THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE: A.D. 56
THEME: The Righteousness of God in the Gospel of Christ
KEY WORDS: Righteousness, Faith, Justification, Law, Grace
BACKGROUND
When Paul wrote Romans about A.D. 56, he had not yet been to Rome, but he had been preaching the gospel since his conversion in A.D. 35. During the previous ten years he had founded churches throughout the Mediterranean world. Now he was nearing the end of his third missionary journey.
This epistle is therefore a mature statement of his understanding of the gospel. The church at Rome had been founded by other Christians (unknown to us, but see “visitors from Rome” in Acts 2:10); and Paul, through his travels, knew many of the believers there (16:3–15).
OCCASION AND DATE
Paul most likely wrote Romans while he was in Corinth in A.D. 56, taking a collection to help the needy Christians in Jerusalem (15:25–28, 31; 2 Cor. 8, 9). He planned to go to Jerusalem with this collection, then visit the church in Rome (1:10, 11; 15:22–24).
After being refreshed and supported by the Christians in Rome, he planned to travel to Spain to preach the gospel (15:24). He wrote to tell the Romans of his impending visit. The letter was likely delivered by Phoebe (16:1, 2).
PURPOSE
In view of his personal plans, Paul wrote to introduce himself to a church he had never visited. At the same time he set forth a full and orderly statement of the great principles of the gospel that he preached.
CHARACTERISTICS
Romans is commonly considered the greatest exposition of Christian doctrine anywhere in Scripture. It contains an orderly, logical development of profound theological truths. It is filled with the great themes of redemption: the guilt of all mankind, our inability to earn favor with God, the redeeming death of Christ, and the free gift of salvation to be received by faith alone.
Since Paul had not visited Rome, the epistle does not address specific local problems, but contains general teaching applicable to all Christians for all time. Throughout the history of the church, expositions of Romans have sparked many revivals as people have become aware of the magnificence of God and His grace toward us.
CONTENT
The overall doctrinal theme that Paul seeks to demonstrate is that God is righteous. In spite of all that happens in this world—even though all men are sinful (1:18–3:20); even though God does not punish but forgives guilty sinners (3:21–5:21); even though believers may not fully live in a way consistent with God’s righteousness (6:1–8:17); even though believers suffer and final redemption is delayed (8:18–39); even though many Jews do not believe (9:1–11:36)—still God is perfectly righteous, and by His grace has forgiven us. Because of this great mercy from an all-righteous God, we should live a pattern of life consistent with God’s own righteousness (12:1–16:27).
PERSONAL APPLICATION
Romans teaches us that we should not trust in ourselves for salvation, but in Christ (chs. 1–5); that we should imitate the faith of Abraham (ch. 4); be patient in times of trouble (5:1–11); rejoice in our representation by Christ (5:12–21); grow in daily death to sin (6:1–7:25); walk according to the Spirit each moment (8:1–17);
hope in future glory and trust that God will bring good out of present sufferings (8:18–39); pray for and proclaim the gospel to the lost, especially the Jews (9:1–11:32); and praise God for His great wisdom in the plan of salvation (11:33–36).
Especially in chapters 12–15 the letter gives many specific applications to life, showing how the gospel works out in practice both in the church and in the world. Finally, we can even learn to imitate Paul’s deeply personal care for many individual believers (ch. 16).
CHRIST REVEALED
The whole epistle is the story of God’s plan of redemption in Christ: the need for it (1:18–3:20), the detailed description of Christ’s work and its implications for Christians (3:21–11:36), and the application of the gospel of Christ to everyday life (12:1–16:27).
More specifically, Jesus Christ is our Savior, who obeyed God perfectly as our representative (5:18, 19), and who died as our substitute sacrifice (3:25; 5:6, 8). He is the One in whom we must have faith for salvation (1:16, 17; 3:22; 10:9, 10).
Through Christ we have many blessings: reconciliation to God (5:11); righteousness and eternal life (5:18–21); identification with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection (6:3–5); being alive to God (6:11); freedom from condemnation (8:1); eternal inheritance (8:17); suffering with Him (8:17); being glorified with Him (8:17); being made like Him (8:29); and the fact that He even now prays for us (8:34). Indeed, all of the Christian life seems to be lived through Him: prayer (1:8), rejoicing (5:11), exhortation (15:30), glorifying God (16:27), and, in general, living to God and obeying Him (6:11; 13:14).
THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK
The Holy Spirit gives power in preaching the gospel and in working miracles (15:19), dwells in all who belong to Christ (8:9–11), and gives us life (8:11). He also makes us progressively more holy in daily life, empowering us to obey God and overcome sin (2:29; 7:6; 8:2, 13; 15:13, 16), giving us a pattern of holiness to follow (8:4), guiding us in it (8:14), and purifying our consciences to bear true witness (9:1). The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts (5:5; 15:30), along with joy, peace, and hope by His power (14:17; 15:13).
