The Book of Romans Part 1

This is the notion in the Christian world when they hear about the book of Romans. In other words, the belief in the Church today is that the book of Romans is full of doctrine.

It is true that Romans teach us about doctrine. But it is not a book about doctrine itself. Romans is also a letter. It is addressed to “someone.”

Specifically, it is addressed to certain people, in history. Meaning, this letter is written with a purpose and a circumstance in the writer’s mind.

Martin Luther, the reformer says that Romans is “purest Gospel.” However, it is not a theological book, but a letter written for certain audience. In fact, regarding Martin Luther’s understanding about the book of Romans, Thomas Schreiner says,

The impact of Romans on Martin Luther’s theology is well known. He formulated his understanding of sin, law and gospel, faith, salvation, and the righteousness of God by conducting an intensive exegesis of this letter.

In his preface to the epistle he says, “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul” (Luther 1972: 365).

Lawrence Richards says, “The Book of Romans is the theological cornerstone of the New Testament, the greatest of Paul’s epistles.”

Another theologian, Michael Bird says,

Paul’s epistle to the Romans stands arguably as the apex of Pauline thought. It is the longest letter in the Pauline corpus. In addition, it is his most theologically erudite and pastorally applicable set of teachings about faith in Jesus Christ. It is a letter that has had a monumental impact in the history of Christian thought.

Overall, the book of Romans is read, taught, meditated, memorized (parts or whole of it) because it is a letter written with doctrine yet practical encouragement to the believers.

General Settings

Who wrote the Book?

No doubt that it is Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who wrote this book (Rom. 1:1). Some may believe that Paul may not have written it. This is a possible thought, but not reliable thought.

However, the Church Fathers such as Ignatius, Polycarp, Clement and others, addressed, and cited Paul as the author of this letter.

1 Clement 32:2 (cf. Rom 9:4f); 35:5 (cf. Rom 1:29–32); 50:6f (cf. Rom 4:7–9); Ignatius, Eph. 19:3 (cf. Rom 6:4); Magn. 6:2 (cf. Rom 6:17); 9:1 (cf. Rom 6:6); Trall. 9:2 (cf. Rom 8:11); Smyrn. 1:1 (cf. Rom 1:3f); Polycarp 3:3 (cf. Rom 13:8–10); 4:1 (cf. Rom 6:13 and 13:12); 6:2 (cf. Rom 14:10 and 12); 10:1 (cf. Rom 12:10).

Cranfield, the author of A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, says that there may be an issue with the authorship of Romans.

He brings in Tertius, who was mentioned in Romans 16:22 – “I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord,” could be the “actual writer” of this letter.

It is possible that the authors of the Scripture may have used other people to write their letters. This should not surprise us or the readers.

Writing takes time. Therefore, Paul may have dictated and Tertius may have written it down.

Whatever the case maybe, Romans was written at the end of Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul most likely stayed in Corinth (2 Cor. 13:1) and wrote the letter.

In the last part of the letter, Paul commends Phoebe, who was from Cenchrea, a seaport adjacent to Corinth (16:1-2).

Cenchreae (Κεγχρεαί, Kenchreai). A small seaport of Corinth on the eastern side of the Isthmus of Corinth. Paul shaved his head here before sailing for Syria (Acts 18:18). Phoebe served the church in Cenchreae (Rom 16:1–2).

Where was the Book Written From?

Provenance: Paul wrote the book of Romans from Achaia, probably Corinth. Phoebe (who was from the church at Cenchrea, a port of Corinth), may have carried the letter to Rome. Paul commends her to the Romans in 16:1.

When was the Book Written?

Date: The mid 50s.

Who were the Recipients?

Audience: Paul addressed this epistle to the Roman church: “to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints.” Paul did not find the church in Rome, nor had he ever been there. He did, however, look forward to the possibility of visiting Rome on his way to Spain (Rom 1:10-13; 15:28-33).

Rome may have believers already as Church father, Ambrosiaster from fourth century said that some people in Rome “embraced the faith of Christ, albeit according to the Jewish rite, without seeing any sign of mighty works of any of the apostles.”

Douglas Moo says:

An important event in the history of the Jews in Rome is mentioned by the Roman historian Suetonius. In his Life of Claudius, he says that Claudius “expelled the Jews from Rome because they were constantly rioting at the instigation of Chrestus” (25.2).

Most scholars agree that “Chrestus” is a corruption of the Greek Christos and that the reference is probably to disputes within the Jewish community over the claims of Jesus to be the Christos, the Messiah.

Douglas Moo also says, “The most likely scenario is that Roman Jews, who were converted on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem (see Acts 2:10), brought their faith in Jesus as the Messiah back with them to their home synagogues. In this way the Christian movement in Rome was initiated.”

The membership of the Roman church seems to have been predominantly Gentile (1:13; 11:13), but we also know that converted Jews were in the church.

Romans 1:13 KJV 1900

Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.

Romans 11:13 KJV 1900

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

As the church within the Roman capital, their faith was spoken of throughout the known world (1:8).

Paul himself was rather acquainted with the church, since he mentions twenty-six Roman Christians by name in chapter sixteen.

He may have received some of this information through Aquila and Priscilla, who had been in Rome and then ministered with Paul in the east.

What is the Theme of the Letter?

Theme: “The Gospel and the righteousness of God”

What is the Occasion of the Letter?

Occasion: Romans seems to be the most “general” of Paul’s epistles, in the sense of not being tied to specific circumstances in the lives of the recipients.

Paul declares, “Nevertheless, brethren, I have written more boldly to you on some points, as reminding you, because of the grace given to me by God” (Rom 15:15).

In many ways, it is a theological treatise that discusses core doctrines of the Christian faith. On the other hand, Romans is not an exhaustive systematic theology.

For example, Romans does not contain Paul’s definitive Christological tenets, as found in Philippians 2 and Colossians 1.

Moreover, one must also remember that Romans is still an “occasional” writing (in spite of its “general” character).

The book’s association with an occasion / status of the Roman church is most clearly manifested in chapter 14-15, within the discussion of the “weak” and “strong” and the eating of meat.

As Paul expounds upon the “righteousness of God,” he first discusses the universality of human sinfulness and condemnation, then justification by faith, then sanctification, then God’s sovereign dealings with Israel, then proper Christian behavior.