DATE

Paul penned this, his most influential letter, while staying in Corinth during his third missionary journey in AD 57 (Ac 20:2-3). Though Paul had not yet visited Rome, he knew many people there (chap. 16) and hoped he might visit soon (1:10-15; 15:32). He welcomed an opportunity to serve them and for them to speed him on his way to further ministry in the west (15:23-24,28-29). Before this rendezvous, however, he needed to deliver collected contributions from Macedonian and Achaian Christians for Jerusalem’s believers (15:25-28), and he solicited their prayers for the success of these plans and for protection from his enemies (15:30-32).

Some wonder how Paul could know so many Roman Christians—26 mentioned in chapter 16—without ever having visited the city himself. That can be explained. The huge imperial capital, Rome, attracted large numbers of people. During his years of ministry, Paul became acquainted with many believers who now resided in Rome. So naturally he greeted them in a letter designed to solicit the church’s aid in his ministry. Priscilla and Aquila illustrate the phenomenon. We know from the book of Acts and Paul’s letters that he had spent time with this couple in Asia and in Greece (Ac 18:1-3,18-19; see 1Co 16:19; 2Tm 4:19), and now they were in Rome (Rm 16:3-5).

ORIGIN OF THE CHURCH IN ROME

The origin of the Roman church is unknown. It may have started as a group of Jewish believers and may even have begun not long after Pentecost. Over the years it had grown and was made up of sizeable Jewish and Gentile constituencies.

This important letter gave Paul the opportunity to instruct the believers in the essentials of salvation. Some specific issues existed among the mixed racial makeup of the church, so he spoke both to Jews (2:17–4:25) and Gentiles (e.g., 1:13-15; 11:13; see 14:1–15:13). Yet the message of salvation is the major theme of Romans. From 1:18–8:39, Paul described the human condition from God’s perspective and set forth what God has done to forgive and restore human beings to right relationship with himself. Not only that, God has given his Spirit to those who trust his grace. Through the Holy Spirit those who have been justified by faith are able to live holy lives, walking in ways that are pleasing to God. After discussing how Jews and Gentiles fit into God’s overall plan for the ages (chaps. 9–11), Paul spelled out some ethical implications of salvation in Christ (12:1–15:13).