Read the passage: Romans 1:18-32 (ESV, Bible Gateway)
Even if you don’t manage to get through all the questions, try to finish with the last question, which takes you back to the hope that comes with the gospel.
Read the passage
This letter is about the good news of the gospel and why we need a righteousness that is a gift of God.
- The first place Paul turns is the sinfulness of humanity. Why go there first?
Verse 18
- It begins with the word ‘For…’ why is this important?
- What is the wrath of God?
- Paul does not say that the wrath of God will be revealed, but that it is revealed. Briefly, according to what follows in this chapter, how is it revealed now?
- What does Paul say God’s wrath is against? What does he mean?
- Do you struggle with the idea of God being a God of wrath? If so, why?
- Why would a God who refused to punish the wicked be unworthy of worship?
- What does Paul say humanity does with the truth?
- Can you give some examples of how people suppress the truth?
- Can you give some examples of how people who deny God’s existence nevertheless suggest or live as if there are moral absolutes?
- What is the wrath of God?
Verse 20
- How are God’s eternal power and divine nature displayed in the physical world?
- Can you give examples of how people see this, but suppress/don’t follow through on what they are seeing?
Verse 21
- What do honouring God and giving thanks to Him express? And, conversely, what does a failure to honour Him and thank Him express?
Verses 23-25
- Paul describes how we exchange the worship of the Creator for created things. In what ways do we see this exchange happening in the secular west today? In what ways is the secular person still a worshipper?
Verses 24-28
- Which phrase is repeated?
- We think getting what we want is a good thing. This passage suggests that is not always the case. Why should ‘God giving people up to what they desire’ give us pause for thought?
- Can you give current examples of God giving people/societies over to what they want?
Verse 24
- Paul says that God has given humanity over to the ‘lusts of their heart’. The word he uses is epithumia – over-desires. Why is it helpful to understand that the major problem of our heart may not be that we desire wrong things, but that we may also over-desire good things, and make them our god?
Verse 25
- Paul says that people worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. How does worshipping something other than God ultimately control us or even enslave us, not free us?
Verses 26-27
In these verses, Paul deals with homosexual sin. However, before doing so he addresses the sinfulness of all sexual practices outside of marriage (v24).
- Why does it matter that we notice this?
- Paul uses an argument from nature. What is that argument?
- How does Paul describe same-sex physical relationships?
- Paul uses an argument from nature. What is that argument?
This is not all the Bible has to say on same-sex relationships. However, the Bible is clear that homosexual relationships that haven’t been repented of, are a rejection of God’s will and Christ’s Lordship and leave those who engage in them outside the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6.9-10). But what we read here must be taken in the context of the whole of the letter: that God’s wrath is revealed against sin (not just this sin, but all sin), but the gospel, the good news of Jesus, is the answer and our hope for our sin.
- Look at 1 Corinthians 6.9-11. How are the wrath and the grace of God revealed in the gospel?
Verses 28-31
- Why is it wrong (if tempting!), for Christians to concentrate on the sexual sins of others?
- How does today’s passage undercut the idea found in some churches that homosexuality is not a sin, or in other churches that it is the only, chief, or worst sin?
Verse 32
How might we be guilty of ‘giving approval’ to sin? Think of some examples from day-to-do life.
- Why do we feel a need to justify sin in others?
To finish – verse 25
On a more positive note (!) go back to v25.
- Paul describes God as ‘The Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.’ We have to wait for chapter 3 before we get back to the gospel, but how do Paul’s words here show us the way forward?
- Why should the reality of God’s wrath lead us to greater joy and thankfulness for the gospel?
- Understanding the gospel gives you the freedom to be honest with yourself: in what area am I over-desiring? How can I practically address these areas in my life, so as to re-order my loves? Consider these questions on your own.
Leader’s notes
Read the passage
- The first place Paul turns is the sinfulness of humanity. Why go there first?
The gospel is only good news if we first realise the mess we are in, and the judgment we stand under
Verse 18
- It begins with the word ‘For…’ why is this important?
In v16-17 Paul says the gospel matters. Now he tells us why it matters: there is such a thing as the wrath of God- What is the wrath of God?
His decided, just, righteous anger against sin- Paul does not say that the wrath of God will be revealed, but that it is revealed. Briefly, according to what follows in this chapter, how is it revealed now?
In people being given over to what they want - What does Paul say God’s wrath is against? What does he mean?
Ungodliness and unrighteousness; our failure to love God and neighbour.
- Paul does not say that the wrath of God will be revealed, but that it is revealed. Briefly, according to what follows in this chapter, how is it revealed now?
- What does Paul say humanity does with the truth?
- Can you give some examples of how people suppress the truth?
For example: the reality of sexual differences or impact of biological sex; the destructiveness of pride; the folly of prioritising external beauty over inner character; not understanding the reality of freedom and that it must be limited; the nature of true love - Can you give some examples of how people who deny God’s existence nevertheless suggest or live as if there are moral absolutes?
The harmed demand justice; people think some things are always wrong in whatever setting. But if morality is based on personal decision, or the decision of the majority, we have no way of making such claims.
- Can you give some examples of how people suppress the truth?
- What is the wrath of God?
Verse 21
- What do honouring God and giving thanks to Him express? And, conversely, what does a failure to honour Him and thank Him express?
He is the creator and provider; we are the creature; it reflects our dependence
Verses 24-28
- Which phrase is repeated?
God gave them up – v24, 26, 28- We think getting what we want is a good thing. This passage suggests that is not always the case. Why should ‘God giving people up to what they desire’ give us pause for thought?
Here we see that God giving people what they want can also be an act of judgment – this is how His wrath is being revealed - Can you give current examples of God giving people/societies over to what they want?
Greed; consumerism; entertainment; gay marriage; transgenderism, etc.
- We think getting what we want is a good thing. This passage suggests that is not always the case. Why should ‘God giving people up to what they desire’ give us pause for thought?
Verse 25
- Paul says that people worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator. How does worshipping something other than God ultimately control us or even enslave us, not free us?
Because these things are not God, they cannot satisfy; so we need ever more of them. We get ‘hooked’ and controlled, and end up enslaved to that desire rather than freed by it.
Verses 26-27
- Why does it matter that we notice this?
The Christian sexual ethic is not simply ‘anti-gay’ – it is anti-all sex outside of marriage, while celebrating sex inside of marriage. It is as counter-cultural today as it was in Paul’s day. Christians are called to a radically different sexual ethic.- Paul uses an argument from nature. What is that argument?
The natural use of the body is that women have sex with men and vice-versa. For women to have sex with women or men with men is against nature. It’s unnatural.
- Paul uses an argument from nature. What is that argument?
Verses 28-31
- Why is it wrong (if tempting!), for Christians to concentrate on the sexual sins of others?
We all find ourselves here in this list. We all stand accused. There is no place for self-righteousness.
Verse 32
How might we be guilty of ‘giving approval’ to sin? Think of some examples from day-to-do life.
Consider academic pride; or career; or casual dating or sexual relationships; or marriage and family; or covetousness and greed – how we idolise these things and then approve or encourage others to do the same.
Download the complete study: Bible study on Romans (PDF) and leader’s guide (PDF)