We now take up a New Testament book, which, in some ways, compares with Genesis. In that one we had the first creation the physical one. In Romans, we read of the new creation — Christianity the finished work of Christ. Romans gives us the foundation truth of every believer’s position, as Genesis gives us the foundation truth of the first creation. Genesis tells us of the origins of our physical birth. Romans gives us the origin of our spiritual birth. The Lord Jesus, Who is the Creator of the first, is the Accomplisher of the second. In John 3:6-7 they are brought together. In Genesis, one man disobeyed unto death; in Romans, one Man obeyed unto death (Rom. 5:19). In the first creation disobedience to God is the very nature of fallen man; in the second creation; obedience is the very nature of a person redeemed (1 Pet. 1:2).
V.3 The good news from God (the gospel) concerns His Son; Jesus Christ our Lord.
V.5 Obedience comes from Christ, Who was totally obedient to God the Father. Read the last part of John 8:29. If we are not obeying God’s Word, we are not living the proper life which God has intended for us.
V.7 Every believer is a saint, though an unhappy one if he is not obeying God’s Word.
V.17-18 “Righteousness” means God’s way of putting a sinner perfect in the sight of God. God’s anger against sin was all spent at the cross for anyone who accepts Christ as Savior. He has nothing but love left for those who believe in Him! When a judge acquits a man, he makes him legally righteous, but he does not make the man into a different person. When God accepts a sinner He changes that person. He justifies him. He puts him in an entirely new position. He sees him without a sin on him. He sees him in Christ.
V.18-32 And on the other hand, God is angry at all those who refuse His righteousness. All the people of the world are referred to. Sin has ruined everyone.
V.19-20 No one can say that God is unfair in all this. A person who has never heard the gospel is not going to be held responsible for this. But he is going to be held responsible for what God has said to him through nature. People are without excuse. From Romans 1:19 to 2:16 God is speaking of the heathen lands (the Gentiles).