THE letter of PAUL to the ROMANS

Author-Date-Circumstances of Writing Written by Paul Around 56-57 C.E. Paul is going to Jerusalem with money collected from churches Writes letter from Corinth Dictated to Tertius Probably delivered by Phoebe Paul’s longest and most theologically developed letter

Paul states he will visit Rome on the way to Spain Asks for prayer-spiritual support Also hints at financial support for work in Spain Has foreboding about Jerusalem

The roman Church Origins: Probably established in Rome by 49 C.E. Paul meets exiled Jewish couple-Aquila and Priscilla They return after Emperor Claudius’ death

Purpose of letter Paul insists Jewish rejection of the Gospel does not imply Israel’s election is annulled. Refers to tensions between Gentile Christians and Jewish Christians Paul reacts to opposite understandings of Gospel

Character of the letter Probably last letter written Written by a mature Paul Closest to the Galatians in tone

Themes Emphasizes justification by faith Appeals to Abraham Relies heavily on scripture Presents Paul’s gospel ideas to mostly unknown readers

structure Opening 1:1-7 Paragraph of thanksgiving (1:8-15) Theme –God’s righteousness revealed through faith(1:16-17) Theological argument Part I-1: 18-8:39-God’s righteousness Part 2-9-11-the meaning of Israel Ethical section (12:1-15:13) The “weak” and the “strong” Paul’s works and travels (rest of ch.15) Chapter 16: Greetings and conclusion

Literary devices and themes Most study has focused on Paul’s themes- justification, grace, and law Recent focus-Greco-Roman rhetorical techniques and use of OT in his argument Jewish exegetical methods

The Letters of Paul

Who is this Paul? A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin Born in Tarsus around 10 C.E. A strict Pharisee, trained in the Law Studied to be a rabbi under the famous teacher Gamaliel Persecuted early Christians Has dramatic conversion /Damascus

In 39, Paul leaves Damascus/goes to Jerusalem to meet Peter and James Between 46 and 58, Paul goes on 3 extensive missionary journeys In 58, arrested in Jerusalem by his enemies Goes to Rome under house arrest in 61 C.E. Paul writes letters to communities he had visited or planned to visit on 2nd & 3rd journeys Also writes to some individuals.

New Testament Letters In the New Testament between Acts of the Apostles and Revelation, there are twenty- one documents that take the form of letters or epistles. Most are actual letters Others are like treatises in the guise of letters. In others, elements of letter form are absent.

New Testament Letters Romans, 1st and 2nd Corinthians; Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians; 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus; Philemon, Hebrews, James; 1st and 2nd Peter, 1st and 2nd and 3rd John, Jude,

Deutero-Pauline or secondary letters Most likely written by disciples of Paul of admirers who wanted to keep his apostolic legacy alive. Ephesians, Colossians, 2nd Thessalonians, Pastoral Letters 1st and 2nd Timothy, Titus;

Pauline letters Scholars agree Paul wrote seven of the letters: Letters Year Written Place 1 Thessalonians 50/51 Corinth Galatians 54/55 Ephesus 1 Corinthians 56/57 Ephesus 2 Corinthians 57 Macedonia & Illyricum Philemon 55 Ephesus Philippians 56 Ephesus Romans 57/58 Corinth

Structure and organization of Paul’s letters Paul’s letters follow the common letter writing style of the Greco-Roman world Opening Address - Name of sender and receiver - Short greeting Thanksgiving - short thanksgiving sets tone of letter - gives a hint of letter’s contents

Body of letter - doctrinal: key Christian teachings and truths or clarifies misunderstandings - applies teaching to Christian living - encouragement Final salutations - concludes by giving personal news or specific advice to individuals - Final greeting is usually a short blessing Letters were most often dictated to a professional scribe.