Paul wrote the book of Romans from prison in 57-58 AD to the church in Rome. He explains that salvation is through faith in Christ alone, not works, and is available to both Jews and Gentiles. The book addresses issues in the Roman church related to divisions between Jews and Gentiles over the role of the Mosaic law. It provides a systematic theology on sin, justification by faith, sanctification, Israel's past and future, and other doctrines to prepare the Romans for Paul's planned visit.

1. New Testament Survey:
Book of Romans
Paul in Prison

3. The Author
• Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles.
• Born and educated in Tarsus, capital of Cilicia.
• Learned the tent-making trade (Acts 18:3)
• Paul’s method of writing—logical method of
presenting the truth.
• Later Jewish education at feet of Gamaliel.

4. Date of Writing
• In the epistle, Paul was heading toward
Jerusalem (15:25-27).
• Must have been written later than 2 Corinthians,
since he was ready to depart.
• Time of writing = spring of 57 or 58 A.D.
• 2 Corinthians written from Macedonia; then he
headed for Greece.
• After delivering the contribution for the poor
saints, he wished to journey to Spain through
Rome.

5. To Whom Addressed
• Paul was a special apostle sent to the Gentile
nations of the world.
• Many times, he was hindered from going to
Rome (1:13).
• Rome was the center of the world’s life
• Paul was vitally interested in preaching to the
whole Roman Empire.
• Wrote to the Christians there in preparation for
his intended visit.

6. Origin of the
Church in Rome
• The origin of the Roman church is unknown.
• Inconsistent facts concerning Peter being the
founder.
• The Divine record does not indicate that Peter
was ever in Rome.
• Peter’s own epistles were not written or
addressed from Rome.
• In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome, he made
no mention of Peter!

7. • Paul wrote his epistles from a Roman prison; he did
not mention Peter.
• No mention of Rome in Peter’s own writings, and no
other inspired writer mentions a connection
between Peter and Rome.
• Could have been one converted on Pentecost
• Evidence many Jews lived in Rome.
• Decree of banishment from Rome by Claudius
(Acts 18:1,2)
Origin of the
Church in Rome

8. Condition of the
Church in Rome
• It’s only natural that a church made up of both
Jews and Gentiles would experience some
strife.
• A difficult fact that hindered complete
reconciliation between the Jews and Gentiles—
both were equal in God’s eyes.
• Paul also wrote to prepare them for the
problems caused by the Judaizing teachers who
would come their way.

9. Purpose and Message
• Depravity into which sin leads those who
abandon God.
• Rejecting God, after having known Him, to
walk in the “vanity of their own minds.”
• Moral destitution of the Gentile nations
—”God gave them up!”
–Romans 1:18-32

10. • God does not respect any man’s person enough to
wink at his sin.
– Romans 2
• There is a universal need for salvation.
– Romans 3:23
• God’s grace alone was able to provide for salvation,
a provision made possible by the blood of Christ,
which was offered to all men through the gospel
– Romans 3:23-26
Purpose and Message

11. • Justification is not by the works of the Law;
such would make God a respecter of persons
• Law of Moses not given as plan to make man
righteous; it was given to reveal sin. Through
knowledge of that fact, they needed a Savior.
– Romans 3:19,20
• Justification attained by faith in Christ
– Romans 3:22
Purpose and Message

12. • Jews had failed to attain unto God’s righteousness
—they did not seek Him by faith.
– Romans 9:32
• Refused to allow the Law to serve the purpose for
which it was intended—preparation for Christ
– Galatians 3:24
• Developed their own system of righteousness—
human traditions
– Romans 10:1-3
Purpose and Message

13. • The national rejection did not doom the individual
who was willing to have faith in Christ.
– Romans 11:26
• Christianity, as Paul emphasized in this letter,
should blot out all national enmity.
• Bring them to Christ, where they could love one
another as brethren and enjoy the fullness of
Christian fellowship.
– Romans 8:1-6
Purpose and Message

14. The Book’s Contents and Character
• God’s condemnation rests upon all men because all
have sinned.
– Romans 1:18—3:23
• God’s way of making men righteous is only through
Christ—offered in the gospel—appropriated by
man’s faith for all!
– Romans 3:19—5:21
• God’s grace offers righteousness to all men on the
same conditions.
– Romans 5:22—8:30

15. • Fleshly Israel had a sad plight, but God’s promises
were fulfilled through spiritual Israel.
– Romans 9:13
• It was God’s will that the Gentiles also receive His
mercy and grace.
– Romans 9:24-26
• Gentile acceptance had caused a hardening of
fleshly Israel.
– Romans 9:27-33
The Book’s Contents and Character

16. • They trusted their own righteousness instead of
God’s.
– Romans 10:1-3
• Rejected Christ—fulfillment of the Law—continued
looking for Messiah who had already come.
– Romans 10:4-8
• Now, God’s requirements for salvation were the
same for both Jews and Gentiles.
– Romans 10—12
The Book’s Contents and Character

17. • The prophets had prophesied that the gospel would
go to the Gentiles for salvation—the Jews rejected
that truth!
– Romans 10:13-21
• God had not rejected all Israel—only unbelievers
and the disobedient who had hardened their hearts
– Romans 11:1-10
• Israel’s rejection open the door for the Gentiles—
but they were not to gloat.
– Romans 11:11-23
The Book’s Contents and Character

18. • The Jews could claim God’s mercy individually, by
turning from unbelief.
– Romans 11:26-32
• Sanctification, which comes as a fruit of justification
—now living sacrifices
– Romans 12
• Importance of subjection to civil authorities
– Romans 13:1-7
The Book’s Contents and Character

19. • God’s moral law was based upon principle—love
thy neighbor as thyself.
– Romans 13:8-14
• One must not allow his personal liberty to destroy
another’s weak faith.
– Romans 14—15:7
• Paul’s travel plans, final greetings, and farewell
– Romans 15:8—16
The Book’s Contents and Character