Romans - Final Exam Study Questions

Front 1

1.2 To what does “the Spirit of holiness” refer (1:4)?

Back 1

- Most likely the Holy Spirit, the 3rd person of the Trinity
- Used this way in 8:11 as well

Front 2

1.4 What is “the obedience of faith” (1:5)?

Back 2

- This is a grand inclusion with 16:26
- What does obedience mean?
- Discipleship?
- It his goal to get people saved and growing
- Faith seems to be saving faith
→ This is a critical theme in Romans
- There are many ways to explain the relationship between obedience of faith
- Genitive of Source?

Front 3

1.6 Explain how the gospel is God’s power (1:16).

Back 3

• 1:16-17 → is the thematic statement of Romans
• Litotes → proof of the positive by the denial of the negative
 So when he says he is not ashamed, maybe he is meaning that he is proud
• He is saying that the gospel message is an attribute of God

Front 4

1.8 How is God’s wrath revealed from heaven (1:18)?

Back 4

 Class Answers:
• The apostles preaching is the very word of God (1 Corinthians 2, 1 Thessalonians 2)
• The wrath of God is revealed through the apostles teaching, through the gospel message. There is good and bad news
• The audience of these words is probable gentiles because they are assumed to not have the particular revelation of the Mosaic law, prophets, scriptures

Front 5

1.9 What truth do people suppress (1:18-20)?

Back 5

 The things that can be known about God from the creation of the world, through the things that have been made:
• His invisible attributes:
• Eternal power
• Divine Nature

Front 6

1.10 In what sense did they know God (1:21)?

Back 6

 Class Answers:
• Through the general revelation → some of his attributes

Front 7

2.2 Will the punishment of everyone in hell be the same (2:5)?

Back 7

 Class Answers:
• Matthew 11:21-24
• Degrees of Punishment – “Hell on Trial” pg. 198-207
• No, apparently there are degrees of terribleness

Front 8

2.3 Is the judgment depicted in 2:6-11 hypothetical or actual?

Back 8

 Class Answers:
• Actual

Front 9

2.5 What is the law written on Gentiles’ hearts (2:15)?

Back 9

 Seems like Paul is talking about the section of God’s commands and ways that are known to all men regardless of whether they were included within the physical people of God. We might think of this as the moral law? Because in vs. 12 Paul talks about those who are sinning apart from the “law” are judged apart from the “law.” While those who have the law are judged according to it. Would appear that Paul is saying that there is a portion of the law which God’s people have received that is known by all men. And this portion is enough to judge men by. Later in the chapter in verses 17-29, Paul continues to talk about distinctions between the law – those things that have set the people off as the physical people of God, and those things which are a matter of heart reflection of God
 In verse 24, Paul quotes Isaiah 52:5 → where God is saying that his name was being blasphemed among the peoples because of the Israelites. Was this because of their sin having the law of God reflected in their inward ways? This was the reason they were taken away to exile. ??? Need further work with the Isaiah passage

Front 10

2.6 Of what does Paul accuse the Jews in 2:17-24?

Back 10

 Class Answers:
• Hypocrisy
• But what upsets him so much?
• Because God’s name is being blasphemed because they are not living as reflective of God’s character
• This is a preemptive strike against the accusation that he is preaching to much grace and saying our behavior doesn’t matter

Front 11

3.2 Why did people slander Paul according to 3:8?

Back 11

 It appears that they accused him of loose living, and taking advantage of the gospel and forgiveness of God

Front 12

3.3 In light of the fact that every day around the world people seek God what is the meaning of Paul’s teaching in 3:11?

Back 12

 Class Answers:
• No one truly seeks God first, without the work of God already

Front 13

3.6 How does 3:21 complete the idea expressed in 1:17?

Back 13

 True righteousness has now been revealed to lie in the proper relationship with God through Christ, as is necessary at this point in redemptive history. And this is the focal point which the whole biblical narrative has been moving and the prophets have promises (think of the circumcision of the heart and the law being placed in the heart)

