Romans

Part 1

The Book of Romans is considered as one of the greatest letters Paul wrote. Some have said that it contains the heartbeat of Christianity. Alexander Campbell said the message of Romans becomes a key to all of Paul’s letters. A man by the name of John R. W. Stott describes Romans this way:

The Epistle to the Romans is the fullest and most coherent manifesto of the Christian gospel in the New Testament. In it the apostle Paul unfolds “the whole council of God.” … There is a grandeur, a comprehensiveness, a logic about his exposition which has commanded the admiration and compelled the study of all succeeding generations.

Many more quotes could be made that all talk how great this letter is. It is also the longest letter that Paul wrote. Though this was the 6^th letter Paul wrote, you will notice that it is the first letter of his in the New Testament right after the Book of Acts. Some think maybe the reason it was put first was because it was the longest and because this letter is considered his masterpiece. Paul did not write the letter with his own hands but dictated it to Tertius (Tur-shee-uhs) who added his own greeting near the end of the letter (Romans 16:22). Of course, if you want to get technical, the Holy Spirit is the true author of Romans. It is implied that Phoebe was the one who delivered this letter to Rome (Romans 16:1). Most believe that Paul wrote this letter while he was at Corinth for 3 months on his third missionary journey around A.D. 57-58.

Since Paul is the writer of this letter, I want to take a quick look at his life by looking at his timeline.

3 BC – AD 34

Paul was born an Israelite in Tarsus around the same time as Jesus and John the Baptist were born (Acts 22:3, Phil 3:5).
He was a Roman citizen by birthright (Acts 22:28).
He started school at age 6 or 7, and the Old Testament would be the focus of his study.
At age 13, he would go through Bar Mitzvah (assuming the full obligation of the law).
In Jerusalem, Paul studies and trains under the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).

AD 35 – AD 43

Paul watches and consents to Stephen’s death (Acts 7:58, 8:1).
He inflicts great persecution on Christians (Acts 8:1-3; 26:10-11; Phil. 3:6).
On the road to Damascus, Paul meets Jesus and is converted and baptized (Acts 9).
At some point over the next 3 years, Paul goes to Arabia and then returns to Damascus (Gal. 1:17).
Paul’s life is in danger, and he escapes Damascus by being lowered down the outside wall through a window in a big basket (Acts 9:24; 2 Cor 11:32-33).
Paul makes his way to Jerusalem and Barnabas brings him to the apostles (Acts 9:26-29; Gal. 1:18).
Once again, Paul’s life is in danger and he travels to Tarsus (Acts 9:30).
Later, Barnabas goes to Tarsus and finds Paul, and they go to Antioch and teach a great number of people over the next year (Acts 11:25-26).
Paul and Barnabas deliver aid to the brethren in Jerusalem (Acts 11:29-30).
When they complete their mission, they return to Antioch with Mark (Acts 12:25).

First Missionary Journey AD 44 – AD 49

The Holy Spirit separates Paul and Barnabas out for this Journey (Acts 13:2-3).
They travel to Seleucia and set sail to the island of Cyprus (Acts 13:4).
They preach in the Synagogues at Salamis and Mark assists them (Acts 13:5).
At Paphos, they encounter a false prophet named Bar-Jesus who tries to keep the proconsul, Sergius Paulis, from hearing the word of God. Paul strikes Bar-Jesus blind by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the proconsul believes (Acts 13:6-12).
When they arrive at Perga, Mark departs and returns to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).
Paul and Barnabas continue on to Antioch in Pisidia. Paul preaches his first and longest recorded sermon in the synagogue (Acts 13:14-49).
They are driven out of Antioch and they go to Iconium where they stay for a long time boldly speaking the word of God (Acts 13:50 - 14:3).
Their lives are threatened so they flee toward Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:4-7).
In Lystra, Paul heals a crippled man and the crowds try to worship them (Acts 14:8-18).
Paul is stoned and drug outside the city presumed dead, but he gets up and goes back into the city, and the next day, Paul and Barnabas go to Derbe (Acts 14:19-20).
At Derbe, they make many disciples. They return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch to strengthen the churches and to appoint elders (Acts 14:21-23).
They preach at Perga and return to Antioch in Syria where they report to the church everything that happened on their journey (Acts 14:24-28).
Paul and Barnabas are sent to Jerusalem to ask the apostles and the elders if the Gentiles must be circumcised. They decide that Gentiles don’t have to be circumcised, and they send Paul and Barnabas and other men back to Antioch with a letter explaining this (Acts 15:1-34; Gal 12:1).
They preach and teach at Antioch (Acts 15:35).
Paul possible writes Galatians from Antioch.