He enables us to pray rightly (8:26) and to call God our Father, thereby giving inward spiritual assurance that we are God’s children (8:16). We are to set our minds on the things of the Spirit if we wish to be pleasing to God (8:5, 6). Though Paul discusses spiritual gifts briefly in Romans (12:3–8), he makes no explicit mention of the Holy Spirit in connection with these gifts, except to refer to them as “spiritual” (or “of the Spirit”) in 1:11. The present work of the Holy Spirit in us is only a foretaste of His future heavenly work in us (8:23).
OUTLINE OF ROMANS
Introduction 1:1–17
A. Paul’s identification 1:1–7
B. Paul’s desire to visit Rome 1:8–15
C. Summary of the gospel 1:16, 17
I. All have sinned 1:18–3:20
A. Gentiles know of God but reject Him 1:18–32
B. Jews have God’s laws but are not righteous 2:1–29
C. God is just to judge all men 3:1–20
II. Justification is by faith alone 3:21–5:21
A. God’s righteousness preserved through Christ’s death for us 3:21–26
B. Justification is by faith alone 3:27–31
C. Abraham justified by faith, not works 4:1–25
D. Once justified by faith, we triumph even in sufferings 5:1–11
E. We gained death through Adam’s sin, but eternal life through Christ’s obedience 5:12–21
III. Practicing righteousness in the Christian life 6:1–8:39
A. Overcoming sin in the Christian life 6:1–23
B. We are dead to the powerless system called “law” 7:1–6
C. The law cannot empower us to obey 7:7–25
D. We fulfill God’s righteousness by living in the power of the Spirit and according to the Spirit 8:1–17
E. Longing for complete redemption 8:18–25
F. Help and assurance in hardship 8:26–39
IV. God and Israel 9:1–11:36
A. Though Israel is unfaithful, God is righteous 9:1–33
B. Israel has willingly rejected the gospel 10:1–21
C. A remnant now remains, and someday full salvation will come to Israel 11:1–32
D. Praise for God’s infinite wisdom 11:33–36
V. Practical applications 12:1–15:13
A. Present yourselves as sacrifices to God 12:1, 2
B. Use of spiritual gifts 12:3–8
C. Relating to Christians 12:9–13
D. Relating to unbelievers 12:14–21
E. Relating to government 13:1–7
F. The law of love 13:8–14
G. Toleration and love in minor things 14:1–23
H. Caring for each other 15:1–13
VI. Paul’s own situation 15:14–33
A. His ministry 15:14–22
B. His plans 15:23–33
VII. Personal greetings 16:1–24
VIII. Benediction 16:25–27
AUTHOR: Paul
DATE: A.D. 56
THEME: The Righteousness of God in the Gospel of Christ
KEY WORDS: Righteousness, Faith, Justification, Law, Grace
BACKGROUND
When Paul wrote Romans about A.D. 56, he had not yet been to Rome, but he had been preaching the gospel since his conversion in A.D. 35. During the previous ten years he had founded churches throughout the Mediterranean world. Now he was nearing the end of his third missionary journey.
This epistle is therefore a mature statement of his understanding of the gospel. The church at Rome had been founded by other Christians (unknown to us, but see “visitors from Rome” in Acts 2:10); and Paul, through his travels, knew many of the believers there (16:3–15).
OCCASION AND DATE
Paul most likely wrote Romans while he was in Corinth in A.D. 56, taking a collection to help the needy Christians in Jerusalem (15:25–28, 31; 2 Cor. 8, 9). He planned to go to Jerusalem with this collection, then visit the church in Rome (1:10, 11; 15:22–24).
After being refreshed and supported by the Christians in Rome, he planned to travel to Spain to preach the gospel (15:24). He wrote to tell the Romans of his impending visit. The letter was likely delivered by Phoebe (16:1, 2).
PURPOSE
In view of his personal plans, Paul wrote to introduce himself to a church he had never visited. At the same time he set forth a full and orderly statement of the great principles of the gospel that he preached.
CHARACTERISTICS
Romans is commonly considered the greatest exposition of Christian doctrine anywhere in Scripture. It contains an orderly, logical development of profound theological truths. It is filled with the great themes of redemption: the guilt of all mankind, our inability to earn favor with God, the redeeming death of Christ, and the free gift of salvation to be received by faith alone.
Since Paul had not visited Rome, the epistle does not address specific local problems, but contains general teaching applicable to all Christians for all time. Throughout the history of the church, expositions of Romans have sparked many revivals as people have become aware of the magnificence of God and His grace toward us.
CONTENT
The overall doctrinal theme that Paul seeks to demonstrate is that God is righteous. In spite of all that happens in this world—even though all men are sinful (1:18–3:20); even though God does not punish but forgives guilty sinners (3:21–5:21); even though believers may not fully live in a way consistent with God’s righteousness (6:1–8:17); even though believers suffer and final redemption is delayed (8:18–39); even though many Jews do not believe (9:1–11:36)—still God is perfectly righteous, and by His grace has forgiven us. Because of this great mercy from an all-righteous God, we should live a pattern of life consistent with God’s own righteousness (12:1–16:27).