Front 14

3.8 What does Paul mean when he says that Christ’s death is propitiation (3:25-26)?

Back 14

 Class Answers:
• God’s saving work is:
• Expiation → sin-ward direction
• Redemption
• Propitiation
• Reconciliation
• Justification
• Sanctification
• Propitiation → God-ward in direction
• Occurs 4 times
 Hebrews 2:17, 1 John 2:2, 4:10
• His blood (violent death) satisfies God’s justice

Front 15

3.9 How does Paul use the concept of the unity of God in 3:30?

Back 15

 He does and cannot separate himself to deal with some humans in one way, and others in another. He can not overlook the sin of some

Front 16

4.2 Why doesn’t Paul’s description of God in 4:5 dishonor God?

Back 16

 Because God is right in justifying those who have had their sins paid for by Christ
 God justifies the ungodly
• We should realize how shocking this is
• Isaiah 53:11
• This is the only OT reference where God is said to justify the ungodly

Front 17

4.3 Does David speak of God counting righteousness when Paul (4:7-8) cites Ps. 32:2?

Back 17

 Perhaps, but he speaks more of God’s forgiveness
 Not counting sin = counting as righteous

Front 18

4.5 Explain the relationship of grace and faith according to 4:16?

Back 18

 Faith is the believing the promises of God, which is an expression of God’s grace
 Grace and faith are inseparable for Paul
 Correlatives

Front 19

4.6 How does God “give life to the dead” (4:17) in this context?

Back 19

 Its talking about Abraham’s body being incapable of producing children

Front 20

5.1 What is this “peace with God” (5:1)? How is it described later in this passage?

Back 20

 Class Answers:
• Peace with God in relationship
• This peace is reconciliation

Front 21

5.3 How does character produce hope (5:4)?

Back 21

 Class Answers:
• Eschatological hope
• The truth of God working in us now in what we can see, gives us hope for what God will do in the future for what we cannot see

Front 22

5.4 What is the Holy Spirit’s role (5:5)?

Back 22

 Class Answers:
• The HS assures us within of God’s love, by the internal witness of the HS

Front 23

5.7 Explain how Paul’s sentence is incomplete in 5:12.

Back 23

 Class Answers:
• So righteousness and life came through the one man Jesus Christ
• V. 13 and 14 explain 12

Front 24

5.11 Does it seem fair that one sin led to “condemnation for all men” (5:18)?

Back 24

 Class Answers:
• This is the way that salvation works

Front 25

5.12 Does 5:18 teach universalism? Explain.

Back 25

 Class Answers:
• The condemnation is for all men, so why isn’t the salvation
• V. 19 says “many” … “many”
• These go with the two covenant heads
• All with Adam, many with Christ
• It’s talking about these two human beings and the catastrophic effects they had on the world

Front 26

5.13 Why does Paul put justification in the future tense in 5:19?

Back 26

 Class Answers:
• God will declare us righteous in the last day before angles and demons
• The verdicts of the last days are declared now through our relationship with Christ
• If we believe in Christ we are justified
• If we don’t believe in Christ we are condemned
• Mt. 12:36-37, Gal. 5:5

Front 27

6.1 Does Paul speak of water baptism or Spirit baptism in 6:3-4?

Back 27

 Class Answers:
• The Bible join them, here it is talking about baptism with water, but in Paul’s mind the Spirit is certainly present
• Why is baptism related to union with Christ here?
• The most fundamental meaning of Christian baptism is union with Christ
 Everything else (cleansing, washing, etc.) is a subset of this union with Christ
• Every experience of our salvation is explained through union with Christ
• Baptism into the relationship with the Trinity
• If Baptism signifies the initiation of our union with Christ
 What does the Lord’s Supper mean?
 Ongoing → baptism is once for all

