Bible Book: Romans

Because the Bible is practical, here is an overview of the book.

Author: Paul

Type of Book: Epistle

Outline
Introduction (1:1-17)
Humanity’s Defiance Toward God and Its Desperate Need of Righteousness (1:18-3:20)
The Guilt of the Gentiles: Those Without God’s Law (1:18-32)
The Guilt of the Jews: Those With God’s Law (2:1-3:8)
The Guilt of All People: Our Accountability to God (3:9-20)
God’s Provision of Salvation and Righteousness (3:21-5:21)
Justification: Made Right With God Through Faith in Christ (3:21-31)
Provided By Christ (3:21-26)
Received By Faith (3:27-31)
An Example of Justification by Faith: Abraham Counted as Righteous (4:1-25)
The Benefits of Being Made Right With God: Peace, Access, Joy and Salvation (5:1-11)
Adam and Christ: Our Unrighteousness Contrasted With God’s Gift of Righteousness (5:12-21)
Adam/Sin/Condemnation/Death
Christ/Grace/Justification/Life
God’s Work and Development of Righteousness in Christ’s Followers (6:1-8:39)
Freedom From Slavery to Sin (6:1-23)
Dying With Christ to Break the Power of Sin (6:1-14)
Living With Christ as Servants of Righteousness (6:15-23)
Freedom From the Condemnation Under the Law (7:1-25)
Freedom to Live Through the Power of God’s Spirit (8:1-39)
Israel’s Rejection and Restoration Regarding Righteousness Through Christ (9:1-11:36)
The Problem of Israel’s Rejection (9:1-10:21)
The Triumph of God’s Plan (11:1-36)
Believers’ Practical Applications of Righteousness in Daily Life (12:1-15:13)
In Individual Lives and Personal Sacrifice (12:1-2)
In the Church and the Christian Community (12:3-16)
In Society and the World (12:17-13:7)
Among Weak and Strong Christians: the Spirit of Unity and the Law of Love (13:8-15:13)
Conclusion (15:14-16:27)

Theme: God’s Gift of Righteousness Revealed Through Christ and Received by Faith

Date of Writing: c. A.D. 57

Background
    Romans is the first NT book attributed to the apostle Paul—a pioneer missionary and messenger of Christ who started many NT churches and wrote many of the NT letters or “books” (see Ac 14:4, note on “apostles”). The book of Romans is Paul’s longest and perhaps his most influential letter. Among all of his NT writings, Paul’s letter to the Romans contains the most in-depth theology (i.e., study and consideration of God, Christian faith and spiritual issues, primarily God’s relationship to people and the world). Probably for these reasons it is placed first among his thirteen NT books—the letters he wrote to various churches and church leaders with whom he had ministered or had great influence. Paul wrote Romans in connection with his God-given mission to take the message of Jesus Christ to the Gentile world (i.e., to non-Jews and people of all nations outside of the Jewish community). Contrary to some views of church history and tradition, the church in Rome was not founded by Peter (one of Jesus’ first and closest disciples and a leader in the Jerusalem church); nor was it likely started by any other apostle. (“Apostles” in this sense refers primarily to Jesus’ original disciples—those with a direct personal commission from Christ to deliver his original message and to lead the effort in establishing his church; see Ac 14:4, note.) The Roman church may have been established by people from Macedonia and Asia whom Paul had introduced to faith in Christ, along with some Jews and others who responded to the Holy Spirit and the message about Christ on the day of Pentecost (Ac 2:10). Paul felt it was right to address the Romans and offer spiritual guidance to Christ’s followers in Rome since he did not consider that territory to be under the direct leadership of another apostle (Ro 15:20).
In the book of Romans, Paul assures Christ’s followers in Rome that he has often planned to come to them and preach the message about Christ in their city, but so far he has been hindered from coming (1:13-15; 15:22). He affirms his heartfelt desire to join them, and he tells of his plans to come soon (15:23-32).
    Paul wrote this letter toward the end of his third missionary journey (cf. 15:25-26; Ac 20:2-3; 1Co 16:5-6; see map of Paul’s Third Missionary Journey), while he was at Corinth as a guest in the home of Gaius (Ro 16:23; 1Co 1:14). At the time he dictated his message to the Romans through his assistant, Tertius (16:22), Paul was planning to return to Jerusalem for the day of Pentecost (Ac 20:16; probably spring A.D. 57 or 58). Part of his desire was to deliver in person a relief offering from the Gentile, or non-Jewish, churches for the poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem (15:25-27). Immediately afterwards, Paul hoped to take the message of Christ into Spain, visiting the church in Rome on his way and receiving assistance from them as he headed further west (15:24, 28).

