The Roman church was probably founded by Jewish Christians, possibly returning from the day of Pentecost. (so Ambrioster) [See the “visitors from Rome” in Acts 2:10.]
Though Paul knows many in the church, probably Jews that had been expelled from Rome for a time (see below and 16:3-15), he has evidently never been to the church, and certainly had not founded it. (15:22,23)
Violent debates in Rome between Jewish Christians and Jewish non-Christians led the Emperor Claudius to expel all Jews from the city in AD 49, according to the Roman historian, Seutonius. (see Acts 18:2)
This would have changed the character of the church from predominately Jewish to Gentile. When the Romans allowed Jews to return to the city (according to Acts 16:3, Priscilla and Aquila were in Rome less than ten years later), the Jewish Christians would have been a minority, and the behavior of the church would have been altered, creating at least some tension between the factions.
There are indications that Paul wants to address these issues and addresses both Jews (2:17; 4:1; 7:1; 16:3,7,11) and Gentiles (1:5,6; 11:13; 15:7-9) in the letter.
Why did Paul write such a lengthy theological treatise to a church he had never visited?
He is thinking of Spain (15:22-24,29) and the journey he will make by way of Rome. He plans on staying for a short time among them. He has long wanted to visit them. This letter prepares the Romans for his visit.
He is thinking of Jerusalem. (15:25-28) He has been collecting a gift for the suffering saints there from among the Gentile churches. He is deeply concerned about the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the church and is hoping that the offering will go a long way in healing the problems. But he is under no illusions as to the difficulties facing him when he gets there. He asks for the Romans’ prayers. (15:30-32)
He is thinking of Galatia and Corinth. His troubles with the Judaizers in both cities have caused him to realize that he needs to write a mature treatise on the issue. Since there appear to be similar issues in Rome, and probably because he is sitting in Corinth for three months focused on the issue (Acts 20:3), he uses the opportunity to pen his magnum opus on the questions related to the application of the gospel to the church.
THEME (taken from Moo, The Epistle to the Romans, NICNT)
Theological starting point: Christ.
Paul orients the gospel in the person and work of Christ. (1:3,4)
The constant refrain of chapters 5-8 is “through Jesus Christ our Lord”.
The revelation of salvation is only in and through Christ Jesus. (3:21-24; 5:12-21)
Conceptual framework: salvation history.
Salvation as the work of God is an historical process. God’s redemptive plan in Christ is the center of history. He is both the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the basis for assurance of the future glory.
All history can be divided into two eras – Adam as the founder of the “old age”, and Christ, the author of the new. (Rom. 5:12-21)
Each age is characterized by its own “ruling powers”. The old age – sin, the law, flesh, and death; the new – righteousness, grace, the Spirit, and life. (Note especially 5:12-8:39)
Central to his argument is the concept of “corporate solidarity”. All humanity begins to the old age, or as Paul puts it, we are born “in Adam”. His sin brings us death and judgment. (5:12,18-19) But there is hope. The new era has dawned and you can be delivered from the powers of the old age by joining yourself to Christ and his work which made the new age possible. (6:1-6)
While the age of Christ has dawned, the age of Adam hasn’t yet ceased. Both exist in history simultaneously and await the consummation of all things. The “powers” of the old eon have been broken for believers but not yet eradicated. (ch. 6 and 7)
Theme: the gospel (Rom. 1:16,17)
Prominent in the introduction and conclusion. (1:1,2,9,15; 15:16,19) It’s inclusio.
It occupies the thematic statement of the letter in 1:16,17.
The gospel is a broad enough theme to encapsulate all the various theological discussion in the letter, especially in the framework of Jewish/ Gentile issues.
OUTLINE (from Moo)
THE LETTER OPENING (1:1-17)
Prescript (1:1-7)
Thanksgiving and occasion: Paul and the Romans (1:8-15)
The theme of the letter (1:16,17)
THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL: JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH (1:18-4:25)
The universal reign of sin (1:18-3:20)
All persons are accountable to God for sin (1:18-32)
Jews are accountable to God for sin (2:1-3:8)
The guilt of all humanity (3:9-20)
Justification by faith (3:21-4:25)
Justification and the righteousness of God. (3:21-26)
“By faith alone” (3:27-4:25)
THE ASSURANCE PROVIDED BY THE GOSPEL: THE HOPE OF SALVATION (5:1-8:39)
The hope of glory (5:1-21)
From justification to salvation (5:1-11)
The reign of grace and life (5:12-21)
Freedom from bondage of sin (6:1-23)
“Dead to sin” through union to Christ (6:1-14)
Freed from sin’s power to serve righteousness (6:15-23)
Freedom from bondage to the law (7:1-25)
Released from the law, joined to Christ (7:1-6)
The history and experience of Jews under the Law (7:7-25)
Assurance of eternal life in the Spirit (8:1-30)
The Spirit of life (8:1-13)
The Spirit of adoption (8:14-17)
The Spirit of glory (8:18-30)
The believers security celebrated (8:31-39)
THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL: THE PROBLEM OF ISRAEL (9:1-11:36)
Introduction: The tension between God’s promises and Israel’s flight (9:1-5)
Defining the promise (part 1): God’s sovereign election. (9:6-29)
The Israel within Israel (9:6-13)
Objections answered: the freedom and purpose of God (9:14-23)
God’s calling of a new people: Israel and Gentiles (9:24-29)
Understanding Israel’s plight: Christ as the climax of salvation history. (9:30-10:21)
Israel, the Gentiles and the righteousness of God (9:30-10:13)
Israel’s accountability (10:14-21)
Summary: Israel’s “elect” and “hardened” (11:1-10)
Defining the promise (part 2): The future of Israel (11:11-32)
God’s purpose in Israel’s rejection (11:11-15)
The interrelationship of Jews and Gentiles: a warning to Gentile believers (11:16-24)
The salvation of “all Israel” (11:25-32)
Conclusion: Praise to God in the light of his awesome plan (11:33-36)
THE TRANSFORMING POWER OF THE GOSPEL: CHRISTIAN CONDUCT (12:1-15:13)
The heart of the matter: total transformation (12:1,2)
