Author : Keith Sharp
Series : Overview of the Bible
Author
The apostle Paul is the author of the book of Romans (1:11), but he made use of a scribe, Tertius (16:22), to do the actual writing.
Paul was a natural-born Roman citizen (Acts 22:24-29) of Jewish ancestry, religion, and training (Philippians 3:4-5). He was born and educated in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a city widely renowned for its Greek schools (Acts 22:3). As was the Jewish tradition, he was taught a trade by which he could support himself, in Paul’s case tent making, by which he did help support both himself and others during his preaching career (Acts 18:1-3; 20:33-35). Paul’s Grecian education and background is very evident in his writing, especially in his use of logic, which appealed especially to the Romans. Paul received further formal education in Jerusalem from Gamaliel, the finest scholar in Jewish law and tradition of his day (Acts 22:3). The young Saul, as he was known as a young man, was an extremely zealous Jew before he became a disciple of Christ (Acts 22:3; 26:4-5; Galatians 1:14), even to fierce persecution of the church (Acts 9:1-2; 22:4-5; 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13).
But Christ called and equipped him to be an apostle (1:1-5; Acts 26:15-18; 1 Corinthians 15:8-9). As such he had full authority to speak for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Corinthians 11:5; 12:11-12; 1 Corinthians 14:37), being inspired by the Holy Spirit to reveal the mystery of God, the gospel (1 Corinthians 2:6-13; Ephesians 3:1-6). Paul was especially selected to be the apostle of Christ to the Gentiles, the Jewish name, meaning “peoples,” for all non-Jews (Acts 26:15-18; Romans 11:13; 15:15-20).
Paul had made plans for some time to go to Rome (15:22-24,28-29; Acts 19:21) but had been hindered from completing this goal (1:13).
To Whom Written
The book of Romans was written to the saints (Christians) in Rome (1:7).
From Where Written
Romans was written from the city of Corinth. Paul was taking a collection from Gentile churches for the poor saints in Jerusalem on his third journey (cf. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4; 2 Corinthians 8-9). At the time Romans was written, Paul had taken the collection from the Corinthians and was ready to depart for Jerusalem (15:25-26). He was staying with Gaius (16:23), whom he had baptized in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14). He sent a female disciple named Phoebe, who was a servant of the church in Cenchrea, to Rome (16:1), possibly bearing the Roman epistle. Cenchrea is the seaport of Corinth.
When Written
Paul wrote Romans toward the end of his three month stay in Greece on his third journey (15:25-26; Acts 20:1-3), i.e., in A.D. 58.
The City of Rome
Rome is located on the banks of the Tiber River, fifteen miles from the west coast of Italy and built on seven hills. The “Eternal City” was already eight centuries old at the time Paul wrote to the Christians there. It was a city of political and economic importance in its day to such a huge proportion it is hard for modern people to imagine. In an empire that had a total population of perhaps thirty million, the populace of Rome numbered perhaps four million. It was the capital of its own empire, the most extensive empire of its day, ruling the Mediterranean world, with provinces from the Euphrates River in the east to Spain in the west, from Britain in the north to Egypt in the south. Nero was emperor at the time Paul wrote Romans.
The great city was the trading hub of the western world. It was truly said in a figure, “All roads lead to Rome.” All manner of goods were brought to Rome as tribute from the provinces and as trade from both the provinces and all parts of the known world.
Poor people flocked to Rome because of the availability of free food and free entertainment. In Paul’s day, it was said the people of Rome lived for “bread and circuses.” Holidays filled over half the calendar days of the year, and amusement was provided for the people at state expense on 95 of these days.
Religiously, Rome was polytheistic and had long ago accepted the deities of the Greeks under Latinized names. All religions were tolerated so long as they did not interfere with loyalty to the emperor or undermine state religion.
The educated people of Paul’s day were skeptics toward religion and simply followed Greek philosophy. This left a void, which at first was filled partially by the Oriental mystery religions, then partially by Judaism, and finally completely by Christianity.
