Romans
Summary[i]
Writer: The Apostle Paul (Rom_1:1).
Date: Romans, the sixth in
chronological order of Paul's Epistles, was written from Corinth during the
apostle's third visit to that city. 2Co_13:1
in A.D. 60. The Epistle has its occasion in the intention of the apostle soon
to visit Rome. Naturally, he would wish to announce before his coming the
distinctive truths which had been revealed to and through him. He would desire
the Christians in Rome to have his own statement of the great doctrines of
grace so bitterly assailed everywhere by legalistic teachers.
Theme: The theme of Romans is "the
Gospel of God" (Rom_1:1), the very
widest possible designation of the whole body of redemption truth, for it is He
with whom is "no respect of persons"; and who is not "the God of
the Jews only," but "of the Gentiles also" ; Rom_2:11; Rom_3:29.
Accordingly, "all the world" is found guilty Rom_3:19, and a redemption is revealed as wide
as the need, upon the alone condition of faith. Not only does Romans embody in
the fullest way the doctrines of grace in relation to salvation, but in three
remarkable chapters (Romans 9-11) the great promises to Israel are reconciled
with the promises concerning the Gentiles, and the fulfilment of the former
shown to await the completion of the church and coming of the Deliverer out of
Zion Rom_11:25-27. The key-phrase is
"the righteousness of God" ; Rom_1:17;
Rom_3:21-22.
The Epistle, exclusive of the
introduction (Romans 1:1-17), is in seven parts.
1. The whole world guilty before God (Romans
1:18 - 3:20).
2. Justification through the righteousness of
God by faith, the Gospel remedy for guilt (Romans 3:21 - 5:11).
3. Crucifixion with Christ, the resurrection
life of Christ, and the walk in the Spirit, the Gospel provision for inherent
sin (Romans 5:12 - 8:13).
4. The full result in blessing of the Gospel
(Romans 8:14-39).
5. Parenthesis: the Gospel does not abolish the
covenant promises to Israel (Romans 9:1 - 11:36).
6. Christian life and service (Romans 12:1 -
15:33).
7. The outflow of Christian love (Romans 16:1-27).