Overview of the Epistle to the Romans: Church in Ancient Rome

The Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Romans

The Epistle to the Romans The Great City of Rome: + Rome was built by Romulus in 753 B.C. and he became its first king. + It was the capital of the Roman Empire, located at the river Tiber, 15 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. + It is mostly believed that 1,200,000 people lived in Rome at the time when the epistle was written. + There were a lot of Jews there, brought as slaves by Pompey when he invaded Syria, who then became free and multiplied. The Church of Rome: + It was possibly founded by a number of believers to whom the name

The Epistle to the Romans of Christ was preached on the Pentecost in Jerusalem or through Christian traders. + Some others believed in Christianity during the preaching of St. Paul in the cities of Asia, Macedonia and Achaea then they went to Rome. This can be supported by Chapter 16 of the epistle, where St. Paul is sending greetings to many believers though he had not visited Rome yet. + The Church of Rome was formed of 2 groups: Christians of Jewish origin and Christians who were of the Gentiles, therefore: - We see St. Paul sometimes talking to the Jews, mentioning Abraham and the inherited sin through Adam:

The Epistle to the Romans Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3) Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12) - And some other times we see him talking to the Gentiles about the disobedience of Israel and acceptance of the Gentiles: For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience (Romans 11:30) + St. Paul longed for many years to visit Rome and preach the word of God there, having in mind the thought that if Christianity was received

The Epistle to the Romans in Rome, it will reach the whole world: That without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me (Romans 1:9-12) + St. Peter and the Church of Rome: - The Catholics claim that St. Peter the apostle is the founder of the Church of Rome and he was its first bishop living there for 25 years (A.D 42-67, till the year of his martyrdom). There are no historical facts to support this claim. On the contrary, many evidences defy it:

The Epistle to the Romans 1. The Church of Rome is of the Gentiles not of the Jews and it is known that Peter was entrusted for the gospel of circumcision, while Paul was entrusted for the gospel to the Gentiles: But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Galatians 2:7,9) - And God told St. Paul that he will witness in Rome: But the following night the Lord stood by him and said: Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome (Acts 23:11)

The Epistle to the Romans 2. In his epistle to the Romans, St. Paul mentioned a principal he followed: And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man s foundation (Romans 15:20) 3. In chapter 16 of the epistle, St. Paul sent his greetings to many of the early Christians (both of the Jews and the Gentiles). It unreasonable to believe that Peter was in the city and Paul did not greet him and add his name to the top of his long list. Time and Place of Writing: + St. Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans prior to his visit to Rome, in A.D. 58 at the end of his 3rdmissionary trip, from the city of Corinth.

The Epistle to the Romans + The epistle was written by the hands of Tertius and was carried to Rome by Phoebe, a servant of the church of Cenchrea: I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord (Romans 16:22) I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also (Romans 16:1-2) Characteristics of the Epistle: 1. The Epistle to the Romans is considered one of the most educational epistles of St. Paul, as it lays down all the vital facts of Christianity.

The Epistle to the Romans 2. St. Paul presented Christ, who He is and what His redemptive act is. 3. He provided an important doctrine that man is justified not through the works of the Law, but through his faith and the Grace of God. + This was essentially important to arm the church against the spreading cancer of the Judaizing teachers, the Christians of Jewish origin who claimed that whoever accepts Christianity from the Gentiles should first be circumcised and become Jewish and taught of the importance of keeping the Law of Moses, the Sabbath and other teachings of Judaism in Salvation. 4. It includes the apostle s teaching about: the Path of Salvation.

The Epistle to the Romans Purpose of Writing: 1. To Proclaim that Salvation is Based on the Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Not on the Works of the Law: Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law (Romans 3:28) 2. To Prepare for his Visit to Rome, which he was Longing to: And having a great desire these many years to come to you, whenever I journey to Spain, I shall come to you (Romans 15:23-24)

The Epistle to the Romans Theme of the Epistle: Justification by Faith Working Through Love : For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: The just shall live by faith (Romans 1:16-17) Contents: I. Introduction: (Ch. 1) To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:7)

The Epistle to the Romans II. Doctrinal Part: (Chs. 1-11) A) An Explanation of Salvation and Justification through Faith: (Chs. 1-8) 1. The Gentiles Sinned and are Deserving of Death: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (Romans 1:18) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting... knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death (Romans1:28,32)

The Epistle to the Romans 2. The Jews Sinned and Could Not be Justified by the Works of the Mosaic Law: For there is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified) (Romans 2:11-13) For circumcision is indeed profitable if you keep the law; but if you are a breaker of the law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God (Romans 2:25,28-29)