2^nd Missionary Journey AD 50 – AD 54

Paul and Barnabas separate from one another over Mark (Acts 15:36-39).
Paul and Silas join forces and go through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches (Acts 15:40-41).
They go to Derbe and Lystra, and Timothy joins the journey (Acts 16:1-5).
They go to Troas, and Paul has a vision of a Macedonian man asking for help (Acts 16:6-10).
They sail to Neapolis and travel to Philippi where they meet Lydia and convert her and her household (Acts 16:11-15).
Paul and Silas are thrown into jail after Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl (Acts 16:16-25).
A great earthquake opens the jail doors and the chains holding the prisoners. Paul and Silas convert the Philippian jailer and his household (Acts 16:25-34).
They preach the word of God in the synagogue at Thessalonica and convert men and women (Acts 17:1-10).
They flee to Berea and convert more people. Paul goes to Athens while Timothy and Silas stay behind. Paul sends word for them to join him (Acts 17:10-15).
Paul preaches to the people at Athens converting men and women (Acts 17:16-34).
Paul goes to Corinth and Timothy and Silas join him there. They teach the Word of God for a year and six months there (Acts 18:1-17).
Paul writes 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians.
Paul returns to Antioch of Syria after stopping at Ephesus, Caesarea, and Jerusalem (Acts 18:18-22).

3^rd Missionary Journey AD 54 – AD 58

Paul travels through Galatia and Phrygia strengthening the disciples (Acts 18:23).
At Ephesus, Paul baptizes some disciples in the name of Jesus who had only had John’s baptism (Acts 19:1-7).
Timothy is sent to Corinth (1Cor. 4:17). He returns to Ephesus later (1 Cor. 16:10-11).
Paul writes 1^st Corinthians.
Paul preaches in the synagogue for 3 months and then at the school of Tyrannus for 2 years (Acts 19:8-10).
He sends Timothy and Erastus into Macedonia (Acts 19:21).
On his way to Macedonia, Paul stops at Troas to meet up with Titus, but he never shows up (Acts 20:1; 2 Cor. 2:13).
Paul meets up with Titus possible in Philippi and writes 2 Corinthians sending Titus with the letter to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 7:6, 8:6; Acts 20:2).
He goes to Greece for 3 months. and writes the book of Romans (Acts 20:2-3).
From Greece Timothy and other brethren go ahead of Paul to meet him latter at Troas (Acts 20:4-6).
Paul stays 7 days at Troas and partakes of the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7-12).
He travels to Assos by foot and sails to Mitylene, Chios, Samos, Trogyllium, and stops at Miletus (Acts 20:13-16).
Paul sends for the Ephesians elders, and he exhorts them (Acts 20:17-38).
From there, he sails to Cos, Rhodes, an Patara, and they stop at Tyre for 7 days (Acts 21:3-6).
Next, he stays at Ptolemais for one day (Acts 21:7).
At Caesarea. Paul stays with Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8-14).

