The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 1
Author, Time, To Whom, Contrast to Galatian

Reading Assignment: Romans 1

Introduction
No book has influenced civilization like the Bible. No book of the Bible has contributed as much to that influence as the Epistle to the Romans, by the Apostle Paul. The book of Romans is a treatise of such intellectual power that it outshines the most brilliant philosophies ever conceived by human minds. Apart from inspiration, it is a recognized masterpiece of rhetoric and logic on the theme of salvation, and is the most scientific account of God’s plan of redemption from sin.

No other writing has so powerfully influenced the Church from its beginning. Because of the exhaustive treatment given to such doctrines as sin, salvation, man’s lost and helpless condition, redemption, justification, sanctification, regeneration, glorification and the efficacy of Christ’s atoning death, Romans has been a vital force in every revival movement in the history of the Church. It became the battle cry of the Reformation and transformed the life of Martin Luther, causing him to call Romans “The Masterpiece of the New Testament.”

May God bless you as you begin your studies of this remarkable book! I trust you will find it exhilarating, life changing, informative and instructive.

Importance of this Lesson

• This initial lesson relates to the authorship of the epistle, the time it was written, and the place from which and to which it was written, the people to whom it was written, and the unique differences between Romans and Galatians.
• To fully understand these things will make the book come alive and will add appreciably to the richness of your study.

Include this form on your page

The Lesson

I. AUTHORSHIP

1. The Pauline authorship of Romans has been confirmed by practically unanimous tradition from the beginning.
2. There can be no doubt that Romans was written by the Apostle Paul. From the introduction to the benediction it is stamped with his phraseology, spirit, personality and convictions. It is the most completely “Pauline” of all the epistles. As to Paul’s authorship, Dr. James M. Stifler says, “No other book in the New Testament is better attested.”
3. Internal Evidence
   1. To write this greatest discourse on salvation, presenting a universal gospel to meet a universal need, the Holy Spirit did not make use of an unlettered fisherman or a common man. Paul possessed a giant intellect that was versatile, profound, rational, and capable of right reasoning.
   2. He was born a Roman citizen in a proud educational center, the city of Tarsus, where he became thoroughly familiar with both Greek and Roman culture.
   3. He was also born a Jew, a Hebrew, and was thoroughly schooled at the feet of a renowned teacher by the name of Gamaliel in the city of Jerusalem.
   4. With such credentials, coupled with his international outlook, it is easy to see why God chose him to write this most profound epistle throughout which the glorious Gospel of Christ is proclaimed to all the nations (Romans 1:5,16).

II. THE TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING

• To confirm this we shall here refer you to opinions of several scholars.

1. B.H. Carroll – “The date is largely determined by its relation to Corinthians and Galatians. In 2 Corinthians and Galatians Paul replied to a challenge of his apostolic authority. Internal evidence is overwhelming in favor of Romans following Galatians. (A contrast of these epistles is discussed in the lesson.) Paul wrote Romans from the house of Gaius in Corinth about 58 A.D.”
2. J. Vernon McGee – “Certain names point clearly to Corinth as the place this epistle was written. The time was probably the spring of the year 58 A.D. The gross immorality of the Gentiles in Rome is a picture drawn from the Corinth of Paul’s day.”
3. C. Norman Bartlett – “It is the consensus of opinion, on the part of competent authorities, that Romans was written from Corinth in the winter of 57-58 A.D. while Paul was spending several months in comparative leisure, during the close of his third missionary journey, just prior to his visit to Jerusalem, in the home of Gaius, a wealthy merchant.”
4. W.S. Hottel – “It is generally agreed by scholars that this epistle was written from Corinth upon the occasion of Paul’s second visit to Greece (Acts 20:2,3), during Paul’s third missionary journey.”

• From all the above, you will gather that Paul wrote Romans from the city of Corinth, Greece, toward the end of his third missionary journey, most probably during the winter of 57-58 A.D., while visiting in the home of Gaius “my Host” (Romans 16:23).
• According to Acts 18:11, Paul spent a year and a half in Corinth during that period and he would need that much time of comparative leisure to write such a masterpiece as Romans.

III. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN

1. It is clear from the context that Paul wrote this great epistle to the saints in the city of Rome.
   1. Romans 1:7 – To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called (to be) saints…
   2. Romans 1:15 – So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
2. Who were the “saints” at Rome?
   1. The context clearly implies that this church was primarily made up of Gentiles who were well established in the faith.
      1. Romans 1:13 – …that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
      2. Romans 1:8 – I thank my God…that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
   2. It is interesting to remember that in other epistles Paul exhorted Jews to accept Gentiles. In Romans, it is reversed. Christian Gentiles are reminded that God’s purposes for Israel have not been rescinded and that believing Jews are also “in Christ.”
3. Where did these believers come from?
   Since there is no clear biblical statement concerning the origin of this church or how so many believers, especially Gentiles, had migrated to Rome, we can only submit some possibilities:
   1. Among the thousands gathered at Pentecost there had to be many Gentiles, proselytes who had converted to Judaism. These heard Peter’s great sermon and some doubtless were converted and may have carried the gospel back to Rome.
   2. The terrible persecution of the Church following Stephen’s message and martyrdom may have resulted in many Jews and Gentiles fleeing to Rome.
   3. Some of the Gentiles and Jewish believers in Rome could quite possibly have been converts resulting from Paul’s great missionary efforts in other cities. Some knew Paul and some did not.
   4. Keep in mind that there were well-made Roman roads and that traffic to and from Rome was heavy.
   5. Remember that some of Paul’s family, including his mother, were residing in Rome and were “in Christ before me” (Romans 16:7,12,13).

IV. WHO ESTABLISHED THIS CHURCH AT ROME?

1. Paul himself had never been there, …often times I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto) that I might have some fruit among you also… (Romans 1:13).
2. There is absolutely no historical evidence that the apostle Peter ever visited Rome. Thus, Peter did not establish this church and was never the head of the Roman Church, as many would believe.
3. This church seems to be unique because an apostle apparently did not found it. In Romans 15:20, Paul states plainly …I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.

V. PAUL’S KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THIS CHURCH

1. Through his association with Acquila and Priscilla, Jewish tentmakers, with whom Paul lived for a time at Corinth, he learned much. They had been banned from Rome by Emperor Claudius (Acts 18).
2. Paul’s fruitful ministry in Cilicia, Asia, Macedonia and Achaia resulted in numerous Romans coming under the influence of the Gospel. The epistle clearly indicates that Paul had many friends among Asian (Gentile) believers.

VI. THE CONTRAST BETWEEN ROMANS AND GALATIANS
(We inject this here because most scholars agree that Galatians was written before Romans and this helps to establish the time and nature of the Roman epistle.)

1. Galatians is a strong defense of the Gospel. Romans is a declaration and definition of the Gospel.
2. Galatians was written hurriedly. Romans was written over a long period of time.
3. Galatians was written with fire and fury by one in the heat of the battle. Romans was written for the classroom with calm, carefully thought-out phrases.
4. Galatians is the work of a fighting evangelist. Romans is the product of an intellectual college professor.
5. In Galatians, Paul is on the battlefield, contending with legalizers who would pervert the gospel of Christ. In Romans, Paul is calmly outlining and defining the doctrines of the Christian faith.

• After writing Galatians, Paul no doubt felt the need to fully define the doctrines he preached. In Romans that need was fully met.

Examination

This is the end of this lesson. In order to proceed with the examination, you must be preregistered* as a student with Rogma International. If you are ready to proceed with the examination, click one of the buttons below:

This version is recommended if you have a reliable internet connection. The exam must be completed during your open session, otherwise you risk losing any answers that you may have already completed.		If you are unable to complete the exam online, we suggest that you download this Adobe Acrobat PDF version of the exam and write your answers in the body of an e-mail message to your assigned grader.

* Although registration is not required, registered students can earn a Certificate of Accomplishment, Certificate of Achievement, or a Diploma. In addition, registered students are assigned a personal grader who will monitor their ongoing progress. If you would like to register first, click below. A student identification number and access codes will be e-mailed to you within a few business days. Click to register.