2. 2Introduction to Romans
The Roman Empire 47 A.D. during the reign of Claudius and times of the apostles
Rome
Paul wrote the Epistle (Letter) to the Romans around 56-58 A.D.
3. 3Introduction to Romans
Rome
- The Roman Empire .. population 30 million. Rome – 3 million people
- All roads lead to Rome
.. People came to Rome, free food and free entertainment.
- People lived for “Bread and Circus”
.. ½ the year were holidays and for 95 of these days, amusement was funded
by the State
- People were polytheistic – borrowed from Greek.
Educated were skeptics and followed Greek Philosophy
-
8. 8Introduction to Romans
Paul expressed a desire to visit Roman Church to
encourage them and to preach the gospel. Rom 1: 8-14
When Paul wrote Romans, he had already made a
substantial collection for the poor in Jerusalem – the
church there was facing famine and was desperately poor.
He had 3 months in Greece, waiting for good weather to
sail to Jerusalem with the money.
He thought about the Christians in Rome and expressed
the desire to visit them
Desire to visit the Roman church
9. 9Introduction to Romans
Rome
Area covered by Paul in his
3 missionary journeys, 20 years
Paul looks for a new base to get to Spain? Rome is a
strategic base for new ministry West of Rome? (15:23,24)
10. 10Introduction to Romans
Allay tensions between the Jews and The Gentiles.
The gospel must have been carried back to Rome by those at the
Pentecost at Jerusalem. 40,000 Jews in Rome at that time.
The initial Roman church was Jewish.
Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews (Acts 18 – Aquila and Priscilla)
So Roman Christians were for a while mainly Gentiles.
In AD 54, Claudius died and Nero replaced him. Nero thought the
Jews were good for business and invited them back.
Jewish Christians return to find the Gentiles running the church.
So the tensions arose.
Paul’s epistles to the Romans highlight some of these tensions.
11. 11Introduction to Romans
Paul wanted to minister to the Christians there and addressed
the societal circumstances relevant to the church at Rome
1. Political
They were at the seat of the government of the empire.
Paul affirms the value of the government as God’s appointed servants (Roms 13)
Call to respect political leaders and pay taxes.
2. Social
The “anti-social” behavior of the Roman citizens comes through.
Rome – hotbed for homosexuality.. 14 out of 1st 15 Roman emperors were
practicing homosexuals. Can you imagine what the people are like? (Rom 1:18-32)
12. 12Introduction to Romans
Paul’s was about 20 years into his life’s work as a missionary.
His life was in constant danger and he wanted the gospel spelt
out in a systematic fashion.
A prophet Agabus from Judea came from Judea and told Paul he would be handed
over to the Gentiles and would die. Acts 21:10-15
13. 13Introduction to Romans
MAIN THEMES
Sin and Justification and Faith
Extent of sin in Rom (chap 1)
Reminds both Jews and Gentiles they are equally sinful (3:9, 23) and will
come under the same judgment (2:10,11)
Same means of being justified for Jews and Gentiles (3:28,29) . By FAITH
Abraham an e.g. of what it means to be justified by faith ( 4:3)
Justification bring reconciliation to God for all (5:11)
Sanctification
Two problems Jews and Gentiles have with gospels
Gentiles .. License (6:1); Jews … Legalism (7:6);
The new way through the Spirit (chap 8).
14. 14Introduction to Romans
MAIN THEMES
God’s Relationship with the Jews (Rom 9-11)
Gentiles may be tempted to think that the Church have replaced Israel and
the Jews were out of God’s purpose. All Israel will be saved ( Rom 11:25-30)
Righteous Living (Rom 12-15)
Be careful of pride when we serve (Rom 12:3, 16)
Examples given relates also to the tension between Jews and Gentiles
Food (Rom 14:1-4)
Days and seasons (Rom 14:5-,6)
15. 15Introduction to Romans
KEY WORDS
God (153 times), Christ (65 times), Lord (43 times)
Emphasis that they are God’s people (whether Jews or Gentiles) and God
works in their lives
Law ( 72 times)
Explained to Gentiles about the Law and also reminded Jews about the Law in
God’s scheme of things.
Sin ( 48 times)
Addresses problem of sin in the City and sin among the believers. Explains God
is against sin whether in believers or unbelievers.
Faith (40 times)
Made right and united through faith. Previously, Jews and Gentiles were
united in sin.
16. 16Introduction to Romans
KEY WORDS
Righteousness
From faith flows righteousness in our lives.
Cross – double substitution. Christ took our righteousness (filthy rags - Isaiah
64:6) on himself and puts his righteousness on us.
God’s righteousness for us is more than just a ticket to heaven – to be saved. It is
an idea of being salvage.
In NT 3 tenses used for “saved”
have been saved .. Justification [Pidgin translation “e’ say ‘im alright”]
are being saved .. Sanctification [Comes from God and by faith also]
will be saved .. Glorification [end of the salvation process, sin is gone]
Imputed vs Imparted Righteousness (Rom 4 – Faith credit as righteousness)
17. 17Introduction to Romans
Last word on the Gospel
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will
not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has
accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by
what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and
wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God.
