New Testament Survey Book of Romans Paul in

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

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!

Origin of the Church in Rome • 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.

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

Purpose and Message • 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

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.

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

The Book’s Contents and Character • 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.

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