New Testament Survey: Book of Romans

1. New Testament Survey:Book of Romans Paul in Prison

3. The Author • Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. • Born and educated in Tarsus, capital of Cilicia. • Learned the tent-making trade(Acts 18:3) • Paul’s method of writing—logical method of presenting the truth. • Later Jewish education at feet of Gamaliel.

4. Date of Writing • In the epistle, Paul was heading toward Jerusalem(15:25-27). • Must have been written later than2 Corinthians,since he was ready to depart. • Time of writing = spring of 57 or 58 A.D. • 2 Corinthians written from Macedonia; then he headed for Greece. • After delivering the contribution for the poor saints, he wished to journey to Spain through Rome.

5. To Whom Addressed • Paul was a special apostle sent to the Gentile nations of the world. • Many times, he was hindered from going to Rome(1:13). • Rome was the center of the world’s life • Paul was vitally interested in preaching to the whole Roman Empire. • Wrote to the Christians there in preparation for his intended visit.

6. Origin of the Church in Rome • The origin of the Roman church is unknown. • Inconsistent facts concerning Peter being the founder. • The Divine record does not indicate that Peter was ever in Rome. • Peter’s own epistles were not written or addressed from Rome. • In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he made no mention of Peter!

7. Origin of the Church in Rome • Paul wrote his epistles from a Roman prison; he did not mention Peter. • No mention of Rome in Peter’s own writings, and no other inspired writer mentions a connection between Peter and Rome. • Could have been one converted on Pentecost • Evidence many Jews lived in Rome. • Decree of banishment from Rome by Claudius (Acts 18:1,2)

8. Condition of the Church in Rome • It’s only natural that a church made up of both Jews and Gentiles would experience some strife. • A difficult fact that hindered complete reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles—both were equal in God’s eyes. • Paul also wrote to prepare them for the problems caused by the Judaizing teachers who would come their way.

9. Purpose and Message • Depravity into which sin leads those who abandon God. • Rejecting God, after having known Him, to walk in the “vanity of their own minds.” • Moral destitution of the Gentile nations—”God gave them up!” • Romans 1:18-32

10. Purpose and Message • God does not respect any man’s person enough to wink at his sin. • Romans 2 • There is a universal need for salvation. • Romans 3:23 • God’s grace alone was able to provide for salvation, a provision made possible by the blood of Christ, which was offered to all men through the gospel • Romans 3:23-26

11. Purpose and Message • Justification is not by the works of the Law; such would make God a respecter of persons • Law of Moses not given as plan to make man righteous; it was given to reveal sin. Through knowledge of that fact, they needed a Savior. • Romans 3:19,20 • Justification attained by faith in Christ • Romans 3:22

12. Purpose and Message • Jews had failed to attain unto God’s righteousness—they did not seek Him by faith. • Romans 9:32 • Refused to allow the Law to serve the purpose for which it was intended—preparation for Christ • Galatians 3:24 • Developed their own system of righteousness—human traditions • Romans 10:1-3

13. Purpose and Message • The national rejection did not doom the individual who was willing to have faith in Christ. • Romans 11:26 • Christianity, as Paul emphasized in this letter, should blot out all national enmity. • Bring them to Christ, where they could love one another as brethren and enjoy the fullness of Christian fellowship. • Romans 8:1-6

14. The Book’s Contents and Character • God’s condemnation rests upon all men because all have sinned. • Romans 1:18—3:23 • God’s way of making men righteous is only through Christ—offered in the gospel—appropriated by man’s faith for all! • Romans 3:19—5:21 • God’s grace offers righteousness to all men on the same conditions. • Romans 5:22—8:30

15. The Book’s Contents and Character • Fleshly Israel had a sad plight, but God’s promises were fulfilled through spiritual Israel. • Romans 9:13 • It was God’s will that the Gentiles also receive His mercy and grace. • Romans 9:24-26 • Gentile acceptance had caused a hardening of fleshly Israel. • Romans 9:27-33

16. The Book’s Contents and Character • They trusted their own righteousness instead of God’s. • Romans 10:1-3 • Rejected Christ—fulfillment of the Law—continued looking for Messiah who had already come. • Romans 10:4-8 • Now, God’s requirements for salvation were the same for both Jews and Gentiles. • Romans 10—12

17. The Book’s Contents and Character • The prophets had prophesied that the gospel would go to the Gentiles for salvation—the Jews rejected that truth! • Romans 10:13-21 • God had not rejected all Israel—only unbelievers and the disobedient who had hardened their hearts • Romans 11:1-10 • Israel’s rejection open the door for the Gentiles—but they were not to gloat. • Romans 11:11-23

18. The Book’s Contents and Character • The Jews could claim God’s mercy individually, by turning from unbelief. • Romans 11:26-32 • Sanctification, which comes as a fruit of justification—now living sacrifices • Romans 12 • Importance of subjection to civil authorities • Romans 13:1-7

19. The Book’s Contents and Character • God’s moral law was based upon principle—love thy neighbor as thyself. • Romans 13:8-14 • One must not allow his personal liberty to destroy another’s weak faith. • Romans 14—15:7 • Paul’s travel plans, final greetings, and farewell • Romans 15:8—16