Rome was in many ways a beautiful city. Great thoroughfares came into Rome from all directions. The city was filled with breath-taking architecture: temples, palaces, baths, amphitheaters, theaters, and circuses. The great Circus Maximus seated 250,000. The leading amusement at the circuses in the first century was chariot races. The city had many beautiful gardens and public parks.
The wealthy people lived in a kind of house known as a “domus,” which had several rooms around a central open court. The poor lived in a squalid dwelling known as an “insula,” which was like an apartment in buildings up to six stories high and occupying as much as a city block.
History of the Church of Christ in Rome
The origin of the Lord’s church in Rome is unknown. It could have been started by people who were baptized on the Pentecost recorded in Acts two (Acts 2:5-10), and it could have begun by the teaching of Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:12). At the time Paul wrote to the saints there, the church had been in existence in Rome for “many years.” (15:23)
There is absolutely no factual basis for the Catholic tradition that Peter founded the church in Rome. In Paul’s greetings to brethren in Rome (16:3-16), he does not mention Peter. Strange indeed, if Peter, an apostle of Christ, were there! Peter never mentions Rome in his letters. In Paul’s letters written from Rome, he makes no mention of Peter. No inspired writer ever mentions Peter in connection with Rome.
Description of the Church in Rome
Paul says nothing about the church having elders or deacons. It was a mixed church, composed of both Jews and Gentiles (7:1; 11:15). The church was known everywhere for its faith (1:8). There were some spiritual gifts among the saints there (12:6), but more were needed (1:11).
Theme of the Roman Epistle
The theme of Romans is “The Gospel is God’s power to save all that believe.” This theme is stated as the proposition of Paul’s magnificent treatise in 1:16-17.
Bible scholars are universally in awe of the Roman letter because of the comprehensiveness of its message, the profoundness of its language, and the acuteness of its logic. One writer exclaimed, “This is in every sense the greatest of the Epistles of Paul, if not the greatest book in the New Testament….” (Thiessen) Another called it, “… the most profound work in existence.” (Coleridge)
Outline of Romans
I. Paul introduces the letter. 1:1-15
A. He salutes them. 1:1-7
B. He makes personal remarks. 1:8-15
II. The gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes. 1:16 – 11:56
A. The proposition is stated. 1:16-17
B. All need the saving power of the gospel. 1:18 – 5:21
1. The Gentiles need it. 1:18-32
2. The Jews need it. 2:1 – 3:19
3. The law will not justify; therefore, all need the gospel. 3:20-23
C. All are justified by faith apart from the law. 3:24 – 7:25
1. The proposition is stated. 3:24-31
2. Old Testament proofs are given. 4:1-25
3. Life through Christ is as universal as death through Adam. 5:1-21
4. Objections are answered. 6:1 – 7:25
a. Justification by faith apart from the law does not encourage sin but frees
from it. 6:1 – 7:6
b. The law is not evil, but its purpose was not to give righteousness. 7:7-25
D. There is no condemnation to them which are in Christ. 8:1-39
E. What is the relationship of Israel to the gospel? 9:1 – 11:36
1. The rejection of the Jews was not complete. 9:1-33
2. The rejection of the Jews was not arbitrary. 10:1-21
3. The rejection of the Jews was not final. 11:1-36
III. How should all live in Christ? 12:1 – 15:21
A. All Christians are to be transformed in life. 12:1-21
B. All Christians are to be subject to civil government. 13:1-7
C. All Christians are to love each other. 13:8-10
D. All Christians are to walk in light. 13:11-14
E. All Christians are to respect each other’s conscience. 14:1 – 15:4
F. All Christians are to receive each other. 15:5-21
IV. Paul concludes. 15:22 – 16:27
A. He reveals his plans. 15:22-33
B. He tells them to receive Phoebe. 16:1-2
C. He gives salutations to Roman saints. 16:3-16
D. He warns against heretics. 16:17-20
E. Paul’s companions send salutations. 16:21-24
F. He praises God. 16:25-27
