“The Power of God unto Salvation”

All Posts Archived Lessons New Testament Old Testament Book of Mormon Doctrine & Covenants Search “The Power of God unto Salvation” CFMCorner Aug 4, 2023 19 min read Updated: Jun 24, 2025 CFM: August 7–13 Romans 1–6 Videos and Podcasts Video/ Podcast ​Lesson Extension ​Additional Materials Scripture Central Romans 1-6 Archives Follow Him Romans 1-6 Part 1 , Part 2 Transcripts Line Upon Line Romans 1-6 ​FHE Lesson Teaching with Power Romans 1-6 ​ Don't Miss This Romans 1-6 ​ ​CFM New Testament Romans 1-6 ​Unshaken Romans 1-6 ( Part 1 , Part 2 , Part 3 ) ​ ​The Interpreter Foundation Romans 1-6 ​Study helps by Jonn Claybaugh ​Teaching Helps with John Hilton Romans 1-6 ( not yet posted ) ​ ​Ponderfun Romans 1-6 ( not yet posted ) ​Talking Scripture Romans 1-6 Show Notes Resources and Insights about this Week's Lesson A supplemental post for understanding the format of the New Testament and the organization of Paul's Letters is available and applicable for the remainder of our CFM studies. This outlines how the letters fit into the historical narrative, which is essential for understanding the letters themselves. The material has its own link, so one can easily refer back to it throughout the rest of the year. Some of the information might already be familiar, but some will probably be new to most people. This is essential information to understand and will set the foundation for the remainder of our studies, so it would be wise to start with that overview and then return to this post. Supplemental info for understanding the Epistles of Paul and Others Cultural and Historical Context for Romans 1: Understanding the cultural and historical context of Rome during the first century AD is crucial to interpreting Paul's letters appropriately and accurately. During Paul's time, the city of Rome was a melting pot of diverse cultures and religious practices. The Roman Empire was polytheistic, worshipping numerous gods and deities. The imperial cult, where the emperor was considered divine and worshiped, was a significant aspect of Roman religious life. Amid this religious diversity, early Christians faced several challenges, especially because they refused to participate in the imperial cult and the worship of Roman deities, leading to accusations of atheism and disloyalty to the state. In addition, Judaism and Christianity were considered to be “mystery cults” by the Romans. M ystery cults were religious groups characterized by their secretive nature, exclusive membership, and the promise of hidden knowledge or special spiritual experiences through ritual observance. Initially, there were many mystery cults in Rome. Some of the well-known mystery cults included the cults of Isis, Mithras, and Eleusinian Mysteries, among others. However, by the 4th Century AD, almost all of these cults had been eradicated by the government, with Christianity and Judaism being among the few survivors. Perhaps the most significant challenge that the early church faced was infighting between the Jewish and Christian communities, even among the believers. The Romans viewed this as extremely problematic. The Jewish population in Rome was substantial, and early Christianity emerged as a sect within Judaism. In the early stages of Christianity, many of its followers were Jews who believed in Jesus as the Messiah. However, as the Christian message spread, it attracted a growing number of Gentile converts as well. This growing divide between Jews who adhered to traditional Judaism and those who embraced Christianity led to serious conflicts and disagreements within the Jewish community in Rome. The differences in beliefs and practices, particularly regarding the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and the acceptance of Gentile converts without full adherence to Jewish customs (i.e. circumcision, kosher laws, festival observance, etc.), caused significant tension and division. Historically, tensions between the Jewish and Roman communities in Rome were not uncommon. However, a serious event occurred during the reign of Emperor Claudius around 49 AD. Historians report that due to disturbances caused by disputes between Jews over Chrestus (likely referring to Christ), Claudius ordered the expulsion of Jews from Rome. This expulsion likely affected Jewish Christians as well, as they were still considered part of the Jewish community. The exact reasons for the disturbances are not entirely clear, but it is evident that the conflict between Jews and Christians played a role in these events. The expulsion disrupted the Jewish and Christian communities in Rome, leading to a temporary displacement of these groups. After the death of Claudius in 54 AD, Nero ascended to the throne. During Nero's reign, he allowed the Jews to return to Rome, likely as part of his broader efforts to gain popularity and support. