even when Satan buffets it is for our good and God’s glory.
Chapter 8:30 – All He justifies he will glorify.

V. 27 “To the only wise God.

Chapter 3:26 – He can be both just and the justifier of sinners.
Chapter 8:28 – He is working all thing together for good.
Chapter 11:3-5 – There is still a remnant. Don’t trust your own perception over truth.
Chapter 11:33 – Depths of riches, unsearchable judgments, and inscrutable ways.
Chapter 1:16 – The Gospel is the power of God unto Salvation.

Questions for Romans 15 – The God of Hope!

1. (v.3) What does “the reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me” mean?

2. (v. 6) What will be the result if we live in harmony with one another?

3. (v. 7) Why should we welcome one another?

4. (v.8-9) Paul speaks of Jews and Gentiles; how does this affect your understanding of this passage?

5. (v. 13 and v. 4) Paul wants us to abound in hope. Where do we find the encouragement to hope?

6. (v.20-22) Why has Paul been hindered in coming to the Romans?

7. (v. 30) In what way does Paul want the original readers of his letter to strive for him?

What were Paul’s prayer requests?

8. What do these prayer requests say about the power of God over the will of men?

9. How does this chapter challenge you in regards to striving for unity with fellow Christians who may be troubled by you, even when you are in the right?

10. Does the fact that God is called “the God of hope” encourage you? If so, why?

11. When we look at the example of Paul’s life in this chapter, do you see anything that we should emulate?

Questions for Romans 14: Stumbling Blocks and Weaker Christians

The way some people apply Romans 14 would mean that Christian who have freedom in Christ should be constantly walking on eggshells, but is that what Paul was intending? A proper understanding of this chapter will help us to love our fellow Christians who are troubled by something in our life that they may think is a sin but is actually permitted by Scripture. It can also help us in avoiding actual sins ourselves.

1. (V. 4) – What does it mean to judge another?

2. (V.5) – What is Paul talking about when he talks about “esteeming days?”

3. (V.8) – What does it mean “to live and die unto the Lord?”

4. (V. 13) – What does it mean to “put a stumbling block in the way of a brother?”

5. (V.14) – What does Paul mean when he writes, “it is unclean for anyone who thinks it is unclean?”

6. (V.15) – What does it mean to “destroy the one for whom Christ died?”

7. (V.23) – What does it mean when it says, “whoever has doubts is condemned?”

8. What are some examples of things that someone might think is sinful but would actually fall under Christian liberty?

9. Is there any limit to how much we should do to make sure we don't offend a weaker brother?

10. What if your brother thinks reading your Bible in public is prideful? Do you stop reading you Bible around other people?

11. What are some ways you have seen this passage abused?

12. Could it be possible for someone who thinks eating meat offered to idols is a sin, and not a matter of Christian liberty, to simply tolerate it when you do it?

Questions for Romans 11: All Israel will be Saved

Today I led a Bible study through Romans chapter 11. Below are the questions we used as we went through the text. In this chapter Paul is speaking of several different groups; National Israel (ethnic Jews), the elect Jews, the elect Gentiles, ethinic Gentiles, all of the elect (both Jews and Gentiles), and all mankind (both Jews and Gentiles). In order to understand this chapter it is important to be constantly asking which group Paul has in mind. If you are up for it, read the chapter and answer these questions. It is a wonderful chapter worth diving into.

Romans 11: 1-6
-What people is Paul referring to when he asks, “Has God’s people been rejected?”
-What is Paul’s answer to this question?
-What group of people is Paul referring to when he speaks of his people whom he "foreknew?"
-What group of people is referred to as the "remnant?"
-Paul says it is “no longer of works.” Has it ever been of works?

Romans 11: 7-16
-What did Israel fail to obtain (see Roman 9:30-32)?
-What did the elect obtain?
-What happened to the rest, and who did it to them?
-What was His purpose in doing that to them?
-What does Israel’s rejection mean for the Gentiles?
-What would Israel’s acceptance mean?

Romans 11: 17-24
-What have the Gentiles been grafted into?
-Why should the Gentiles not boast against the Jews?
-What will happen to the Gentiles if they do not stand fast in the faith?
-What will happen to ethnic Israel if they believe?

Romans 11: 25-27
-What is the mystery that Paul wants us to understand?
-In verse 25, when Paul says “all Israel will be saved,” which group was he referring to.
a. All ethnic Jews who will have ever lived.
b. All the elect (both Jews and Gentiles).
c. A group of ethnic Jews alive in some future generation.

Romans 11: 28-36
-What group of people are the enemies of God for the Gentile’s sake?
-Because of election, what group of people is beloved for the sake of their forefathers?
-What does the fact that God’s calling and gifts are irrevocable have to do with national Israel?
-Who has God consigned to disobedience?
-On whom will God have mercy?
-What is Paul’s point in ending the chapter like he does?