Romans
Ῥωμαίους- Author
- The Apostle Paul (with Tertius as scribe, 16:22)
- Date Written
- AD 56–57 (from Corinth)
- Recipients
- The assembly at Rome (mixed Jewish and Gentile believers)
- Occasion
- Paul's planned visit to Rome and Spain; addressing doctrinal questions
Purpose & Theme
Romans is Paul's masterpiece of systematic theology, presenting the gospel of God's righteousness. Paul writes to explain how sinners—both Jew and Gentile—are justified by faith alone in Christ alone, and how this justification leads to sanctification and ultimate glorification. It is the most comprehensive explanation of salvation in Scripture.
Major Themes
Christ in Romans
Christ is presented as the propitiation for our sins (3:25), the one who died and rose for our justification (4:25), the second Adam who brings life where the first brought death (5:12-21), and the one in whom there is no condemnation (8:1). He is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (10:4).
Book Outline
- Ch 1:1–17Introduction: The Gospel Announced
- Ch 1:18–3:20Condemnation: All Humanity Under Sin
- Ch 3:21–5:21Justification: Righteousness by Faith
- Ch 6–8Sanctification: Freedom from Sin's Power
- Ch 9–11Vindication: God's Righteousness in Israel's History
- Ch 12–15:13Application: Righteousness Lived Out
- Ch 15:14–16:27Conclusion: Personal Plans and Greetings
Key Verses (KJ3)
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation to every one believing, both to Jew first, and to Greek.”
— Romans 1:16 (KJ3)
“For all sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
— Romans 3:23 (KJ3)
“But God demonstrates His love to us in that we being yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
— Romans 5:8 (KJ3)
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
— Romans 6:23 (KJ3)
“There is therefore now no condemnation to the ones in Christ Jesus, not walking according to flesh, but according to Spirit.”
— Romans 8:1 (KJ3)
“But we know that to the ones loving God all things work together for good, to the ones being called out ones according to purpose.”
— Romans 8:28 (KJ3)
“For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.”
— Romans 8:38–39 (KJ3)
“Therefore, brothers, I call on you through the compassions of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, in order to prove by you what is the good and pleasing and perfect will of God.”
— Romans 12:1–2 (KJ3)