New Testament Survey:Book of Romans

Paul in Prison

The Author

• Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.

• Born and educated in Tarsus, capital of Cilicia.

• Learned the tent-making trade (Acts 18:3)

• Paul’s method of writing—logical method of presenting the truth.

• Later Jewish education at feet of Gamaliel.

Date of Writing

• In the epistle, Paul was heading toward Jerusalem (15:25-27).

• Must have been written later than 2 Corinthians, since he was ready to depart.

• Time of writing = spring of 57 or 58 A.D.

• 2 Corinthians written from Macedonia; then he headed for Greece.

• After delivering the contribution for the poor saints, he wished to journey to Spain through Rome.

To Whom Addressed

• Paul was a special apostle sent to the Gentile nations of the world.

• Many times, he was hindered from going to Rome (1:13).

• Rome was the center of the world’s life

• Paul was vitally interested in preaching to the whole Roman Empire.

• Wrote to the Christians there in preparation for his intended visit.

Origin of the Church in Rome

• The origin of the Roman church is unknown.

• Inconsistent facts concerning Peter being the founder.

• The Divine record does not indicate that Peter was ever in Rome.

• Peter’s own epistles were not written or addressed from Rome.

• In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he made no mention of Peter!

• Paul wrote his epistles from a Roman prison; he did not mention Peter.

• No mention of Rome in Peter’s own writings, and no other inspired writer mentions a connection between Peter and Rome.

• Could have been one converted on Pentecost

• Evidence many Jews lived in Rome.• Decree of banishment from Rome by Claudius

(Acts 18:1,2)

Origin of the Church in Rome

Condition of the Church in Rome

• It’s only natural that a church made up of both Jews and Gentiles would experience some strife.

• A difficult fact that hindered complete reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles—both were equal in God’s eyes.

• Paul also wrote to prepare them for the problems caused by the Judaizing teachers who would come their way.

Purpose and Message

• Depravity into which sin leads those who abandon God.

• Rejecting God, after having known Him, to walk in the “vanity of their own minds.”

• Moral destitution of the Gentile nations—”God gave them up!”– Romans 1:18-32

• God does not respect any man’s person enough to wink at his sin.– Romans 2

• There is a universal need for salvation.– Romans 3:23

• God’s grace alone was able to provide for salvation, a provision made possible by the blood of Christ, which was offered to all men through the gospel– Romans 3:23-26

Purpose and Message

• Justification is not by the works of the Law; such would make God a respecter of persons

• Law of Moses not given as plan to make man righteous; it was given to reveal sin. Through knowledge of that fact, they needed a Savior.– Romans 3:19,20

• Justification attained by faith in Christ– Romans 3:22

Purpose and Message

• Jews had failed to attain unto God’s righteousness—they did not seek Him by faith.– Romans 9:32

• Refused to allow the Law to serve the purpose for which it was intended—preparation for Christ– Galatians 3:24

• Developed their own system of righteousness—human traditions– Romans 10:1-3

Purpose and Message

• The national rejection did not doom the individual who was willing to have faith in Christ.– Romans 11:26

• Christianity, as Paul emphasized in this letter, should blot out all national enmity.

• Bring them to Christ, where they could love one another as brethren and enjoy the fullness of Christian fellowship.– Romans 8:1-6

Purpose and Message

The Book’s Contents and Character

• God’s condemnation rests upon all men because all have sinned.– Romans 1:18—3:23

• God’s way of making men righteous is only through Christ—offered in the gospel—appropriated by man’s faith for all!– Romans 3:19—5:21

• God’s grace offers righteousness to all men on the same conditions.– Romans 5:22—8:30

• Fleshly Israel had a sad plight, but God’s promises were fulfilled through spiritual Israel.– Romans 9:13

• It was God’s will that the Gentiles also receive His mercy and grace.– Romans 9:24-26

• Gentile acceptance had caused a hardening of fleshly Israel.– Romans 9:27-33

The Book’s Contents and Character

• They trusted their own righteousness instead of God’s.– Romans 10:1-3

• Rejected Christ—fulfillment of the Law—continued looking for Messiah who had already come.– Romans 10:4-8

• Now, God’s requirements for salvation were the same for both Jews and Gentiles.– Romans 10—12

The Book’s Contents and Character

• The prophets had prophesied that the gospel would go to the Gentiles for salvation—the Jews rejected that truth!– Romans 10:13-21

• God had not rejected all Israel—only unbelievers and the disobedient who had hardened their hearts– Romans 11:1-10

• Israel’s rejection open the door for the Gentiles—but they were not to gloat.– Romans 11:11-23

The Book’s Contents and Character

• The Jews could claim God’s mercy individually, by turning from unbelief.– Romans 11:26-32

• Sanctification, which comes as a fruit of justification—now living sacrifices– Romans 12

• Importance of subjection to civil authorities– Romans 13:1-7

The Book’s Contents and Character

• God’s moral law was based upon principle—love thy neighbor as thyself.– Romans 13:8-14

• One must not allow his personal liberty to destroy another’s weak faith.– Romans 14—15:7

• Paul’s travel plans, final greetings, and farewell– Romans 15:8—16

The Book’s Contents and Character