Introduction to Romans
Romans has been called "the most commanding exposition of the gospel of salvation by grace through faith ever written." In the Roman world, a "gospel," meaning 'good news' (Greek: Euangelion. cf. English "evangelist") was any sort of herald which was supposed to be "good news" for the empire, whether it was the crowning of a new emperor, a great military victory, or the declaration of a holiday. Christianity's appropriation of the term "gospel" for the story of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ was therefore subversive (Romans 1:2), as Jesus claimed to represent both another kingdom (John 18:36), one that would, ultimately, triumph over all nations and empires, including Rome (Ephesias 1:21-22).
This gospel requires a messenger, and that messenger is Paul (Romans 1:1). The word "apostle," which comes from the Greek word "apostelos," means 'one who is sent.' Paul counts himself as a mere servant (or, perhaps, a slave; same word) of Jesus Christ. It also requires an objective, though Paul, being a great rhetorician, couches his "sales pitch" in a captivating framework, out of plain view. While the letter expounds in great detail Paul's conviction about the gospel, a priceless treasure for Christians in the years that followed, he does this as an introduction to the Christian community at Rome, a community which he did not found, and with whom he seems to have had no prior dealings. It is for this reason that he feels it necessary to go over his beliefs in almost every point, filling in gaps in our understanding that were left in the letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians, where Paul had been able to instruct them in person.
Paul's goal is to promote unity among Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome under the lordship of Jesus Christ, and to garner support for a mission to the "barbarians" (an ancient, insulting onomatopoeia whose meaning was probably "one whose language, to Greek speakers, sounds like babbling, or"bar bar" ) dwelling in Spain. In order to get the Romans to support this mission, Paul must first convince them of three things:
1. That he believes and preaches the true gospel
2. That, though he was not one of Jesus original disciples, he is still worthy to be an Apostle
3. To put aside the deep-seated Roman and Jewish ideas of cultural jingoism, culturally-informed morality, role, rank, and honor, so that the Barbarians might be seen as legitimate projects for mission work.
The result is Paul's magnum opus, and one of the most, if not the most, theologically important books in the Bible. As a result of wanting the hearers to put aside their pride in ethnic or class identity, the book sounds the loudest note in scripture for the equality of all men and women at the foot of the cross, sinners saved not by birth or lineage or wealth or status or power, but by the grace of the risen Lord.
Paul completed this book, which was largely dictated to a scribe named Tertius (Romans 16:22) probably in early 57 AD, while he was in Corinth. This places the letter some 25-30 years after the crucifixion.
Next: Chapter 1 Commentary
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This gospel requires a messenger, and that messenger is Paul (Romans 1:1). The word "apostle," which comes from the Greek word "apostelos," means 'one who is sent.' Paul counts himself as a mere servant (or, perhaps, a slave; same word) of Jesus Christ. It also requires an objective, though Paul, being a great rhetorician, couches his "sales pitch" in a captivating framework, out of plain view. While the letter expounds in great detail Paul's conviction about the gospel, a priceless treasure for Christians in the years that followed, he does this as an introduction to the Christian community at Rome, a community which he did not found, and with whom he seems to have had no prior dealings. It is for this reason that he feels it necessary to go over his beliefs in almost every point, filling in gaps in our understanding that were left in the letters to the Thessalonians and Corinthians, where Paul had been able to instruct them in person.
Paul's goal is to promote unity among Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome under the lordship of Jesus Christ, and to garner support for a mission to the "barbarians" (an ancient, insulting onomatopoeia whose meaning was probably "one whose language, to Greek speakers, sounds like babbling, or"bar bar" ) dwelling in Spain. In order to get the Romans to support this mission, Paul must first convince them of three things:
1. That he believes and preaches the true gospel
2. That, though he was not one of Jesus original disciples, he is still worthy to be an Apostle
3. To put aside the deep-seated Roman and Jewish ideas of cultural jingoism, culturally-informed morality, role, rank, and honor, so that the Barbarians might be seen as legitimate projects for mission work.
The result is Paul's magnum opus, and one of the most, if not the most, theologically important books in the Bible. As a result of wanting the hearers to put aside their pride in ethnic or class identity, the book sounds the loudest note in scripture for the equality of all men and women at the foot of the cross, sinners saved not by birth or lineage or wealth or status or power, but by the grace of the risen Lord.
Paul completed this book, which was largely dictated to a scribe named Tertius (Romans 16:22) probably in early 57 AD, while he was in Corinth. This places the letter some 25-30 years after the crucifixion.
Next: Chapter 1 Commentary
Back to the Centennial Scripture Challenge