Introduction, Overview

Commentary On  The Epistle To The Romans

By Dr. John R. Stone 

Romans 1:1-7

Introduction:

The book of Romans is one of the most important books in all the Bible. It is perhaps Paul’s greatest literary contribution to the new Church. It is placed first among his thirteen letters in the New Testament. A healthy church in the Roman capital was important for the westward expansion of the Church. Paul wrote this letter to lay a good foundation for the church that was made up of believers from all over the Roman Empire. This letter is the most systematic (orderly) presentation of theology we find in the Bible. In this book, Paul sets forth the important elements of the Christian faith and applies the doctrinal truths with practical exhortations (counsel) for the growing Christians.

Outline and Overview:

As Paul explains the basic truths of Christianity, he begins with the issue of SIN that separates us from God (Rom 1:1—3:20), and then he proceeds to show the only provision for our SALVATION in God’s amazing grace (Rom. 3:2—5:21).

Chapters 6—8 contain God’s plan for SANCTIFICATION and what it means to be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the kind of person God wants  each one of us to be.

Chapters 9—11 show God’s SOVEREIGNTY in His control of the influences that shape our lives, especially as it relates to Israel’s place in the climax of human history.

Chapters 12—16 focus on our SERVICE as faithful followers of Christ.

This simple outline will help us to see Paul’s process of developing the solid doctrinal foundation upon which the Church was built.

With that background and overview of the whole book, perhaps Paul’s greeting in 1:1—7 can be seen in the bigger picture of Paul’s purpose. He presents his credentials (written evidence of qualification) to the church in Rome because he had not yet visited them, and he identifies both his aim to reach the Gentiles and his message.

Paul’s Greeting:

Vs.1:

Paul identifies himself first as a bond-servant because he was purchased from slavery to sin with the blood of Christ and second as an apostle because he was sent by Christ to preach the gospel.

Vs. 2:

In the next few verses Paul explains the heart of the message he is preaching. It was promised in the Old Testament, and it was the good news about Jesus Christ.

Vs. 3:

God’s Son entered the human race when he was born into the family line of King David.

Vs. 4:

The resurrection of Christ proved that He is the Son of God.

Vs. 5:

Jesus gave Paul the ministry of bringing the gospel of salvation through faith to all the Gentiles.

Vs.7:

The Gentile believers in Rome are the recipients of Paul’s letter, and all of them are called  “saints” because they have received the righteousness of Christ through faith.

This simple greeting sets the tone for the whole book; it establishes Paul’s authority and reveals the foundational truth of the Christian faith. Jesus Christ is God’s Son who was raised from the dead, and this message of salvation through faith in His name is to be preached to all the Gentiles, which means to all the world. The book of Romans outlines the life-changing truth of the gospel that Paul was preaching.

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