Lecture on Romans 1:17

Opening Prayer

• Asking for magnification of God in joy and righteousness in peace
• Pray for open hearts to receive the word and to banish obstacles (Satan)
• Emphasis on the need for God's presence in speaking and listening.

Romans 1:16-17

• Key Verses:
  • Romans 1:16: Not ashamed of the gospel; it's the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes
  • Romans 1:17: Righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; the righteous shall live by faith

Key Questions

• How does the Gospel save believers?
  • Not focused on how the Gospel creates believers, but how it saves them continually
  • Believers need salvation from God's wrath and righteous judgment

Importance of the Gospel for Believers

• Gospel saves and transforms believers continually
  • Evidence: Timothy, personal testimonies
• Salvation is ongoing and future-oriented, not just a past event

Explanation of Romans 1:16-17

• Why preach the gospel to those who are already saints, loved by God, and called?
  • The Gospel continues to be the power of God for their salvation
  • The Gospel is essential for daily living and enduring faith

Living by the Gospel

• Gospel dependence in daily life
  • Not just for salvation moment, but for everyday struggles and joys
• Gospel-driven life leads to authentic evangelism

Luther's Struggle with Romans 1:17

• Initially hated the verse due to misunderstanding of God's righteousness
• Later understood that God's righteousness is a gift given freely through faith

Three Interpretations of God's Righteousness in the Gospel

1. God's righteousness demonstrated in Christ's sacrifice
2. Righteousness imputed to believers, credited to their account (main focus)
3. Moral transformation into righteousness through the Gospel

Support for Interpretation #2

• Comparison between Romans 1:17 and Habakkuk 2:4
• Detailed explanation from Romans 3:20-24
  • Justification by faith and righteousness imputed to believers

Practical Implications

• Daily Reappropriation of the Gospel
  • Believers must continually remind themselves of the imputed righteousness
  • Essential for overcoming guilt and living in God's acceptance

Call to Gospel Dependency

• Strength, stability, and relationships must be rooted in the Gospel
• Living under the exchange of sin and righteousness through Christ

Conclusion and Final Prayer

• Summary: Importance of trusting in Christ's righteousness, not self-righteousness
• Practical example for kids
• Prayer for experiencing the grace of God's righteousness