The Letter to the Romans is sometimes referred to as the magnum opus of Paul’s writings. It is certainly the most extensive treatment in God’s inspired library on how salvation is accomplished and applied. It is a book that has been the subject of a lot of debate because of its central importance in defining what Christianity is and isn’t. It has been thoroughly analyzed and systematically taught by all the great thinkers and preachers throughout Church history. Even so, each generation and every follower of Christ must dive in and investigate these fundamental truths for themselves. Well now it’s our turn. We will take our time to ingest and digest each section and every verse of this edifying and challenging book.
Miscellaneous Data
The book of Romans is Paul’s lengthiest book, totaling 7,111 words in the Greek New Testament. His first letter to the Corinthians weighs in second at 6,830 words in the original language. While Hebrews is usually hailed as the book with a unique vocabulary, Romans actually has more “once only” words (i.e., hapax legomena) than Hebrews – 570 to 568. There are 16 chapters and 433 verses. It is chronologically the sixth of Paul’s thirteen epistles (though the order in our Bibles doesn’t reflect that fact).
The Author
There has been very little scholarly objection that the Apostle Paul is the author of the book of Romans – which is surprising in a day when everything about the Bible has been questioned by academia. Still some are concerned about the role of Paul’s amanuensis (one who records an author’s dictation) who is named in 16:22 (“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter…”). But use of an amanuensis was common in the ancient world and Paul’s utilization of Tertius should not impinge on our confidence in divine inspiration any more than God’s use of Paul or pen & ink should.
The Recipients
Romans 1:7 tells us that Paul wrote to “all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints.” He clearly addresses Jews and Gentiles (non-Jews) throughout the book as he explains the international application of the Gospel to all who are called to be saints. The city of Rome was of course the most prominent and politically significant city in New Testament times. It is also the home of an important congregation of first-century Christians. It is likely that the founding of the church at Rome was the result of those who had attended the great evangelistic harvest which took place in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Many Jews had migrated to Rome resulting in a church of both Jews and newly converted Gentiles. Unfortunately this integration was also the cause of several problems in the church that Paul would need to address in the book of Romans.
The Setting
Paul himself had not yet been to Rome (1:13) when he wrote this letter, which he penned to this prominent church while on his third missionary journey (Acts
18 – 21). It was penned in either A.D. 57 or 58. Paul likely wrote Romans from the city of Corinth, some 620 miles away from the intended recipients (from Aliso Viejo to Albuquerque). Because the church was mixed with the markedly distinct heritage of both Jew and Gentile, much of the book’s practical application is directed at how these two people groups should perceive themselves and each other. The forthright exhortation regarding this theme throughout the book still provides us with a wealth of direction as to how we are to understand God’s continuing plan for Israel and our inclusion as Gentiles.
The Theological Focus
The centerpiece of the book of Romans is its lingering focus on how salvation from the penalty of sin is achieved by Christ and applied to our lives. The practical elaboration on repentance (illustrated in the themes of slavery to sin, redemption and slavery to Christ) and the extended definitions of biblical faith are dominantly showcased throughout the book. The concept of righteousness is intrinsic in the book’s theme. Paul uses the Greek words “righteousness” and “justify” 45 times in the first 8 chapters. The focus on “trusting” Christ for imputed righteousness is seen in the frequent use of the Greek word “pistis” (i.e., 21 times as a verb and 40 times as a noun). While recent scholarship has attempted to blur the original intent of this inspired letter and redefine its meaning, one cannot sincerely study the book of Romans without a new appreciation for the unmerited righteousness of God being provided to us in Christ by trusting in him and not ourselves.
A Simplified Outline of the Letter to the Romans