In Jerusalem, and the Journey to Rome AD 58 – AD 62

Paul goes to Jerusalem and is arrested in the temple causing a mob (Acts 21: 15-36).
Paul speaks to the mob (Acts 21:37 – 22:21).
He speaks to the Sanhedrin Council (Acts 22:30 – 23:10).
Some Jews plot against Paul and take an oath not to eat or drink until they kill him (Acts 23:12-23).
Paul is sent safely to the governor Felix in Caesarea (Acts 23: 23-25).
Paul gives his defense to Felix, but he leaves him bound for 2 years (Acts 24:10-27).
Paul Speaks before Festus and appeals to Caesar (Acts 25:1-12).
He speaks before King Agrippa and almost persuades him to be a Christian (Acts 25:13 – 26:32).
Paul and the other prisoners began their journey to Rome (Acts 27:1-2).
At Sidon, Paul gets to visit with his friends and continues onto Myra (Acts 27:3-5).
They change boats and sail to Fair Havens (Acts 27:6-8).
Against Paul’s warnings they set sail for Phoenix. A strong wind comes through and forces them by Clauda and then out to sea until they shipwreck at Malta (Acts 27:9 – 28:1).
At Malta Paul survives a viper bite and heals many of the natives over the next 3 months (Acts 28:2-10).
From there, they sail to Syracuse and stay for 3 days (Acts 28:11-12).
They sail to Rhegium and then to Puteoli where he was allowed to stay 7 days with his brethren (Acts 28:13).
In Rome, Paul stayed for 2 years under house arrest in his own rented house where he could receive visitors and preach the Word (Acts 28:17-31).
Paul writes Philemon, Colossians, Ephesians, and Philippians.
Timothy is in Rome with Paul part of the time (Phil. 1:1; Col 1:1; Phm. 1:1).
Timothy was in prison at some point during this time (Heb. 13:23).

AD 63 – AD 67

Paul is released from his 1^st Roman imprisonment as he anticipated (Phm. 1:22; Phil. 2:19-24).
He possible goes to Spain (Rom. 15:28).
Paul goes to Crete where he leaves Titus to work with the church (Titus 1:5).
He travels to Miletus (2 Tim. 4:20), and possible goes to Colossae (Phm. 1:22).
Paul meets up with Timothy in Ephesus and leaves him there to work with the church as he travels to Macedonia (1Tim. 1:3).
He was at Troas where he left his books and cloak (2 Tim 4:13).
Paul goes to Philippi and possible writes 1 Timothy (Phil. 2:19-24).
He possibly writes Titus on his way to Nicopolis where he planned to spend the winter (Titus 3:12).
After 2 years or more of being free, Paul is arrested again.
Paul writes his last letter 2 Timothy where he sends for Timothy (2 Tim. 4:9-12).

Paul’s life comes to an end. Tradition says that he was beheaded under the order of Nero.

Now that we have taking a glimpse into the life of Paul, let’s get back to the Book at hand. In this Book, Paul deals with such things as the necessity to be saved by having an obedient faith and how sin will separate us from God. He goes to great lengths to explain that we are not justified by the Law of Moses, but by the Law of Christ through faith. He also explains in detail what the grace of God is all about and what happens to us when we are baptized into Christ (Rom. 6). Romans 12 gives some great advice on how to live the Christian life, and Romans 8 ensures us that nothing will separate us from the love of God. This letter was written to the Roman Christians, which would have been a mixture of Jews and Gentiles.

Rome was the capital and largest city of the Roman Empire, Rome may have had as many as 1 million inhabitants during Imperial times. Rome was likely named after the Etruscan family "Rumlan." Legend holds that the city was founded on or about 753 B.C. (though some have suggested the site was first occupied as early as 2,000 B.C.) Rome plays a significant role in the New Testament. Aquila and Priscilla were banished from Rome by Claudius (Acts 18:2). Paul was kept under house arrest in Rome (Acts 28:16,17,30,31). Paul addressed the epistle of Romans to Christians living in the city. According to secular history Paul and Peter lost their lives in Rome. Rome was located about 15 miles from the sea, but because the Tiber River was navigable, Rome became a major seaport city. Rome was the center of an extensive road system, which helped create the notion that "all roads lead to Rome." (Manna Bible Maps).

The Catholic Church claims the Peter was the one who established the church in Rome and that Peter served as a Bishop there for 25 years until his death. However, there is no evidence to back this claim up, but there is evidence that contradicts their claims. For example, at the end of Romans where Paul mentions those he knew from Rome, he never mentions Peter. Paul never mentions Peter in the letters that he wrote from Rome either. Now, we don’t know for sure who started the church in Rome, but we do know from history that Jesus was known in Rome around A.D. 49. While we don’t know who started the church in Rome, it’s possible that some of the Jews that lived there went to Jerusalem for the Passover and learned about Jesus and then taught about Him when they went back home or perhaps it was some other Christians who were carrying out the Great Commission.

