Romans 10 - A Study Guide by Mark A. Copeland

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                      "THE EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS"

                              Chapter Ten

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see the importance of combining zeal with knowledge

2) To understand that Israel had plenty of opportunity to heed the
   gospel of Christ, but for the most part they had rejected it

SUMMARY

As Paul continues to explain God's dealings with the nation of Israel, 
he repeats his expression of love towards them (1).  Though as a nation
they had plenty of zeal, unfortunately their zeal was not according to
knowledge (2).  Thus they rejected the righteousness of God while 
trying to establish their own righteousness through the Law of Moses.  
But Paul explains that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law and has 
brought it to an end (3-4).

The righteousness God now offers is based upon faith in Christ, not 
keeping the Law.  It involves not the accomplishment of some great feat 
(like ascending to heaven or descending to hell), but such things as 
confessing Jesus as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the 
dead (5-10).  As foretold by Scripture, it is offered to all, both Jew 
and Gentile (11-13).  And it is offered through the medium of preaching 
the Word (14-15).

The problem with the nation of Israel, then, is that not all of them 
received the gospel message, even when they had ample opportunity 
(16-18).  But as Moses predicted, the day would come when God would 
provoke Israel to jealousy by another people, who Isaiah said did not 
seek God yet found Him, while Israel was constantly rebelling against 
Him (19-21).

OUTLINE

I. ISRAEL'S REFUSAL OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS (1-15)

   A. PAUL'S EXPRESSION OF CONCERN FOR ISRAEL (1-4)
      1. That Israel be saved, for they have zeal but not knowledge
         (1-2)
      2. Through ignorance, they seek to save themselves by the Law,
         and do not submit to God's righteousness in Christ which 
         brings an end to the Law (3-4)

   B. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LAW vs. RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH IN CHRIST
      (5-15)
      1. Righteousness of the Law as defined by Moses (5)
      2. Righteousness by faith as defined by Paul (6-15)
         a. Involves the mouth and the heart (6-8)
         b. Involves confessing Jesus and believing in His resurrection
            (9-10)
         c. Offered to all who believe and call on Him (11-13)
         d. Accomplished through the medium of preaching (14-15)

II. ISRAEL'S NEGLECT OF THE GOSPEL (16-21)

   A. NOT ALL OBEYED THE GOSPEL (16-18)
      1. As Isaiah predicted (16)
      2. Even though they had ample opportunity (17-18)

   B. THEIR NEGLECT, AND THE GENTILES RECEPTION, FORESEEN BY 
      SCRIPTURES (19-21)
      1. As spoken by Moses (19)
      2. As spoken by Isaiah (20-21)

WORDS TO PONDER

confess - lit., to speak the same thing, to assent, accord, agree
          with...; to declare openly by way of speaking out freely,
          such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts
          (Mt 10:32; Ro 10:9,10) - VINE

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) List the main points of this chapter
   - Israel's Refusal Of God's Righteousness (1-15)
   - Israel's Neglect Of The Gospel (16-21)

2) What was Paul's prayer in behalf of the nation of Israel? (1)
   - That they may be saved

3) What was good about them?  What was wrong with them (2)
   - They have a zeal for God
   - But not according to knowledge

4) Why was Israel not submitting to the righteousness of God? (3)
   - In ignorance they were seeking to establish their own 
     righteousness

5) What should one confess?  What should one believe? (9-10)
   - The Lord Jesus (or, that Jesus is Lord)
   - That God raised Jesus from the dead

6) For whom is righteousness by faith intended? (11-13)
   - Whoever believes and calls upon the name of the Lord

7) What begins the process which finally enables one to call upon the
   Lord? (14-15)
   - The sending out of preachers

8) How does one come to have faith? (17)
   - By hearing the word of God

9) Did the Jews have opportunity to call upon the Lord? (18)
   - Yes, for the gospel had been spread to the ends of the world

10) How did God say He was going to make His people jealous? (19-20)
    - By making Himself manifest to those who had not been seeking Him
      (the Gentiles)
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