Romans/Introduction/Commentary

Romans Introduction The church in Rome “When Paul wrote this epistle he had not been to Rome (1:15), but had often wished to visit (1:13; 15:23), and now purposed to do so (15:24,28). How, then, was the church there brought into being? That it had originated early we deduce from the fact that when Paul wrote this epistle, the faith of those Roman believers was already ‘spoken of throughout the world’ (1:8)” 1 The tradition that the church in Rome was founded by the apostle Peter fails to find supporting evidence in the New Testament: In Paul's letter to the church in Rome he makes no mention of Peter, even though he mentions many Christians by name (16:1ff). His letters written while imprisoned in Rome never mention Peter (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon). Up to the conference in Jerusalem (Acts 15-A.D. 52), Peter was still in Jerusalem (15:7, Galatians 2:1).

The probability is, either some of those present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10 “sojourners from Rome”) returned to plant Christianity in that city, or in the dispersion of Jewish Christians from Jerusalem (Acts 8:1; 11:19). Moreover, the ever-busy intercourse between Rome and the provinces would almost certainly bring Christian converts to the capital, not only from Judea, but from other parts as well.

From the Roman letter we learn that the church here was composed of Christians from both a Jewish and Gentile background (1:13; 7:1; 11:13). Twenty-six persons are greeted in this letter, and two-thirds of the names are Greek. “There was a Jewish community in Rome as early as the second century B.C. It was considerably augmented in consequence of Pompey's conquest of Judea in 63 B.C. In 59 B.C. Cicero makes reference to the size and influence of the Jewish colony in Rome. In A.D. 19 the Jews of Rome were expelled from the city by decree of the Emperor Tiberius, but in a few years they were back in great numbers as ever. Not long after this we have the record of another mass-expulsion of Jews from Rome, this time by the Emperor Claudius (A.D. 41-54). This expulsion is briefly referred to in Acts 18:2 (late summer A.D. 50). Aquila and Priscilla appear to have been Christians before they met Paul, and were probably members of the original group of believers in Jesus resident in Rome” 2 1 2

Explore the Book, J. Sidlow Baxter p. 79 The Epistle of Paul to the Romans. F.F. Bruce. pp. 13-14

The city of Rome The city of Rome sat on seven hills that were really high points or bluffs on the left or east side of the Tiber River about 15 miles from its mouth at the Mediterranean Sea. Rome was the center of the empire; here in the Roman Forum was the golden milepost, the point from which all distances on Roman roads were measured. The walls around the city were approximately 13 miles and included about six square miles. It was a city with many temples, arches of triumph, fountains, palaces, and tenements where the middle and lower classes lived. “At the heart of the city was the Roman Forum which housed the center of the government. The Senate House, an assembly hall, the temples of Mars and Saturn were also located in it. There were several forums or open market places that were the centers of public life. Most of the inhabitants of the city worked for very low wages. There were numerous small shopkeepers. In addition, there were street vendors, ragpickers, and the street-walkers who loitered near the Circus Maximus, which could accommodate about 150,000 spectators” 3 “Rome, the capital city of the Roman empire, attracted foreigners from the provinces, especially in the Mediterranean region. With them came foreign cults such as Mithras from Persia and Isis and Osiris from Egypt. Adherents of Judaism and Christianity could also be found in the city” 4 When Paul wrote this letter, Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus (Nero) was the emperor and he reigned from 54-68 A.D. During the early part of his reign under the influence of Burrus and Seneca until about A.D. 60, the empire was in the best condition since the death of Augustus in A.D. 14. Following A.D. 60, Nero will become a cruel and ambitious ruler.

Date “In the epistle itself we learn that Paul was about to go to Jerusalem with the collection by churches of Macedonia and Achaia ‘for the poor among the saints’ (15:25-27). He frequently stressed this collection in the earlier letters to Corinth (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8; 9). Romans must have been written later than 2 Corinthians, for he was on the verge of departing for Jerusalem (15:25 ‘but now, I am going to Jerusalem'). 2 Corinthians was written from Macedonia; from Macedonia he went to Greece (Acts 20:1-2) to collect the collection from Corinth (2 Cor. 9:1-5).

