It is no wonder that this great book is so misunderstood then. The book of Romans is considered to be the most difficult of all the books of the Bible to understand outside of Revelation by the majority of “Christendom.” It is also considered by “Christendom” to be the greatest of Paul’s epistles. Martin Luther credited Romans with changing his entire view on salvation. John Wesley stated that while listening to the preface being read of Luther’s commentary on Romans he “felt his heart strangely warmed…” With all that said however we must never forget that “all scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16) and there for no book is greater than any other rather they are all of equal importance. It is no wonder that this great book is so misunderstood then. Luther has caused most of the confusion when he added the word “only” to Romans 3:28. “For we hold that one is justified by faith “only” apart from works of the law.” William Tyndale rightfully suggested in his New Testament translation prologue to Romans1…(SLIDE) 1. https://goo.gl/nzMOXU

“First we must mark diligently the manner of speaking of the apostle, and above all things know what Paul meaneth by these words – the Law, Sin, Grace, Faith, Righteousness, Flesh, Spirit and such like or else, read thou it never so often, thou shalt but lose thy labor.”

Who Wrote It? The internal evidence points to the apostle Paul. It is written by a Jewish Christian who was very familiar with the LXX and the Hebrew O.T. The writer also clearly calls himself Paul. (SLIDE)

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” He also describes himself as an apostle. (SLIDE) Romans 1:1

“Now I am speaking to you Gentiles “Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry” Thus the internal evidence clearly proves this is a writing by the apostle Paul. Burton Coffman said on this point…(SLIDE) Romans 11:13

“There is actually less doubt of the fact that Romans was written by the apostle Paul then could be alleged against Thomas Jefferson’s authorship of the Declaration of Independence.” Quote: N.T. Survey by WVBS pg. 58

Who Was It Written To? It was written to the church of Christ in Rome. (SLIDE)

“through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints…” Romans 1:5-7

Who Was It Written To? The church in Rome was made up of both Jews and Gentiles. There was a large Jewish population in Rome. We can date Jewish communities in Rome as far back as the 2nd century B.C. Cicero referred to the large size and influence of the Jewish community in Rome in 59 B.C. The Jews were forced to leave Rome twice. Emperor Tiberius forced them out in 19 A.D. but most returned after the ban was lifted. Emperor Claudius forced the Jews and those associated with them out as well. This is when we find Priscilla and Aquila having left Rome (Acts 18:2). Thus the reason there was such a Jewish influence in the church in Rome. One question that is often asked is “who planted the church in Rome?” We know Paul didn’t plant the church because it was established before he would get there (Romans 1:10-13). We know Peter didn’t because there is zero evidence for such both biblically and secularly. We know the church of Christ in Rome was well established by the time Paul writes to them (Romans 1:8). “your faith is proclaimed in all the world” Thus most likely it was started by those Romans that were converted on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2. (SLIDE)

“Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome” Acts 2:10

When Was It Written? It was written no earlier than 56 A.D. and no later than 58 A.D. so about 57 A.D. We know this because… Pricilla & Aquila were already in Corinth when Paul got there because they had been kicked out of Rome (Acts 18:1-2). Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months before going on (Acts 18:11, 18-22). Paul started his 3rd missionary journey from Antioch around 55 A.D. He said through Galatia and Phrygia visiting the churches (Acts 18:23; 19:1-4) He then came to Ephesus where he stayed for two years and three months (Acts 19:8-20:31).

Where Was It Written From? Paul wrote to the Romans from Corinth during his three month stay in Greece (Acts 20:2-3). We know this because… Paul was staying in the home of Gaius when he wrote to the Romans (Romans 16:23). Gaius was baptized by Paul in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:14). Paul also mentions Erastus who was another resident of Corinth (Romans 16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).

Why Was It Written? It was written to let the church in Rome know he had been wanting to come preach there for some time but had been hindered (Romans 1:10-15). He wanted to be there personally to impart “spiritual gifts” i.e. “miracles” to them for they had no able to do so at this time (Romans 1:11-13). He also personally wanted to be there to see if they would support him in getting to Spain to preach. (Romans 15:23-24). It was also written to answer the question “How can a man be righteous before God?” Because of the large Jewish Christian influence there were Judaizing Teachers. These were Jews who had been converted but were still holding on to parts of the Law of Moses even in areas pertaining to salvation. We see this in Acts 15 were the question of circumcision as a requirement for salvation was under consideration because it was being taught that way by the Jewish Christians in an effort to alienate the Gentile Christians.

“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.” Romans 1:16

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Romans 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3

“No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.” Romans 6:3-5

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7

“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7

God’s Plan of Salvation Study God’s Word Have Faith In Jesus Repent/Turn To God Confess Jesus As Lord Obey The Gospel Live A Faithful Life Romans 10:17 Hebrews 11:6 Luke 13:3 Matthew 10:32 Romans 6:3-5 1 John 1:7