Revised by Jennifer Vija Pietz, 6/23
SUMMARY
The ApostleDerived from a Greek word meaning “one who is sent,” an apostle is a person who embraces and advocates another person’s idea or beliefs. At the beginning of his ministry Jesus called twelve apostles to follow and serve him. Paul became an apostle of Jesus… More PaulThe Apostle Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was the author of several New Testament letters and the founder of many Christian communities. More writes the longest of his letters to followers of JesusJesus is the Messiah whose life, death, and resurrection are God’s saving act for humanity. More in Rome, announcing that he plans to visit them, to be mutually encouraged, and to be sent on by them to Spain. To accomplish the goal of having the support of the Roman Christians, Paul sets forth an account of the gospel that he preaches–particularly about the saving work of God in Christ–and spells out its implications for the Christian life. In addition, he writes concerning the salvationSalvation can mean saved from something (deliverance) or for something (redemption). Paul preached that salvation comes through the death of Christ on the cross which redeemed sinners from death and for a grace-filled life. More of the Jewish people, discusses some particulars of Christian conduct (life under the Roman government, living together in the midst of disagreements, and fulfilling the law of love). He speaks of his plans for travel as an apostle and sends greetings by name to some 26 people known to him in Rome.
SO WHAT?
With the exception of the four Gospels, Romans is unsurpassed among the books of the New Testament for its impact on later church history. It had a place in Augustine’s conversion from Manichaeism to Christianity; in the rediscovery of graceGrace is the unmerited gift of God’s love and acceptance. In Martin Luther’s favorite expression from the Apostle Paul, we are saved by grace through faith, which means that God showers grace upon us even though we do not deserve it. More, justification, and faith by Martin Luther, sparking the Reformation; and in the beginnings of the Methodist movement when John Wesley read Luther’s Preface to Romans. In 1919 Karl Barth produced his commentary on Romans, a work that was to change theology radically in the 20th century.
WHERE DO I FIND IT?
Paul’s Letter to the Romans is the sixth book in the New Testament. Because it is the longest of Paul’s letters, it stands first in the “Pauline corpusThe Pauline corpus is the body of New Testament letters known to have been written by the apostle Paul. The seven epistles generally accepted as being by Paul are 1 Thessalonians, Philippians, Philemon, Galatians, 1 and 2 Corinthians, and Romans. The authorship of the remaining… More,” the collection of letters attributed to the Apostle Paul (the books of Romans through Philemon).
WHO WROTE IT?
According to the letter itself, the Apostle Paul wrote the Letter to the Romans. There have never been any serious doubts about Paul’s authorship.
WHEN WAS IT WRITTEN?
Romans was written somewhere between 55 and 58 C.E. from Corinth, probably at the home of Gaius, a resident of Corinth (see Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14). Paul sent the letter to Rome, carried by Phoebe, deacon of the church at Cenchreae, the port of Corinth (Romans 16:1). According to Acts 20:2–3, Paul spent three months in Greece prior to his trip to Jerusalem. It may well have been at that time that he wrote Romans.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Paul’s Letter to the Romans is about God’s saving work in Christ for Jew and gentileA gentile is anyone who is not Jewish. The term, which is derived from words that the Bible uses to denote the “nations” of the world, reflects beliefs that God had designated Israel as a nation that would be distinct from others, and a blessing… More alike, both of whom fallThe Fall refers specifically to the disobedience of Adam and Eve when they listened to Satan rather than adhering to God’s command not to eat the fruit from the tree. When people act contrary to God’s will, they are said to fall from from grace… More short of doing the will of God yet receive grace and mercyMercy is a term used to describe leniency or compassion. God’s mercy is frequently referred to or invoked in both the Old and New Testaments. More from God.
HOW DO I READ IT?
In his Loci communes of 1521, Philip Melanchthon (an associate of Martin Luther) referred to Romans as a “compendium of Christian doctrine.” That view is no longer held by interpreters, for there are many theological topics that are not covered in Romans (such as, in a direct way, the Lord’s Supper, the cross, and Christ’s return). Yet, even though the letter is not a compendium of doctrine, Paul does sum up many of his teachings, presenting his gospel to a community that he plans to visit. The modern reader can understand Romans in large part as a summary of Paul’s main teachings that have been foundational for Christian theology ever since.
