BBB Bible Series: Romans Trivia Quiz

Answer: the Apostle to the Gentiles

While Paul was - incidentally - a Roman citizen; while he also was, in his youth, a Jewish persecutor of Christians; and while some Christians would have liked him to be their cult leader, the only phrase which represents all of who and what Paul was, and what he stood for in history, is the unique 'Apostle to the Gentiles'. Paul identified himself as an apostle in many places, and in Romans 11:13 specifically as an apostle to the Gentiles. Acts 9:27-28 also tells how Paul (then still 'Saul') was received in fellowship by the apostles at Jerusalem, thanks to Barnabas' intervention, while Peter acknowledged Paul as a brother in the faith (2 Peter 3:15).

Answer: Christian doctrine

There are sections of Romans which focus particularly upon faith, upon the Holy Spirit, and upon the Jews; but notice that all of these are addressed, and much more. It is in the letter to the Romans, more than in any other of his writing, that Paul lays out the whole Christian Gospel in one document. So far as Paul is concerned, this is his answer to the question, "What are the teachings of Christianity?" In very brief summary, Romans teaches what Christian salvation is in terms of Justification (being forgiven) and Sanctification (being made holy), and how to put this salvation into practice.

Answer: Human sin is inevitably subject to God's judgement

Paul argues that humans are naturally sinful; that human sin is inevitable, and that God's judgement upon that sin is equally inevitable. Humans are therefore in deep trouble, and need rescuing - or 'to be saved'. His whole purpose, as Christians read the text, is to establish the point that every human being needs the salvation of God in Jesus Christ.

Answer: Everyone has sinned

In the NKJV text, Romans 3:23 reads, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". On the basis of this and other texts Christianity teaches that there are no exceptions: everyone is guilty of sin.

Answer: faith

Paul has conducted an extensive argument from Romans 3:21 through to the end of Chapter 4 in order to show that the basis for Christian justification must be Christian faith: real belief and wholehearted trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. In Romans 5 he begins to speak of the benefits of having been justified before God.

Answer: in that while we were still sinners

For me, this is always one of the amazing verses of the Bible.
Reading it as a Christian, this verse says that Christ died for us even before we had responded; even before we cared anything for Him; even while we were lost in our sin and deserving of punishment,
He sacrificed His own life for our sake.

Answer: Becoming holy (Sanctification)

These chapters deal with the Christian concept of Sanctification - or, in simple terms, 'becoming holy'.
In Chapter 6 Paul addresses the crucial concept of the Christian's participation with Christ in His death and in His Resurrection: Christians believe that this is the source of the 'new life' into which we are 'born again'.
Chapter 7 addresses the relationship of the Christian with sin and the (Judaic) Law, and Chapter 8 the significance and primacy of the Holy Spirit in the new life and in the process of Sanctification (or, as we Christians see it, 'being made into saints'. For most of us, we expect that this will be a lengthy process, as so much needs to be done!)

Answer: life and peace

The Christian reader will understand that when Paul says, "set your mind upon" he means, "make up your mind to focus upon" - and keep on setting your mind upon those things, renewing and refreshing your focus continually. According to a Christian understanding of these verses, allowing your mind to focus on the world and the things of the world will result in a habitual worldly focus; on the other hand, determinedly and repeatedly setting your mind upon the things of the spirit will result in a godly view of life. Notice that the benefit is not only life rather than death, but peace also: peace with God, as well as peace of mind and heart.

Answer: the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Paul's absolute assurance of not only God's love, but of the inseparability of His love from His people, whatever their circumstances, has been of great comfort to Christians through the ages, and still is.
In Romans 8:37, Paul writes of death and suffering that
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."

Answer: Live sacrificially for God: reject the world and become holy, showing His transforming love.

Just for once, I'll use a straightforward modern translation:
In the Good News Bible, Romans 12:1-2 reads:
"So then, my brothers and sisters, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.
Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God-what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect."

This is how Paul introduces his discussion on the gifts of the Spirit and the essential unity of the Church of Jesus Christ.

The incorrect options were sourced as follows:
'content in all circumstances': Philippians 4:11-13
'like-minded with Christ': Philippians 2:5-8
'run the race unhindered': Hebrews 12:1-2