Welcome to the Colors Bible study! We will be looking at the book of Romans, beginning with chapter 1. If you do not have a bible you can go to the following link to read:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1&version=NKJV

Sometimes when the server is busy it may take a while for comments to appear, so we will do our best! As we begin feel free to share background information on the book, author, setting, etc.

We will then look at some of the first chapter. Even if you cannot be at the study live you can read and add comments at a later time.

The letter to the Romans was written by Paul to the believers in Christ in Rome. Paul had previously persecuted Christians, believing that they were in error, until Jesus appeared to Paul and asked why he was persecuting Him. Paul then accepted Christ as Lord, and the mission to leave home and tell others about Jesus. By the time Romans was written he had started groups of believers throughout modern day Turkey, Macedonia, Greece, etc.

While Paul often wrote letters to encourage the people who had believed through his preaching, Romans is written to a church that Paul did not start, and had not yet visited.
At the end of the book we learn that he is running out of places to share the gospel in the area he has been working in. He wants to share what the Lord has revealed to him regarding Jesus with the Romans. They are aware of his ministry, and would want to hear his teaching.
But he also wants to visit them and have them help him travel to Spain where he can preach the gospel to those who have not yet heard it.
Because he has not visited the church of Rome before the book of Romans focuses on the teaching about Jesus, rather than addressing specific concerns or issues the Roman church is facing. For this reason it is a good review of the message about Jesus.
When Paul refers to the "gospel" it means the "good news" about what Jesus has done for us that he is sharing, which he will spell out at great length in the book.
Scholars usually think it was written in the mid-to-late 50's AD (CE), likely from Corinth. Paul was planning on taking famine relief funds donated by the churches to Jerusalem before he could travel to Rome.

If anyone has comments about the book itself, or author, or has a question, you can post them at any time!

Paul at times would have a scribe help him write his letters. In this case the scribe gives his name at the end of the book:
Romans 16:22 I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

We could all use a scribe to help with typos!

Alrightttt
I listened to the whole book of Romans beforehand, so my thoughts are a bit scattered atm.. xD Bare with me lol

So how do you thing we should go about this? :o
Verse by verse, or whatever stood out to us? I haven't attended too many online Bible studies lol

The first section of the letter we will look at is verses 1-4

I will post from the King James Version, only because it is in the public domain in the USA, and I don't want to get into legal difficulty when we post whole sections. But if you quote a small section from another translation, that is fine, just put what version you are using.
Rom 1:1  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 
Rom 1:2  (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 
Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 
Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

Feel free to comment or ask questions on these first 4 verses.

@Hailsss I think we can go verse by verse. But we will see how it works!

So far i understand.. :p
I might read along in NKJV for my baby brain

Paul calls himself a bond servant. In that time period many people were slaves. You could be servants to another due to debt, so that you sold yourself into slavery, or being captured in war, etc.

From 10-20 percent of people in the Roman empire are estimated to have been slaves. But that percentage would have been even higher in Rome. Slaves could hold positions of some importance in a Roman household. But it also meant less protection legally. You would usually be dependent on your master/benefactor to advocate for you. Some masters would be harsh.
A slave could sometimes buy his way out of slavery, paying his debt. Paul indicated that if you can buy your freedom you should so that you don't serve man, but can offer yourself to serve God in I Corinthians 7. He also urged Philemon to free his slave Onesimus so that he could serve the Lord in the letter to Philemon.
In this case Paul is calling himself a servant to Jesus, because he owes a debt of gratitude to Jesus, and because Jesus is the one who he follows. Paul chooses to serve Jesus. He is not a literal slave in the legal sense. In fact, Paul was a Roman citizen. But his audience would understand what he means.
For more info on slavery in the Roman empire see here:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/exhibitions/nero-man-behind-myth/slavery-ancient-rome

He also calls himself an apostle, which means one sent. He was sent by God to give a message, as the initial apostles were sent by Jesus.

