Introduction to Romans

The book of Romans has often been called “pure gospel” because Paul gives a clear and yet deep explanation of the gospel message. The English translator, William Tyndale, commented that no one can read it too often or study it too well.

The apostle Paul wrote Romans in 57 AD as he finished his missionary journey in Macedonia and Achaia. It seems there were Christians in Rome from an early time. Some likely returned to the city after Pentecost (Acts 2:10), and in any case, “all roads lead to Rome.” He had often planned to visit, (Rom 1:11-13), but now he saw an opportunity to stop on his way to Spain (15:24). In the meantime, he would deliver a gift of money to the poor believers in Jerusalem (15:28).

The book follows a simple outline. After his introduction, Paul declares that he is proud to declare the gospel because it reveals God’s righteousness and “the righteous will live by faith.” (1:17) This statement leaves the reader with several questions. Who are the righteous? Faith in what? What does living by faith mean? These issues form a kind of outline.

No One is Righteous (1:18-3:20)

To begin, Paul declares that no one is righteous. The godless are not righteous (1:18-32), nor are the Gentiles (2:1-16). If his Jewish readers were expecting praise, however, they would be disappointed: “ ...Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.” (3:9) In this way the Mosaic law was limited to making people conscious of their sin and  powerless in righteousness (3:20).

Righteousness by Faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-5:21)

Paul continues by saying that  people become righteous in God’s sight by faith in Jesus Christ. “But now a righteousness apart from the law has been made known...” (3:21) Jesus was the atoning sacrifice required by the Mosaic law (3:25). Paul’s example of salvation by faith is Abraham, who did not yet have the law (ch. 4). Peace with God comes only through Jesus Christ (5:1), who demonstrated God’s love for us by dying on the cross for our sins (5:8).

Living by Faith (6:1-15:13)

Faith in Jesus Christ has ethical implications, which Paul unfolds in practical terms. While God’s grace expands to cover sin (5:20-21), the believer ought never to take advantage of His mercy (6:2). No longer slaves to impurity and wickedness, we serve God and ought to leave behind sinful ways (6:19-23). While remnants of the sinful nature remain (7:19), we must set our minds on pleasing the Spirit (8:5ff.).

Faith in Jesus helps the believer face suffering, for we have the hope of redemption (8:23), the intercession of the Holy Spirit (8:26ff.), and the certainty of knowing that nothing can separate us from God’s love (8:37ff).

Faith motivates Paul to reach his fellow Jews (10:15) because they are the recipients of God’s promises (9:4), but stumble at the message of salvation by faith (9:32). God has not rejected the Jews but rather reserved a faithful remnant (11:5), allowing a certain number of Gentiles to come into the fold (11:25). Paul hopes that the faith of the Gentiles may make them jealous and seek Jesus (11:14).

If the ethical implications of the gospel were not clear before, Paul becomes more intentional in chapter 12. The believer ought to be a “living sacrifice” (12:1-2) and use the abilities the Holy Spirit has endowed (12:5ff), while keeping high moral character (12:9-20; 13:8ff). Faith even means submitting to governing authorities (13:1-7) and not judging other Christians over disputable matters (ch. 14). The goal is for the strong to help the weak (15:1) so that there may be unity (15:5-6).

Paul finishes Romans by discussing his plans to deliver the gift to Jerusalem and to stop in Rome while on the way to Spain. In this we see Paul’s desire continually to take the gospel to new regions (15:23-24). He concludes with a long list of greetings in chapter 16.

Study Methods

There are different ways to reveal the many layers of Romans. For starters, our study will benefit by reading Romans in larger blocks in order to see the patterns of Paul’s thinking. It is well-worth reading in one sitting, and then to go back to read several chapters at a time. This will help us to know context and to understand how particular verses fit into Paul’s argument.

We can fit Romans into the account of Acts. When did Paul deliver the gift to Jerusalem? (Acts 19:21ff.) Were his concerns over safety justified? (Acts 20:22; 21:10ff., 27ff.) How did he finally go to Rome? (Acts 21-28) What links do we see between the gift to Jerusalem and Romans? (Rom 1:11; 4:4; 5:15-17; 6:23; 11:29; 12:6)

We can study the book by looking for answers to theological questions. What do we learn about God? Human nature, without and with Jesus? Holy living? Sin? Salvation? Baptism?

To go even deeper, we can examine crucial concepts in Romans such as righteousness, justification, propitiation, redemption, sanctification, election, and glorification. These are complex topics but worth exploring.

Peter may have been thinking about Romans when he said that Paul’s letters contain some things that are hard to understand (2 Peter 3:15) because the book is easily the deepest of his known letters. This depth should not discourage us from studying the book more fully, however, for there is plenty to learn at the surface, and always more waiting underneath.

2010 Rev. Troy Dennis is a pastor and writer.  For more articles and encouraging letters check www.onfireletter.com