Epistle to the Romans

The Epistle to the Romans is one of the epistles, or letters, included in the New Testament canon of the Christian Bible. When it is clear that the Bible is being discussed, it is often referred to as simply "Romans". Romans is one of the seven currently (as of 2004) undisputed letters of Paul and even among the four letters accepted as authentically his (in German scholarship, the Hauptbriefen) by F. C. Baur and the Tübingen School of historical criticism of texts in the 19th century.

Content

The main theme of the letter is the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:16-17). Paul argues that all humanity is guilty and accountable to God for sin and that it is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that humanity can attain salvation. God is therefore both just and the one who justifies. In response to God's free, sovereign and graceful action of salvation we can be justified by faith. Paul uses the example of Abraham to demonstrate that it is by faith not works that mankind can be seen as righteous before God.

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Assurance of salvation

In chapters five through eight Paul argues that believers can be assured of their hope in salvation, that believers have been freed from the bondage of sin and the dominion and bondage of the Law. Believers can celebrate in that assurance of salvation. In chapters nine through eleven Paul addresses the faithfulness of God to Israel, wherein he says that God has been faithful to His promise but "not all who are descended from Israel are Israel". Paul argues of God's freedom to choose who He will or will not save, but also concludes the section by saying that after a full measure of Gentiles have been saved, all Israel will be saved.

Related Topics:
Assured - Hope - Salvation - Law - God - Israel

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The gospel transforms believers

In chapter twelve through the first part of chapter fifteen Paul outlines how the gospel transforms believers and the behavior that results from such a transformation. In this section of the letter Paul addresses the tension between those who wish to observe Jewish traditions and those who do not. The concluding verses contain a description of his travel plans and personal greetings salutations. One third of the twenty-one Christians identified in the greetings are women; an indication that women played an important role in the early church at Rome.

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