Romans, Epistle to the: 1. This epistle was probably written at Corinth. Phoebe
(Romans 16:1)
of Cenchrea conveyed it to Rome, and Gaius of Corinth entertained
the apostle at the time of his writing it
(Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14)
and Erastus was chamberlain of the city, i.e., of Corinth(2 Timothy 4:20)
2. The precise time at which it was written is not mentioned in the
epistle, but it was obviously written when the apostle was about to
"go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints", i.e., at the close
of his second visit to Greece, during the winter preceding his last
visit to that city
(Romans 15:25) comp.
(Acts 19:21; 20:2,3,16)
(1 Corinthians 16:1-4) early in A.D. 58 It is highly probable that Christianity
was planted in Rome by some of those who had been at Jerusalem on
the day of Pentecost
(Acts 2:10) At this time the Jews were very
numerous in Rome, and their synagogues were probably resorted to by
Romans also, who in this way became acquainted with the great facts
regarding Jesus as these were reported among the Jews. Thus a
church composed of both Jews and Gentiles was formed at Rome. Many
of the brethren went out to meet Paul on his approach to Rome.
There are evidences that Christians were then in Rome in
considerable numbers, and had probably more than one place of
meeting
(Romans 16:14,15)
3. The object of the apostle in writing to this church was to explain
to them the great doctrines of the gospel. His epistle was a "word
in season." Himself deeply impressed with a sense of the value of
the doctrines of salvation, he opens up in a clear and connected
form the whole system of the gospel in its relation both to Jew and
Gentile. This epistle is peculiar in this, that it is a systematic
exposition of the gospel of universal application. The subject is
here treated argumentatively, and is a plea for Gentiles addressed
to Jews. In the Epistle to the Galatians, the same subject is
discussed, but there the apostle pleads his own authority, because
the church in Galatia had been founded by him.
4. Structure
a. Introduction
(Romans 1:1-15)
b. Divers aspects and relations the doctrine of justification by
faith
(Romans 1:16-11:36) on the ground of the imputed
righteousness of Christ. He shows that salvation is all of
grace, and only of grace.
c. Various practical exhortations
(Romans 12:1-15:13)
d. Conclusion containing personal explanations and salutations,
which contain the names of twenty-four Christians at Rome, a
benediction, and a doxology
(Romans 15:14-16:27)
