03.07.2010 PAUL AND ROME
The Author of Romans
Paul the apostle is the author of Romans. In addition to Romans 1:1 where Paul is described as the
author, the style, the logic, the vocabulary and theological development are in keeping with the
other Pauline letters. The letter was dictated to a secretary, Tertius – see Romans 16:22.
The Time/Date of Romans
The church at Rome was well established by the time Paul wrote the letter – see Romans 1:8;
(neither Paul nor Peter founded the church at Rome). The letter was written around AD 57/58 in
Corinth at the end of Paul’s 3rd missionary journey – see acts 18:23-21:14, Romans 15:19, 16:23.
Since Paul had not visited Rome yet, he wrote a letter that lays down in detail the Gospel of God, the
plan of salvation. Most of his other letters to churches were written to churches he had already
visited and ministered to. Since he had not visited Rome, he took great pains to write a detailed
doctrinal exposition of the gospel to the Romans. Martin Luther called it ‘the clearest gospel of all’.
In a systematic question-and-answer format, Paul gives us the clearest presentation of the doctrine
of ‘righteousness by faith’ in the Bible.
Theme of Romans
The theme of Romans is found in Romans 1:16, 17
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone
who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”
These 2 verse theme encapsulates the message of Romans, because it combines the 3 crucial
concepts of salvation, righteousness and faith. God offers the gift of His righteousness to everyone
who comes to Christ by faith.
Outline of Romans
Revelation of God’s Righteousness – Romans 1-8.
1. Need for God’s righteousness. Romans 1:1 – 3:20
SIN
2. Imputation of God’s righteousness. Romans 3:21- 5:21
SALVATION (JUSTIFICATION)
3. Demonstration of God’s righteousness. Romans 6:1-8:39 SANCTIFICATION
Vindication of God’s Righteousness – Romans 9-11. (The Sovereignty of God)
1. Israel’s past election. Romans 9:1-9:29
2. Israel’s present election. Romans 9:30-10:21
3. Israel’s future election. Romans 11:1-11:36
Application of God’s Righteousness – Romans 12-16. SERVICE
1. Christian duties. Romans 12, 13.
2. Christian liberties. Romans 14, 15.
The Righteousness of God in the Book of Romans
1. It is a righteousness planned by God. Romans 1:2, Galatians 3:8, Ephesians 1:4
2. It is a righteousness prepared by God (without any human contribution). Rom 3:21-25
3. It is a righteousness made available to us by God. Romans 5
The Prologue. Romans 1:1-17
1. Salutation – verses 1-7.
2. Paul’s statement desiring to minister in Rome – verses 8-15.
3. The theme of Romans – verses 16, 17.
Additional Study Resources for the Epistle to the Romans
1.
‘Christ our Righteousness’. Selected Messages. Vol 1. Pages 350-400. EG White is an excellent
commentary on ‘Christ our Righteousness’. Available at:
http://egwdatabase.whiteestate.org/nxt/gateway.dll?f=templates$fn=default.htm$vid=default
2. Romans: the clearest Gospel of All. Available at: http://www.jacksequeira.org/roman01.htm
This is a very clear exposition of the book by an Adventist minister and theologian.
3. Salvation Unlimited. Edward Heppenstall. Available at:
http://www.sdanet.org/atissue/books/su/index.htm
4. Commentaries on Romans by John Stott and Martyn Lloyd-Jones are excellent, but not available
on-line.
5. Matthew Henry’s Commentary. Available at : http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.Rom.i.html
6. Luther’s commentary on Romans. Available at Google books – the introduction gives a good
overview of the book of Romans. Available at:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zJh2iwKAdYYC&dq=luther's+commentary+on+romans&prin
tsec=frontcover&source=bn&hl=en&ei=n1sqTJLvJsysOK_N4LID&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result
&resnum=4&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=luther's%20commentary%20on%20romans&f
=false
7. Commentary on Romans. John Calvin. Available at:
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/calvin/calcom38.v.i.html
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