Introduction to Paul's Letter to the Romans
The Most Important Theological, Christian Work Ever Written
This series includes the study notes I used to teach the adult Sunday School Class at Good Hope Church in Spotsylvania, Virginia in 2025.
Teaching Method and Tools:
I use free e-Sword Bible software to produce these ‘Topic Notes,’ then I plug my laptop into a big-screen TV to teach the class.
E-Sword allows me to show the Bible on the left of the screen, and my teaching notes on the right. Whenever I hover over a Bible verse, a window pops up to show that verse.
If a question comes up about the exact meaning of a word, I switch to the KJV+ version (with one mouse click) which instantly displays Strong’s Concordance information for every Hebrew and Greek word, enabling everyone to read the Strong’s explanation on the screen.
Why study Romans?
John Piper, a prominent contemporary theologian and pastor, referred to Romans as "the most important theological, Christian work ever written."
Martin Luther described Romans as "the chief part of the New Testament, and truly the purest gospel.”
John Calvin asserted that “understanding Romans provides a pathway to comprehending the entirety of Scripture.”
Overview:
The apostle Paul wrote his letter to the the church at Rome in AD 57, about 25 years after Jesus’ resurrection. Paul hadn’t been to Rome yet.
From: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God (Rom_1:1)
To: To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called (invited) to be saints (pure, blameless): Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Theme: the gospel, the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, both Jew and Gentile (Rom_1:15-17)
In the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith
As it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
Explains:
All mankind’s need of a Savior.
There is none righteous. No, not one.
The method of our justification and sanctification.
Through faith, like Abraham.
Applies equally to Jewish and Gentile believers.
God’s foreknowledge, predestination, and calling those who believe.
Our justification, sanctification, and past/present glorification in Christ Jesus.
Spiritual gifts and practical discipleship.
Paul's Goals in the letter:
To give the Roman church an apostolic gospel presentation.
To explain the relationship between Jews and Gentiles in God's redemptive plan (Rom 9-11)
To prepare the way for his visit to Rome (Rom_1:10-15), and then his missionary journey to Spain (Rom_15:23-24)
Outline:
1. Introduction (Rom_1:1-17)
2. The unrighteousness of all mankind (Rom 1:18-3:20)
3. Righteousness Imputed - Justification (Rom 3:21-5:21)
4. Righteousness Imparted - Sanctification (Rom 6-8:17)
5. Righteousness Attained - Glorification (Rom 8:18-39)
6. God's Israel - Jew & Gentile (Rom 9-11)
7. Righteousness Practiced (Rom 12:1-15:13)
8. Conclusion (Rom 15:14-16:27)
Setting:
Date: about AD 57
Place: Paul was probably in Corinth writing to the believers in Rome during his 3rd missionary journey.
Historical Context:
The origin of the church in Rome. In ~ AD30
We don't know who first brought the gospel of salvation to Rome.
But, in Act_2:10, Jewish believers from Rome believed the gospel Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost.
They certainly returned from Jerusalem to Rome and started house churches
Act_18:1-4, Twenty years later, Paul met Jewish believers from Rome, Priscilla and Aquilla, in the Greek city of Corinth - after AD49.
In AD 49 the Roman emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome. This included the Jewish Christians, who were considered a sect of Judaism.
Eight years later, when Paul wrote his letter in AD57, many Jewish Christians had returned to Rome.
But, while the Jewish believers were gone, Gentile believers had multiplied in Rome.
By the time Paul wrote this letter in AD57, the church had two groups of believers: Gentiles and believing Jews.
By AD57 the majority within the Roman church were Gentile believers, and some Jewish believers looked upon their Gentile brethren as inferior because they didn't follow Jewish customs and laws, as the Jewish believers still did. (Rom_11:25)
Satan used these differences to create conflict in the Roman church. (Rom_16:20)
Jewish believers felt rejected by Gentile believers because the Jews still followed appointed times (i.e., Passover, Atonement, Tabernacles) and dietary laws (Rom_14:1-6)
Meanwhile, Gentile believers felt like Jewish believers looked down on them because they didn't follow the Mosaic laws
Remember, in AD57 the Jewish temple and priesthood still existed in Yahweh's capital, Jerusalem.
Roman armies would destroy the temple about 13 years after Paul's letter to the Romans, and 3-5 years after Paul was martyred by beheading near Rome.
Gentile believers weren't as concerned about Jewish customs and laws. By AD57 these Bible books had already been written, influencing the Gentile believers' beliefs and practices about Mosaic covenant requirements for Christians:
In AD41 Matthew (Sermon on the Mount, Mat_15:17-20)
By AD 57 Galatians, I/II Corinthians, I/II Thessalonians (1Co_6:12, 1Co_9:20-21)
Rom_1:13 When Paul wrote his Letter to the Roman believers, Paul had not been to Rome.
3-Minute Video Overview of Romans:
Romans is my favorite Bible book.