At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Paul (Tertius as scribe, Romans 16:22) |
| Date | ~57 AD (during third missionary journey, from Corinth) |
| Audience | Roman Christians (mixed Jewish and Gentile) Paul hadn't yet visited |
| Genre | Epistle |
| Purpose | Comprehensive presentation of the gospel and Jew-Gentile unity in Christ |
| Chapters | 16 |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 1:1-17 | Greetings and thesis (Romans 1:16-17) |
| Universal sin | 1:18-3:20 | All under sin (Gentiles and Jews) |
| Justification by faith | 3:21-5:21 | Christ's atonement and Abraham and Adam-Christ |
| Sanctification | 6-8 | Union with Christ and life in Spirit and assurance |
| Israel's place | 9-11 | Israel and Gentiles and future of Israel |
| Practical instructions | 12-15 | Christian living and ethics |
| Greetings and benediction | 16 | Personal greetings |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Righteousness of God | Central concept, Romans 1:17 thesis |
| Justification by faith | Foundation for Reformation |
| Universal sin | Romans 3:23, all have sinned |
| Christ as atoning sacrifice | Romans 3:25-26; 5:8 |
| Union with Christ | Romans 6-7 |
| Life in the Spirit | Romans 8 (most extensive Spirit chapter) |
| Israel's future | Romans 9-11 |
| Christian ethics | Romans 12-15 |
Key passages
- Romans 1:16-17, gospel thesis
- Romans 3:21-26, justification
- Romans 5:1-11, peace with God
- Romans 5:12-21, Adam and Christ
- Romans 6, union with Christ in death and resurrection
- Romans 7, struggle with sin
- Romans 8, life in Spirit; "all things work together for good"; nothing separates from God's love
- Romans 9-11, Israel and Gentiles
- Romans 12:1-2, "living sacrifice"
- Romans 13:1-7, civil authority
- Romans 13:8-10, love fulfills law
- Romans 14, weaker brother