Other details inside the letter suggest that Romans was written from Corinth, just prior to Paul's departure for Jerusalem. He refers to Cenchrea (Corinth's western seaport, 16:1); he commends Phoebe to the Romans (possibly the one who personally took the letter to Rome). He is entertained by Gaius (16:23); he had baptized a man by this name in Corinth (1 Cor. 1:14). Erastus seems to have lived in Corinth also (16:23; 2 Timothy 4:20). From Acts Chapter 20 we learn that after leaving Corinth Paul backtracked through Macedonia (a slight change of plans, 20:3) and crossed over to Troas (Acts 20:3,5-6). He was trying to make it to Jerusalem by Pentecost (50 days after Passover) (Acts 20:16). Hence the date for this epistle must have been in the early spring.

The shipping season, in this part of the world, resumed in March. Hence Romans was written from 3 Romans, Clinton Hamilton, pp. lxiv-lxv 4 Hamilton p. xxi

Corinth, in the early spring of 57 or 58 A.D. The authorship of the letter is clearly stated in 1:1. In addition, various writers from an early date also testify that Paul wrote this letter. Clement of Rome (A.D. 96), Ignatius (A.D. 115), Polycarp (A.D. 115), and Justin Martyr (A.D. 150), each quotes six or more passages from Romans. “Showing that the letter already existed, was familiar to the churches, and was valued as an authoritative word” 5

Purpose 

A Discussion of Serious Questions:

“The need for such a treatise is clear. When Paul wrote it the Gospel had been preached through the Roman world for a quarter of a century, and many communities of Christians had come into being. It was inevitable that the wide-spreading new faith should evoke momentous questions.

What about the doctrine of God's righteousness if, as this new preaching says, sinners everywhere may be freely pardoned through grace? What about the relation of this ‘Gospel’ to the Law of Moses? Does it not repudiate Moses? How can the admission of Gentiles to equal privilege with the Jews be reconciled with the O.T.? And what is going to become of morals if God is now going to deal with men on the ground of grace instead of holding them accountable to a righteous law?

Will not people sin more than ever, that grace may abound? And what about Israel's special covenant-relation with God? Does not the new ‘Gospel’ imply that God has now cast off His people?” 6 

Dealing with Error:

This letter does contain one reference to false teachers (16:17-18). Throughout much of his Christian life Paul had constantly battled against those who wanted to blend Christianity with Judaism (Acts 15:1-2, 5; Galatians 5:2; Colossians 2:16). Many of the arguments in Romans would check this error (3:20-31; 4:1-25; 7:1-6; 8:1-4). “He wishes to answer to standard objections he has heard over and over as he has pressed the exclusive claims of Christianity. The objector’s arguments seem to be reflected at 3:1-8; 6:1,15, and 9-11” 7 

Everything in the right perspective:

“The purpose of the letter is to set forth, as Baur rightly expresses it, ‘both the relation of Judaism 5 Reese p. vii 6 Baxter p. 67 7 Romans, Gareth L. Reese p. lxxvii

and heathenism to each other, and the relation of both to Christianity’” 8 

How God justifies the sinner:

In his commentary on Romans, Jim McGuiggan feels that Paul is dealing with three grand things in this letter: 1. To state and justify the doctrine of justification by faith apart from the works of the Law. 2. To defend that teaching against slanderous perversions of it (6:1). 3. To deal with the Jewish problem. Has the plan of God failed seeing that the vast majority of Jews remain unblessed and under condemnation before God? (Romans 9-11) At this point we should clarify that this letter is dealing with justification by faith (Romans 1:16; 5:1), but it is not a justification by faith alone. Faith by itself, that is, faith that is weak or dead has never saved anyone (James 2:14ff; John 12:42-43). The faith in this book is active and obedient (Romans 1:4 “obedience of faith”; 4:19ff; 16:26). Thus the central theme in this letter is found in Romans 1:16-17. One can either call this justification by faith (which is of course obedient) or the righteousness of God that is how God makes the sinner righteous. 

The Jewish problem:

If God really wanted the Jews to be saved then why have so few of them obeyed the gospel message? (Romans 9:1ff). In this section the Holy Spirit is explaining God’s plan, maintaining God’s fairness and faithfulness, and making sure that everyone understands that God had never promised salvation to someone solely on the basis of their ethnic heritage. Salvation for Jews or Gentiles has always been conditioned upon faith. 

