Book of Romans
| Book of Romans | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | Ro |
| Class. | New Testament |
| Category | Pauline Epistles |
| Chapters | 16 Chapters |
| Record Related | |
| Writer | Paul |
| Date (Approx.) | c. AD 58 |
| Location | Corinth |
Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament and a letter written by Apostle Paul to the believers in the church at Rome. It is the longest of Paul’s epistles and presents a profound exposition of the salvation that comes through Christ.
Writer and Date of Writing
The writer of Romans is Apostle Paul.[1] Well-versed in Judaism and the Law of Moses, Paul had once been a zealous persecutor of those who believed in Jesus Christ.[2] However, after encountering the voice of Jesus on the road to Damascus, he was transformed and became an apostle to the Gentiles. From that moment on, he devoted his life to spreading the gospel throughout the Mediterranean region and ultimately sought to reach Rome as well.[3]
The Epistle to the Romans is believed to have been written around AD 58, during Paul’s third missionary journey, most likely from the city of Corinth.
Background of Writing
The Church in Rome is thought to have been founded by Jewish believers who had visited Jerusalem during the feasts, heard the gospel, and returned to Rome to share it.[4] Although Paul had not yet visited the Roman believers in person, he wrote this letter to express his earnest desire to see them. His purpose was to strengthen mutual faith and fellowship with them before setting out on a missionary journey to Spain.[5]
At the time, disputes had arisen between Jewish and Gentile believers within the Church. Paul wrote to address these divisions, teaching them to be united in one faith through the love of Christ. The letter was likely delivered to the church by Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.[6][7]
Composition of Romans
| Chapter and Verses | Content | |
| 1:1–3:20 | Corruption of Mankind
and the True Jews |
Truth About Salvation |
| 3:21–5:21 | Salvation Through Faith | |
| 6:1–8:39 | Life United With Christ | |
| 9:1–11:36 | Expansion of Salvation
to All Peoples | |
| 12:1–15:13 | Standards for Christian Living | |
| 15:14–16:27 | Paul’s Greetings to the Church in Rome | |
Truth About Salvation (1:1–11:36)
- Corruption of Humanity and the True Jews (1:1–3:20)
- Paul exposed various sins that suppress the truth of God and warned of His coming judgment. Since some Jewish believers in Rome insisted that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses, Paul emphasized that a true Jew is one inwardly, not outwardly. The Law, he explained, was given not as a means of salvation but to make people conscious of their sin.
- Salvation Through Faith (3:21–5:21)
- Paul taught that all people are under sin and that salvation comes only by the grace of Christ. Just as God counted Abraham righteous because of his faith, believers today are justified and receive salvation through faith in Christ.
- Life United With Christ (6:1–8:39)
- Though humanity is powerless to free itself from sin and death, those who are in Christ live under the law of the Spirit of life and receive eternal life. This enables them to live according to God’s will. To share in the future glory of heaven, believers must patiently endure present suffering. Yet they can triumph over all suffering through God’s love, for nothing can separate them from the love of Christ.
- Expansion of Salvation to All Peoples (9:1–11:36)
- Paul taught that the grace of salvation through Christ is given equally to both Jews and Gentiles. In the past, only the nation of Israel had been chosen and blessed by God, but they rejected Jesus, who became a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. As a result, the blessing of salvation was extended to all nations.
Standards for Christian Living (12:1–15:13)
Romans also provides instruction on the ethical principles believers should uphold. Since Jews and Gentiles have become one body in Christ, they are called not to criticize or look down on one another, but to be united in love, which is the true life in Christ and the fulfillment of the Law.
Paul’s Greetings to the Church in Rome (15:14–16:27)
In the closing section of the letter, Paul sends his greetings to the believers in the church at Rome, affirming that the gospel he preached was received from Christ Himself.
See also
References
- ↑ "Romans 1:1".
- ↑ "Galatians 1:13–14".
- ↑ "Romans 11:13".
- ↑ "Acts 2:1–11".
- ↑ "Romans 15:22–29".
- ↑ Cenchreae, Bible Hub
- ↑ "Romans 16:1–2".