At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authorship | Paul (Tertius as scribe, Rom.16.22) |
| Date | ~57 AD (during third missionary journey, from Corinth) |
| Audience | Roman Christians (mixed Jewish + Gentile) Paul hadn't yet visited |
| Genre | Epistle |
| Purpose | Comprehensive presentation of the gospel + Jew-Gentile unity in Christ |
| Chapters | 16 |
Outline
| Section | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | 1:1-17 | Greetings + thesis (Rom.1.16-17) |
| Universal sin | 1:18-3:20 | All under sin (Gentiles + Jews) |
| Justification by faith | 3:21-5:21 | Christ's atonement + Abraham + Adam-Christ |
| Sanctification | 6-8 | Union with Christ + life in Spirit + assurance |
| Israel's place | 9-11 | Israel + Gentiles + future of Israel |
| Practical instructions | 12-15 | Christian living + ethics |
| Greetings + benediction | 16 | Personal greetings |
Main themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Righteousness of God | Central concept, Rom.1.17 thesis |
| Justification by faith | Foundation for Reformation |
| Universal sin | Rom.3.23, all have sinned |
| Christ as atoning sacrifice | Rom.3.25-26; 5:8 |
| Union with Christ | Rom.6-7 |
| Life in the Spirit | Rom.8 (most extensive Spirit chapter) |
| Israel's future | Rom.9-11 |
| Christian ethics | Rom.12-15 |
Key passages
- Rom.1.16-17, gospel thesis
- Rom.3.21-26, justification
- Rom.5.1-11, peace with God
- Rom.5.12-21, Adam + Christ
- Rom.6, union with Christ in death + resurrection
- Rom.7, struggle with sin
- Rom.8, life in Spirit; "all things work together for good"; nothing separates from God's love
- Rom.9-11, Israel + Gentiles
- Rom.12.1-2, "living sacrifice"
- Rom.13.1-7, civil authority
- Rom.13.8-10, love fulfills law
- Rom.14, weaker brother