Study 0 From The Book of Romans Is: The
Introduction of the Book
The letter to the Romans was written by Paul
from Corinth during three months which he spent in the province of Achia, as described
in Acts 20:2, 3. Its purpose is to present to the Church in Rome (which he had
not founded, but which he hoped soon to visit) a reasoned statement of the
gospel which he preached, together with a discussion of the great problem of
Jewish unbelief and of the relation of both Jews and Gentiles to Jesus Christ
and His salvation.
From 15:23, 24 it would seem that the apostle
to the Gentiles felt that he had some everything possible to carry out his task
in the east. The time had now come to put into operation his plans for
extending his work westwards. In such a task it would no doubt be an advantage
to have the prayerful support and practical fellowship of the church in the
metropolis. Rome was a strategic centre and the church there would seem to have
been as cosmopolitan as the city. A clear statement of the gospel which he
would be preaching would be the best means of clearing up any misunderstandings
which might arise through Jewish-Gentile tensions or through other causes, and
of gaining for Paul the fellowship and co-operation he desired.
At the outset Paul declare that the gospel is
he power of God for salvation to everyone that believes. The great themes of
the Christian gospel are dealt with in turn: human guilt; redemption by grace;
righteousness which comes from God; justification by faith; the new life in
Christ; the work of the Holy Spirit in the believer; the certainty of the final
triumph of the Christian; the divine sovereignty; and the inclusion of ‘the
nations’ in God’s purpose of mercy.
These are followed by a section on the practical outworking of the
gospel in all spheres of life. Little
wonder that this Epistle, with its comprehensive treatment of the gospel and
the compelling logic of its argument, is regarded by many as the most remarkable
book on volume of remarkable books.
