In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [Jesus Christ -Yeshua]
was in the beginning with God.
ROMANS
The book of Romans is the first of Paul’s thirteen letters referred
to as the Pauline epistles. The apostle Paul wrote the letter in AD 57
to the Roman Christians during his stay in Corinth (present day Korinth,
Greece). Paul directed the letter to the Gentiles as he prepared to
preach the gospel to those in Rome.
Paul’s purpose is to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, the
Messiah, which is the
power of God to salvation for everyone, Jew and Gentile, who believes.
Paul made it clear that “the just shall live by faith”. Paul
methodically presents the doctrine of the good news as a righteous life
to be lived by those who are freely justified by God’s grace through the
redemption that is in Christ.
Paul’s writings can be divided into five themes: the character of
sin; God’s righteousness; the practice of righteousness through
sanctification; Israel’s rejection of Christ and her future
restoration;
and the responsibilities of believers. Paul explains how all have sinned
and fallen short of the glory of God. The only way to be righteous
before God is through the redemption made possible through Christ.
This is accomplished only through faith in Christ and not by one’s own
works. By repentance and faith in Christ, we are to die to sin and no
longer be its slave. We are responsible before God to do justly. Our
good works are to be a reflection of our salvation; it cannot be a means
to our salvation. Israel rejected Christ and pursued the law of
righteousness, which they cannot attain. At the end of this age,
Israel will be ultimately restored to righteousness through the endless
mercies of Christ.
Romans 1-8: All are guilty; God’ righteousness; dying to sin; walking
in the Spirit
Romans 9-11: Israel’s present rejection of Christ; Israel’s future
restoration to God
Romans 12-16: Responsibility toward God and man; liberty in Christ;
Paul’s closing statements