I. The Letter Opening (1:1–17)

A. Prescript (1:1–7)

B. Thanksgiving and Occasion: Paul and the Romans (1:8–15)

C. The Theme of the Letter (1:16–17)

II. The Heart of the Gospel: Justification by Faith (1:18–4:25)

A. The Universal Reign of Sin (1:18–3:20)

1. All Persons Are Accountable to God for Sin (1:18–32)

2. Jews Are Accountable to God for Sin (2:1–3:8)

a. The Jews and the Judgment of God (2:1–16)

b. The Limitations of the Covenant (2:17–29)

c. God’s Faithfulness and the Judgment of Jews (3:1–8)

3. The Guilt of All Humanity (3:9–20)

B. Justification by Faith (3:21–4:25)

1. Justification and the Righteousness of God (3:21–26)

2. “By Faith Alone” (3:27–4:25)

a. “By Faith Alone”: Initial Statement (3:27–31)

b. “By Faith Alone”: Abraham (4:1–25)

III. The Assurance Provided by the Gospel: The Hope of Salvation (5:1–8:39)

A. The Hope of Glory (5:1–21)

1. From Justification to Salvation (5:1–11)

2. The Reign of Grace and Life (5:12–21)

B. Freedom from Bondage to Sin (6:1–23)

1. “Dead to Sin” Through Union with Christ (6:1–14)

2. Freed from Sin’s Power to Serve Righteousness (6:15–23)

C. Freedom from Bondage to the Law (7:1–25)

1. Released from the Law, Joined to Christ (7:1–6)

2. The History and Experience of Jews under the Law (7:7–25)

a. The Coming of the Law (7:7–12)

b. Life Under the Law (7:13–25)

D. Assurance of Eternal Life in the Spirit (8:1–30)

1. The Spirit of Life (8:1–13)

2. The Spirit of Adoption (8:14–17)

3. The Spirit of Glory (8:18–30)

E. The Believer’s Security Celebrated (8:31–39)

IV. The Defense of the Gospel: The Problem of Israel (9:1–11:36)

A. Introduction: The Tension Between God’s Promises and Israel’s Plight (9:1–5)

B. Defining the Promise: God’s Sovereign Election (9:6–29)

1. The Israel Within Israel (9:6–13)

2. Objections Answered: The Freedom and Purpose of God (9:14–23)

3. God’s Calling of a New People: Israel and the Gentiles (9:24–29)

C. Understanding Israel’s Plight: Christ as the Climax of Salvation History (9:30–10:21)

1. Israel, the Gentiles, and the Righteousness of God (9:30–10:13)

2. Israel’s Accountability (10:14–21)

D. Summary: Israel, the “Elect,” and the “Hardened” (11:1–10)

E. Defining the Promise (2): The Future of Israel (11:11–32)

1. God’s Purpose in Israel’s Rejection (11:11–15)

2. The Interrelationship of Jews and Gentiles: Warning to Gentiles (11:16–24)

3. The Salvation of “All Israel” (11:25–32)

F. Conclusion: Praise to God in Light of His Awesome Plan (11:33–36)

V. The Transforming Power of the Gospel: Christian Conduct (12:1–15:13)

A. The Heart of the Matter: Total Transformation (12:1–2)

B. Humility and Mutual Service (12:3–8)

C. Love and Its Manifestations (12:9–21)

D. The Christian and Secular Rulers (13:1–7)

E. Love and the Law (13:8–10)

F. Living in Light of the Day (13:11–14)

G. A Plea for Unity (14:1–15:13)

1. Do Not Condemn One Another! (14:1–12)

2. Do Not Cause Your Brother or Sister to Stumble! (14:13–23)

3. Put Other People First! (15:1–6)

4. Receive One Another! (15:7–13)

VI. The Letter Closing (15:14–16:27)

A. Paul’s Ministry and Travel Plans (15:14–33)

B. Greetings (16:1–16)

C. Closing Remarks and Doxology (16:17–27)