Lesson 2: Guilty! (ROMANS 1:18—3:20)
Lesson 2
Guilty!
(ROMANS 1:18—3:20)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Romans 1:18—3:20. This lesson references chapter 2 in Be Right. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
“Hear ye! Hear ye! Court is now in session!” Paul could have used those awesome words at this point in his letter, because Romans 1:18 is the door that leads us into God’s courtroom. The theme of Romans is the righteousness of God, but Paul had to begin with the unrighteousness of humankind. Until person knows he is a sinner, he cannot appreciate the gracious salvation God offers in Jesus Christ.
—Be Right, page 31
1. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you read this passage? How are all men and women guilty before God?
More to Consider: What does the word righteousness mean? What do you think it means to a nonbeliever? Why does being “right before God” matter to our faith?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Romans 1:18—3:20 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this passage?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Human history began with people knowing God. Human history is not the story of a beast that worshipped idols, and then evolved into a person worshipping one God. Human history is just the opposite: People began knowing God but turned from the truth and rejected God.
—Be Right, page 32
3. Circle all of the things Paul writes that illustrate why man is guilty before God. Why do you think Paul singles out “judging others” in this passage? How is man’s judgment of others evidence of rejecting God?
From the Commentary
From idolatry to immorality is just one short step. If man is his own god, then he can do whatever he pleases and fulfill his desires without fear of judgment.
—Be Right, page 33
4. What is the “one short step” between idolatry and immorality? What does it mean that God will judge everyone according to his deeds? How does this line up with God’s righteousness? How about with what it means to be made righteous by God?
From Today’s World
Review any popular magazine, Web site, or television show, and you’ll quickly see that today’s world is rife with “idol worship.” One of the more popular television programs of today boldly proclaims this “idol-ness” in its very title. But many of today’s idols are not quite so easily identified.
5. Why is our culture so obsessed with “idols”? Though we may use the term idol flippantly or without regard to the biblical definition of the word, the truth of our desire to celebrate people, places, and things as idols remains strong. What are the dangers of playing “fast and loose” with these idols?
From the Commentary
Men not only committed these sins in open defiance of God, but encouraged others and applauded them when they sinned. How far man fell! He began glorifying God but ended exchanging that glory for idols. He began knowing God but ended refusing to keep the knowledge of God in his mind and heart. He began as the highest of God’s creatures, made in the image of God, but he ended lower than the beasts and insects, because he worshipped them as his gods. The verdict? “They are without excuse” (Rom. 1:20).
—Be Right, page 34
6. What are some evidences that man was once the “highest of God’s creatures”? Why are we “without excuse” when it comes to our sins? Are all sins committed in open defiance of God? Explain. How do people today exchange God’s glory for idols?
More to Consider: Romans 1:26 states that God permitted people to go on in their sins and reap the consequences. Why didn’t God just step in and save everyone from his or her sins? What role does God’s allowance of man to continue in sin play in the theology of salvation?
From the Commentary
God’s judgment is according to truth. He does not have one standard for the Jews and another for the Gentiles. One who reads the list of sins in Romans 1:29–32 cannot escape the fact that each person is guilty of at least one of them. There are “sins of the flesh and of the spirit” (2 Cor. 7:1); there are “prodigal sons” and “elder brothers” (Luke 15:11–32). When they condemned the Gentiles for their sins, the Jews were really condemning themselves. As the old saying puts it, “When you point your finger at somebody else, the other three are pointing at you.”
—Be Right, pages 35–36
7. Review the list of sins in Romans 1:29–32. How does this list prove all of mankind is sinful? What is the difference between sins of the flesh and sins of the spirit?
From the Commentary
In Romans 2:6–11, Paul was not teaching salvation by character or good deeds. He was explaining another basic principle of God’s judgment: God judges according to deeds, just as He judges according to truth. Paul was dealing here with the consistent actions of a person’s life, the total impact of his character and conduct. For example, David committed some terrible sins, but the total emphasis of his life was obedience to God. Judas confessed his sin and supplied the money for buying a cemetery for strangers, yet the total emphasis of his life was disobedience and unbelief.
—Be Right, page 36
8. Why is it important to note that God judges according to deeds and truth? What is your reaction to Wiersbe’s explanation of David’s “total emphasis” of his life? His explanation of Judas’s “total emphasis”? Does the church judge according to the “total emphasis” or individual sins? What does this tell you about the role of the church versus God’s role in the lives of sinners?
From the Commentary
God judges according to “the secrets of men” (Rom. 2:16), so that He is not impressed with mere outward formalities.
—Be Right, page 38
9. What are some examples of “outward formalities” that man might choose to judge others by? What are the “secrets of the heart” Paul is referring to here?
From the Commentary
The word therefore in Romans 3:20 carries the meaning of “because,” and gives the reason why the whole world is guilty. No flesh can obey God’s law and be justified (declared righteous) in His sight. It is true that “the doers of the law shall be justified” (Rom. 2:13), but nobody can do what the law demands. This inability is one way that people know they are sinners. When they try to obey the law, they fail miserably and need to cry out for God’s mercy. Neither Jew nor Gentile can obey God’s law; therefore God must save sinners by some other means.
—Be Right, pages 40–41
10. Circle all the times Paul writes “therefore” and “because.” Why do you think there are so many of these in Romans? What is significant about the “therefore” in 3:20?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Romans 1:18—3:20. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. In what specific ways does this section of Romans speak to your story? In what ways are you “guilty as charged”? How do you respond to Paul’s words? Are you humbled? Challenged? Inspired? Explain.
12. What are some of the “idols” you worship? Are there such things as “harmless” idols? Why or why not? What are some practical steps you can take to point your heart and desire toward God instead of the idols that compete for your attention?
13. What are the “secrets of your heart”? How does your heart compare to your outward expression of your faith? If there is a disconnect, what is causing that disparity? What would your outward expressions look like if they perfectly matched your heart?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to reduce the number of idols in your life? Line up your action with your heart? Be specific. Go back through Romans 1:18—3:20 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Compare Paul’s “courtroom scene” with those portrayed on popular television shows. Talk with a friend about what it might be like to sit in the chair of the accused as if Paul were presenting this case against you. How would that play on television? What is the main difference between Paul’s courtroom drama and those acted out by Hollywood?
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the “Going Forward” section in this lesson. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Romans 3:21—4:25. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 3, “Father Abraham,” in Be Right.