Topical Bible: Faith: Romans

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The Epistle to the Romans, authored by the Apostle Paul, is a foundational text for understanding the Christian doctrine of faith. In this letter, Paul systematically presents the concept of faith as central to the believer's relationship with God, emphasizing its role in justification, salvation, and the Christian life.

Faith and Justification

Paul's discourse on faith in Romans begins with the assertion that righteousness from God is revealed through faith. Romans 1:17 states, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'" This verse sets the tone for the epistle, highlighting faith as the means by which believers are justified before God.

In Romans 3:22-24 , Paul elaborates, "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Here, faith is presented as the channel through which God's grace and redemption are received, underscoring the universality of sin and the necessity of faith for justification.

Faith and Abraham

Paul uses the example of Abraham to illustrate the principle of justification by faith. In Romans 4:3 , he cites Genesis, saying, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Paul argues that Abraham's faith, not his works, was the basis of his righteousness, making him the father of all who believe, both Jew and Gentile. Romans 4:16 affirms, "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may rest on grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all."

Faith and Salvation

In Romans 5:1-2 , Paul connects faith with peace and access to God's grace: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we stand." Faith is depicted as the means by which believers enter into a state of grace and peace with God, highlighting its salvific power.

Furthermore, Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes the necessity of faith for salvation: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved." This passage underscores the importance of both belief and confession in the process of salvation, with faith being the core element.

Faith and the Christian Life

Paul also addresses the role of faith in the ongoing life of the believer. In Romans 12:3 , he advises, "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you." Here, faith is seen as a gift from God that shapes the believer's self-perception and conduct.

Additionally, Romans 14:23 warns against actions not rooted in faith: "But the one who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that is not from faith is sin." This highlights the necessity of faith in guiding ethical decisions and actions, reinforcing its integral role in the believer's daily life.

In summary, the Epistle to the Romans presents faith as the cornerstone of Christian doctrine, essential for justification, salvation, and the believer's ongoing relationship with God. Through faith, believers are united with Christ, receive God's grace, and are empowered to live lives that reflect their righteous standing before God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

He that Doubteth is Damned if He Eat, Because He Eateth not of ...
... He that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; he
whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:28. It was ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/he that doubteth is damned.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... And the young man that came to Christ said, "What good thing shall I do, to inherit
eternal life?" Here doing was preferred to living by faith, Romans 10:1-23. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm

John i. 16
... iii.6.) There was a faith, there is a faith. ("From faith to faith.") (
Romans 1:17.) There was an adoption, there is an adoption. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xiv john i 16.htm

The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul Cannot Help Using Phrases ...
... Paul's epistles... Chapter XIII."The Epistle to the Romans. St. Paul ... Gospel.
The Justified by Faith Exhorted to Have Peace with God. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xiii the epistle to the.htm

The Excellence and Utility of Faith.
... As the apostle also says in the Epistle to the Romans, "For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith," teaching the one salvation which ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the excellence and utility.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... violence, Matth. xi.12. The righteousness thereof may be taken for the
righteousness of God by faith, Romans 10:3, chap. iii.21, 22 ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

Abraham's Faith was Identical with Ours; this Faith was Prefigured ...
... we also, because of the promise of God, behold through faith that inheritance ... For
in the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle declares: "Moreover, when Rebecca ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxi abrahams faith was identical.htm

The Christian Faith
... references: Hebrews 11; Matthew 9:29; 17:20; Mark 10:52; 11:22; Acts 2:38; 3:16;
10:43; 16:30,31; Romans 1:17; 5:1; 10:17; Galatians 2:20. FAITH AND PRACTICE. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study v the christian faith.htm

Unity of the Faith of the Church Throughout the Whole World.
... these teachers who are destitute of truly divine wisdom maintain; while the Catholic
Church possesses one and the same faith throughout the ... [2792] Romans 11:32 ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x unity of the faith.htm

A Treatise on Faith and the Creed.
... For it is written, "Unless ye believe, ye shall not understand." [1522] But the
handling of the faith is of service for the protection of ... [1521] Romans 10:10. ...
/.../augustine/a treatise on faith and the creed /a treatise on faith and 2.htm