Front 28

6.4 Why does Paul say strange things such as in 6:1, 15?

Back 28

 Class Answers:
• Because of the end of the previous chapter → the argument goes that if sin is forgiven by the one act of righteousness → then the greater the sin is the greater the act of righteousness. Paul’s enemies so then argue that we could just sin more so that grace is increased. It follows logically from chapter 5.
• It’s an inclusion, these both seem to introduce sections → he hates the gospel being maligned in this way

Front 29

6.6 Explain the famous Romans 6:23 in its context.

Back 29

 Class Answers:
• We need to see it rooted here as a summary statement for what has come before. Does this mean it’s not talking about justification issues?
• How much of a summary is it? How much of what has come before is being summarized?

Front 30

7.2 Explain: “we serve … in the new life of the Spirit” (7:6).

Back 30

 Class Answers:
• This serves as an introduction to Romans chapter 8
• This isn’t a totally new element, but it has not been talked about a whole lot so far
• The Spirit is the one who applies Christ to us, again and again

Front 31

7.5 Why does Paul feel a need to say what he does about the law in 7:12?

Back 31

 Class Answers:
• Because people could then easily think that they don’t want or need the law at all

Front 32

7.7 Do 7:14-24 describe a believer or an unbeliever?

Back 32

 Class Answers:
• Seems to be talking about a believer
• Because of verse 25
• Because someone is struggling with their desire to do what is good
• Perhaps about a struggling believer
• Peterson says that it is a Christian, but not the normal Christian life → its nto where we want to live or stay
• Paul seems to be talking about himself, but it applies to everyone else → but he doesn’t leave us there

Front 33

7.9 Explain the strange combination of thanksgiving and seeming defeat in 7:25.

Back 33

 Class Answers:
• God will delivery us, but we continue to struggle, but there is some victory in 8
• Paul is sharing his own experience

Front 34

8.2 Explain the meaning of the words, "in the likeness of sinful flesh" (8:3).

Back 34

??

Front 35

8.5 What is true of any person who lacks the Holy Spirit (8:9)?

Back 35

??

Front 36

8.6 When will God "give life to our mortal bodies" (8:11)?

Back 36

??

Front 37

8.9 Tell how you experience 8:16.

Back 37

??

Front 38

8.11 What is Paul’s strategy to help believers cope with suffering in 8:18?

Back 38

• Class Answers:
• The promise of glory in the future and the last judgment that goes along with it

Front 39

8.13 In what sense is our adoption by the Father future (8:23)?

Back 39

 Class Answers:
• The fullness of our adoption involves the resurrection of our bodies, because our bodies now are not fit for eternal life with God and his people
• When we see him, we will be like him

Front 40

8.15 What does it mean to be conformed to Christ’s image (8:29)?

Back 40

 Class Answers:
• Christ as the ultimate man, the ideal Christian
• This seams to be talking about a final reality
• But is this glorification?
• Not sure if this is just limited to one aspect?
• Or maybe it is more general
 But at least glory

Front 41

8.16 Will all of those who are foreknown be glorified (8:29-30)?

Back 41

 Class Answers:
• In the sense of a saving foreknowing, yes → it is a chain (climax is being used here as members of a chain are used to build upon each other)

Front 42

8.19 Explain how 8:38-39 use comprehensive language.

Back 42

 Class Answers:
• What is not included in our life or death
• What is not included in things present or things to come
• Past sins are forgiven in even the most meager doctrine of justification
• No demons, not rulers
• Nothing in creation

Front 43

9.1 What could Paul wish according to 9:3?

Back 43

 Class Answers:
• The would go to hell if it meant that the Israelites would be saved

Front 44

9.3 Doe 9:5 teach the deity of Christ?

Back 44

 Class Answers:
• Yes, this verse probably is talking about his deity, but there appears to be some room for discussion in the Greek

Front 45

9.4 Why would anyone think that the word of God has failed (9:6)?

Back 45

• Class Answers:
• The Jewish Christians in Rome could think that the word of God has failed because not many Jews were being saved
 The response is that God saved all those which he chose, and those who are not saved are deserving of condemnation

