Romans 4: 16-25

It was very likely that Paul wrote his letter to the Romans around 55-56 C.E. while he was on his third missionary journey. It is also believed that he was in the city of Corinth when he wrote it. Paul was writing to the church in Rome, which at the time the members were predominately Jewish. At the time there were approximately 50,000 Jews living in Rome. They either worked as slaves or had once worked as slaves, but gained their freedom. During this time, the Jews were given special protection from the Roman government, because they did not have to partake in pagan religious festivals or worship the Roman emperors. Unfortunately, in the late 40’s the emperor, Claudius, expelled a large number of the Jewish people because of a disturbance over a man named “Chrestus.” Therefore, the church in Rome likely became highly Gentile (Winn). In the event of these actions by the emperor the leadership of the Roman church became mostly Gentile.

We are currently revising the scripture of Romans. I was assigned Romans 15: 1- 13. The whole assignment was meant for us to get a deeper understanding of this passage. Our teacher, Mr.Handle gave us 5 sources to look into to get as much information needed. The first assignment was to create an outline that would guide us through the essay. The next assignment was to copy and paste a word for word copy of our passage and a thought for thought copy and read over it and notice the difference in scripture. After we put the word for word passage into Google Drawings and picked it apart, trying to obtain as much information as we could. Right there he gave us at least 4 sources. Our last

The church in Rome, once so prone to lose sight of their high calling in Christ, had developed strength of Christ character. Their words and acts revealed the transforming power of the grace of God. With clearness and power Paul presents the doctrine of justification by Faith in Christ alone. Paul heart’s desire and prayer for his people the Jews were that they might be saved he now sets forth the great principle of the gospel that salvation is only through faith in Christ as Jesus says “if you love me keep my commandments”. Therefore it is not by works that we are saved nor by relations or titles nor anything but only through Christ who is the “Way the Truth and the Life”.

His love for them and his desire to see the church as a whole restored took precedence over his own personal feelings. He knew that if he came to oversee the resolution of the problem, it might intensify the situation. If he didn’t address the situation and it remained unresolved, there could and would be greater sorrow in the future. Paul knew that writing a letter to the Corinthian Church might bring them pain, but this would be for their good rather than their harm.

E. Harrison (p. 275) summarizes the message of the Epistle in these words: The greatest single overall emphasis seems to be on the unity of the local church as the body of Christ, which is brought out not only in connection with the discussion of the groups (i.e.; the factions within the church), but also in relation to the Lord’s Supper and spiritual gifts. A corollary is the sanctity of the church as members of Christ, both corporately and individually, (note, especially, such passages as 1 Cor. 3:16-17 and 6:15-20.) We may add, it is in this Epistle that the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul most eloquently sets forth the supremacy of love as “the most excellent way,” which the Christian is called to follow (1 Cor. 12:31b-13:13

Romans is a declaration, a declaration of dependence. Paul writes this letter concerning the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. The following exegesis covers Paul’s discourse in 2:12-16 regarding God’s equal judgment of Jews and Gentiles. So as to understand Paul’s challenging rhetoric, a brief gaze into the historical context of Jews in

Paul is writing the book of Romans as an occasional letter to the believers in Rome, whom he has never personally met, but desires to connect with very soon. It appears to be a pastoral letter written in an apocalyptic style, because he is dealing with a church that needs direction. He is writing boldly to them to encourage unity as God’s people. Romans 15:15 attests to the strength of his message when he states, “I have written very boldly to you on some points”. Paul is in essence building a framework of beliefs for believers to view the world around them (Caner & Hindson. 2008. Pg.498). Romans though not a systematic theological message, chapters 1-8 are strong truths for a foundational biblical worldview.

Through examining Romans, chapters 1-8, we see Paul covers a variety of theological and apologetic information for the Christ followers. In writing to the followers in the church in the city of Rome He makes it clear he wishes he could visit them (Romans 1:8-17) but is writing this letter to clear up the dissension between an identity crisis between the Jewish and Gentile members of the church as to whether they were to live by the law or by grace. Through this letter he writes many of the foundations of what it looks like to be a follow of Jesus and what that means for our battle with our nature and understanding our identity.

