Romans Bible Study
Romans and Being then Established in Grace Doctrine
After we are saved, it is important to become established in the foundational truths of God's grace revealed through the Apostle Paul for the Church, the Body of Christ, in this present dispensation of grace.
Paul wrote:
“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.”
— Romans 1:11 KJB
To be established means to be made firm, stable, grounded, and settled.
Being established does not mean becoming more saved or attaining a higher spiritual standing before God. When we place our faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as atonement for our sins, we are saved completely by God's grace through faith. Our standing in Christ is based upon what Christ has already accomplished for us.
As we continue to study God's Word, we grow in our understanding of these truths and learn how they apply to our daily lives.
Foundational Grace Doctrines
The book of Romans gives us a strong foundation for understanding:
• Our sinful condition and need for salvation
• Justification by faith
• God's grace and the finished work of Christ
• Eternal security
• Our identity in Christ
• Our identification with Christ
• Freedom from the dominion of sin
• Walking according to the Spirit rather than the flesh
• The distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the Church, the Body of Christ
• The present dispensation of grace
• Our place and function as members of the Body of Christ
• Christian service and living
• Grace in our relationships with other believers
• Giving glory to God
• Unity among believers
• Recognizing and avoiding false doctrine
These truths give us a solid foundation as we continue studying Paul's epistles.
Studying the Bible Rightly Divided
As grace believers, we should study the entire Bible while recognizing the distinctions God has made throughout Scripture.
Paul tells us:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
— 2 Timothy 2:15 KJB
Paul's epistles, Romans through Philemon, contain the doctrine and instructions specifically given to the Church, the Body of Christ, for this present dispensation of grace.
That does not mean we neglect the rest of Scripture.
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”
— Romans 15:4 KJB
We study the whole Bible, but we recognize that not everything in the Bible is written directly to the Body of Christ or is our doctrine for today.
This is why rightly dividing the Word of Truth is so important.
Where Should You Begin?
If you are beginning to study grace doctrine, I recommend starting with the book of Romans.
Read through Romans several times with your King James Bible. First, become familiar with the book as a whole. Then slow down and study it carefully, verse by verse.
Reading and studying are different.
Reading helps us become familiar with God's Word.
Studying causes us to slow down, examine the Scriptures carefully, compare verses, and understand what God is teaching us.
A simple daily Bible-reading plan can also help you become familiar with the entire Word of God while you continue studying Paul's epistles more deeply.
Romans 1:8–12 — Established in the Faith
Paul wrote:
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.”
— Romans 1:8–12 KJB
Paul wanted the believers at Rome to be established. Romans then lays out many foundational truths concerning the gospel of grace and the believer's life in Christ.
Romans 1–3 — Our Need for Salvation
Romans begins by demonstrating the sinful condition of mankind. We learn that all have sinned and that our own morality, religion, good works, or self-effort cannot save us.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 KJB
Romans 3 — Justification by Faith
Romans explains that we are justified freely by God's grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Salvation is not earned by our works. It is based completely upon what Christ accomplished for us through His death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 4–5 — Faith, Grace, and Our Standing in Christ
Romans continues by explaining justification by faith and the results of what Christ accomplished on our behalf. We learn that our salvation rests upon God's grace rather than our ability to establish our own righteousness.
Romans 6 — Our Identification With Christ
Romans 6 teaches us about our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. Because of what Christ accomplished, we are no longer required to live as servants of sin.
Paul teaches us how this truth should affect the way we live.
Romans 7 — The Struggle With Sin and the Law
Romans 7 helps us understand the limitations of the law and the struggle that comes when we attempt to produce righteousness through our own strength. It points us toward our need to depend upon Christ rather than ourselves.
Romans 8 — Life and Security in Christ
Romans 8 gives tremendous encouragement concerning life in Christ. We learn about:
• No condemnation in Christ Jesus
• Walking after the Spirit
• Our identity as children of God
• Being heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ
• The Spirit's work in us
• God's purpose for believers
• God's love toward us
• Our security in Christ
Romans 8 reminds us that our confidence rests in God's work, not our ability to make ourselves acceptable to Him.
Romans 9–11 — Israel and the Dispensation of Grace
These chapters help us understand God's dealings with Israel and the distinction between Israel's prophetic program and the Church, the Body of Christ.
We learn about the temporary interruption of Israel's prophetic program and God's revealed purpose concerning the Body of Christ.
Romans 12 — Christian Service and Relationships
Paul turns toward practical Christian living, teaching believers about serving others, loving fellow believers, responding to difficulties, and living out the grace we have learned.
Romans 13 — Christian Conduct
Paul gives instruction concerning our conduct as citizens and our responsibilities toward others while we live here on earth.
Romans 14 — Grace Toward Other Believers
Romans 14 teaches us how to deal with differences among believers without allowing those differences to destroy fellowship.
We learn to exercise liberty with love and to avoid using our freedom in a way that unnecessarily harms another believer.
Romans 15 — Ministry and Mutual Edification
Paul continues teaching believers to put others before themselves and to work together in love and unity.
Christian service is not about earning our salvation or establishing our worth before God. We serve because we have already been saved by God's grace.
Romans 16 — Sound Doctrine and Discernment
Paul concludes Romans by warning believers about those who cause divisions and teach contrary doctrine.
He emphasizes the importance of sound doctrine and remaining faithful to the revelation of the mystery.