Front 46

9.7 Why does Paul insert the objections in 9:14 and 9:19?

Back 46

 Class Answers:
• The help us understand what our objections might be, and he cuts off at the pass any attempts to bring man back into it
• Paul’s answer to these objections are answered by putting us in our places in submission to God
• The objections serve to underline the sovereignty of God

Front 47

9.10 Is the claim that 9:22-33 are hypothetical rather than actual correct?

Back 47

 Class Answers:
• No, because verse 24 identifies vessels or mercy with “even us.” This isn’t just a possibility, because these people were examples.
• The 2 descriptions are not talking about the two groups respectively – “not only from the Jews … not only from the Gentiles” are partatives, that is they designate a whole of which some are the part
• This is teaching given in the form of a question

Front 48

9.11 Do the vessels of wrath and mercy in 9:22-23 represent Jews and Gentiles, respectively?

Back 48

 Class Answers:
• No the assumptions is that there are some from both groups included here

Front 49

9.14 Where does God place the blame in 9:30-33?

Back 49

 Class Answers:
• He places the blame squarely on humans

Front 50

10.1 Is it true, as is sometimes said, that the Bible contains no prayers for people’s salvation (10:1)?

Back 50

 Class Answers:
• No, but it is hard to find them – this is one example

Front 51

10.3 In what sense is “Christ the end of the law for righteousness” (10:4)?

Back 51

 Class Answers:
• Schriener says that this means that Christ is the end of using the law to establish their own righteousness

Front 52

10.5 Tell how Paul applies the OT quotations in 10:11 and 10:13 to Jesus (10:9-13).

Back 52

 Class Answers:
• In the OT context they are speaking of God, and Paul has no problem seeing these refer to Jesus who takes the place of God, he assumes the full deity of Christ → Paul’s point is that Jesus is the God of Israel

Front 53

10.6 Why does Paul include Jesus’ resurrection in his summary of the gospel in 10:9?

Back 53

 Class Answers:
• Because Christ’s resurrection is a critical part of the Gospel message
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Front 54

10.7 Evaluate inclusivism in light of 10:14-17. Inclusivism is the view that, although Jesus is the only Savior of the world, people can be saved by him without hearing the gospel?

Back 54

 Class Answers:
• Paul assumes that people cannot be saved apart from hearing the gospel message

Front 55

11.4 Describe “the rest” theologically (11:7).

Back 55

??

Front 56

11.6 Why does Paul hope to make Jews “jealous” (11:14)?

Back 56

??

Front 57

11.7 Does 11:21 threaten Christians with the loss of salvation? Explain.

Back 57

??

Front 58

11.8 Explain Paul’s description of God’s “kindness and severity” (11:22).

Back 58

??

Front 59

11.9 What is the meaning of “Israel” in 11:16?

Back 59

??

Front 60

11.10 How can Israel be “enemies of God” and “beloved” by him at the same time (11:28)?

Back 60

 Class Answers:
• They have not accepted Jesus, but yet they have hope because God continues to desire to save them
• There is a sense that these Jews are still objects of God’s mercy, still God’s chosen people

Front 61

11.13 What does 11:36 teach about God?

Back 61

 Class Answers:
• He created all things; he is the God of providence, the sustainer; he is the end, goal, and purpose.

