Book of Romans NLT
Summary of the Book of Romans
This summary of the
book of Romans provides information about the title, author(s), date of
writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the
chapters of the Book of Romans.
The writer of this
letter was the apostle Paul (see 1:1 and note). No
voice from the early church was ever raised against his authorship. The letter
contains a number of historical references that agree with known facts of
Paul's life. The doctrinal content of the book is typical of Paul, which is
evident from a comparison with other letters he wrote.
The book was probably
written in the early spring of a.d. 57. Very likely Paul was on his third
missionary journey, ready to return to Jerusalem with the offering from the
mission churches for poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem (see 15:25-27 and notes).
In 15:26 it is suggested that Paul had already
received contributions from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, so he either
was at Corinth or had already been there. Since he had not yet been at Corinth
(on his third missionary journey) when he wrote 1 Corinthians (cf. 1Co 16:1-4)
and the collection issue had still not been resolved when he wrote 2
Corinthians (2Co 8-9), the writing of Romans must follow that of
1,2 Corinthians (dated c. 55).
The most likely place
of writing is either Corinth or Cenchrea (about six miles away) because of
references to Phoebe of Cenchrea (see 16:1 and note) and to
Gaius, Paul's host (see 16:23 and note), who was probably a Corinthian
(see 1Co 1:14). Erastus (see 16:23 and note) may also have been a
Corinthian (see2Ti 4:20).
The original
recipients of the letter were the people of the church at Rome (1:7), who were predominantly Gentile. Jews,
however, must have constituted a substantial minority of the congregation
(see 4:1; chs. 9 -11; see also note on 1:13). Perhaps Paul originally sent the entire
letter to the Roman church, after which he or someone else used a shorter form
(chs. 1 - 14 or 1-15) for more general distribution. See note on2Pe 3:15; see also map, p. 2314.
Paul's primary theme
in Romans is the basic gospel, God's plan of salvation and righteousness for
all humankind, Jew and Gentile alike (see 1:16-17 and notes).
Although justification by faith has been suggested by some as the theme, it
would seem that a broader theme states the message of the book more adequately.
"Righteousness from God" (1:17) includes
justification by faith, but it also embraces such related ideas as guilt,
sanctification and security.
Paul's purposes for
writing this letter were varied:
- He wrote to prepare the way
for his coming visit to Rome and his proposed mission to Spain (1:10-15; 15:22-29).
- He wrote to present the basic
system of salvation to a church that had not received the teaching of an
apostle before.
- He sought to explain the
relationship between Jew and Gentile in God's overall plan of redemption.
The Jewish Christians were being rejected by the larger Gentile group in
the church (see 14:1 and
note) because the Jewish believers still felt constrained to observe
dietary laws and sacred days (14:2-6).
When Paul wrote this
letter, he was probably at Corinth (see Ac 20:2-3 and
notes) on his third missionary journey. His work in the eastern Mediterranean
was almost finished (see 15:18-23), and he greatly
desired to visit the Roman church (see 1:11-12; 15:23-24). At this time,
however, he could not go to Rome because he felt he must personally deliver the
collection taken among the Gentile churches for the poverty-stricken Christians
of Jerusalem (see 15:25-28 and notes). So
instead of going to Rome, he sent a letter to prepare the Christians there for
his intended visit in connection with a mission to Spain (see 15:23-24 and note on15:24). For many years Paul had wanted to visit
Rome to minister there (see 1:13-15), and this letter
served as a careful and systematic theological introduction to that hoped-for
personal ministry. Since he was not acquainted directly with the Roman church,
he says little about its problems (but see 14:1 -- 15:13; cf. also 13:1-7; 16:17-18).
Paul begins by
surveying the spiritual condition of all people. He finds Jews and Gentiles
alike to be sinners and in need of salvation. That salvation has been provided
by God through Jesus Christ and his redemptive work on the cross. It is a
provision, however, that must be received by faith -- a principle by which God
has always dealt with humankind, as the example of Abraham shows. Since
salvation is only the beginning of Christian experience, Paul moves on to show
how believers are freed from sin, law and death -- a provision made possible by
their union with Christ in both death and resurrection and by the indwelling
presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul then shows that Israel too, though
presently in a state of unbelief, has a place in God's sovereign redemptive
plan. Now she consists of only a remnant, allowing for the conversion of the
Gentiles, but the time will come when "all Israel will be saved" (11:26; see note there). The letter concludes with
an appeal to the readers to work out their Christian faith in practical ways,
both in the church and in the world. None of Paul's other letters states so
profoundly the content of the gospel and its implications for both the present
and the future.
- 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.
- Commendation, Greetings and Doxology (ch. 16)
From the NIV Study
Bible, Introductions to the Books of the Bible, Romans
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
Copyright 2002 © Zondervan. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
