Romans: Introduction to Great Teaching

In this series of articles, I wish to explore the wonderful teachings found in the Book of Romans. Paul is a detailed and deep thinker and, with the aid of the Holy Spirit to guide him, he provides some important doctrines, encouragement, and biblical truths and precepts that we all need to prosper in this Christian walk. Consider these two statements regarding this book:

“This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.” (Martin Luther)

“It is the most remarkable production of the most remarkable man. It is his heart. It contains his theology, theoretical and practical, for which he lived and died. It gives the clearest and fullest exposition of the doctrines of sin and grace and the best possible solution of the universal dominion of sin and death in the universal redemption by the second Adam.” (Philip Schaff, p. 766)

Romans is considered one of the most profound books of the Bible
Many people hold parts of it in the highest regard
Frederic Louis Godet termed Romans the “Cathedral of the Christian faith.”

Book Background

Believed to be written by Paul in Corinth on Paul’s third missionary journey as he had not yet visited there
Believed to be written in the winter of 57-58 A.D. or as late as 60 A.D.
He wrote it just before he left for Jerusalem and believed he might not survive and, therefore, wished to ensure he had shared many thoughts with the Christians at Rome

Consider these words towards the end of the letter:

Romans 15:22-33:

For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you. But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you; Whensoever I take my journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be somewhat filled with your company. But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this fruit, I will come by you into Spain. And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ. Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ’ sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me; That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints; That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen.

Paul is believed to have sent this letter to the Roman Christians by the hand of a woman named Phebe:

Romans 16:1-2: “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea [a suburb of Corinth]: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.”

The Christians in Rome had been established for a few years by this time most likely by Jewish believers who traveled to Jerusalem for various feast days and carried the gospel back with them.

Romans 15:23: “But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great desire these many years to come unto you;”

This is some twenty-eight years after the first Pentecost and there would have been plenty of time for a strong church to be established
Paul considered them to be a well-established congregation. Consider that he did not call them recent converts . . .
They seemed to have been an organized and well-grounded congregation

Romans 15:14: “And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.”

They were well known throughout the Roman empire . . .

Romans 1:8: “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

How was the church in Rome started?

(Much of this information is taken from “1. Introduction to the Book of Romans”)

It had a large Jewish element
Many Gentiles converts
Had both freemen and slaves
One view is that Peter founded it
Another view is that Roman Christians from Pentecost in Jerusalem returned home preaching the gospel
Another view is that many Christian families or groups from other Pauline churches in the East moved to Rome
Another is those that fled Jewish persecution in Israel started the church
When Nero’s persecutions began, Tacitus says that the Christians there were “an immense multitude.”

The Place within Paul’s Other Epistles

Romans is placed first among Paul’s letters in the New Testament because it is his longest work, and also it is a massive and basic theological frame-work for the whole collection of Paul’s writings. The order of Paul’s writings is believed to be as follows:

1 and 2 Thessalonians
Galatians
1 and 2 Corinthians
Romans
Colossians
Ephesians
Philippians
Philemon
1 Timothy
Titus
2 Timothy

The Theme of Book of Romans

Paul’s intent for writing the Book of Romans obviously centers on the gospel (see Romans 1:16, 17). Paul emphasizes to those in the Roman church that sinners who believe (and walk by faith) will be justified and declared righteous by a just and righteous God, and, therefore, should live their lives to the glory of God whilst looking for the glory to come. This theme rings throughout Paul’s writings and originally comes from Habakkuk . . .

Habakkuk 2:1-4: “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.”

This theme is repeated by Paul in three books:

Romans 1:16-17: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11: “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.”

Hebrews 10:38 (I personally believe Paul wrote it): “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Overall Structure of the Book of Romans

Depending on whose commentary or notes that you read, various outlines of the Book of Romans emerge that can have few or many divisions. I have chosen this simple six-point outline. The book falls neatly into the following structure:

An Introduction (1:1-17)
A doctrinal section on justification (1:18-5:11)
A doctrinal section on sanctification (5:12-8:39)
A parenthetical section on Israel (9:1-11:36)
A practical application section (12:1-15:13)
A conclusion (15:14-16:27)

A Serious Early Church Problem in Rome

Many strong Mosaic Jewish believers held that Gentiles converts should convert to Judaism, be circumcised, and follow the law – the “finality of Mosaic Law”
Prior to the Christian cult (so called) all Gentile converts underwent the rite of circumcision and learned the Mosaic law. Now that some of these strong Jewish leaders had become saved and some of them traveled to Rome, they caused some contention regarding the Gentile believers in the Roman congregation. Some of Paul’s letter to the Romans addresses this issue.

