The Gospel in Romans: Key Bible Verses & Commentary

A short resource on the Gospel in Romans to showcase how the Scriptures reveal salvation by grace through faith.

Authored by the Apostle Paul, the Book of Romans is often considered the most comprehensive theological treatise on the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Written to the believers in Rome, this epistle systematically unpacks the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans also showcases the truly transformative power of the Gospel.

The overarching theme of Romans is the righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel. Paul comprehensively explains how all humanity, both Jew and Gentile, stands guilty before God due to sin. However, the epistle also heralds the Good News that God's righteousness is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. See Romans 3:21-22: "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:"

Paul also unpacks how believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection. See Romans 6:4: "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." This union with Christ not only guarantees our justification but also initiates a process of sanctification, whereby we are progressively conformed to His image. See Romans 8:29: "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."

The Gospel thus brings about both a legal change in our standing before God and a moral transformation in our daily lives.

In this guide to the Gospel in Romans, we showcase Scriptures (using the King James Version) that best help the Christian zoom in on the Good News using this specific book as a lens. Each verse is accompanied by concise commentary to provide the takeaway in layman's terms. Our goal in this and all the other Gospel in the New Testament Series articles is to show how Galatians presents the doctrine that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith in Jesus Christ.

The Gospel in Romans Showcased in Scripture

• Romans 1:16-17: "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."

These verses proclaim that the Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes, both Jews and Gentiles. It reveals God's righteousness, which is by faith from start to finish, and affirms that the righteous are to live by faith.

• Romans 3:23-24: "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."

Romans 3:23-24 explains that all men have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect standard, but through God's grace, they can be justified and made right with Him. This justification is a free gift, not earned by religious works, and comes solely through the redemption provided by Jesus Christ, who paid the price for sin through His sacrificial death.

• Romans 3:28: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Again we see here Romans asserting that one is justified by faith, apart from the deeds of the law.

• Romans 4:4-5: "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness."

Romans 4:4-5 contrasts two types of people: those who work and receive wages as a due, and those who do not work but believe in God who justifies the ungodly. It once again emphasizes that faith, rather than works, is credited as righteousness.

• Romans 5:1: "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

This verse explains that believers are declared righteous through faith in Jesus Christ. This justification brings peace with God, meaning that the hostility caused by sin is removed.

• Romans 5:8-9: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

Romans 5:8-9 showcases God's love for us through sending His son to suffer and die on the cross so we might be cleansed. It further assures that having been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from God's wrath through Him.

• Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Romans 6:23 contrasts the consequences of sin and the gift of God.

• Romans 8:1: "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Romans 8:1 declares that there is now no longer eternal damnation for the soul that believes in the finished work of Jesus Christ.

• Romans 10:9-10: "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."

These Scriptures explain that if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Romans 10:13: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."

Romans 10:13 emphasizes the universality of salvation, stating that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved.

• Romans 11:6: "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."

Romans 11:6 distinguishes between grace and works, stating that if salvation is by grace, then it cannot be based on works; otherwise, grace would no longer be grace, right?

These verses from Romans powerfully articulate the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, underscoring the themes of grace, justification by faith, and the truly transformative power of the Gospel.

Romans addresses the assurance and hope that believers have in Christ as well. Paul articulates the eternal security of those who are in Christ, affirming that nothing can separate us from the love of God. See Romans 8:38-39: "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."