BACK TO MAIN PAGE
WEEK ONE
Day One
PDF FORMAT
Download
Know: Read Romans 1:1-7
Note: Read slowly, carefully marking keywords. (You can use different colors or symbols to mark these words if you like.)
Bondservant, apostle, Paul, Gospel, Jesus Christ, God, David, Holy Spirit, Grace, Peace
Observation:
When was Romans written?
Where was Paul living at the time of writing this letter?
To Whom was it written?
Why did he write to the Roman church?
What was Paul’s purpose for writing Romans?
How did Paul feel about the church in Rome?
What: How does understanding the historical and cultural context of Romans enhance your appreciation of the Gospel's message and its relevance to both the early church and your life today? In what ways can you reflect Paul's example of boldness in proclaiming the truth of Christ, even when facing cultural opposition or misunderstanding?
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:1–7 NKJV
Paul's letter to the Romans is one of those epistles that can leave readers feeling perplexed, fearful, or inspired. As a grace preacher, I focus on finding the Good News in Scripture and helping it come to life. However, Romans begins with some eyebrow-raising statements that might cause the average reader to struggle to extract encouraging insights. Romans is meant for everyone, which is why the best way to read and understand this letter is to treat it like a long road trip. Every road trip requires careful planning, and Paul has laid out meticulously constructed thoughts in the first portion of Romans. As we read it in parts, consider this stage of traveling akin to researching the itinerary, packing your luggage, and ensuring your vehicle is ready for a long journey.
As is customary, Paul opens his letter with a greeting to the churches in Rome. Written around A.D. 57-58, he was likely living near Corinth during his third missionary journey. Phoebe, a businesswoman from Corinth, carried his letter to Rome, which is why scholars believe he was in her hometown at the time of writing.
Paul targeted big cities in his missionary work because news traveled through urban centers. He introduced himself as a slave or bondservant before identifying as an apostle. By calling himself a bondservant, he underscored his complete dedication—spirit, soul, and body—to Christ. He was entirely Christ’s; there was no separating himself from Him. By identifying as an apostle, he demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the church, having sacrificed his life for the sake of Christ and His followers. Paul then expanded his greeting, revealing his main focus: the gospel.
While the letter of Romans doesn’t frequently mention "the gospel," the central and underlying theme is indeed "the gospel." The gospel serves as the map that clarifies the journey. The entire world is represented on this map, with you as the red dot on the "you are here" placemark. Historically, it was the Jews in Rome who were that red dot; Rome was the most powerful city in the ancient world at the time of Paul’s writing. It was the metropolis, the capital of the Roman Empire, and home to Caesar, the most powerful man on Earth. Caesar held many titles, including 'Son of God,' whose birthday was celebrated as 'good news,' and he demanded to be hailed as 'Lord.' Paul directly challenged this idolatry by declaring that Christ alone is the Son of God, whose birth announced the Good News, and that He is the rightful Lord, coming from a throne more ancient than Caesar's—specifically, the throne of David. Christians should not be afraid but should boldly proclaim and live by this truth. Paul's intention was not to incite a revolution but to remind Jewish Christians of the prophecies in their scriptures that pointed to this Messiah. The long-awaited king the Jews had yearned for had already arrived. That is the Good News!
Although the letter was primarily written to Jews, it was also intended for the Gentiles (and for us today). Keeping in mind the letter’s primary audience—the Jews—will help us understand some of Paul’s Hebrew language and ideas.
At the outset, Paul shares his thoughts about his readers. He expresses gratitude to God for them, thankful that this group of believers possesses faith in the one true God—concealed in the scriptures, revealed through His Son, and whom they now recognize as Lord.
The church in Rome was not founded by Paul. He was the apostle to all the churches but not their pastor. He was not in a position to directly challenge or correct any incorrect doctrines or behaviors; instead, he needed to help them understand the purpose of the gospel and their role within it before addressing any false teachings. The church was a comparatively small community amid the Roman population of over a million. Meeting in homes, the congregation consisted of about one hundred people scattered throughout the capital.
The Jewish population had already faced considerable persecution from the Romans, and the emergence of a new 'religion'—Christianity—made it even harder for Jews. Many Jews did not take kindly to those who had become Christ-followers. Pagan Romans viewed Jewish Christians as even stranger than devout Jews, fostering distrust and ridicule.
Some Jewish Christian leaders were among Paul’s closest friends, sharing his views of how God fulfilled the law and included Gentiles among His people. However, newer Jewish Christians struggled with this concept. If God had given the law to Moses, wouldn’t it still be considered holy and valid? If the Jews were God’s chosen people, was there not a purity they needed to maintain? The social tension was palpable at the time this letter was written.
Paul's letter gently addresses this tension, so it is crucial to remember this historical context as we study it in our modern worldview. In chapter 15, we discover that Paul hopes to connect this message with his readers' hearts and beliefs.