1. The Epistle to the Romans
  2. The City of Rome
  3. The Church at Rome
  4. Date of Writing
  5. Purpose of the Epistle
  6. The Influence of Romans
  7. A Simple Outline of Romans
  8. Detailed Outline of Romans

The Epistle to the Romans
 

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The City of Rome
Rome had grown from a small village on the River Tiber founded in 753 B.C. to a wealthy, cosmopolitan city of over 1 million. It was like New York City and Washington, D.C. combined --- a commercial, military and political hub. Thus, reaching Rome was a key to reaching the world.
 
 

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The Church at Rome
Neither Peter nor Paul founded the Church at Rome. It seems to have been established before the expulsion of the Jews, A.D. 49-50. Jews and proselytes from Rome might have carried the gospel back to the city after Pentecost (Acts 2:10). The church in Rome was comprised of a gentile majority, with a strong Jewish minority.
 
 

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Date of Writing
Paul’s description of his plans in Romans 15: 23-29 provides clear information about the circumstances around the writing of the epistle. Paul likely wrote while in Corinth during his third missionary journey, A.D. 57.
 
 

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Purpose of the Epistle
In Romans, Paul provides his most systematic statement of the Gospel. Why? Three possible reasons surface. First, Paul was seeking financial support for his mission to Spain. Second, Paul’s knew that the Gospel was under attack. He also realized that his life would be at risk in Jerusalem. He wrote to clearly explain his Gospel. Third, Paul wrote to urge greater unity in the church at Rome, especially between Jews and gentiles.
 
 

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The Influence of Romans

 
· Augustine
· Martin Luther
· John Wesley

The chief part of the New Testament and the perfect Gospel.  Martin Luther
 
If a man understands it (Romans) he has a sure road open for him to the understanding of the whole Scripture.        John Calvain
 
The constitution of Christianity          Bruce Metzger
 
To Paul I appeal from all interpreters of his writings.    Augustine
 

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A Simple Outline of Romans
 
Introduction (1:1-17)
 
Condemnation (1:18 - 3:20)
 
Justification (3:21 - 5:21)
 
Sanctification (6-8)
 
Consternation (9-11)
 
Transformation (12:1 – 15:13)
 
Conclusion (15:14 – 16:27)
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Detailed Outline of Romans
(Taken from Dr. Thomas D. Lea)
 

 

I. Introduction (1:1-17)
 
A. Greeting (1-7)
B. Paul’s desire to visit Rome (8-15)
C. Theme of God’s righteousness (16-17)

 

II. The Sinfulness of All Human Beings (1:18 – 3:20)
 
A. Sinfulness of the pagan world (1:18-32)
B. Sinfulness of the Jews (2:1 – 3:8)
C. Proof of universal sinfulness (3:9-20)

 

III. The Path of Righteousness (3:21 – 5:21)
 
A. God’s provision in the work of Christ (3: 21-31)
B. Faith of Abraham and David (4: 1-25)
C. Blessings of justification (5: 1-11)
D. Contrast between Adam and Christ (5: 12-21)

 
 
 

IV. The Path of Holy Living (6:1 – 8:39)
A. Victory over sin (6: 1-23)
1. A question about sin (6:1-2)
2. Baptism – the illustration of union with Christ (6:3-14)
3. Slavery – the illustration of devotion to Christ (6: 1-23)
B. Victory over the law (7: 1-25)
1. Illustration of release from marriage (7:1-6)
2. Inner struggle with sin (7:7-25)
C. Victory over death (8: 1-39)
 
1. New life in the Spirit (8:1-17)
2. Anticipation of coming glory (8:18-30)
3. Confidence of victory (8:31-39)
V. The Problem of Israel’s Unbelief (9:1 – 11:36)
A. Paul’s concern for Israel (9:1-5)
B. Sovereignty of God in election (9:6-29)
C. Responsibility of human beings (9:30 – 10:21)
1. Stubbornness of Israel (9:30-33)
2. Contrast between legal and faith righteousness (10:1-13)
3. Proclaiming the gospel world-wide (10:14-21)
D. God’s plan for Israel (11:1-32)
1. Election of the remnant (11:1-10)
2. Coming restoration and salvation of Israel (11:11-32)
 
E. Praise for divine wisdom (11:33-36)

 

VI. Practical Christian Living (12:1 – 15:13)
A. Appeal for consecration (12:1-2)
B. Use of spiritual gifts (12:3-8)
C. Love within and outside the Christian Community (12:9-21)
D. Responsibility to secular government (13:1-7)
E. Imperative of love (13:8-10)
F. Moral readiness for Christ (13:11-14)
G. Love and Christian liberty (14:1 – 15:13)
 
1. Practice of Christian liberty (14:1-12)
2. Demonstration of Christian charity (14:13-23)
3. Example of Christ (15:1-13)
VII. Conclusion (15:14 – 16:27)
A. Paul’s plans for future visits (15:14-33)
B. Commendation of Phoebe (16:1-2)
C. Greetings to Christian friends (16:3-16)
D. Warning against false teachers (16:17-20)
E. Greetings from Christians friends (16:21-24)
F. Doxology (16:25-27)

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