Bible Discussion Thread

INTRODUCTION TO ROMANS (Part 3):

NOW FOR THE BOOK OF ROMANS:



I. ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The author is Paul. His inscription is on all 13 of his letters. He always identifies himself in his letters.



II. WHEN IT WAS WRITTEN:

It was written around 56 to 57 A.D. It was written during the last three months of his third missionary journey as recorded in Acts 20:1-3. He wrote his letter from Corinth. He wrote Romans about three years before arriving there in Acts Chapter 28. So, three years prior to Paul arriving in Rome, he writes this letter to the Romans.

III. WHY IT WAS WRITTEN:

Paul had never been to Rome, and he desired to go there. We saw in Acts Chapter 19 where Paul expressed his need to see Rome. And remember, God actually told him when he was in Jerusalem that as you have given testimony for me here in Jerusalem, so you must witness for me in Rome.

Rome was the center of the Roman Empire. And so, they had already established in Ephesus and Philippi and some of the others over in Asia. They established mission points at that time. Paul wanted to come into Rome and there's a very good reason for it.

First of all, he had never been there. None of the apostles had ever been to Rome. Paul wanted to establish them in the doctrine of the Christian faith. We will notice as we begin this letter that he doesn't say "To the church in Rome." We know from Chapter 16 that there were a number of individuals. In fact, all of the names in Chapter 16 are Gentiles. They are Greek names.