What Does It Mean to Be Established?
Paul's desire was that believers would be established in the truth.
Near the end of Romans, he explains:
“Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery…”
— Romans 16:25 KJB
Being established does not mean becoming more complete in Christ. The believer is already complete in Christ because of what Christ has accomplished.
Instead, establishment describes our growing understanding, confidence, discernment, and ability to stand firmly upon God's Word.
As we study, we become more knowledgeable about Scripture, better equipped to recognize error, better able to make wise decisions, and better prepared to encourage and serve others.
Studying Paul's Epistles for Our Edification
After becoming established in the foundational truths found in Romans, we can continue studying Paul's epistles, Romans through Philemon.
These books are arranged in a helpful order that gives us foundational doctrine and then provides further instruction, correction, encouragement, and practical teaching.
However, we do not have to study them only in that order.
We can study a book verse by verse, study a particular topic, or turn to a passage that speaks to a situation we are currently facing.
We should also study the entire Bible. When studying books outside of Paul's epistles, we should do so from a rightly divided perspective, recognizing who the passage was written to and the program and context in which it belongs.
A balanced approach to Bible study includes:
• Studying Paul's epistles for our doctrine today
• Studying the whole Bible from a rightly divided perspective
• Studying books verse by verse
• Doing topical studies
• Searching Scripture for wisdom and encouragement when facing specific life situations
• Comparing Scripture with Scripture
The order of Paul's epistles provides a helpful framework for our edification, but it is not a requirement that every Bible study follow that sequence.
There may be times when we need to carefully study Romans. At other times, we may need encouragement from Philippians, a greater understanding of our blessings in Christ from Ephesians, teaching about Christ's preeminence from Colossians, or the hope found in Thessalonians.
Topical studies are also valuable. If we are dealing with fear, grief, forgiveness, relationships, prayer, discouragement, or another situation, we can search the Scriptures for the wisdom, encouragement, and instruction that applies.
The goal is not simply to follow a particular reading order.
The goal is to know God's Word, understand it rightly, grow in grace, and be equipped to live and serve Him faithfully.
Identity, Position, and Inheritance
One helpful way to understand what God has given us in Christ is to distinguish between identity, position, and inheritance.
Upon placing our faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as atonement for our sins:
Identity — Who am I?
I am a child of God.
Position — Where do I stand?
I am in Christ.
Inheritance — What has been given to me?
I am an heir of God AND a joint-heir with Christ.
Romans 8:17 says:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ…”
— Romans 8:17 KJB
These truths give us a wonderful foundation for understanding who we are as believers.
We are God's children.
We are in Christ.
We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ.
Keep Studying the Word
Romans is a wonderful place to begin becoming established in the foundational truths of God's grace, but it is not the end of our study.
Continue through Paul's epistles. Study them carefully. Study the whole Bible. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Learn the distinctions between God's dealings with Israel and His present purpose for the Body of Christ.
And above all, keep your confidence in Christ and His finished work, rather than in yourself.
“And ye are complete in him…”
— Colossians 2:10 KJB
Our growth in the Word does not make us more complete in Christ. Rather, as we study God's Word, we increasingly understand and appreciate the completeness we already have in Christ.
We are saved by grace.
We are complete in Christ.
We are established through God's Word.
And we are equipped to serve Him through the truth of His grace.
Study Romans With Me
Would you like to go deeper into the foundational truths of God's grace found in Romans?
I've created Romans Bible Study Workbooks to help you slow down, study the Scriptures verse by verse, and reflect on what you are learning.
The Romans Chapters 1–3 Workbook Bundle is currently available, with additional chapters planned as I continue creating the series.
Whether you're studying Romans on your own, using it for personal Bible study, or working through it alongside others, these workbooks are designed to help you read, study, reflect, and grow in your understanding of God's Word.
📖 Start your Romans study with Chapters 1–3 today—and watch for more chapters to come!
Grace Living Ministry
🚩 A Note of Discernment About Sonship Edification
One caution is worth mentioning when studying Romans and Paul's epistles. Spending a significant amount of time in Romans, or emphasizing Romans and 1 Corinthians, is not in itself evidence of Sonship Edification. These are important books, and studying them deeply can be beneficial.
However, if a church, Bible study, or teacher places an unusually heavy emphasis on Romans and 1 Corinthians while also teaching ideas about believers progressing through spiritual checkpoints, attaining a higher level of sonship, or receiving a greater spiritual status or heavenly position, it is worth taking a closer look at what is being taught.
Sonship Edification (SE) is a theological system associated with certain grace circles that teaches concepts concerning believers attaining or developing into a particular level of sonship and emphasizes spiritual maturity and heavenly positions in ways that go beyond the simple truth of what believers already have in Christ.
A good way to avoid being drawn into teachings you are unsure about is to:
• Study the Scriptures for yourself, rather than relying entirely on a particular teacher or group.
• Examine the teaching carefully, including its definitions and underlying assumptions.
• Compare everything with Paul's epistles in context.
• Be cautious of teachings that make your spiritual standing, identity, or completeness in Christ dependent upon reaching particular levels of maturity.
• Remember that our salvation, identity, position, and completeness in Christ are based upon Christ and His finished work, received by faith—not upon achieving a particular spiritual status.
Deep Bible study is not the problem. The doctrines being taught are what should be examined.
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJB
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