The letter Paul wrote to the Romans is a significant theological work that focuses primarily on different aspects of righteousness. Paul explains the relationship between the old and new covenant and what it means to be saved by grace through faith. Romans is the longest and most detailed epistle Paul wrote.
Authorship and Date
Most scholars regard the Epistle to the Romans as an authentic Pauline work. It was authored while Paul was in Corinth sometime around 57 CE. He was on his third missionary journey at the time.
Historical Context
Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire that ruled most of the known world at the time Romans was written. At some stage, before Paul wrote to them, a church had been established in Rome consisting of Jewish and Gentile converts.
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Sign up to our Free Weekly NewsletterRome had once had a sizable Jewish community, but Emperor Claudius had expelled the Jews from Rome. Paul met a man named Aquila and his wife Priscilla who were among the expelled Jews (Acts 18:2). They informed Paul about the church in Rome and Paul addressed several people from that church in his letter. Aquila and Priscilla also traveled with Paul for a while (Acts 18:26).
Jews were allowed back to Rome after Claudius passed. There were some divisions in the church after the Jews returned and Paul had to address the matter. Paul wrote the letter to the Romans while he was in Corinth before he returned to Jerusalem. He was planning to visit Rome and from there, Spain, but he was arrested. He would later go to Rome as a prisoner.
Structure
Salutation (Romans 1:1-17)
Paul identifies himself as the person who is sending this letter to the Christians in Rome. He expresses his obligation to Jews and Gentiles to spread the gospel among them and in typical Pauline style expresses a blessing of grace and peace. Paul expresses his desire to visit Rome and then makes a declaration that the righteous shall live by faith, setting the stage for the rest of the epistle.
The righteousness of God (Romans 1:18-3:20)
Paul explains that everyone, whether Jew or Gentile, is subject to the judgment of God. Neither group has any merit in themselves and stands guilty before God.
Justification by faith
There is justification by grace through faith in Jesus Christ for everyone who believes. Justification is a gift independent of the Law. Paul uses Abraham to explain justification by faith, showing that no system of salvation through works exists in the Old Testament.
A new life in Jesus (Romans 6:1-8:17)
In this section, Paul describes the impact justification by faith has on the believer. He explains how being unified with Christ in death and through the Resurrection will bring about a new life that is free from sin.
The role of the Holy Spirit in the new life (Romans 8:18-39)
As the Holy Spirit guides the believer, he assures them of their acceptance as children of God and provides hope for the future.
God’s plan for Jews and Gentiles (Romans 9:1-11:36)
Paul explains the relationship between Jews and Gentiles and the role of both in God’s plan. He assures the readers that God has not abandoned his promises to Israel.
Practical Christian living (Romans 12:1-15:13)
Paul details some practical aspects of Christian living and speaks to the characteristics it should have. Even in relation to secular authority, Paul provides guidance.
Travel plans and greetings (Romans 15:14-16:27)
Paul again expresses his desire to visit Rome and greets several people in the Roman faith community by name. He closes his letter with a doxology.
Main Themes
The central theme of Romans is righteousness by faith. Paul explains how God’s judgment of sinners is just. Though the Law is holy and good, it cannot save or remove the power of sin. Only Christ can. The righteousness of Christ and his atoning death is what restores the believer’s relationship with God. Justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
Those who die away from their old life, and rise to a new life in Christ have hope for the future. Salvation is available for Jews and Gentiles and God’s promises to both are fulfilled in Christ. Because of grace, believers should live a dedicated and pure life that shows the character of Christ in their relationships with mankind and even in the way they submit to their government.
Paul twice expresses his desire to visit Rome. He hoped to use it as a base to minister further west, even as far as Spain.
Key Passages
Romans 1:16
“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.”
Paul, perhaps more than any other apostle, publicly presented the merits of Jesus as a savior to people wherever he went. He understood the life-changing power faith holds and boldly proclaimed the gospel whether it was to Jews who held onto the old covenant, or to Gentiles who adhered to pagan religious practices.
Romans 3:21-24
“But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it — the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Adherence to the Law cannot save and does not hold any merit in and of itself. Therefore, God’s righteousness is not dependent on the law. That does not mean the Law is not important or plays no role. In the greater context of the Pauline corpus, it is emphatically stated that the end goal of the Law is to bring the individual to Christ. All humans have sinned but can be justified by grace through faith in Jesus, the savior.
Romans 5:7-8
“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person, one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Paul wants to emphasize what Christ has done for humanity. He states that humans rarely give their lives for others, but when it does happen, it is likely for a good person who maybe merits such a sacrifice. This shows how different Christ is, for he gave his life for us sinners who do not deserve any such sacrifice. It emphasizes the love of Christ for all of humanity. Through this, a way to salvation was established irrespective of the merits of the individual.
Romans 7:12
“So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”
It is a common misconception that Paul was against the Law. On the contrary, he considered the Law as “holy and righteous and good,” but emphasized that the Law could at no point in human history save anybody.
Romans 8:37-39
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Contextually, these verses explain the security believers have in their relationship with God through Jesus Christ. In an empathetic tone, Paul provides a comprehensive, yet not exhaustive, list of possible obstacles believers may think could have separated them from the love of God. Through these examples, Paul assures the Romans that there is nothing that could possibly separate them from the love of God.
Romans 12:1
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
In general, sacrifice is associated with something dying. In this instance, Paul speaks of a living sacrifice. So, what died? The person in relation to selfish desires dies by living a life of continued surrender to the will of God.
Contemporary Relevance
The Epistle to the Romans contributes greatly to the theological understanding of the relationship between the Law, faith, and salvation. A common misconception many Christians have is that people could be saved by works in the Old Testament. In Romans, Paul explains that even in the Old Testament, people were saved by faith.
The primary focus of Romans is justification by grace through faith, which is as important to understand today as it was during Paul’s day. Paul’s accompanying teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer, and on Christian living, is also relevant to the contemporary believer.
The principles of spiritual transformation and growth are universal. It also speaks to hope and resilience in challenging times. What Romans teaches on these aspects is applicable in a modern context even if society has seen many changes over time. The essential challenges the believer faces have not changed.
