Summary of Paul's Epistle to the Romans
Written from Corinth A.D. 56-57 (Acts 20:2-3)
Filled with the desire to minister to the believers in Rome (1:11; 15:15,16) and for them to serve as a base of operations for further missionary activity (15:24), Paul writes this letter to impart the foundations of Christianity (justification, 1:5; sanctification, 6:1--8:17; glorification, 8:18-39; the continued faithfulness of God to Israel, 9:1--11:36), so that they might live by the obedience which stems from faith (12:1--16:27; 1:5; 16:26).
Chapters 1--5 God Righteously Condemns yet Saves Sinners
After expressing his desire to visit Rome, Paul asserts that God is righteousness in everything. God is right in condemning sinners, whether Gentile or Jew, blatant rebels or moral do-gooders, because all sin and cannot meet His perfect righteousness (1:18-3:20). Yet as a free gift any sinner is declared righteous (justified) by faith in Jesus Christ (3:21-31). Just as Abraham was declared righteous by faith (4) so now anyone may be reconciled to God through the obedience of Christ (5).
Chapters 6--8:17 God Righteously Sanctifies Believers
As in salvation, the process of sanctification is one of realizing the new position in Christ. Just because God's grace abounded over the results of sin does not mean that more grace is attained by more sin, for just as Christ died to sin and the Old Testament law, so too the believer is to consider himself dead to sin and law (6:1-14).
Chapter 8:18-39 God Righteously Glorifies Believers
As in salvation and sanctification, the means of glorification is through God’s work of grace. Because God does the work, nothing can separate us from His love and from our eternal relationship with Him.
Chapters 9--11 God Righteously Deals with Israel
The promise of our justification, sanctification, and glorification is not rendered insecure from the example of God’s dealings with Israel, for even though Gentiles have been grafted into his plan, God still preserves a remnant and promises a future restoration of Israel in accordance with His promises to them.
Chapters 12--16 God Righteously Directs our Lives
Our relations with God secure, God is righteous to direct our lives. Challenged to constantly renew our minds by the word (12:1-2), Paul appeals to show this renewal in service to others (12:3-8), love (12:9-21), civil obedience (13:1-7), general behavior (13:8-14), consideration of others (14:1-23), and by agreement with Christ (15:1-13). Paul ends with his travel plans, greetings, and a call to all to live by the obedience brought by faith.
Key Verse: Romans 1:5 (See also 16:25-26)
“Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, for His name’s sake.”
