To the Romans
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- the most systematic statement of the Gospel in all of Scripture
- considered by many to be the greatest theological work ever written
“This epistle is in truth the most important document in the New Testament, the gospel in its purest expression. Not only is it well worth a Christian’s while to know it word for word by heart, but also to meditate on it day by day. It is the soul’s daily bread, and can never be read too often, or studied too much. The more you probe into it the more precious it becomes, and the better its flavor.” ~ Martin Luther
just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, (2 Peter 3:15-16 NASB95)
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB95)
Augustine - “Tolle Lege” (Take and Read!)
Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. (Romans 13:13-14)
John Wesley - from his journal
“In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther’s preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Resources on Romans
Author and Audience and Date
- from Paul, circa A.D. 57-58, toward the end of his 3rd missionary journey, written from Corinth
- to the Christians in Rome “the beloved of God in Rome”
- pay attention to the prepositions: we are in, but not of
- mixture of Jewish and Gentile Christians, both groups are directly addressed in the letter
- church started by those who had come from Rome to Jerusalem for Pentecost – they went back home
- Paul employed Tertius, a professional scribe to physically write the letter (16.22)
Situation
- Many of Paul’s letters were addressing a specific problem or situation
- Paul had not been to Rome, but was intent to go
Under Roman Emperor Claudius, AD 49 Jews were expelled from Rome, due to disputes about Christianity. The Roman historian Suetonius wrote that Claudius expelled Jews because they “constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus.” Five years later in AD 54 AD at the beginning of Nero’s reign, the Jews were allowed to return to Rome
I make mention of you, always in my prayers making request, if perhaps now at last by the will of God I may succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established; (1:9-11)
I have had for many years a longing to come to you whenever I go to Spain — for I hope to see you in passing, and to be helped on my way there by you, when I have first enjoyed your company for a while (15:23-24)
- He was writing to introduce himself, and the gospel he preached
- and also to address some potential problems between Jewish and Gentile Christians
- He planned to visit Rome on his way to Spain (Romans 15.24-28 NASB95)
- He intended to go as a free man, but God had other plans
Paul’s missionary plans prompt him to write a letter that clearly articulates the gospel, how it relates to Jews and Gentiles, the tension between law and gospel, and to call the Roman Christians to live new life the power of the Spirit, in light of God’s mercies.
Structure
Romans adheres to the general pattern of a Greco-Roman letter: From, To, Content, Closing
Orthodoxy => Orthopraxy
- As in most of Paul’s letters, he moves from doctrine first, then to practice
- The reality of who we are in Christ (identity) must precede how we live out that reality
- This is critical: we don’t act in order to become, we act according to who we have become
Outline
it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith (1:16-17)
- Introduction, Greeting and Theme 1.1-1.17
- Doctrine 1.18-11.36
- Righteousness of God by faith 1.18-4.25
- Power of God for salvation 5.1-8.39
- Vindicating God’s righteousness with respect to Israel 9.1-11.36
- Practice 12.1-15.13 - The gospel transforms
- Conclusion and Greetings 15.14-16.27
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (12:1-2)
Themes
The Gospel
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; (1:1-6)
- promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures
- concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh
- declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead
This is THE THEME of Romans
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (1:16-17)
litotes
- “Gospel” is the Old English word for “Good News”
Anticipating and Answering Objections
But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world? But if through my lie the truth of God abounded to His glory, why am I also still being judged as a sinner? And why not say (as we are slanderously reported and as some claim that we say), “Let us do evil that good may come”? Their condemnation is just. (3:5-8)
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (6:1-2)
Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law. (3:31)
Justification
Justification - δικαίωσις (dikaiosis) - a judicial sentence: declaring the accused to be just; full acquittal
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. (3:23-26)
He who was delivered over because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (4:25)
Propitiation - ἱλαστήριον (hilasterion) - the place of atonement; literally, the cover of the ark of the covenant, the mercy-seat
Assurance
God did it
For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all (4:16)
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. (5:8-9)
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (8:3-4)
So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. (9:16)
We are united with Christ
For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (5:19)
“Federal Headship” - Adam and Christ in chapter 5 “Federal” - from Latin foedus - ‘league, covenant’
For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. (6:5-7)
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. (7:4)
The Holy Spirit dwells in us
hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (5:5)
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (8:9)
For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, (8:15-16)
The “Romans Road”
The Gospel
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” (1:16-17)
The Bad News
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (3:23a)
For the wages of sin is death… (6:23a)
The Good News
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (5:8)
…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (6:23b)
Your Response!
that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (10:9)
Walkthrough
Conclusion of the Matter
Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. (11:33-36)
Assignment
Preparing
- Read chapter 10 of Introducing the New Testament (Romans)
- Read Romans 1-8, 12
- Watch The Bible Project Romans Part 1 and Romans Part 2 below
Respond to the following:
Knowing
- Who wrote the letter to the Romans?
- What is the primary theme of this letter?
- True or False: the church at Rome was mostly Gentiles.
Reflecting
Choose two or three of the following:
- Write a one sentence summary of Paul’s letter to the Romans
- Write a one paragraph summary of Paul’s letter to the Romans
- Explain what Paul means in Romans 3.26, “so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus”
- How do you know that you are secure in Christ?
- What is Paul referring to in Romans 12.1 by “the mercies of God”
Communicating
Someone with whom you are speaking doesn’t really grasp what the Gospel is, and asks you to give a clear definition and to explain it to help her understand. She asks you: “What is the Gospel really, and why should I care?”
