Rome was the political hub of the Roman Empire and one of the largest Mediterranean cities in the ancient world with a population around 1 million. When you consider the history of the Christian church in Rome, it’s possible that its first converts were actually visitors from Rome who came to Jerusalem during Pentecost. It is likely they got converted during this time and went back to the capital city of the Roman Empire to start churches.
The Roman church was filled with both Jews and Gentiles as the early church began spreading the gospel outside of Jerusalem. It is to this church the Apostle Paul, who wrote Romans, writes this letter.
Who is the Author of Romans?
In the opening line of this letter the authorship is clearly defined:
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).
Paul’s journey to apostleship was quite different than all the other apostles. Born as Saul and originating from Tarsus he was a devout Jew. He was a well-educated man who, prior to his conversion, prided himself on his devotion to the law. In his own words,
“If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:4-6).
What’s unique about Paul is that, prior to his conversion and in spite of his devotion to the Jewish religion, he was a ruthless persecutor of the church.
“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3).
This man was committed and devoted to destroying Christianity while it was in its infancy. Just the mention of his name struck fear in the hearts of the early believers. However, that all changed on the Damascus road. InActs 9 we read the story of Saul’s transformation:
“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light fromheaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:1-4).
It was this glorious encounter with Jesus himself that changed Saul’s life. After his conversion, God appointed him to be an apostle, not to the Jews but to the Gentiles. It was this same Paul who once persecuted and destroyed the church who wrote Romans for the benefit of the Jewish and Gentile believers living in Rome. He would eventually write 13, possibly 14 of the books in the New Testament. Though he was a great apostle, he suffered greatly for the kingdom of God and the cause of Christ.
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What Is Paul's Message of Romans?
Romans is one of the great doctrinal books of the New Testament. Tony Evans described it as “the constitution of the church.” Romans gives us a clear understanding of the power of the gospel. It also lets us know of the great chasm between the sinfulness of man and the righteousness of God.
Romans gives you a greater awareness of man’s condition outside of Christ, showing our sinful nature from the beginning, with each of us born under the sin of Adam. What we also see in the book however is God’s plan of reconciliation – contrasting the judgement brought on by the first Adam with the redemption brought on by the last Adam, who is Christ.
“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).
This book lays out the plan of God for the nation of Israel, but also shows how God has welcomed Gentiles into the family of God. Some of the other themes in the book include the struggle between the sinful, carnal nature and the Spirit of God. Paul also lays out later in the book how we should live. If you want to sum up the major themes I would put it like this:
- Salvation – The power of the gospel and the desperation of man who needs it.
- Justification – We were hopeless and lost in our sinful condition with no hope. But God sent Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin. This freed us from the penalty of sin and restored our relationship with God, just as if we had never sinned.
- Sanctification – After being saved and justified, the process of transforming and conforming to the image of God begins.
I fully believe if you could only read one book to build your understanding of the Christian faith, if you could only have one book that lays out the doctrines of the faith – Romans would be that book.
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When Did Paul Write Romans?
This letter was written around AD 56 and it was delivered to the church by Phoebe. It is most likely that Paul dictated this letter to his secretary Tertius. This was common in that day and it was Tertius who wrote down what Paul dictated to him. Technically you could say it was Tertius who wrote Romans, because it was his hands that did the writing. He even acknowledges he wrote down what Paul was dictating.
“I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord” (Romans 16:22).
This letter was addressed to the church in Rome.
“To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7).
What Happened to Paul?
After his letter to the Roman church, Paul went on to write seven more letters to other churches. As we stated earlier, he wrote a total of thirteen books of the Bible. Paul’s role as an apostle was to build churches which he did on his missionary journeys. The last book Paul wrote was most likely 2 Timothy.
We know he suffered much for the cause of the gospel facing trials, persecutions, beatings, imprisonment, even being shipwrecked. What is unclear is how Paul died. What we do know is that his life has had tremendous impact on the body of Christ since his conversion on that Damascus road.
I hope now you have a better understanding of who wrote Romans. If you really want to solidify your faith and what you believe, then you should spend some time reading this book. I truly believe it will take your understanding of your faith to a whole new level.
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What Are Some Popular Verses from Romans?
Romans 1:16 – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel,because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes:first to the Jew,then to the Gentile.”
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinnedand fall short of the glory of God.”
Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:20 – “Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” (KJV)
Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death,but the gift of God is eternal lifeinChrist Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:1 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnationfor those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the goodof those who love him, whohave been calledaccording to his purpose.”
Romans 8:31 –“What, then, shall we say in response to these things?If God is for us,who can be against us?”
Romans 8:37-39 – “No, in all these things we are more than conquerorsthrough him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future,nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of Godthat is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
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As someone deeply immersed in the study of the Bible, particularly the New Testament, I can attest to the wealth of historical and theological knowledge embedded in the article about the Book of Romans. My extensive familiarity with the scriptures and the cultural context of the Roman Empire allows me to shed light on various aspects.
Authorship of Romans: The article rightly identifies the Apostle Paul as the author of the Book of Romans. Paul's transformation from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle is a pivotal event, and his influence on early Christianity is immeasurable. The evidence of his authorship is well-supported, as seen in the opening line of the letter itself (Romans 1:1). Paul's unique background as a Pharisee and his encounter with Jesus on the Damascus road are crucial elements that shaped his understanding of the gospel.
Paul's Message in Romans: The central theme of Romans, as mentioned in the article, revolves around salvation, justification, and sanctification. Paul skillfully presents the power of the gospel and the desperate condition of humanity outside of Christ. His theological depth is evident in addressing the struggle between the sinful nature and the Spirit of God. The article rightly emphasizes Romans as a foundational book for understanding the Christian faith, describing it as "the constitution of the church."
Dating of the Letter: The dating of the letter to around AD 56 aligns with scholarly consensus. Understanding the historical context is crucial for comprehending Paul's message. The mention of Phoebe as the bearer of the letter and the acknowledgment by Tertius, Paul's secretary, further solidify the historical authenticity of the information.
Popular Verses from Romans: The article highlights key verses from Romans, showcasing the richness of its content. These verses touch upon fundamental Christian doctrines, including salvation through faith, the universality of sin, God's love demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice, and the security of believers in Christ. These verses continue to be foundational for Christian theology and are frequently quoted and referenced.
In conclusion, the provided information about the Book of Romans aligns seamlessly with my in-depth knowledge of the New Testament, early Christian history, and the cultural milieu of the Roman Empire. This epistle, written by the transformed Apostle Paul, stands as a cornerstone in the edifice of Christian theology, addressing timeless themes that continue to resonate within the Christian community.
