An Introduction to Romans

In 386, a young pagan by the name of Augustine converted to Christianity after reading just a few verses of Paul's letter to the Romans (Romans 13:13-14, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. In 1515, the Protestant Reformation "began" after Martin Luther read Romans 1:17, "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith." In 1738, it was Martin Luther's commentary on Romans that John Wesley was reading with some Moravians at a Bible study and he had his Aldersgate Experience saying, "I felt my heart strangely warmed and that I did trust in Christ alone for my salvation." Paul's letter to the Romans has had a major impact on the theology and doctrine of the Christian church!

Paul didn't know the people at Rome, to whom he was writing this letter. He typically writes to churches that others have started and that he has visited or has started himself. Although it is the first of the epistles in our Bible, it was written well after many of the other epistles were written. It is placed first in the sequence of epistles because it is the longest Pauline epistle. This letter was written approximately 58AD; Paul is possibly in Corinth at this time on his third missionary journey. This letter predates the Book we just read, and as we know, Paul's trip to Rome was interrupted by his arrest in Jerusalem (Acts 21). Paul eventually makes it to Rome, under armed guards, at the end of Acts. 

One major emphasis throughout this letter is that Jews and Gentiles are on the same footing as far as God is concerned, and that salvation is available to those who believe and have faith in God. Paul highlights women in this letter (contrary to his usual take on women!) and mentions at least  at dozen women and their influence on Christianity in Rome. 

One of the big arguments Paul makes is "Justification by faith alone" and I am sure we will have some great discussions about that concept. This concept was an important point in the Protestant Reformation and also in John Wesley (and then by extension, Methodism). Paul proclaims that the gospel argues salvation to all who have faith- Jew or Gentile, Greek or Roman."

Everyone that studies Romans end up somehow transformed and a new and different creation. I hope that we can all benefit from this reading! I look forward to journeying with you.

Shalom+
PastorPaul