1. Paul’s letter to the church(es) in city of rome Anno domini lx
Romans
Paul’s letter to the church(es)
in city of rome
Anno domini lx

3. The church in rome

4. Context: understanding romans
Who wrote the letter
Who the author was writing to
The reason for writing the letter
The background circumstances in which the letter was written
Sometimes hard to be certain when looking at the New Testament: the details get clarified all the time, but some things are still a “best guess”

5. Context of paul’s letter: rome
Rome was a multicultural, sprawling, busy city
More than a million inhabitants
Fiercely Republican: Emperor and Senate; SPQR
Main language for everyday communication was … Greek
“All roads lead to Rome” – centre of the vast Roman Empire
Slavery was what made the empire work – wealthy Roman would have 50 slaves; the emperor would have around 20,000
Rome’s military discipline and rule held the empire together – Pax Romanum

6. Context of paul’s letter: Paul
Letter written from Corinth, on Paul’s third missionary journey, about 60 AD
Paul was a Jew, a Christian, apostle to the gentiles, and a Roman citizen – uniquely qualified to address this cosmopolitan church
Paul had been on his mission of mercy to Jerusalem
Paul had never visited Rome, but was anxious to do so
Paul had clear ideas on how salvation “works” to bring us to God
Paul did not want to “build on another man’s foundation”

7. Context of paul’s letter: the church(es) in rome
Origins of the church unclear – apostolic foundation (maybe Peter?) or Jewish believers settling in the cosmopolitan city, or Christians evangelised by Paul elsewhere and gathering together when they settled in Rome
Likely to have been several fellowships
Initially, Jews likely to have been in the majority, and “in charge”
All Jews were expelled from Rome in 49 AD by Claudius – some disturbances, but the reason is not certain
Claudius’s edict died with him and from 54 AD Jews could return – to exclusively gentile churches, a recipe for internal tensions

8. Understanding romans: key themes in the letter
Romans is a hugely important letter – theologically rich
Not an “occasional letter” – there is no one problem addressed, or single theme / reason for writing
“to all the beloved of God living in Rome”
Written both for Jews and non-Jews
Jews are not superior, Law is not to be disrespected – Gospel is the focus
Love God, love each other, and live lives that give God glory
Sinners are received as righteous by God; live lives to His glory
1:16,17 can be seen as a summary of Paul’s theology