PERSONAL APPLICATION
Romans teaches us that we should not trust in ourselves for salvation, but in Christ (chs. 1–5); that we should imitate the faith of Abraham (ch. 4); be patient in times of trouble (5:1–11); rejoice in our representation by Christ (5:12–21); grow in daily death to sin (6:1–7:25); walk according to the Spirit each moment (8:1–17);
hope in future glory and trust that God will bring good out of present sufferings (8:18–39); pray for and proclaim the gospel to the lost, especially the Jews (9:1–11:32); and praise God for His great wisdom in the plan of salvation (11:33–36).
Especially in chapters 12–15 the letter gives many specific applications to life, showing how the gospel works out in practice both in the church and in the world. Finally, we can even learn to imitate Paul’s deeply personal care for many individual believers (ch. 16).
CHRIST REVEALED
The whole epistle is the story of God’s plan of redemption in Christ: the need for it (1:18–3:20), the detailed description of Christ’s work and its implications for Christians (3:21–11:36), and the application of the gospel of Christ to everyday life (12:1–16:27).
More specifically, Jesus Christ is our Savior, who obeyed God perfectly as our representative (5:18, 19), and who died as our substitute sacrifice (3:25; 5:6, 8). He is the One in whom we must have faith for salvation (1:16, 17; 3:22; 10:9, 10).
Through Christ we have many blessings: reconciliation to God (5:11); righteousness and eternal life (5:18–21); identification with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection (6:3–5); being alive to God (6:11); freedom from condemnation (8:1); eternal inheritance (8:17); suffering with Him (8:17); being glorified with Him (8:17); being made like Him (8:29); and the fact that He even now prays for us (8:34). Indeed, all of the Christian life seems to be lived through Him: prayer (1:8), rejoicing (5:11), exhortation (15:30), glorifying God (16:27), and, in general, living to God and obeying Him (6:11; 13:14).
THE HOLY SPIRIT AT WORK
The Holy Spirit gives power in preaching the gospel and in working miracles (15:19), dwells in all who belong to Christ (8:9–11), and gives us life (8:11). He also makes us progressively more holy in daily life, empowering us to obey God and overcome sin (2:29; 7:6; 8:2, 13; 15:13, 16), giving us a pattern of holiness to follow (8:4), guiding us in it (8:14), and purifying our consciences to bear true witness (9:1). The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts (5:5; 15:30), along with joy, peace, and hope by His power (14:17; 15:13).
He enables us to pray rightly (8:26) and to call God our Father, thereby giving inward spiritual assurance that we are God’s children (8:16). We are to set our minds on the things of the Spirit if we wish to be pleasing to God (8:5, 6). Though Paul discusses spiritual gifts briefly in Romans (12:3–8), he makes no explicit mention of the Holy Spirit in connection with these gifts, except to refer to them as “spiritual” (or “of the Spirit”) in 1:11. The present work of the Holy Spirit in us is only a foretaste of His future heavenly work in us (8:23).
OUTLINE OF ROMANS
Introduction 1:1–17
A. Paul’s identification 1:1–7
B. Paul’s desire to visit Rome 1:8–15
C. Summary of the gospel 1:16, 17
I. All have sinned 1:18–3:20
A. Gentiles know of God but reject Him 1:18–32
B. Jews have God’s laws but are not righteous 2:1–29
C. God is just to judge all men 3:1–20
II. Justification is by faith alone 3:21–5:21
A. God’s righteousness preserved through Christ’s death for us 3:21–26
B. Justification is by faith alone 3:27–31
C. Abraham justified by faith, not works 4:1–25
D. Once justified by faith, we triumph even in sufferings 5:1–11
E. We gained death through Adam’s sin, but eternal life through Christ’s obedience 5:12–21
III. Practicing righteousness in the Christian life 6:1–8:39
A. Overcoming sin in the Christian life 6:1–23
B. We are dead to the powerless system called “law” 7:1–6
C. The law cannot empower us to obey 7:7–25
D. We fulfill God’s righteousness by living in the power of the Spirit and according to the Spirit 8:1–17
E. Longing for complete redemption 8:18–25
F. Help and assurance in hardship 8:26–39
IV. God and Israel 9:1–11:36
A. Though Israel is unfaithful, God is righteous 9:1–33
B. Israel has willingly rejected the gospel 10:1–21
C. A remnant now remains, and someday full salvation will come to Israel 11:1–32
D. Praise for God’s infinite wisdom 11:33–36
V. Practical applications 12:1–15:13
A. Present yourselves as sacrifices to God 12:1, 2
B. Use of spiritual gifts 12:3–8
C. Relating to Christians 12:9–13
D. Relating to unbelievers 12:14–21
E. Relating to government 13:1–7
F. The law of love 13:8–14
G. Toleration and love in minor things 14:1–23
H. Caring for each other 15:1–13
VI. Paul’s own situation 15:14–33
A. His ministry 15:14–22
B. His plans 15:23–33
VII. Personal greetings 16:1–24
VIII. Benediction 16:25–27