The purpose of this letter:

1. It was to let them know that he wants to come to them and preach (1:11, 15).

2. He wants them to understand that the Gospel of Christ is God’s saving power for all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.

3. He reviews and reminds them of several things regarding the gospel (15:15).

4. He tells them of his plans of going Spain and hopes they will offer him some finical support (15:22-24,28).

The key words of Romans:

· Righteousness and related words are found 66 times

· Law is found 75 times

· Faith, belief, and believe are found 61 times

· Sin, sinner, and sinful is found 58 times

· Death, die, and kill is found 48 times

· Flesh, fleshly, and carnal are found 30 times

· Grace is found 25 times

· Holy and related words are found 24 times

The theme of this letter can be seen in:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

Some of the great doctrines taught in the Book of Romans:

Stresses the need for us to be righteous before God in our hearts and lives.
Stresses justification through an obedient faith and the forgiveness of sins.
Gives a clear picture of what happens when we are baptized into Christ (6).
Teaches how we are no longer under the Law of Moses.
Teaches us how God is involved in our lives and how no one can separate us from Him.

The Book of Romans is designed for those who hungry to know more than just the basics. While Romans covers some of the basics, it is a more complicated letter that is often misunderstood and misinterpreted by those wanting to push their various doctrines.

As students of the Bible, we need to be able answer those who use Romans 1-4 to teach that we are saved by faith only and use Romans 5 to teach original sin and use Romans 9-11 to support their dispensational doctrines. By the time I am through with Book of Romans, you should be able to deal with these false doctrines I mentioned and many more. I want to be clear, Romans can be challenging at times and there may be some things that we don’t’ agree on completely.

Mr. Halley suggest two reasons Romans is difficult to understand:

One is Paul’s literary style. He had a habit of starting a sentence, and then digressing, and digressing, and digressing, so that, in some cases, phrases, instead of modifying that which immediately precedes, modify something way back, making it hard to see the connection. The other reason is that the Epistle is about a problem that, to us is no problem at all, but was then a live burning problem: whether a Gentile could be a Christian without becoming a Jewish Proselyte (Halley’s Bible Handbook rev. ed.).

Even though parts of Romans can be challenging to understand, I believe it can be understood and should be understood.

Here is a quick outline of Romans:

Romans 1 Greeting; God’s judgment on the unrighteous Gentiles

Romans 2 God’s judgment on the unrighteous Jews; Circumcision is of no value in the

Christian age

Romans 3 All people are sinners; God’s righteousness in everything; Righteousness

obtained through faith

Romans 4 Abraham’s justification through faith; God’s promises realized through faith

Romans 5 Peace with God is possible through Jesus, repairing the tragedy of sin as

introduced by Adam and continued by all people

Romans 6 Dying to sin and living to God; Slavery to righteousness rather than to sin

Romans 7 Christians are released from the law of Moses; Humanity’s inability to keep

that law

Romans 8 Life in the Spirit; Future glory through the love of Christ

Romans 9 God is not unjust in His inclusion of Gentiles

Romans 10 The necessity of preaching the gospel so that all may hear and be saved

Romans 11 The possibility of salvation for Israel, even while God grafts in Gentiles

Romans 12 Living life as a sacrifice in response to God’s sacrifice of grace; Life in the

body of Christ

Romans 13 Submission to governmental authorities; Love and moral purity

Romans 14 Do not pass judgment or be a stumbling block in matters of judgment

Romans 15 Learning from the Old Testament; The example of Christ; Paul’s plans

Romans 16 Personal greetings; Final instructions

A simpler way to outline Romans is to divide into two equal parts. In chapter 1-8, Paul establish his premise and in chapters 9 -16 he applies his premise.

There is much for you and I to learn from this great Epistle from Paul. I hope you will be able to be here for all the lessons and I hope you will read the Book of Romans through many times over the coming weeks. While sometimes, Romans will make our brains hurt and make us scratch our heads, once we begin to see the connections and have better understanding of Paul’s letter, then we will be uplifted and encouraged to dig deeper into Romans and all that it offers us.