Romans

The Gospel of
God’s Righteousness
Writers and Divisions of the Epistles
• 21 Epistles (letters) from Romans – Jude were
addressed to Christians

• The known authors were Paul, Peter, James,

John & Jude

• 3 principal groups of letters:

1. Paul’s epistles (13) – Romans through Titus
2. Hebrews – author unknown
3. General epistles (7) – James through Jude
 The Purpose of the Epistles…
• To give instruction to the church, “for the
perfecting of the saints” (Eph.4:12).
• …to build up the church spiritually by
encouraging, consoling, reproving, and exhorting
the brethren;
• …by strengthening their faith, correcting false
doctrine, and giving special instruction in
doctrine and practical duties
No: Epistle Place of writing Time of Remarks
writing

11 Hebrews Italy A.D. 63/64

12 1 Timothy Macedonia A.D. 63/64
13 Titus Ephesus A.D. 63/64
14 2 Timothy Rome A.D. 67/68
15 James Jerusalem A.D. 60/61 Before the destruction of Jerusalem
16 1 Peter Babylon A.D. 63/67 Before the destruction of Jerusalem
17 2 Peter Babylon A.D. 67 Before the destruction of Jerusalem
18 Judas Jerusalem A.D. 68/70
19 1 John Ephesus A.D. 90/100
20 2 John Ephesus A.D. 90/100
21 3 John Ephesus A.D. 90/100
No: Epistle Place of writing Time of Remarks
writing
1 1 Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 Second Missionary Trip (Paul)

2 2 Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 Second Missionary Trip (Paul)

3 1 Corinthians Ephesus A.D. 57 Third Missionary Trip (Paul)

4 2 Corinthians Macedonia A.D. 57 Third Missionary Trip (Paul)

5 Galatians Corinth A.D. 58 Third Missionary Trip (Paul)

6 Romans Corinth A.D. 58 Third Missionary Trip (Paul)

7 Ephesians Rome A.D. 61-63 First Captivity in Rome (Paul)

8 Philippians Rome A.D. 61-63 First Captivity in Rome (Paul)

9 Colossians Rome A.D. 61-63 First Captivity in Rome (Paul)

10 Philemon Rome A.D. 61-63 First Captivity in Rome (Paul)

 Pauline Epistles
# Epistle Place of Time of Writing Main Theme
Writing
1 1st Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 (2nd Trip) The Lord’s Second Coming

2 2nd Thessalonians Corinth A.D. 52-53 (2nd Trip) The Lord’s Second Coming

3 1st Corinthians Ephesus A.D. 57 (3rd Trip) Solving Problems e.g. (Divisions)

4 2nd Corinthians Macedonia A.D. 57 (3rd Trip) Christian Ministry

5 Galatians Corinth A.D. 58 (3rd Trip) Justification by Faith

6 Romans Corinth A.D. 58 (3rd Trip) Salvation through Christ

7 Ephesians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Church (Body of Christ)

8 Philippians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Rejoice in the Lord

9 Colossians Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Christ (Head of the Church)

10 Philemon Rome A.D. 61-63 (1st Captivity) Appeal for Onesimus

11 Titus Ephesus A.D. 63-64 Church Order

12 Hebrews Italy A.D. 63-64 Christ’s Heavenly Priesthood

13 1st Timothy Macedonia A.D. 64-65 Pastoral Duties

14 2nd Timothy Rome A.D. 67-68 (2nd Captivity) Farewell Discourse

 Romans
Foundational Epistles 1st & 2nd Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Prison Epistles Philippians
Colossians
Prophetic Epistles 1st & 2nd Thessalonians
1st & 2nd Timothy
Pastoral Epistles Titus
Philemon
IMPORTANT FEATURES OF ROMANS
 Longest of all of Paul’s letters

 One of only 2 letters to a church Paul didn’t establish & had never visited

 Most influential letter in history

 Most complete statement of what Paul believed

 Written abut AD 56-57, toward end of 3rd Missionary Journey (from

Corinth)
 Written down by Tertius (16:22) & probably delivered by Phoebe (16:1)

 Roman church consisted of both Jews & Gentiles, both specifically

addressed
 Letter itself is the earliest evidence of the existence of a church in Rome
 AUTHOR
 Authorship as the epistle’s beginning (1:1) clearly states, “Paul, a
bond-servant of Christ Jesus…”,

 We later read in 16:22, “I, Tertius, who write this letter, greet you in the
Lord.” Apparently Tertius served as Paul’s scribe as the apostle
dictated the letter to him.

 Of course, as with any sacred book in the canon, God is the ultimate
Author (2 Tim. 3:16).

 Paul was only the human instrument through whom God gave the
truths contained in the book.
 AUDIENCE & OCCASION

 Saints at Rome (1:7)

 Both Gentile (1:13; 11:13-24; 15:15-21) and Jewish

membership (2:17-29; 4:1; 7:1; 16:3,7,11).
 Finished his work (Asia, Macedonia & Greece) &
couldn’t go to Rome because he was heading to
Jerusalem - 15:23-27
 ORIGIN OF THE ROMAN CHURCH
The NT does not give the details of how the church
at Rome started (local churches, 16:5,10-11,14-15).
Possibly the gospel was taken to Rome as a result of
Pentecost (Ac.2:10) or persecution (Ac.8:4).

There is no sound evidence that Peter started the

church in Rome as Catholics believe.

