Romans 7 explains the believer’s changed relationship to the Law through union with Jesus Christ. Using marriage as an illustration, Paul teaches that we have died to the former covenant relationship so that we may belong to the risen Christ and bear fruit for God. The Law is holy and reveals sin, but it cannot deliver us from sin’s power. Paul then describes the painful conflict between the inward desire to obey God and sin working through the weakness of the flesh. His desperate question—“Who will deliver me from this body of death?”—finds its answer in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6 explains that God’s grace is never permission to continue living in sin. Through baptism, believers are united with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, allowing the old life of sin to be put to death so that they may walk in newness of life. Paul calls Christians to reject sin’s rule, present themselves to God as instruments of righteousness, and live as obedient servants of God. Sin pays the wages of death, but God freely gives eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5 explains the blessings of being justified by faith: peace with God, access to grace, and hope even in suffering. Paul reveals the depth of God’s love through Christ’s death for us while we were still sinners. He then contrasts Adam, through whom sin and death entered the world, with Jesus Christ, through whom grace, righteousness, reconciliation, and eternal life are offered to all.

Romans 4 — Faith, Righteousness, and the Promise

Paul uses Abraham and David to show that righteousness is not earned by works of law but is accounted through faith. Abraham believed God before circumcision and trusted God's promise even when its fulfillment seemed impossible. His faith was accounted to him for righteousness. Paul concludes that this was written not for Abraham alone, but also for those who believe in God who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.

A Necessary Distinction: Being “not under law but under grace” (Romans 6:14) does not mean Christians are free from obedience to God's commands. Being under law and obeying God because we trust Him are two different things. Biblical faith does not eliminate obedience; faith responds to God in obedience.

Romans 3 establishes that all people are under sin and therefore accountable to God. Paul explains that possessing the Law does not make a person righteous, because no one perfectly keeps it. Both Jews and Gentiles stand guilty before God, and no one can be justified by the works of the Law.

Paul then reveals God's answer to mankind's problem: the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ. All have sinned and fall short of God's glory, but justification is made possible through God's grace and the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

The chapter emphasizes that salvation leaves no room for human boasting. God is the God of both Jews and Gentiles, and justification comes through faith. Paul concludes by making an important clarification: faith does not make God's law meaningless—“On the contrary, we establish the law.”

Key verse — Romans 3:23–24:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

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Romans 2 explains that God judges every person fairly and without favoritism. Paul warns against condemning others while practicing the same kinds of sins. Knowing God’s law is not enough; what matters is responding to and obeying what God has revealed. Paul also shows that outward religious identity and circumcision have no value when they are separated from obedience. What God seeks is an inward change—a heart that belongs to Him.

Romans 1 introduces Paul’s message concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ and declares that the gospel is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes. Paul states that the righteousness of God is revealed “from faith to faith” and that “the just shall live by faith.” He then explains that God has made evidence of Himself known through creation, leaving humanity without excuse. Although people knew God, they refused to glorify Him and exchanged God’s truth for falsehood. Paul describes the moral consequences of rejecting God and concludes the chapter by showing how continued rejection leads people not only to practice sin but also to approve of others who practice it.

Matthew 26 begins with the plot to kill Jesus and Judas agreeing to betray Him. A woman anoints Jesus in preparation for His burial, and Jesus celebrates the Passover with His disciples, establishing the Lord’s Supper. In Gethsemane, Jesus prays in deep sorrow while submitting Himself to the Father’s will. Judas betrays Him with a kiss, Jesus is arrested and brought before the Jewish leaders, and false witnesses testify against Him. The chapter ends with Peter denying Jesus three times, just as Jesus had foretold.

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Matthew 27 records Jesus being delivered to Pilate, Judas’ remorse and death, and the crowd choosing Barabbas instead of Jesus. Though Pilate finds himself unable to justify the demand against Jesus, he gives Him over to be crucified. Jesus is mocked, beaten, and crucified at Golgotha. Darkness covers the land, Jesus dies, and the veil of the temple is torn from top to bottom. Joseph of Arimathea places Jesus’ body in a new tomb, which is then sealed and guarded.

Matthew 28 announces the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The women come to the tomb and find it empty, and an angel declares that Jesus has risen from the dead. Jesus appears to the women and later meets His disciples in Galilee. While the religious leaders attempt to explain away the empty tomb, the risen Christ declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. He commands His disciples to go, make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and teach them to observe everything He commanded, promising to remain with them always.

Matthew 23 contains Jesus’ strong warning against the hypocrisy of the scribes and Pharisees. He condemns those who teach one thing but practice another, seek recognition from others, and emphasize outward religious appearances while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith. Through a series of woes, Jesus exposes their spiritual blindness and hypocrisy. The chapter closes with Jesus grieving over Jerusalem because of its repeated rejection of those God sent.

Matthew 24 begins with Jesus predicting the destruction of the temple. His disciples ask Him about these events and His coming, leading Jesus to warn about deception, persecution, false prophets, wars, tribulation, and judgment. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing His warnings while also remaining watchful and prepared. The chapter closes with the contrast between a faithful servant who remains ready for his master's return and an evil servant who does not.

Matthew 25 continues Jesus’ teaching about readiness and judgment through three powerful lessons. The parable of the ten virgins teaches the necessity of being prepared. The parable of the talents teaches responsibility and faithfulness with what God has entrusted to us. Jesus then describes the final separation of the sheep and goats, demonstrating that our treatment of others reveals something important about our relationship with Him. The chapter repeatedly emphasizes readiness, faithful service, accountability, and eternal consequences.

Matthew 20 begins with the parable of the workers in the vineyard, showing God's generosity and challenging human ideas about fairness and reward. Jesus again foretells His suffering, death, and resurrection. When the mother of James and John asks for positions of honor for her sons, Jesus teaches that greatness in His kingdom is found in serving others, declaring that the Son of Man came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. The chapter closes with Jesus giving sight to two blind men who call Him the Son of David.

Matthew 21 records Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the promised King. He cleanses the temple, heals the blind and lame, and receives praise from children. Jesus curses the fruitless fig tree and teaches about faith and prayer. When the religious leaders challenge His authority, Jesus responds with questions and parables that expose their rejection of God's authority, including the parables of the two sons and the wicked vinedressers.

Matthew 22 begins with the parable of the wedding feast, illustrating God's invitation and the responsibility to respond properly to His call. Religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus with questions about paying taxes to Caesar, the resurrection, and the greatest commandment. Jesus answers each challenge and teaches that the greatest commandments are to love God completely and to love one's neighbor as oneself. He closes by questioning the religious leaders about the identity of the Christ and His relationship to David.