Occasion and Purpose.—This Epistle grew out of a desire on the part of Paul to see Rome (Acts 19:21; Rom. 1:11; 15:24-28). As this would be his first visit it was no more than a courteous act that he should write to the church of this intention. Again as the Christians in Rome might have heard false and distorted reports of the gospel which he preached, Paul takes care to clearly and logically set forth the principles and doctrines which he was teaching. This letter then becomes very important as the summing up of the experience and teaching of many years of service in the cause of Jesus Christ.
Place and Time.—This Epistle was in all probability written from Corinth during Paul's stay there in the course of his third missionary journey 58 A.D. (compare Acts 19:21; 20:1-3; Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:14; 2 Tim. 4:20).
Central Thought.—The theme is justification by faith and not by works. There are four main positions. First, All are guilty before God. Second, All need a Savior. Third, Christ died for all. Fourth, We are all (through faith) one body in Him. The thought may be put in other ways, but all to the same purpose. The doctrine of sin, and the doctrine of grace; or the universality of sin and the universality of grace.
Principal Divisions and Chief Points.—There are two great sections, Doctrinal (ch. 1-11), and Practical, (ch. 12-16).
1. Introduction (1:1-15). Paul's salutation to and thanksgiving for (the faith of) the Roman church.
2. Doctrinal (1:16-11:36). (a) The great theme stated, Justification by Faith. (b) All have sinned and all are guilty, Gentiles without the law and Jews with the law have failed to attain righteousness. (c) Righteousness for all comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not by law or works; the universality of grace. Abraham was justified by faith (ch. 4). The blessedness of justification by faith in Jesus Christ (ch. 5). (d) Objections against free grace that it will multiply sin or discredit the law are taken up and answered. Thorough union with Christ on the part of the believer annihilates sin and the law has no more any power. The believer justified by his faith in Christ is dead to the law while quickened to a new and holy life by the Spirit. (e) The apparent rejection of Israel is the problem considered in chapters 9-11. The nation sought righteousness through the law and not by faith. (f) Christ is the end of the law for righteousness. (g) The restoration of Israel.
3. Practical (12-16). (a) Advice and exhortation. The Christian's duty to the church and his conduct outside of it; duty to the state and society; duty of toleration and supreme trust in Christ. (b) Salutations. Paul's apology and explanation for addressing the Roman church. Greetings to various persons and farewell words.
QUESTIONS
What can be said of the old faiths and the new? What was the great question? The Jewish faith; how fulfilled in Christ? What can be said of the heathen faith? What of the new faith in Christ? What is the practical bearing of this group of Epistles upon every day life? When written? Give some account of the Galatians. When was the Epistle to the Galatians written? What was the occasion and purpose? Give the principal divisions and chief points. What can be said of the Epistles to the Corinthians? When was the church founded? Give some account of the city. What was the occasion and purpose of writing the first Epistle to the Corinthians? What was the place and time? What the thought of Christ. Give the principal divisions and chief points. What was the occasion and purpose of writing the Second Epistle? Place and time? Give the principal divisions and chief points. When was the church at Rome founded? What was the occasion and purpose of writing the Epistle to the Romans? Time and Place? Central thought? Give the principal divisions and chief points.