Purpose
Paul wrote this letter to prepare the way for his anticipated ministry at Rome and his planned mission to Spain. He had two primary purposes for writing. (1) The Romans had apparently received distorted, or confusing, rumors regarding Paul’s message and teaching about God (e.g., 3:8; 6:1-2, 15). For this reason, Paul felt it necessary to put into writing the message he had been preaching for twenty-five years. (2) He intended to correct certain problems in the church that stemmed from wrong attitudes of Jews toward Gentiles (e.g., 2:1-29; 3:1, 9) and Gentiles toward Jews (e.g., 11:11-32).

Survey
    The theme of Romans is introduced in 1:16-17. Basically, Paul expresses the power of Christ’s message to save people spiritually and to bring them into a right relationship with God. This gift of righteousness (i.e., a right relationship with God and the power to do right by his standard) comes from God and is the answer to his judgment against sin. God reveals this gift through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus provided a way for us to be forgiven for our offenses against God and to be restored to a right relationship with him. The main idea is this: God sets things right between himself and people who have faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul proceeds into the letter, he presents the foundational truths of the gospel—the “good news” and truth about forgiveness and spiritual salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. First, he points out that the problem of sin (i.e., rebellion and opposition against God) and humanity’s need to be rescued from sin and restored to a right relationship with God affect every person who ever lives (1:18-3:20). Both Jews and non-Jews are separated from God because of sin and are facing God’s judgment. Apart from God’s grace (i.e., his undeserved favor, love and enablement), no person can become right with God or live up to his standards on their own (see article on Faith and Grace). We must rely on him, yield our lives to him and accept his gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-4:25).
    When we accept God’s gracious gift, we experience the peace, joy and assurance of spiritual salvation and a personal relationship with God (ch. 5). By knowing and identifying with Jesus Christ, who died for our sins, we also have his power to “die” to sin (i.e., to resist and overcome its destructive influence in our lives). As a result, we can do what is right by God’s standard and experience the life and spiritual liberty he desires for us (chs. 6-7). This new life “through the Spirit” is focused on God’s desires and purposes, which will lead to honor for those who follow Jesus, even beyond the difficulties they experience in this life (ch. 8). With God on our side, we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us” (8:37). God continues to work out his plan to restore people to a relationship with himself in spite of Israel’s unbelief and rejection of Christ (chs. 9-11).
    Finally, Paul describes how people whose lives have truly been transformed by Christ will reflect his righteousness, love and other character traits in all areas of life. This includes their personal attitudes and behaviors, as well as their conduct, interaction and relationships with people inside and outside the church (chs. 12-14). Following some final words of challenge and encouragement and an explanation of his personal plans (ch. 15), Paul gives a long list of personal greetings. He draws his letter to a close with a final warning against deception and division in the church. He concludes by honoring God for what he accomplished through Jesus Christ (ch. 16).

Special Feature
    Seven major features characterize Romans. (1) Romans is Paul’s most in-depth and organized letter, expressing a broad, yet specific, overview of NT theology (e.g., an explanation of God’s work and relationship to people through his Son, Jesus Christ). (2) Paul writes in a question-and-answer, or debating, style (e.g., 3:1, 4-6, 9, 31). (3) Paul uses the OT extensively as a basis of authority for his presentation of the true nature of the message about Christ. (4) Paul presents the spiritual concept of “a righteousness from God” as the core revelation of the gospel (i.e., the “good news” of Christ, 1:16-17): God set things right through Jesus Christ. (5) Paul focuses on the two elements of the nature of sin, along with God’s way of dealing with each element through the life and sacrifice of Christ: (a) sin as personal wrongdoing, defiance, disobedience or offense against God (1:1-5:11) and (b) the “sin” (Gk hë hamartia) principle—the inherent human tendency to defy God and go our own way—that is within every person’s heart since Adam first gave into temptation and sin entered the world (5:12-8:39; see 5:12 and 6:2, notes on sin). (6) Ro 8 is the most developed chapter in the Bible on the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of Christ’s followers. (7) Romans contains the Bible’s most powerful discussion about the Jews’ rejection of Christ (except for a few who accept him as their Messiah, or Savior) and how God’s plan ultimately comes back to Israel (chs. 9-11).

Giving credit where credit is due.  These informational notes about this book come from the Full Life Study Bible, also known as the Fire Bible.  Don Stamps, editor.  Originally published by Life Publishers.