The Epistle to the Romans Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20) 3. All Have Sinned and Have Fallen Under Judgment: For we have previously charged both Jews and Greek that they are all under sin (Romans 3:9) There is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:11-12,23)

The Epistle to the Romans 4. Salvation is Based on Being Justified by the Faith in Jesus Christ: But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe. For there is no difference (Romans 3:21-22) Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed (Romans 3:24-25) 5. Abraham Justified by Faith: For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was

The Epistle to the Romans accounted to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3) How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised (Romans 4:10-12) 6. Justification through Faith and Reconciliation to God: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God

The Epistle to the Romans through our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:6,8) Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, shall be saved by His life (Romans 5:9-10) 7. Death in Adam, Life in Christ:

The Epistle to the Romans Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned (Romans 5:12) For if by the one man s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. Therefore, as through one man s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man s righteous act the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life (Romans 5:17-18) 8. We were All Freed through Baptism: How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into

The Epistle to the Romans His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Romans 6:2-4) I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness (Romans 6:19) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23) 9. Freedom from the Authority of the Law:

The Epistle to the Romans Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter (Romans 7:4-6) 10. The Law Points Out to the Sin but Does Not Justify: On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died (Romans 7:7-9)

The Epistle to the Romans For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Romans 7:19,24-25) 11. Justification through Our Lord Jesus Christ: There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2) He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God s elect? It is God who justifies (Romans 8:32-33)

The Epistle to the Romans Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35) Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37) 12. The Holy Spirit Gives us Life and Sonship to God: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live (Romans 8:11,13)

The Epistle to the Romans For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out: Abba, Father (Romans 8:14-15) B) God s Chosen People: (Chs. 9-11) 1. The Contradiction of the Children of Flesh and Children of the Promise: But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, In Isaac your seed shall be called. That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed (Romans 9:7-9)

The Epistle to the Romans 2. God s Choice according to His Precognition: And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her: The older shall serve the younger. As it is written: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated (Romans 9:10-13) - Although God has the absolute freedom to accept or reject but this absolute freedom doesn t contradict with His absolute justice, and holiness. - God doesn t have past, present and future as the man, but all is revealed and present in front of God. He saw Jacob s good deeds and Esau s

The Epistle to the Romans evilness, therefore His decision is not according to choice but according to His prior knowledge: For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29) 3. St. Paul Made it Clear that there is No Argument Against God s Plans and Choices: But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it: Why have you made me like this? Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? (Romans 9:20-21)

The Epistle to the Romans - The potter has all the freedom to form the clay to form different pottery, but the potter has the experience to choose the kind of clay that suits the purpose prepared for. Hence the sovereign powers of God let Him choose men according to their works. What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory (Romans 9:22-23) - God bore with great patience so as not to show his wrath on the vessels prepared for destruction, then why won t He show His mercy to the other vessels that deserve it, keeping in mind that God choices are not excluding men s deeds and behavior.

The Epistle to the Romans 4. God From the Beginning Wanted Salvation to All: As He says also in Hosea: I will call them My people, who were not My people, and her beloved, who was not beloved Isaiah also cries out concerning Israel: Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, the remnant will be saved (Romans 9:25,27) For the Scripture says: Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:11-13) 5. God s Choice Does Not Ignore our Freewill:

The Epistle to the Romans But to Israel he says: All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people (Romans 10:21) 6. The Jews will Later Accept the Faith: For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in (Romans 11:25) 7. God s Plan for the Salvation of the Whole World: For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain

The Epistle to the Romans mercy. For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all (Romans 11:30-32) Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? (Romans 11:33-34) III. Practical Part: (Chs. 12-15) 1. Justification is Not a Theoretical Doctrine But to be Applied in Daily Life: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (Romans 12:1)

The Epistle to the Romans And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14) For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord s (Romans 14:7-8) 2. The Law of Love:

The Epistle to the Romans Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another (Romans 12:15-16) Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments are all summed up in this saying, namely: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law (Romans 13:8-10) Who are you to judge another s servant? To his own master he stands or falls For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (Romans 14:4,10) 3. Submission to the Authorities:

The Epistle to the Romans Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God (Romans 13:1) IV. Conclusion and Greetings: (Ch. 16) 1. St. Paul Sent his Greetings to Many: Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life (Romans 16:3-4) - He expressed his fatherly care for each person, giving each one a specific characteristic.

The Epistle to the Romans 2. He Warned them of those who Cause Divisions: Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them (Romans 16:17) 3. Benediction and Glorifying God: To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen (Romans 16:27)