Inform the Christians in Rome of his plans: (15:20-32).

Themes         

Man has always found favor with God on the basis of an obedient faith (1:17).

Unbelief has always cut one off from God (11:20-23).

One will either feel God's wrath or God's mercy (11:22; 2:6-11).

Error leads to depravity, and doctrinal error cannot keep one morally pure (1:18-32).

All men and women need Christ for all are sinners (3:23).

Salvation brings obligations to live a life of dedication to God (6:1ff; 8:1ff; 12:1ff).

The only system of justification that works is a system based on forgiveness and a obedient faith (3:23ff).

The true Jew today is the faithful Christian (Chapters 9-11).

The Law of Moses has ended (3:28; 7:1ff).

8 Commentary on Thess., Corinthians, Galatians and Romans.

McGarvey p. 291



Jews and Gentiles are equal (Romans 2:25-29; 3:23). Yes, salvation was preached to the Jews first, but being first never meant being superior.

Brief Outline The wrath of God: 1:18-3:20 The grace of God: 3:21-8:39 The plan of God: 9-11 The will of God: 12:1-15:13

Detailed Outline I.

Where shall righteousness be found? 1:1-8:39 A. B. C. D.

Salutation: 1:1-7 An explanation of his absence and delay: 1:8-15 How God makes man righteous is found in the gospel message: 1:16-17 God’s wrath is revealed against all unrighteousness: 18-3:20 (1) Heathenism and idolatry: 1:18-32 (2) Hypocritical religion: 2:1-29 (3) Jewish violation of the Law of Moses: 3:1-20

The clear inference at this point is that all religions, even Judaism, have failed to acquit man of his sins. Romans 2:28-29 hints at a concept that will be explored in further detail in Chapters 911.

E. God’s righteousness is found in a relationship with Christ: 3:21-5:21 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

Even the Law and the Prophets had predicted this salvation: 3:21 Such salvation is for all men for all need it: 3:22-23 While this salvation is unearned it is not unconditional: 3:21-31 God has always conditioned salvation upon an obedient faith: 4:125 The results of this justification: 5:1-11 The condemnation through Adam is now reversed in Christ: 5:12-21

F. The moral results to believers: 6:1-8:39 (1) (2) (3)

Grace is not an excuse to continue in sin: 6:1-23 We have been released from the Law: 7:1-8:4 Obligations and the future of those who walk after the Spirit: 8:5-39

II.

Understanding God’s dealings with Israel: A. Paul’s grief over the lost condition of so many Jews: 9:1-5 B. This lost condition is consistent with the facts: 9:6-33 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

III.

Exhortation to practical Christian living: 12:1-14:23 A. B. C. D. E. F.

IV.

Physical lineage has never made one a true Jew: 9:6-14 The fact that God used someone is no guarantee of salvation: 9:1524 Jewish rejection was predicted by the prophets: 9:25-29 Unbelief is man’s fault: 9:30-10:21 The faithful have always been accepted and the disobedient have always been rejected, no matter who you are: 11:1-36

The foundation is a renewed mind and a body devoted to God’s service: 12:1-3 A new mind means serving others and using your talents: 12:4-21 Obligations to civil government: 13:1-7 Neighbor love: 13:8-14 The Christian life and matters of opinion: 14:1-23 The incentive, and the example of Christ: 15:1-13

Closing thoughts: 15:13-16:27 A. Paul’s personal plans and requests: 15:14-32 B. Commendation of Phoebe: 16:1-2 C. Salutations and exhortations: 16:3-27

Approaching the Book “We are dealing with profound topics here in Romans, so the reader must be prepared to do some deep thinking. Some of the hardest questions that thinking men ask are, ‘Who am I! Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going?’ It is questions like these, the answers to which help mold and define a man’s world-view, that one finds expounded in the pages of Romans. With deftness and sureness, Paul covers such things as the result of Adam’s sin on the rest of God’s creation, the providence of God, the place of the Jews, the matter of how God saves men. All of these are profound subjects. What a boon to the man who, because of a careful study of Romans, comes to think God’s thoughts after Him!” 9

9 Reese p. ii