The Letter of Romans a short explanation.ppt

Romans Letter

1. MATONGO SEMINARY\NEEMA SCHOOL
2025\1
Ed.D. Elton Fischer

2. BACKGROUND
1. AUTHOR : Paul (1:1; 11:13; 15) dictated this letter
to Tertius (16:22; see1 Cor.16:21; Col.4:18; 2
Thess.3:17).
Recipients:
a)Saints at Rome (1:7);
b)Gentiles (1:13; 11:13-24; 15:15-21) and
c) Jewish membership (2:17-29; 4:1; 7:1; 16:3,7,11).

3. 2. DATE\PLACE\LOCAL of Writing:
Probably from Corinth (Phoebe, 16:1-2; see
Ac. 18:18; Gaius and Erastus, 16:23; see 1 Cor.1:14;
2 Tim. 4:20); around 56-58 A.D.; at the end Paul’s
3
rd
missionary journey (Act. 20:1-3,16) and just
prior to Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem with the
collection for the needy saints (15:25-26; see Act.
19:21; 20:16; 24:17).

4. Normal - understanding the words of Scripture in their common usage
unless otherwise indicated by the context.
Literal - understanding the meaning of Scripture in its ordinary sense unless
the context requires a figurative interpretation.
Grammatical - using the recognized rules of grammar to interpret the text.
Historical - understanding the words of Scripture in the context of the times
in which they were written.
Systematic - categorizing and comparing the teaching of the Scriptures with
the whole of Scripture in view.
SCRIPTURE INTERPRETATION

5. I.The Rhetorical Structure of Romans 1:1 – 15:33 I.
Introduction (exordium) 1:1-15
Letter opening 1:1, 7
Thanksgiving 1:8-10
Occasion and purpose (v. 12 common faith) 1:8-15
II. Proposition (as enthymeme) 1:16-17 key theme
III. Exposition of argument (confirmatio) 1:18-15: 13
A. Theological argument : God's righteousness in Christ 1:18-11 :36
1. Negative argument: the human Status without Christ 1:18-3:20
2. Positive argument: revelation of God’s righteousness 3:21-8:39
a. Righteousness by faith in Christ 3:21-4:25;
b. New life and union with Christ 5:1-8:39 3. Israel & God’s righteousness
in Christ: Israel’s present unbelief & God’s election, salvation in Christ,
God’s plan for Israel & all creation 9:1-11:36

6. B. Practical exhortations (exhortatio):
1.Present bodies as living sacrifices 12:1-15:6 1. In worship and
church relations, love without pretense 12:1-21
2. Obey the state, love neighbor, put on the Lord Jesus 13:1-14
3. Weak and strong: build up instead of judging or scorning 14:1-
15:6 IV. Closing (conclusio) 15:7-16:23
A. Recapitulation of thesis: since Christ came as servant for the Jews & so
Gentiles would praise God 15:7-8
B. Scripture Portrays Jews and Gentiles praising God; May the God of
Hope Fill You with Joy and Peace in Believing 15:9-13
C. Travelogue: Paul's aims, calling and plans 15:14-29
D. Personal appeals 15:30-16:24. Struggle together in your prayers for me;
may the God of peace be with you all 15:30-33; inal Benedictions 16:20, 24
References: Puskas & Reasoner, Letters of Paul, 77-79.

8. The NT does not give the details of how the
church at Rome started (local churches, 16:5,10-
11,14-15). Possibly the gospel was taken to Rome
as a result of Pentecost (Ac.2:10) or persecution
(Ac.8:4).
CURIOSITY: It was said at this time that “All
roads lead to Rome”.

9. 3.PURPOSE: Paul’s primary purpose was to teach
about the gospel of God’s righteousness (1:16-17).
His secondary purpose was to explain his future
plans (1:13; 15:22-24,28-29; see Ac. 19:21).
4. CENTRAL THEME: The gospel of God’s
righteousness; or, God’s plan for making mankind
righteous (saving mankind).

10. 3 LAW THEMES\ 3 GOSPEL
THEMES
I.Wrath Against
sinners;
II.Death’s reing
through sin;
III.Believers
struggle with
sin.
I.God declares us
righteous
through faith in
Christ;
II.Election;
III.God’s gifts;
IV.United in Christ.

11. ROMANS IN THREE WORDS
1. Revelation = the
REVEALING of God’s
righteousness (1:1-17)
2. Condemnation = the
NEED for God’s
righteousness (1:18 – 3:20)
3. Justification = the
PROVISION of God’s
righteousness (3:21 – 5:21)

12. Revelation (1:15-17)
Key verse: 1:14-17
After a typical salutation (1:1-7) and mention of his
personal plans (1:8-13), Paul sets forth his theme: a
righteous-ness of God is revealed in the gospel (1:14-17;
see 1:1, 9)
Key words: 1) gospel, 2) salvation, 3) believes / faith, 4)
righteous(ness)

13. Condemnation (1:18 – 3:20)
Key verse: 3:9, 19, 23
Paul sets forth his case that all mankind are
guilty of sin and stand condemned and in need
of the righteousness God (all are in
unrighteousness, 1:18, 29; 2:8; 3:5; 6:19;
ungodliness, 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 11:26; and,
uncleanness, 1:24; 6:19)

14. 1.Gentiles are guilty because they have
refused and rejected God (1:18-32);
2.Jews are guilty because they have
transgressed God’s law (2:1 - 3:8);
3.the whole world is guilty of sin (3:9-
20)
Condemnation (1:18 – 3:20)

15. Justification (3:21 – 5:21)
Key verse: 3:21-22, 25-26
Paul sets forth the provision for the righteousness of
God; it is found in justification by faith in Jesus
Christ
Justification by faith is provided by God (3:21-31),
illustrated from Abraham (4:1-25), found in believers
(5:1-11), and accomplished through Christ (5:12-21)

16. Justification (3:21 – 5:21)
The source of justification (by God’s grace, 3:24),
the means of justification (by Jesus’ blood, 5:9),
and the condition of justification (by man’s faith,
3:28)
God’s grace is accessed by man’s faith (4:16; 5:1)

17. APPLICATION(S) OR CONNECTION(S) FOR TODAY
Revelation: What will you do with the revealed
gospel (1:15-16; 2:16; 15:16, 19, 20; 16:25)?
Condemnation: Do you stand condemned and in
need (3:23; 2:23)?
Justification: Is your faith active and obedient (1:5;
2:8; 4:12; 6:16-17; 15:18; 16:19, 26)?