Introduction Verses

Romans 1:1-7:

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name; Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Verse 1 notes: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”

Paul selects a “title” that speaks about not only who he sees himself to be but also who he does not see himself to be:

Not a friend (although he was):

John 15:15: “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.“

Not a son or child of God: (although he was) Galatians 4:6; John 1:12; Philippians 2:15; 1 John 3:1-2; Romans 8:14, 19

Paul selects a “title” that speaks about being a servant first and foremost:

Doulos (Strong’s G1404): a bondman, a slave, subservience, sense of being under subjection

Willingly he placed himself under subjection and servanthood to Jesus Christ.

Separated: aphorizo (Strong’s G873): set off, limited, appointed, excluded, divided, severed from other things

A good soldier who willingly foregoes anything that will hinder the good fight.

Apostle: apostolos (Strong’s G652): a delegate, ambassador, commissioned office, messenger, sent one
Called: kletos (Strong’s G2822): called, appointed, invited

Matthew 22:14: “For many are called, but few are chosen.” Chosen is eklektos (Strong’s G1588) selected, elected, a favorite. Galatians 1:15-16: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

Verse 2 notes: “(Which he [God and Jesus Christ] had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)”

“Unto us a child is born” (Isaiah 9:6) comes to mind. So does some 340 other passages that predict His first coming. So the gospel is not a new teaching, but clarified teaching now that Christ had come and fulfilled His mission.

The Holy Scriptures: hagios (Strong’s G40), holy, sacred, blameless, consecrated

Verse 3 notes: “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”

Four-fold name that perfectly describes Him:

Son: God’s only son: Psalms 2:7-12; Proverbs 30:4; Isaiah 9:6; Zechariah 12:10, and others
Jesus or Jeshua or Joshua: His work and purpose: Savior:

Matthew 1:21: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Christ: kristos (Strong’s G5547): His Office: the anointed one, The Messiah

Matthew 16:15-16: “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Our Lord: hemon-kurios (Strong’s G2257 & G2962): His authority:

John 13:13: “Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”

Which was made the seed of David according to the flesh: speaks not only to the fulfillment of God’s promises to King David, but to His humanity. Fully God and fully man – without which He could not have undone the damage of the first Adam or even be called the second Adam.

1 Corinthians 15:45: “And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

Hebrews 12:24: “And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

Verse 4 notes: “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”

Note that Jesus was declared to be the Son of God – He was not made to be the Son of God – He always was. He was made (born) to be the Son of David. Big difference. A declaration by Paul emphasizing the divinity of Jesus Christ.
By the spirit of holiness: divine proof
Resurrection from the dead: earthly or fleshly proof
Again Paul affirming His humanity and divinity

Verse 5 notes: “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name;”

By whom, not from whom: Declaring that Paul receives his commission, assignments, and power to share the gospel by the power of Christ. Not from (as a channel) but by (as a source).
We have received Grace: Charis (Strong’s G5485):

John 1:17: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.”

Galatians 1:15-16: “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:”

An apostle:

1 Corinthians 15:9-11: “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.”

Verse 6 notes: “Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:”

You are also called and chosen, to be kings and priests, to be the vines that bear fruit, to make disciples . . .
“Called” (Strong’s G2822): kletos: the called, the invited, the appointed, special selection. You are specially selected and invited as well as appointed to be called saints, sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Verse 7 notes: “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

How about we change verse 7 to say:

To all that be in Elkmont Baptist Church, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

You are beloved
You are called to be saints
You have been given grace and peace from God he Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ

Maranatha!

Bro. Joe

References

Strong, J. Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries. Meyers, R. (2005). e-Sword. [computer software] . Franklin, TN: Equipping Ministries Foundation. (Original work published 1539)

Luther, M. Martin Luther’s Preface to Romans. World Wide Wolfmueller. Retrieved February 14, 2023. Retrieved from https://wolfmueller.co/martin-luthers-preface-to-romans/

Ross, A. “1. Introduction to the Book of Romans.” The Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. Bible.org. Retrieved February 14, 2023. Retrieved from https://bible.org/seriespage/1-introduction-book-romans#P6_942

Schaff, P. (1910). History of the Christian Church, Volume 1. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons. Retrieved from https://www.google.com/books/edition/History_of_the_Christian_Church_Volume_1/8W_78tE0JLkC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=History+of+the+Christian+Church,+Volume+1&printsec=frontcover

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