1. 14 letters attributed to Paul, c. 50-60 AD Only 7-10 are authentic, incl. Romans, 1 Corinthians Suspect letters: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews Saul/Paul (d. c. 64 AD)

2. Issues in reading: Context? Unsystematic account of teachings Looking forward to last judgment Salvation from sacrifice of Jesus (faith and baptism): foundation of Proto-Orthodox position Advocate of church unity, detached attitude to materialism, active roles for men and women, church rituals, moral rectitude

3. 49 AD Claudius expels Jews (Christian and Jewish) from Rome c. 54 AD Death of Claudius, return of Jewish Christians to Rome c. 57 AD Paul writes letter to the Romans Letter to the Romans

4. Purpose: 1. To introduce self (Rom 1: 13) 2. To resolve conflict (Rom 14: 1-15: 13) 3. To promote acceptance of contribution (Rom 15: 30-32) 4. Last will and testament (Rom 15: 31) 5. As circular Central theme: Relations between Gentiles and Jews Letter to the Romans

5. Romans 1-8 Rom 1: 18-3: 20 Human predicament making salvation necessary: corruption of human nature making all liable to punishment

6. Romans 1-8 Rom 3: 21-5: 21 Problem of God’s judgment against sin solved by death of Jesus on sinners’ behalf. Justification (regaining God’s approval) comes only from accepting Christ’s death as substitute for one’s own (3: 21-31) Example of Abraham (Ch. 4, esp. 19-21)

7. Romans 1-8 Rom 3: 21-5: 21 Justification leading to reconciliation (of sinner with God [5: 1-11]) Jesus completing cycle begun by Adam (5: 12-19) Impact of law on sin (5: 20-21, more to follow)

8. Romans 1-8 Rom 6: 1-8: 17 God wants to forgive sinners and leave them delivered from compulsion to sin (“sin”). Power of sin broken by participating in death and resurrection of Jesus (through baptism); counting oneself dead to sin but alive to God; by receiving Holy Spirit and setting mind on spirit rather than flesh

9. Romans 1-8 Rom 6: 1-8: 17 Baptism symbolising participation in death, burial and resurrection of Christ, dying to sin but living to God, i.e. spiritual rebirth (6: 1-11) Allegory of widow symbolising renunciation of material concerns (7: 1-6)

10. Romans 1-8 Rom 6: 1-8: 17 Law increasing vulnerability to sin (7: 7-25) Conversion to Christianity, gaining Holy Spirit, empowering one to focus on spiritual rather than earthly concerns (8: 1-17) Closing with encouragement (Rom 8: 18-39)