November 12, 2020<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The epistle to the Romans was written by the apostle Paul to the church in the capital city of Rome. The date of the letter was most likely around 56 A.D., near the end of Paul\u2019s third missionary journey, while he was in Corinth. Paul had wanted to visit the believers in Rome for some time, however, he had not yet had the chance to do so. The letter afforded Paul the opportunity to introduce himself to the church, and to instruct them in essential truths of the gospel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The church in Rome was probably founded by those who had come to faith in Christ on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem. Unlike many of the other churches that Paul wrote to, his aim was not primarily to correct wrong theology or sinful living on the part of the Roman Christians, but to further instruct the church in doctrinal truths and practical living in light of those truths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The principal theme of Paul\u2019s letter to the Romans is that God justifies guilty, helpless sinners by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. He dispels any notion that heaven and a relationship with God can be achieved through good works. Generally, the first eleven chapters of Romans are primarily theological while chapters 12-16 are more about practical Christian living and life in the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the letter does contain some challenging passages that believers have debated, Paul addresses issues such as man\u2019s sin and God\u2019s wrath, justification by faith alone, the security of the believer\u2019s salvation, sanctification, God\u2019s sovereignty, God\u2019s plan for Israel, the purpose of governing authorities, Christian living, and the proper use of one\u2019s liberty in Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was while studying and teaching the book of Romans that a German Catholic priest, in the early 1500\u2019s, came to understand Romans 1:17 in a brand new light. The words, \u201cFor in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, \u2018The righteous shall live by faith\u2019\u201d led him to understand justification was by faith alone and not by works. God would so impact Martin Luther with these words that he became a seminal figure in the Protestant Reformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n