Romans
Summary Romans proclaims the gospel that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin and are justified only by faith in Jesus Christ. The gospel also leads believers into new life in the Holy Spirit, and it causes different members to lay aside judgment and condemnation, become one in Christ, and give glory to God.
- Date written
- c. AD 57 (near the end of Paul’s third missionary journey)
- Historical period
- Early in the reign of Nero, the fifth emperor of the Roman Empire
Background
When Paul wrote Romans, an important ‘historical and political’ background lay within the church in Rome. It was Emperor Claudius’s decree expelling the Jews, that is, the expulsion of the Jews from Rome around AD 49. How it began: When disputes and disturbances related to Christ broke out among the Jews in the city of Rome, Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews living in Rome. At that time, Jewish Christians connected with the Roman church, most notably Priscilla and Aquila, also had to leave Rome. A shift in the church’s leadership: After the Jewish Christians left, the church in Rome began to be run mainly by the Gentile Christians who remained. In this process a Gentile-centered church atmosphere took shape, emphasizing freedom in Jesus Christ rather than the traditions of the law and circumcision. The return of the Jews and conflict (AD 54): When Emperor Claudius died and Nero came to the throne, the Jews who had been expelled were able to return to Rome. Accordingly, the Jewish Christians also came back to the church in Rome. The clash: When they returned, they found that the church in Rome had already been reorganized around Gentile Christians, and the atmosphere of the church had also changed from before. The Jewish Christians regarded the law, circumcision, food regulations, and the observance of festivals as important, while the Gentile Christians emphasized the freedom they had gained in Jesus Christ. As a result, serious conflict arose in which they judged or despised one another. Paul wrote Romans to resolve this conflict in the church and to prepare for his mission to Spain. ① Uniting the church by establishing the gospel: Paul sought to correct both the danger of Jewish legalism and the danger of Gentile pride or abuse of freedom. His aim was to bind the church together by establishing the standard of the gospel: that Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin and are justified only by the grace of Jesus Christ and by faith. ② Securing a base for the mission to Spain: Paul wanted to go to Spain, which was then regarded as the western end of the world. For this, the church in Rome needed to become a missionary partner supporting him materially and spiritually. So Paul sent Romans to introduce himself, to make clear the content of the gospel he preached, and to prepare for partnership with the church in Rome.
Content
Romans consists of sixteen chapters in all and can be broadly divided into the theory and doctrine of the gospel (chapters 1–11) and the practice and life of the gospel (chapters 12–16). The first half explains what the gospel is, and the second half shows how believers who have received that gospel should live. Part 1: The Theory and Doctrine of the Gospel, Chapters 1–11 Human Sin and Despair, Chapters 1–3: The Gentiles, though they had what can be known about God, did not glorify God, and the Jews, though they had the law, did not keep it fully. In the end, as it is written, “None is righteous, no, not one,” Jews and Gentiles alike are under sin, and it becomes clear that human beings cannot be justified before God by their own strength. Justification by Faith, Chapters 3–5: At the point where human beings cannot make themselves righteous, the gospel of Jesus Christ was given. A person is justified not by works of the law but by faith in the atoning work of Jesus Christ. Paul explains the truth of justification by faith by showing that Abraham too was justified not by works or circumcision but by faith. Union with Christ and Life in the Spirit, Chapters 6–8: Having received grace does not mean one can go on remaining in sin. Believers are those who have been united with Christ, who have died to sin and been made alive to God. Even though there is inner conflict with sin, the Holy Spirit dwells in believers and enables them to live as children of God. It also proclaims that nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ Jesus. The Sovereignty of God and the Question of Israel, Chapters 9–11: Paul deals with the problem of Israel’s unbelief and rejection of the gospel and explains that God’s promise has not failed. The disobedience of the Jews was connected to the salvation of the Gentiles, and the Gentiles, for their part, must not become proud because they have been saved. In the end it shows that salvation depends not on human lineage or merit but on God’s mercy and sovereignty. Part 2: The Practice and Life of the Gospel, Chapters 12–16 A Life as a Living Sacrifice, Chapter 12: Believers who have grasped the gospel must not be conformed to this age but must present their bodies to God as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to Him. This is the spiritual worship believers are to offer, and the gospel must not remain mere knowledge but must lead to a transformed life. Social Responsibility and the Practice of Love, Chapter 13: Believers must not disregard worldly authorities or take order lightly, but must carry out the responsibilities of good citizens before God. They must also remember that love for neighbor is the fulfillment of the law and treat others with love. Acceptance Within the Community, Chapters 14–15: Those who are strong in faith must not despise those who are weak in faith over matters of food or days, and those who are weak in faith must not condemn the strong. Here, rather than fixing the strong and the weak simply as Gentiles and Jews, it is appropriate to understand them as believers in the church in Rome at that time who held differing consciences and convictions of faith regarding food and festivals. Rather than putting their own standards first, believers must welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us and build up the community. Greetings and Co-workers, Chapter 16: Paul sends greetings, mentioning one by one the names of many co-workers, including Phoebe, Priscilla and Aquila, and the scribe Tertius. Through this he shows that the ministry of the gospel is not the work of one person but a communal ministry carried out as various members serve together.