I think that before undertaking a noble task of memorizing the book of Romans by heart we need to study at least a hundred key verses. Then we are able to understand what is the logic, what is the main framework so to speak on which the whole text hangs.
The Need of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
(Rom 1:16-17)
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
(Rom 1:28)
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
(Rom 1:32)
Inexcusability of the Self-righteous Judges
Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.
(Rom 2:1)
And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(Rom 2:3)
True Jewishness
For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
(Rom 2:28-29)
The X-Ray of every Man’s Heart, Life, Motives
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet are swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery are in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
(Rom 3:10-20)
“But now” – the hinge of History. The Gospel of God – the Only Hope for every believer
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
(Rom 3:21-24)
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
(Rom 3:31)
Process of justification. Imputed Righteousness of Christ to believers is the only way for salvation
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
(Rom 4:5)
Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;
(Rom 4:23)
But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
(Rom 4:24)
Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
(Rom 4:25)
Fruit of Justification: Peace with God, Assurance of Salvation, Access to the throne of Grace, joy in tribulations. What Adam ruined that Christ restored. Super abounding grace to sinners.
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
(Rom 5:1,2)
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(Rom 5:12)
For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
(Rom 5:19)
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
(Rom 5:20)
That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Rom 5:21)
Grace of God gives no license to Sin. Vital union of Believers with their Savior. Freedom from Sin.
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
For he that is dead is freed from sin.
(Rom 6:4-7)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
(Rom 6:16)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
(Rom 6:23)
Freedom from Law, oh, happy condition!
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
(Rom 7:6)
Spirit of God delivering Christians from the remainders of the indwelling Sin in their lives. Another effect of Justifying Grace: Freedom from condemnation, assurance in the face of the most severe trials and tribulations.
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
(Rom 7:20-25 — Rom 8:1,2)
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(Rom 8:6)
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
(Rom 8:9-18)
The “Soft Pillow” of a Christian
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
(Rom 8:28)
The Difficult to grasp Golden Chain of Redemption
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
(Rom 8:29,30)
Amazing Consolation: No Condemnation and No Separation from God’s Love
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
(Rom 8:31)
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Rom 8:38,39)
They Mystery of God’s Election and Mercy. Children of the flesh vs. children of the Promise. Potter’s Freedom.
That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
(Rom 9:8)
So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
(Rom 9:16)
Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
(Rom 9:18)
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
(Rom 9:21-24)
Christ – the End of the Law for righteousness to believers. Believers are justified by Christ Alone. Confession and faith relationship.
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
(Rom 10:4)
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
(Rom 10:9,10)
Fuel for Missions and fulfilling the great Commission of Christ
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
(Rom 10:13-15)
Why Jews are broken off? Fear of God. Wisdom of God. Worship of God.
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
(Rom 11:5,6)
For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?
(Rom 11:15)
Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
(Rom 11:19-36)
Practical Part. Theology in Practice.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
(Rom 12:1)
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Rom 12:2)
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
(Rom 12:9)
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
(Rom 12:10)
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Rom 12:21)
Christian attitude to Authorities, Magistrates, Kings, Rulers and their direct bosses and managers
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
(Rom 13:1)
Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(Rom 13:2)
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
(Rom 13:8)
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(Rom 13:9)
Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
(Rom 13:10)
The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.
(Rom 13:12)
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
(Rom 14:1)
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.
(Rom 14:10-13)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
(Rom 14:17)
For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
(Rom 14:18)
And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
(Rom 14:23)
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.
For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me.
(Rom 15:1-3)
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.
(Rom 15:4-7)
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
(Rom 16:17)
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(Rom 16:20)