The spirituality of these brethren was well known

(1:8; 16:19).
 TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING
Probably from Corinth (Phoebe, 16:1-2; Ac.
18:18; Gaius and Erastus, 16:23; 1 Cor.1:14; 2
Tim. 4:20);

Around 56-58 A.D.; at the end Paul’s 3rd

missionary journey (Ac. 20:1-3,16) and just
prior to Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem with the
collection for the needy saints (15:25-26; see
Ac. 19:21; 20:16; 24:17).
 PURPOSE
 Paul’s primary purpose was to teach about the gospel of God’s
righteousness (1:16-17).
 His secondary purpose was to explain his future plans (1:13; 15:22-24,28-
29; Ac. 19:21).
 Why does Paul want to go to Rome?
- He was “eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome” (1:15).

- This desire burned within Paul, for he saw himself as a debtor to all men
(1:14) to impart the powerful message that can save anyone who
believes it (1:16).
 MAJOR THEME(S)
 The gospel of God’s righteousness; or, God’s plan for making mankind righteous
(saving mankind).
 Without Christ, everyone is under God’s wrath b/c of sin.
 Salvation depends more on what God has done than on anything we
can do.
 God’s plan is for everyone, both Jews & Gentiles.
 The key to being part of God’s plan is faith (not physical descent).
 God has the power to see His plan through, regardless of the
difficulties of life.
 With the gift of salvation goes the expectation that believers will be
“living sacrifices.”
 UNIQUENESS OF ROMANS
 The most systematic of Paul's letters. It reads more like an
elaborate theological essay than a letter.
 Emphasis on Christian doctrine. The number and importance
of the theological themes touched upon are impressive: sin
and death, salvation, grace, faith, righteousness, justification,
sanctification, redemption, resurrection and glorification.
 Widespread use of OT quotations. Although Paul regularly
quotes from the OT in his letters, in Romans the argument is
sometimes carried along by such quotations (see especially
chs. 9 - 11).
 Deep concern for Israel. Paul writes about her present status,
her relationship to the Gentiles and her final salvation.
 KEY VERSE & KEY WORDS
•Key verse: 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the
gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to
everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to
the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is
revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘the
righteous shall live by faith’.”
•Key words:

1)Gospel 2) salvation, 3) believes / faith

4) righteous(ness)
Six Words in Romans
 CONDEMNATION (1:18 – 3:20)
• Unrighteousness, 1:18, 29; 2:8; 3:5; 6:19;

• Ungodliness, 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 11:26; Uncleanness, 1:24; 6:19)

• Gentiles are guilty because they have refused and rejected God
(1:18-32)

• Jews are guilty because they have transgressed God’s law (2:1 - 3:8);

• The whole world is guilty of sin (3:9-20)

 JUSTIFICATION (3:21 – 5:21)
Key verse: 3:21-22, 25-26

Paul sets forth the provision for the righteousness of God; it is found in justification by faith in Jesus
Christ

Justification by faith is provided by God (3:21-31), illustrated from Abraham (4:1-25), found in
believers (5:1-11), and accomplished through Christ (5:12-21)

Justification and righteousness are attributed to man’s faith (4:3, 5, 6, 9, 11, 13, 22)

Justification and righteousness are attributed to the work of Jesus on the cross (4:25; 5:17, 18, 21)

The source of justification (by God’s grace, 3:24), the means of justification (by Jesus’ blood, 5:9),
and the condition of justification (by man’s faith, 3:28)

God’s grace is accessed by man’s faith (4:16; 5:1)

 LESSONS FROM ROMANS
• Hearing is needed (10:17)

• Belief is needed (1:16)

• Repentance is needed (2:4)

• Confession is needed (10:9-10)

• Baptism is needed (6:3-4)

• Faithful living is needed (6:4; 8:4)

 IMPLICATIONS FROM THE BOOK OF ROMANS
1.) WE ARE ALL SINNERS. (CHAPTERS 1 & 2)
We are all in dire need of a Savior.
2.)  JESUS IS OUR ONLY SALVATION. (ROMANS 3-6)
Our salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, through Christ alone, to the glory of God…alone! 
3.) WE EXPERIENCE GOD IN OUR SUFFERING.(ROMANS
There is NO greater proof or evidence of God’s love for us, than Jesus’ death on the cross.
4.) THERE IS NO REJECTION, NO CONDEMNATION AND NO SEPARATION FOR THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS.
(ROMANS 7 & 8)
We may trip up, make mistakes, go astray and struggle a thousand times but there is still no condemnation
for us. 
There is no rejection for those who are in Christ Jesus!
5.) GOD IS SOVEREIGN IN SALVATION AND WE MUST SHARE THE GOSPEL! (ROMANS 9-11)
Because of God’s great love and mercy, we must proclaim the gospel to others! 
They cannot believe unless we share the truth.
6.) BELIEVERS ARE CALLED TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOURS AND HELP THE WEAK. (ROMANS 12-16)
This is a supernatural love that only God can give us.
May the degree of our self-seeking be the degree of our self-giving.
The most important thing in life is our walk with God.  
 there
 
~ first things must come first; have priorities

vs. 26 The churches wish to help the poor saints… vs. 27 It is their duty to

help them…
cf. I Co. 16:1-5; II Co. 8:1-2; 9:1-2
 
vs. 28 After his delivery he will visit them (on his way to Spain)
 

vs. 29 He is sure that when he comes, he shall come with the blessedness of
the gospel…
• in fellowship of the gospel
A. with fellowship with brethren
 
vs. 30 He admonishes them at Rome
A.in behalf of Jesus, for His sake
B.by the love of the Spirit
 
- they would strive with him in prayers
 
~ ―brethren‖ have a common bond in Christ and a common cause… ―for
his sake‖

~ if possible have a specific thought in your prayers… vs. 31 For protection

from the unbelievers

That the service is acceptable to the saints vs. 32 That he could come to

them, if God will…

~ we are always dependent upon the Lord‘s will cf. Jas. 4:15 vs. 33 His

benediction to them
~ it should always be our desire to see other believers blessed of God