Humanity’s Sinfulness
Category: Failure of righteousness
Could endure: Acknowledge God through creation and truth.
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities… have been clearly seen.” (Romans 1:20)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 14:17.
Chose wrongly: Suppressed the truth, turned to idolatry.
“They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.” (Romans 1:23)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 2:11; Acts 7:41.
Endured (negatively): God gave them over to sinful desires.
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts.” (Romans 1:24)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 81:12; Ephesians 4:19.
Why (wrong motive): Rejection of truth, love for sin.
“They did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God.” (Romans 1:28)
Cross-Refs: John 3:19–20; 2 Thessalonians 2:10–12.
Result: Deserved death, judgment.
“They not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.” (Romans 1:32)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:7–8; Revelation 21:8.
Self-Righteous Hypocrites
Category: Failure of integrity
Could endure: Live according to the law they taught.
“It is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but those who obey the law.” (Romans 2:13)
Cross-Refs: James 1:22; Matthew 23:3.
Chose wrongly: Condemned others while doing the same things.
“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself.” (Romans 2:1)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 7:1–5; Luke 6:42.
Endured (negatively): Stored up wrath.
“Because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself.” (Romans 2:5)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:1; Hebrews 10:26–27.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, hypocrisy.
“You who preach against stealing, do you steal?” (Romans 2:21)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 23:27–28; James 4:6.
Result: God’s name blasphemed among Gentiles.
“God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:24)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 52:5; Ezekiel 36:20.
Unbelief of Israel
Category: Failure of faith
Could endure: Believe in the Messiah foretold in their Scriptures.
“Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:4)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 28:16; Galatians 3:24.
Chose wrongly: Sought righteousness by works.
“Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” (Romans 10:3)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:9; John 1:11.
Endured (negatively): Hardened in part.
“God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear.” (Romans 11:8)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 6:9–10; Acts 28:26–27.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, reliance on the law.
“They stumbled over the stumbling stone.” (Romans 9:32)
Cross-Refs: 1 Peter 2:7–8; Matthew 21:42.
Result: Branches broken off.
“They were broken off because of unbelief.” (Romans 11:20)
Cross-Refs: Jeremiah 11:16; John 15:6.
Divisive People in the Church
Category: Failure of unity
Could endure: Live in harmony in the Spirit.
“Live in harmony with one another.” (Romans 12:16)
Cross-Refs: John 17:21; Ephesians 4:3.
Chose wrongly: Created divisions and obstacles.
“Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned.” (Romans 16:17)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:20.
Endured (negatively): Deceived others.
“By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” (Romans 16:18)
Cross-Refs: 2 Timothy 3:6; 2 Peter 2:3.
Why (wrong motive): Self-interest, serving themselves.
“For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.” (Romans 16:18)
Cross-Refs: Philippians 3:19; Jude 12.
Result: Condemned, while the faithful remain steadfast.
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” (Romans 16:20)
Cross-Refs: Genesis 3:15; Revelation 20:10.