@Hailsss I like the NKJV myself! For those struggling with it you might try the NIV as well. The site I linked to has different versions to try. Some are more literal than others, but it can help to look at more than one.

mann Paul was definitely obedient :0
I like NIV too, I've noticed that the "new living translation" takes some stuff out of context though.. I guess thats why its better to use a few different versions like you said

Well, some try to translate though for thought, others word for word. As a general rule more literal versions like the King James version, New King James Version, New American Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, etc. will try to put one word for one word. Though sometimes when translating that is not possible. The NIV is what is known as a dynamic equivalent, which means it is going more for thought for thought than just putting each word.
Sometimes what are known as idioms, or figures of speech that they would understand in their time, are more literally spelled out in the more word for word versions. An example of this is in 1Peter 1:13 
KJV: 1Pe 1:13  Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

ESV: Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

The KJV says "gird up the loins of your mind". But the ESV says "prepare your minds for action."
In Bible times, since they wore robes, if they were going into battle, or about to run, etc. they would tuck their robe into their belt so they could move better. So "girding up the loins" was that action of tucking in the garment. But the purpose of that was to get ready for action.
The KJV would convey some of the notion of solemnity, getting ready for war or toil, etc. which ties into being sober.

But some of the more thought for thought Bibles lose a bit of the local saying of the time period, but try to convey the idea being expressed. If you don't know what "gird up your loins" means, you might not understand the passage at all. So they just put "get your mind ready for action" so that you have some notion.

Paul has been separated out, set apart, for a particular task of spreading the gospel, or good news, about Jesus. An apostle was chosen by God. Jesus picked the original 12 disciples (disciples were learners) who are then sent as apostles. They were given authority to build up the church. Paul was called as an apostle later. Jesus had already died and been raised to life, and ascended to heaven, but appeared to Paul in a vision. And Paul said that he received the good news that he preached diretly from Jesus, not any other person (see Galatians).

Paul is going to spell out the gospel later in the book. But the short version is that we all are guilty of doing wrong to God and others. The Bible calls that sin. It goes against God's will, and what He revealed in the Law and in the Scriptures. Most are familiar with such thoughts as murder, adultery, theft, etc. being sin. But even such things as lying, gossip, favoritism, hatred, etc. are also sins. We are called to love God and love others, but often fall short of this. Paul will spend quite a bit of time talking about that.

The penatly throughout the Bible for sin is death. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus took on the penatly of our sin by dying for us. And God then raised Him from the dead. Instead of receiving a penalty for our sin, we are offered forgiveness from God if we repent (turn away) from our sin, and trust in Jesus as our substitute.

Letter writing has certainly changed over time, since Paul is introducing himself at the start, instead of at the end. I wish we all wrote letters like that today lol

@sasquatchsamurai yes, and they would put the greetings at the end of the letter in those days!

Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Jesus coming to earth, and dying for our sins, was something God said would happen ahead of time. The Old Testament Scriptures were the part of the Bible they had when Jesus came to earth. The New Testament was not written yet.
The Old Testament Scriptures foretold that a Messiah (Hebrew) or Christ (Greek), would come, which mean anointed one. Kings and priests were usually anointed for service. Jesus is both priest and king. When we speak of Jesus Christ, the Christ part is a title, meaning the anointed one.

Rom 1:3  Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 

Jesus was part of the line of David who was a famous king of Israel, by human reckoning, as he was the adopted son of Joseph.
It was not unusual for adopted sons to rule in those days. For instance, Julias Caesar adopted Octavian, or Augustus Caesar.
And Augustus Caesar adopted Tiberious.
But while Jesus is the adopted son of Joseph He is the Son of God.

Rom 1:4  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 

Jesus being the Son of God is demonstrated, according to Paul, by His resurrection from the dead. Though Jesus died for our sins, the grave could not hold Him as the Son of God. The resurrection served as cruicial evidence for the preaching about Jesus. The apostles had seen Jesus alive, following His resurrection. And they preached this as evidence of who He was.
And while today some doubt the resurrection, in those days there were still many witnesses alive who had seen Jesus after He was raised: So in I Corinthians 15 Paul says:
1Co 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 
1Co 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 
1Co 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 
1Co 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 
1Co 15:5  And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 
1Co 15:6  After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 
1Co 15:7  After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 
1Co 15:8  And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 
1Co 15:9  For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 
1Co 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 

Paul notes that over 500 people saw Jesus, and could testify to His resurrection.

