II.  Righteousness - the key to man's relationship with God.   1:18 - 8:39

1. Righteousness as the necessary status of men before God.   1:18 - 5:21

   1. Man's failure to attain righteousness.   1:18 - 3:20

      1. Default of Man (gentiles).   1:18 - 32
      2. Default of the man who judges in contrast with God's righteous judgement.   2:1-16
      3. Default of the Jew.   2:17-29
      4. Objections to Paul's teaching on man's default.   3:1-8
      5. Default of all mankind before God.   3:9-20

   2. Righteousness attained by faith, not by legalistic works.   3:21-31

   3. Righteousness by faith in the life of Abraham.   4:1-25

      1. His righteousness attained by faith, not by works.   4:1-8
      2. Abraham made the father of all who believe by his faith prior to circumcision.   4:9-12
      3. Realization of the promise brought by faith, not by law.   4:13-16
      4. God, master of death, the object of faith for both Abraham and the Christian.   4:17-25

   4. Centrality of the righteousness by faith in individual lives and in the framework of history.   5:1-21

      1. Effects of the righteousness by faith upon recipients.   5:1-11
      2. Effects of Adam's disobedience and Christ's obedience.   5:12-21

2. Righteousness as the manner of Christian living before God.   6:1-8 - 8:39

   1. Fallacy of sinning that grace might abound.   6:1-14

   2. Fallacy of sinning because believers are under grace, not law.   6:15 - 7:6

      1. Allegiance, fruit, destiny.   6:15-23
      2. Annulment and new alignment caused by death.   7:1-6

   3. Questions raised by the struggle against sin.   7:7-25

      1. Is the law sin?   7:7-12
      2. Is that which is good the cause of death?   7:13-14
      3. How can the conflict within be resolved?   7:15-25

   4. Victory through the Spirit connected with the purpose and action of God.   8:1-39

      1. Deliverance from sin and death by the activity of Father, Son, Holy Spirit.   8:1-4
      2. The mind-set of the flesh versus that of the Spirit.   8:5-13
      3. Guidance and witness of the Spirit.   8:14-17
      4. Completion of redemption awaited by creation and believers alike.   8:18-25
      5. Intercessory ministry of the Spirit.   8:26-27
      6. Purpose of God for those loving Him.   8:28-30
      7. Triumph of believers over all opposition.   8:31-39

III.  Israel and the Gentiles in the plan of God.   9:1 - 11:36

1. Concern of Paul for his own people, Israel.   9:1-5

2. God free, righteous, and sovereign in his dealing with Israel and with all men.   9:6-29

   1. God's choice of Isaac rather than the other sons of Abraham.   9:6-9
   2. God's choice of Jacob rather than Esau.   9:10-13
   3. God's mercy toward Israel and hardening of Pharaoh.   9:14-18
   4. God's control over vessels of wrath and mercy.   9:19-24
   5. God's testimony in Hosea and Isaiah to an extention and limitation of his saving work.   9:25-29

3. Failure of Israel and success of the Gentiles.   9:30 - 10:21

   1. Attainment by Gentiles of what Israel missed.   9:30-33
   2. Israel's ignorance of God's righteousness.   10:1-3
   3. Connection between the righteousness of faith and the object of faith.   10:4-5
   4. Good tidings rejected.   10:16-21

4. Situation of Israel in Paul's day.   11:1-10

5. Israel's prospects for the future.   11:11-36

   1. Degree of blessing from Israel's fall and fullness.   11:11-15
   2. Individual Gentile's lack of grounds for boasting.   11:16-21
   3. Goodness and severity of God disclosed by his response to belief and unbelief.   11:22-24
   4. Salvation for the people of Israel.   11:25-27
   5. God's mercy to all magnified by His action in history.   11:28-32
   6. Excellence and glory of God - the Source, Sustainer, and Goal of all things.   11:33-36

IV.  Attitude and conduct expected of Christians at Rome.   12:1 - 15:13

1. Consecration of body and mind.   12:1-2
2. Humility in the use of God's gifts.   12:3-8
3. Character traits to be exemplified.   12:9-21
4. Submission to governmental authorities to be accompanied by a loving upright manner of life.   13:1-14
5. Tolerance necessary for those with strong and weak consciences.   14:1 - 15:13

   1. Differences of opinion over food or special days.   14:1-6
   2. Judgement by the Lord, not by one's brother.   14:7-12
   3. Removal of stumbling blocks.   14:13-23
   4. The strong to help the weak rather than please themselves.   15:1-3
   5. Glory brought to God by endurance, consolation, and harmony.   15:4-6
   6. Ministry of Christ designed for both Jew and Gentile.   15:7-13

V.  Items of personal interest and care for readers.   15:14 - 16:27

1. Paul's reason for writing boldly to mature readers   15:14-16
2. Supernatural confirmation of Paul's pioneer missionary work.   15:17-21
3. Travel plans: Jerusalem, Rome, Spain.   15:22-29
4. Specific requests for prayer.   15:30-33
5. Recommendation of Phoebe.   16:1-2
6. Particular greetings to individuals and groups.   16:3-16
7. Dangerous character of those who teach false doctrine.   16:17-20
8. Greetings from Paul's associates in Corinth.   16:21-23
9. Establishment of believers by the sovereign God of history.   16:1-2