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus mentions that Poppaea Sabina, Nero's wife, influenced him to lift the ban on the Jews and allow their return to the city. With the lifting of the ban, Jewish Christians were also permitted to return to Rome. Consequently, the Christian community in Rome began to reestablish itself, and Christianity continued to grow in the city. Paul wrote his letter to the Romans ~55-58, as the Christian community was returning to the city. Paul's emphasis on the universality of God's revelation underscores the accessibility of God's truth to all people, both Jew and Gentile, learned and unlearned, male and female, bond and free… This notion challenged the idea that God's favor was exclusively for the Jews and revealed the inclusive nature of the Gospel message to all who believed in and accepted Jesus Christ. This was a major theme, and it was intentionally intended to address the infighting that had become such a serious problem. Book of Romans Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1) The Greco-Roman world was historically marked by moral decadence, with widespread immorality, sexual promiscuity, and various vices. Paul's references to idolatry, impurity, and sexual misconduct in Romans 1 address the moral decay prevalent in the Roman society of that time. Some might have heard that these passages specifically refer to homosexuality. However, that is a misleading argument, and one should exercise caution if one chooses to jump to this conclusion. It's crucial to recognize that Paul's era vastly differed from our contemporary understanding of sexuality. In an ancient context, power dynamics significantly influenced sexual relationships, and these relationships frequently lacked consent. The unequal distribution of power was stark, with women and children historically being marginalized. From a social and legal standpoint, they were considered property —a sentiment that Jesus himself heavily criticized. Legal rights were extremely limited, particularly for women, children, concubines, eunuchs, and slaves, leading to grave issues in connection with unrighteous dominion, which included rampant domestic and sexual abuse. In this complex milieu, modern terms and concepts like “homosexual” or “heterosexual” had not emerged. These are terms and concepts that have only become socially established in the last few centuries. Instead, sexual roles were anciently categorized as “penetrator” and “penetrated,” representing power and social dynamics. The penetrator was the one who was in power, and the submissive role represented the one who was not. Regrettably, abuses of power were prevalent, mirroring some of the modern tragedies we see today. Paul's letter, rather than singling out a specific contemporary group, addresses these broader issues, notably sexual misconduct and exploitation of women, weaker men, and children. Understanding the Greek terms that are used can help one to better comprehend these dynamics. For example, " ἄρσεσιν ," as used in verse 27 INT , typically translated as “men lusting after men,” can also refer to men lusting after young, weaker men or boys. Similarly, " ἀστόργους ," interpreted as “without natural affection,” in vs 31 INT is not a reference to homosexuality. Rather, it conveys callousness, heartlessness, and a general lack of empathy and care for others. These are important distinctions and should be considered when reading these passages. If one would like to understand more about this subject, I would recommend downloading the following discussion: Homosexuality & the Bible , Dan McClellan, Ph.D. In conclusion, Romans 1 serves as a foundational chapter setting the stage for Paul's theological discussions in the rest of the letter. The themes of God's revelation, human accountability, the consequences of suppressing truth, and the downward spiral of sin all reflect the broader cultural and historical context of Paul's time. Understanding this context enriches our interpretation of the chapter and deepens our appreciation of Paul's message. Scripture Major Topics/ Themes ​Summary ​Key Words & Cross-References ​Videos & Resources Romans 1 ​ ​INT ​ Book of Romans Summary: A Complete Animated Overview (Part 1 vs 1-4) Romans 1:1-7 Salutation Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ and emphasizes Jesus Christ's divine nature and redemptive work. He expresses his desire to visit the Roman Christians, addressing them as beloved saints and reminding them of their identity in Christ and God's grace and peace. δοῦλος “servant,” ἀπόστολος “apostle,” εὐαγγέλιον “gospel,” κλητοὶ “called” ἁγίοις “saints,” εἰρήνη “peace,” χάρις “grace” What Is My Purpose as a Missionary? Romans 1:8-15 Apostolic Greeting Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the Roman Christians and their reputation for spreading the Gospel. He shares his longing to visit them, desiring to impart spiritual gifts and encourage one another's faith. Paul expresses his eagerness to preach the Gospel in Rome and reach both the Gentiles an