THE letter of PAUL to the ROMANS

1. THE letter of PAUL to the ROMANS

2. Author-Date-Circumstances of Writing • Written by Paul • Around 56-57 C.E. • Paul is going to Jerusalem with money collected from churches • Writes letter from Corinth • Dictated to Tertius • Probably delivered by Phoebe • Paul’s longest and most theologically developed letter

3. Paul states he will visit Rome on the way to Spain • Asks for prayer-spiritual support • Also hints at financial support for work in Spain • Has foreboding about Jerusalem

4. The roman Church Origins: • Probably established in Rome by 49 C.E. • Paul meets exiled Jewish couple-Aquila and Priscilla • They return after Emperor Claudius’ death

5. Purpose of letter • Paul insists Jewish rejection of the Gospel does not imply Israel’s election is annulled. • Refers to tensions between Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians • Paul reacts to opposite understandings of Gospel

6. Character of the letter • Probably last letter written • Written by a mature Paul • Closest to the Galatians in tone

7. Themes • Emphasizes justification by faith • Appeals to Abraham • Relies heavily on scripture • Presents Paul’s gospel ideas to mostly unknown readers

8. structure Opening 1:1-7 • Paragraph of thanksgiving (1:8-15) • Theme –God’s righteousness revealed through faith(1:16-17) • Theological argument • Part I-1: 18-8:39-God’s righteousness • Part 2-9-11-the meaning of Israel • Ethical section (12:1-15:13) • The “weak” and the “strong” • Paul’s works and travels (rest of ch.15) • Chapter 16: • Greetings and conclusion

9. Literary devices and themes • Most study has focused on Paul’s themes-justification, grace, and law • Recent focus-Greco-Roman rhetorical techniques and use of OT in his argument • Jewish exegetical methods

10. The Letters of Paul

11. Who is this Paul? • A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin • Born in Tarsus around 10 C.E. • A strict Pharisee, trained in the Law • Studied to be a rabbi under the famous teacher Gamaliel • Persecuted early Christians • Has dramatic conversion /Damascus

12. In 39, Paul leaves Damascus/goes to Jerusalem to meet Peter and James • Between 46 and 58, Paul goes on 3 extensive missionary journeys • In 58, arrested in Jerusalem by his enemies • Goes to Rome under house arrest in 61 C.E. • Paul writes letters to communities he had visited or planned to visit on 2nd & 3rd journeys • Also writes to some individuals.

13. New Testament Letters In the New Testament between Acts of the Apostles and Revelation, there are twenty-one documents that take the form of letters or epistles. • Most are actual letters • Others are like treatises in the guise of letters. • In others, elements of letter form are absent.

14. New Testament Letters • Romans, 1stand 2ndCorinthians;Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians;1stand 2ndThessalonians, 1stand 2ndTimothy, Titus;Philemon, Hebrews, James;1stand 2ndPeter, 1stand 2ndand 3rdJohn, Jude,

15. Deutero-Pauline or secondary letters Most likely written by disciples of Paul of admirers who wanted to keep his apostolic legacy alive. Ephesians, Colossians, 2ndThessalonians, Pastoral Letters 1stand 2ndTimothy, Titus;

16. Pauline letters Scholars agree Paul wrote seven of the letters: LettersYear WrittenPlace 1 Thessalonians 50/51 Corinth Galatians 54/55 Ephesus 1 Corinthians 56/57 Ephesus 2 Corinthians 57 Macedonia & Illyricum Philemon 55 Ephesus Philippians 56 Ephesus Romans 57/58 Corinth

17. Structure and organization of Paul’s letters Paul’s letters follow the common letter writing style of the Greco-Roman world • Opening Address - Name of sender and receiver - Short greeting • Thanksgiving - short thanksgiving sets tone of letter - gives a hint of letter’s contents

18. Body of letter - doctrinal: key Christian teachings and truths or clarifies misunderstandings - applies teaching to Christian living - encouragement • Final salutations - concludes by giving personal news or specific advice to individuals - Final greeting is usually a short blessing Letters were most often dictated to a professional scribe.