Who Wrote This Book: The Apostle Paul
Date of Writing: The winter of A.D. 56- 57, while in Corinth.
Written To: The book of Romans was written to the saints (Christians) in Rome (1:7).
Why It Was Written: The theme of Romans is "The Gospel is God's power to save all that believe." This theme is stated as the proposition of Paul's magnificent treatise in 1:16-17.
Bible scholars are universally in awe of the Roman letter because of the comprehensiveness of its message, the profoundness of its language, and the acuteness of its logic.
Reading this book has been a turning point for many. It helped Martin Luther to discover that faith alone justifies—a crucial truth that helped bring about the Reformation. Luther’s comments on Romans later caused John Wesley’s heart to be “strangely warmed.” sparking another revival. If you desire spiritual renewal, reading Romans is a good starting point.
Background: Paul was raised in Hebrew tradition, and as a young man became an extremely radical Pharisee. He jailed and persecuted countless Christians and it wasn’t until a miraculous run-in with God on the road to Damascus that Paul changed his life around. And did he ever! Paul became “the apostle to the Gentiles” spreading the words of Christ throughout Greece and much of the East.
Paul’s intentions for writing are not as easy to identify. There are a couple of theories. The first is that this marked a transitional period in Paul’s life. Paul had been working in the East for his entire ministry, and was now preparing to take on the west, in general, and Spain in particular. Paul in his letter was
trying to solicit the support of the Romans in both prayer and action. He wanted the Romans to start the work in the west for him, so that by the time he arrived, there would be a foundation.
A second theory is that this was a “last will and testament” for Paul. Before Paul ever was to set off for the west, he had to deliver a large sum of money to the needy in Jerusalem. He was unsure of how his gift would be received, and was fearful that he may be harmed or killed. Some believe that this was a petition for prayer, but also a creed of his beliefs. Because of this theory, while it is assumed that Phoebe delivered Paul’s letter to the Roman church, it is a common thought that
other copies of the letter were made and sent to churches throughout Europe as a lasting memory.
Regardless of which theory or combination of theories actually is true, Paul, who was both a Roman and a Jew, wanted to inform the Romans of his intention to visit should he survive in Jerusalem.
Key Verses:
8:36-39: As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [a] 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, [b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
12:9-21: 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. [c] Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” [d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” [e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