Along with the evidence of His resurrection, this matches up with the evidence of Scripture. The Scriptures were inspired by the "Spirit of Holiness", the Holy Spirit. And these spoke about Jesus ahead of time. The resurrection verified what was said.
So for instance, Isaiah says:
Isa 53:4  Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 
Isa 53:5  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 
Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 

God put all of our iniquity, or sin, or wrongdoing, on jesus. He was the one who bore our punishment. He took on what we deserved.
Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 

Jesus when on trial did not defend Himself, because he was led like a lamb to the slaughter. In the Old Testament animals would be offered as a sacrifice. Some offerings were for sin. The life of the animal would be given to atone for the sin. In a sense the animal was seen as taking the death the person deserved. This ultimately pointed to Jesus who is the one who dies for us.
Isa 53:8  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 
Isa 53:9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 

Jesus died for the sins of the people. He was cut off from the living. He was buried.
But then Isaiah speaks of Him still having an inheritance, and prolonging His days.
Isa 53:10  Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 
Isa 53:11  He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 
Isa 53:12  Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. 

Jesus lives again, is victorious over death, and is given a place of honor. He made intercession for sinners, He took on a role of helping them when they could not help themselves, through His death in their place.
Paul is noting that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy that was made years before Jesus came to earth to be born.
Peter describes that prophecy comes from God as He inspires men by the Holy Spirit.
2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 
2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 
2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Any other thoughts on the book, or the first four verses?

yeah so im really sorry im late but yeah so i read the verses and Paul was a really good guy and was very faithful. :)

awwwww i could make it on time

It is not a problem if you could not make it in time. Feel free to comment any time.

@Hailsss since you listened to the whole book do you have any thoughts overall?

@tall73 Ahhh sure!
Idk if i have any questions off the top of my head. But i found it interesting how specific the writing was when talking about sin, and how to behave. Like when it talked about one person only eating vegetables because they felt it was right, and the other eating meat etc. then it quickly made sure that neither of them should boast about it. Idk, the clarity was nice.
And not just about that topic, but others too. That one just came to mind

Glad people are acknowledging god ^^

I think a lot of people take issue with Pauls teaching on dietary rules. I've heard so many arguments about it being contradictory. I think the discussion of dietary rules muddies the water a bit, the main focus of christianity is always about repentance

@mcollins we are a ways out from chapter 14, but the reason he raised the issue was that people were already judging one another on what were matters of opinion or disputable.
He emphasized that they should not judge one another on disputable matters, because God is leading them and is able to make them stand.
The issue here is one where there were different sides claiming what you should or should not eat., And Paul is saying that this is something to not judge one another ovver.
His first statemebnt in the section is to stop fighting over opinions:
Rom 14:1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.
He notes multiple opinions on the matter, but indicates that God will accept those on either side of the debate.
Rom 14:2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.
Rom 14:3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.
Rom 14:4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
ESV

Underlying this is the question of why some thought one or the other was wrong. Some think it relates to food sacrificed to ideols, as we also see discussed in the letters to the Corinthians, and some think, due to the discussion of days, that it could refer to fasting. Others think it speaks of the dietary laws in Leviticus, etc.
The larger principle is stated here:
Rom 14:13 Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Rom 14:18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
Rom 14:19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Rom 14:20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats.
Rom 14:21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

Yeah, it's been a while since I last read romans. I vaguely remember him addressing the issues of food but I'll probably have to re read the entire book. Didn't Jesus declare all food clean anyway? I guess paul was just making the point that it's not up to people to judge one another on the issue.

Some have been asking about the weekly Bible study. It has proven harder to get everyone on at the same time than anticipated, due to different time zones, school, etc. And the comment delay has made it difficult to converse back and forth.
However, since there is an interest in studying the Bible some of us will still post studies at times. We are going to focus on individual passages, and allow people to read and post as they have time. We will post these using the #Biblestudy tag, probably under our own names, as it is easier.
God bless!