Chapter by chapter overview of Romans

1. Paul is ready to preach the gospel in Rome. He is not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God unto salvation for all peoples for all times. The nations (Gentiles) are taken to task for their idolatry and denial of God, resulting in them being given over to a reprobate mind.
2. Paul takes the Jews to task for judging the Gentiles for their licentious ways yet while knowing the law they are found to be transgressors of the very law in which they boast themselves. True Jews are identified as those who are circumcised in heart, whether Jew or Gentile.
3. Paul states that the Jews had an advantage because the oracles of God were committed to them but concludes none are righteous, Gentile or Jew -- all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. He then explains that God sent Christ to redeem/justify all humankind through faith in the sacrifice of Christ. This introduces the law/grace controversy in which some claim that grace nullifies the law of God.
4. Paul uses the example of Abraham to demonstrate that faith and obedience are inextricably linked together. The example of Abraham is written for our example.
5. Paul explains the conversion process after justification by giving a formula for the Holy Spirit creating Godly character within us. Believers are justified/reconciled by the death of Christ but are saved by the life of Christ. Sin entered the human family through Adam, but we are sinners because we have sinned. Paul uses the analogy of sin entering the world through Adam and thus all were cut off from God and in like manner can be reconciled by the obedience of Christ. This means that Christ's obedience unto death qualified him to be Savior. It does not mean that he kept the law for us. Grace stands in contrast to disobedience since the grace of God makes it possible for the death penalty to be removed.
6. Paul makes sure that the reader understands that grace does not nullify the law of God. He then explains the ordinance of baptism using the analogy of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. The resurrected person is committed to keeping the old man in the watery grave of baptism. Sin is equated with slavery, with Paul concluding that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
7. Paul explains the purpose of the law. It was given to identify and define sin. It is holy, just and good. Breaking the law results in sin, but the law is spiritual. He then explains the war between the mind of the flesh and the mind of the spirit. The mind of the flesh will always war against the mind of the spirit.
8. Paul shows us that even though the mind of the flesh torments us, there is no condemnation to those who walk after the spirit and not after the flesh. He shows us that it is possible to walk in the spirit. Christ lived in the flesh and condemned sin by his obedience, thus showing that the righteousness of the law can be fulfilled by human beings, and concluding that to be carnally-minded is death. He explains that we have the spirit of God and Christ in us (one spirit) and that we can walk after the spirit. He concludes that we are debtors to walk after the spirit and mortify (put to death) the works of the flesh. He then shows that those who are led by the spirit of God are sons of God and are heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. After all, if God be for us, who can be against us. In view of all these things, we live our lives as if we are counted sheep for the slaughter, wholly knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ.
9. Paul yearns for his countrymen to be saved and then launches into a discussion of how the promises made to Abraham are based on faith and grace. The true sons of Abraham are children of faith in Christ.
10. Paul explains that righteousness stems from Christ and not from the law written on tables of stone, but the law is written in our minds and hearts. He then explains that the gospel must be preached to all people. How shall they call on Him of whom they have never heard? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, so it must be preached. Paul then introduces the concept of the "foolish nation," the Israel of God.
11. Paul shows that the timing and conditions for our calling are in God's hands. Because of Israel's blindness the Gentiles were grafted in so he might have mercy on all.
12. Paul explains that we are to become living sacrifices by giving a detailed description of behaviors that reflect the mind of the spirit.
13. Paul explains there is no power except that which God permits. He summarizes the great commandments and tells us we need to be watchful and wakeful, realizing that our salvation is much nearer than when we first believed.
14. Paul explains that whatsoever is not of faith is sin. However, the conscience must be trained to discern good and evil.
15. Paul admonishes us to be patient with one another. God has called all peoples, Jew and Gentile, to hope and salvation through Jesus Christ.
16. Paul concludes his epistle by thanking the people who have put their lives on the line for him. He commends their faith and obedience and reminds them that the God of peace will soon bruise the head of Satan.

       25: Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
       26: But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
       27: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.