Introduction to Romans (part 1)

The letter to the Romans is one of the most profound but yet systematic books of the New Testament. Written around 57AD it is unique amongst the other letters which Paul wrote. First, at the time of writing, Paul had never been to Rome ("asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you." [Romans 1:10]). But yet he knew so many of the people in the church in Rome. Looking at chapter 16 we see a long list of friends who Paul greets by name.

How did Paul know so many people there. One reason is to do with the history of Rome. The church in Rome was founded by Jews who heard the gospel and received the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. They returned to Roman and started meeting together. Then Gentiles where added to their number. Later however emperor Claudius ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. We find this in Acts 18:2: "And he (Paul) found a Jew named Aq'uila, a native of Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them." There were probably others from Rome also there. In the list of greetings in Romans 16 we find Prisca and Aq'uila again (verse 3) this time having returned from Rome after the death of Claudius around 54AD.

The church in Rome started with Jewish converts and Jewish eldership. Gentiles were added and then the Jews left. For that period the church was exclusively Gentile. Then later the Jews came back. With this in mind it is interesting to read Romans and look what Paul has to say about Jews and Gentiles. For example:

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel: it is the power of God for salvation to every one who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16, RSV)

"Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews are entrusted with the oracles of God." (Romans 3:2, RSV)

But yet... "He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and real circumcision is a matter of the heart, spiritual and not literal. His praise is not from men but from God." (Romans 2:29, RSV)

In many ways the letter to the Romans is a systematic look at the gospel from the point of view of the Jew and the Gentile. Ultimately it breaks downs the barriers between the two, showing that there is but one type of man in Christ, neither Jew nor Gentile but rather the new man.

Part 2 soon...

Thanks,

Gary