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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