Harris calls Paul “the most influential apostle and missionary of the mid-first-century CE church and author of seven to nine New Testament letters” (H G-33). It would be quite an accolade to receive such recognition, but what makes it even more remarkable is that Paul, or Saul, (Saul was his Judean name and Paul was his Roman name (footnotes B 1943)) originally persecuted the ekklesia or “church”. Paul went from persecuting the ekklesia or “church” to being its “most influential apostle and missionary”. Why and how did Paul make such a drastic change? The answer to the question can be found in various books of the New Testament including some of the letters that Paul wrote. This answer also aids in the explanation of how and why Paul

Paul’s letter to the Roman church has absolutely challenged the Jewish way of thinking that has existed for over 2000 years before the life, death, and resurrection of

This Book, Reading Romans in context: Paul Second Temple Judaism, was written By Dr. Ben C. Blackwell and coeditors, are John F. Goodrich and Jason Maston. A team of Pauline scholars, examines the letters of Paul by studying the historical events and theological studies in the ancient times... However, Dr. Ben Blackwell, who was Doctrinal student of Durham University, Theological Studies, and historian. Dr. Blackwell holds an MBA, BA, and BA. However, his co-editor John Goodrich and Jason Maston, all had something in common, they, wanting to study deeper depths and higher height of Paul’s letters and ancient Judaism. In Romans, the chapters are paired with the Jewish texts, which introduces and explores the theology of the comparative text.

He writes to thank the Philippians for the recent gifts. In the letter, he also provides encouragement to the Christians in Philippi because they were facing trials and tribulations just like many churches of today. Paul gives them examples of how to imitate Christ. He begins by reminding them of blessings they have been given to them by Christ in Philippians 2:1-2.

Romans 3:21-25 is rich, dense, and full of theological terms, making it significant to what is believed about the gospel. Forrester writes, “it has been called the marrow of divinity.   Luther said: ‘This is the chief point, and the very central place of the Epistle and of the whole Bible.’”   Although theologians have disagreed over the apparent conflict between God’s wrath and love in His righteousness, Romans 3:21-25 clearly shows that God’s righteousness is exemplified in both His provision and His justice. God’s wrath and love are seen throughout Paul’s letter to the Romans and through Jesus as the ultimate fulfillment of the typological claims in the Old Testament propitiatory sacrifices.

Is thought that the recipient of the letter were people from a province in central Asia Minor and Paul preached them during his first mission. The authors of the letter to the Galatians was Paul and Jesus Spirit. One of the main purpose of the letter or theme was to address the relationship from the Gentile Christians towards Judaism. The main points of the letter are to be truthful to God and commit to Him, in order to gain the Kingdom of heaven. In verse Gal 1:7 Paul clarifies that there is no other Gospel than the one that Jesus proclaimed. Paul explains that there is people that try to confuse Christians and pervert the gospel of Christ but he is warning us not to fall into that. It repeats over and over to not follow the law of the world but the teachings of Jesus Christ. We all are the church. The ones who believe on God are the church. To be the church in this letter means to believe in Jesus Christ and only worship God because He gave us freedom from sin and He is the only one that can lead us to the Kingdom of God. It also means to live by the fruit of the Spirit which is in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22-23). It means to die to the sin, to reject the sin of, fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing (Gal 5:19-21), and anything that looks like

Paul begins the letter of Romans by introducing himself and stating his mission. Concisely stating the gospel message, Paul encourages the Roman Christians to “bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name” (1:5), or for the glory of Jesus Christ. He goes on to write of his desires and intentions to visit Rome in order to preach the gospel of Christ to the Jews as well as the Gentiles. Paul continues by explaining his excitement for the gospel as well as the need to live the gospel out in our lives. Finishing the first chapter, Paul presents the inexcusable idolatry, sinfulness, and evilness of the ungodly.