1. Social History of Paul's Letter
to the Romans
2. Outline of Paul's Argument
Copyright 2001 by Caroline T. Schroeder
Please read important bibliography,
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Paul will visit Rome on his way to begin a mission
to the western part of the Roman Empire, especially Spain:
But now, with no further place for me in these regions,
I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain.
For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I
have enjoyed your company for a little while. (15:23-24)
Before going to Rome and then Spain, Paul will deliver
to Jerusalem a collection he has taken up from his Gentile churches to
support the Christian community in Jerusalem. This is the "collection
for the saints." (Note, Paul frequently refers to a "collection for
the saints" in other letters. This collection is literally money
that is supposed to go to help other Christian churches. It seems
that part of Paul's ministry is to raise funds to support other struggling
Christian communities, particularly the Christians in Jerusalem.)
At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry
to the siants; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their
resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. (15:26)
Paul's lengthy letter in Romans seems to be a kind of letter of introduction: telling the community who he is, what he believes, and why they should welcome him into their homes when he visits. Note that in 16:3-15, Paul sends his greetings to his friends in the church at Rome. Perhaps this is his way of "name-dropping" -- telling the Romans that he is already close to people they know and respect, and thus he, too, is a trustworthy and good apostle of Christ.
| 1:1-7: | Salutation (all ancient letters began with a traditional greeting) |
| 1:8-15: | Thanksgiving (all ancient letters usually included some kind of thanksgiving) |
| 1:16-17: | Summary of Paul's Gospel
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith.... |
| 1:18-3:20: | All (both Jews and Gentiles) are Condemned before
God and Require Justification by Faith
God's wrath against Gentiles "who knew God" but "did not honor him as God" (1:21) That these Gentiles are enslaved by sin is demonstrated by their idol worship and immorality (1:22-32) Jews who do not practice the law are also condemned (2:1-29) To Jews who practice circumcision but continue to sin: "your circumcision has beome uncircumcision" (2:26) "Real circumcision is a matter of the heart" (2:29) Jews could have an advantage in that they have the teachings of God in their scriptures; circumcision thus has "value" (3:1-2) But Jews, like Gentiles, have fallen "under the power of sin" (3:9) |
| 3:21-31: | Salvation for all comes through faith in Christ's
death
[In Jewish law at the time, to atone or make up for a sin or violation of the law, one would offer a sacrifice to God.] Jesus Christ's death is the "sacrifice of atonement by his blood" for everyone's sins (3:25) Faith in Christ's death justifies everyone before God |
| 4:1-25: | Salvation through Faith Is a Fulfilment of the Law
and Scriptures
Abraham had faith before being given the law and circumcision Thus faith is superior to the Law, but it does not abolish the law (see 3:31) |
| 5:1-8:39: | Christ's Death and Resurrection Bring Freedom from
the Powers Opposed to God
People with faith will be saved from the coming "wrath of God" (5:9-10) The faithful will be united with Christ in the resurrection (6:1-14) The flesh was most susceptible to sin under the law, but now with faith in Christ, people are dead to sin and will experience future glory and resurrection with Christ |
| 9:1-11:36: | Paul's Gospel is a Gospel of Salvation for the Jews
& Gentiles and is a Fulfilment of God's Promise to the Jews
The problem is not that Jews cannot be saved, but that Jews who don't have faith in Christ cannot be saved. For Christ is the fulfilment of the law. (9:30-10:4) God has not rejected the Jews (11:1) |
| 12:1-15:13: | Faith in Christ and Freedom from the Law Does not
Mean Christians Can Engage in Lawless Behavior
(The Paranesis, or paranetical section) Respect the legal authorities (chapter 13) Love and assist others (13:8-15:13) Compare to 1Cor and Gal |
| 15:14-16:27: | Closing
Paul's purpose for visiting, personal greetings, and final instructions |
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Bibliography
Ehrman, Bart D. The New Testament: A Historical
Introduction to the Early Christian Writings. 2d ed. New York:
Oxford University Press, 2000.
Duling, Dennis C., and Norman Perrin. The New
Testament: Proclamation and Paranesis, Myth and History.
3rd ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1994.
Meeks, Wayne A., ed. The HarperCollins Study
Bible, New Revised Standard Version. New York: HarperCollins,
1993.
Copyright 2001 by Caroline T. Schroeder