To someone who is reading the Bible for the first time, they might
get to the Book of Romans and ask “why should I care about what some dude was
telling the people of Rome thousands of years ago?” From a Christian’s point of
view I would think that answer was simple, the Book of Romans is the
theological model for the doctrine of salvation. This letter was penned by Paul
the Apostle to the believers in Rome in an effort to spread the Gospel while he
was doing his ministry work. It is important to note that Paul did not start
out to write a book of doctrine, but rather to write a letter of encouragement
to the believers in Rome during a time that believing in Christ could end up
getting one killed for their beliefs.[1]
To understand the Book of Romans a little better we must answer a
few simple questions. Who was the letter written to? What exactly was it like
in Rome at the time this letter was written? Where was this letter written?
Finally who was the author of the letter?
Let’s start with the last question first as I believe it’s the
easiest to answer. It is apparent from the first verse in Romans that Paul the
Apostle is the author of the letter. In the letters introduction Paul
immediately identifies himself in his standard style of introductions as seen
in all of the 13 epistle letters that he authored to various churches.
Furthermore Paul repeatedly refers to himself in the first person throughout
his introduction. “First, I thank God through Jesus Christ for all of you
because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” (Romans 1:8
HCSB)
There question as to who the letter was written to has sparked
some debate between scholars. If I am just reading the Bible and not trying to
read into any hidden meanings, the answer to this question is in black and
white in the scripture, “To all who are in Rome, loved by God called as saints.”
(Romans 1:8 HCSB) This one verse here tells me that this letter was written to
anyone who was a follower and believer in Christ. The debate comes later in the
Book where Paul is making specific references to the “Gentiles” and the “Jews”.
There are those that argue that Paul is addressing only one of these groups but
not both of them in harmony.[2]
Moo’s textbook points out the fact that Paul was addressing both the “Jewish”
and “Gentile” Christians, with a majority of the focus being on the Gentile
Christians. I would like to offer an explanation of why this would be. At this
time in history the greatest person to ever walk the earth had just been
exucted and crucified for all of mankind by his own people. The promised people
had refused to listen to all the scripture, miracles, and prophecies
surrounding Jesus. Among many other things the crucifixion of Christ led to the
“Great Commission”, which in turn focused on the spreading of the Gospel and
salvation to everyone, “Jews and Gentiles” alike.
So where was this letter actually composed at? Paul writes this
letter during his third missionary journey while in Corinth.[3]
In order to be thorough I left the text book in order to find an additional
source that supports this theory of where this letter was written. The Book of
Romans itself gives several clues as to where it was written. One of these, “I
commend to you our sister Pheobe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrae.”
(Romans 16:1 HCSB) It is suggested that Pheobe carried this letter for Paul
from Cenchrae which was in or near Corinth. In addition Paul sends greetings
from Gaius and Erastus (Romans 16:23) who were also residents at Corinth (1 Cor
1:14; 2 Tim 4:20).[4]
So why did Paul write this letter to the Romans? First Paul wanted
to remind the believers of some fundamental truths, therefore fulfilling his
duty of proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles as seen in Romans 15:14-16. He
was also concerned with false teachers infiltrating the church, “Now I urge
you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause dissensions and obstacles
contrary to the doctrine you have learned.” (Romans 16:17 HCSB) In addition Paul
wanted to address some of the issues that the church in Rome was facing. He
especially wanted to call the church to unify and bring to light the
differences between Gentiles and Jew’s. Romans 9-11 stresses equality between Jews
and Gentile believers and he points out that Jews and Gentiles alike are
condemned as sinners (Romans 2:9, 3:9, 23) and are saved by grace through faith
only apart from the works of Law (Romans 3:22, 28-30) Finally this letter was a
way for Paul to formally introduce himself to the Roman church before he
arrived and try and drum up support for his upcoming Spanish mission.
Bibliography
Moo, Douglas J. Romans: The NIV Application
Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck. Grand Rapids , MI: Zondervan, 2000.
Quarles, Charles L.
"Romans, Letter to the." In Holman Illustrated Bible
Dictionary, edited by Chad O Brand, Charles W Draper and Archie
W England, 1409-1415. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003.
[1] Moo,
Douglas J. Romans: The NIV Application Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck. Grand
Rapids , MI: Zondervan,
2000. pg
16
[2] Moo,
Douglas J. Romans: The NIV Application Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck. Grand
Rapids , MI: Zondervan,
2000. pg
21
[3] Moo,
Douglas J. Romans: The NIV Application Commentary. Edited by Terry Muck. Grand
Rapids , MI: Zondervan,
2000. pg
17
[4] Quarles,
Charles L. "Romans, Letter to the." In Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary,
edited by Chad O Brand,
Charles W
Draper and Archie W England, 1410. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers,
2003.
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