Front 62

12.3 Explain the difference in grace given to different believers (12:6-8).

Back 62

 Class Answers:
• Because God has given us different gifts and talents → it appears that there’s different types of “grace” for different gifts
• These different gifts are manifestations of grace

Front 63

12.4 Why does genuine love involve hating (12:9)?

Back 63

 Class Answers:
• Because God is holy, love has a moral dimension → necessarily loving God means hating what he hates

Front 64

12.7 Is what is described here always possible (12:18)?

Back 64

 Class Answers:
• No, it is not always possible – look at the examples of the early 1st century church

Front 65

12.8 Why are we not to take revenge (12:19-21)?

Back 65

 Class Answers:
• Because it is a divine action → we are not qualified to do it

Front 66

12.9 What does it mean to “heap burning coals” on an enemy’s head (12:20)?

Back 66

 Class Answers:
• You are blessing them and thus leaving them open to the conviction of the Lord
• Although Schriener says that this is a form of bringing judgment → their judgment in the future

Front 67

13.1 Why are we to obey the civil authorities (13:1-5)?

Back 67

 Class Answers:
• Because their authority comes from God
• Because of God’s providence → God has appointed them in his providence

Front 68

13.3 Do other Scriptures teach exceptions to the main principle of 13:1-5?

Back 68

 Class Answers:
• Daniel 3
• Acts 4:13, 5:29: Preaching despite commands to not
• Jesus – “render to Caesar what is to Caesar

Front 69

13.6 What does Paul mean when he urges the Romans to “wake from sleep” (13:11)?

Back 69

 Class Answers:
• 1 Thessalonians 5:4
• Be alert in anticipation of the return of Christ

Front 70

13.7 Why do you think Paul mentions the particular sins he does in 13:13?

Back 70

 Class Answers:
• These sins are generally secret and performed in the darkness
• And these people are being commanded to walk in the light
• It relates to pagan culture
• These are example of hating your neighbor

Front 71

14.1 Which Christians in the roman church are the weaker brothers and sisters (14:1-23)?

Back 71

 Class Answers:
• The jews
• Those who still felt that they needed to obey the dietary laws
• The stronger are the gentiles

Front 72

14.4 Do 14:10-12 refer to God’s Last Judgment to assign eternal destinies? Explain.

Back 72

 Class Answers:
• God’s judging of our behavior, these people are described as being servants
• And God is not judging them on salvation issues
• This is on the final
• The correct answer is no

Front 73

14.7 To what theological principle does Paul appeal in 14:22?

Back 73

 Class Answers:
• God alone is the Lord of the conscience

Front 74

14.8 If no food is unclean, why are doubters self-condemned if they eat (14:23)?

Back 74

 Class Answers:
• Because God had given us our consciences’ to be our guides
• The principle of personal responsibility
• If our conscience tells us no – we shouldn’t do it
• But the bible should educate our conscience

Front 75

15.2 Are we saved by following Jesus’ example? Is follow it important (Rom 15:3)?

Back 75

 Class Answers:
• No, but it is still important to follow Christ’s example – in his death, life, and we will follow his example in his future ressurection

Front 76

15.3 Explain how 15:7 is the foundation of Christian unity.

Back 76

 Class Answers:
• Stronger and weaker brothers – because if Christ has accepted someone, how could we do otherwise

Front 77

15.5 What do the many OT citations in 15:9-12 show?

Back 77

 Class Answers:
• That the events that have happened in the NT are along the story-line which the OT looked forward to

Front 78

15.8 What is the help of which Paul speaks in 15:24?

Back 78

 Class Answers:
• Money – financial aid

Front 79

15.10 What does Paul ask for in 15:30-32?

Back 79

 Class Answers:
• Prayer Support

Front 80

16.1 What was Phoebe’s role in the church at Canchrae (16:1-3)?

Back 80

 Class Answers:
• Some sort of servant?
• Some would say a deaconess, maybe an ordained office
• Patron – probably means financial sponsor

Front 81

16.4 Against what does the apostle warn in 16:17-18?

Back 81

 Class Answers:
• Divisive people

Front 82

16.6 What does 16:20 mean?

Back 82

 Class Answers:
• God will give us victory

Front 83

16.7 What was Tertius’s role in the production of Paul’s Letter to the Romans?

Back 83

 Class Answers:
• Scribe
• May have had a more active role than just writing a dictation

Front 84

16.10 Why is God’s wisdom singled out in the last verse of Romans?

Back 84

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