The Book of Romans

The City of Rome

The City of Rome is one of the most famous cities in the world. Its history touches virtually every community of peoples and has reached the extremes of civilization; most morally corrupt, pre-eminent in art and science as well as extreme spiritual degradation and tyranny, the seat of the world class political power and colonialism.

It was not only the first city of the empire but the largest and most splendid. Rome was served by many good roads coming from all directions. It was the center for culture and religion containing theaters, arena and amphitheaters as well as up to 420 temples given over to superstitious idolatry and the Roman pantheon of gods.

Rome was the seat of government for the entire Roman Empire. The Romans emperor, the Caesar, resided in his imperial palace located on Palatine Hill. From there he directed the affairs of the empire and the entertainment that took place on the Colosseum in the valley below his palace.

Rome, as with many other cities in the empire, came to be made up of many ethnic groups and all socio-economic classes including Jews. It has been estimated that by the time the first century A.D. there were some 50,000 Jews in Rome grouped in a large number of synagogues. It is believe that the Christian faith was brought to Rome and it took root there within the Jewish community. Also, during Paul's time the majority of the Jewish population consisted of slaves.

The Church in Rome

While it is likely that the church at Rome was started by the Jews, it was not the Apostle Paul who was involved.

In Romans 1:13 Paul says that he had often planned to visit the church at Rome but up until that time had been prevented from doing so.

There are many speculations as to how the church at Rome started but two of these seem the most reasonable.

1. There were Jewish Romans at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) and it is likely they could have traveled back to Rome and started a church there.

2. Paul has started other prominent churches like in Corinth and Ephesus and these were all on major trade routes to Rome. Christians could have moved to Rome from any of these cities and started a church there.

By whatever means or by whom exactly the Christian faith was brought to Rome is not certain but, as many have mentioned, it took root and grew within the Jewish community.

Who wrote the Book of Romans?

There is overwhelming agreement among scholars that the apostle Paul wrote this epistle.

When was the Book of Romans written?

During Paul's 3rd missionary journey (A.D. 56-57)

The purpose for the Book of Romans

1. Although Pal had not planted the Church in Rome he had a concern for the believers there. Since he had never had the opportunity to preach in Rome he wanted to establish them in the gospel. There for he wrote this elaborate dissertation.

2. Since Paul was planning to travel to Rome in the future and then to use that city as a point of departure to evangelize Spain, he wanted to tell the Church in Rome of his plans ahead of time. He asked for prayer and informed them of some of the physical needs he might require (Romans 15:21-29)

Message and Content of Romans

Romans is theologically the most important epistle written by the Apostle Paul and it contains his most comprehensive an logical presentation of the gospel. An Outline of its content goes as follows:

1. Opening greeting and introduction to the book (1:1-17)
2. The Gospel as the righteousness of God by faith resulting in justification (1:18-4:25)
3. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation adn for sanctification (5:1-8:39)
4. The Gospel and its transformation of life (12:1-15:13)
5. Closing Salutation (15:14-16:27)