About Romans
God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel: all have sinned, all can be justified by faith in Christ, and in Christ God is making all things new - Jew and Gentile together.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes."
Romans 1:16
Written
circa AD 56-57
Author
Paul
Genre
Epistle / Theology
Position
6th NT book - First of Paul's Letters
Authorship
The Apostle Paul, written from Corinth during his third missionary journey, likely dictated to Tertius (Rom 16:22) while being hosted by Gaius (16:23). Romans is Paul's most systematic theological letter.
Historical Context
Paul had not yet visited Rome but planned to do so on his way to Spain. The Roman church had both Jewish and Gentile members with tensions between them. Paul wrote Romans as a comprehensive statement of his gospel.
Purpose
To present the complete gospel of God's righteousness - showing that all are under sin, all are justified by faith in Christ, all are sanctified by the Spirit, and all (Jew and Gentile) are included in God's plan.
Key Message
God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel: all have sinned, all can be justified by faith in Christ, and in Christ God is making all things new - Jew and Gentile together.
Book Structure
Interesting Facts
Romans 8 - considered by many the greatest chapter in the NT - contains the famous nothing can separate us from the love of God declaration.
Augustine's reading of Romans 13:13-14 in a garden in Milan in AD 386 converted him - changing the course of Western civilization.
Martin Luther's reading of the righteous shall live by faith (Rom 1:17) sparked the Protestant Reformation.
Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us - is the gospel in one sentence.