What is the theme of Romans as stated in the study material?

• A. The righteousness of God without the law by faith in Christ
• B. The sovereignty of Israel in all Scripture
• C. The sanctification of saints by works
• D. The end times chronology

Answer: (A)

The central idea being tested is that righteousness before God comes through faith, not by keeping the law. Romans presents the message that God’s own righteousness is revealed and available to people by faith in Jesus Christ, for both Jews and Gentiles. This means justification—being declared righteous before God—is given as a gift through faith, apart from human works or law-keeping. Key verses and the progression in Romans show that all have sinned, but are justified freely by God’s grace through faith in Christ, and that the righteous live by faith. That makes the statement about the righteousness of God without the law by faith in Christ the best description of Romans’ theme.

The other options don’t fit as neatly. The book isn’t primarily about the sovereignty of Israel across all Scripture, even though it discusses Israel and the Gentile inclusion within God’s plan. It isn’t focused on sanctification by works, since Romans emphasizes that justification and righteousness come through faith, with sanctification carried out by the Spirit, not by human effort. And it isn’t a discussion of end-times chronology.