(1) Book Information

1.1 Title and Definition
• Title: Romans – named after the recipients, the Christian believers in Rome
• Definition: A doctrinal epistle that offers the most systematic presentation of the Gospel in the New Testament, addressing themes of sin, justification, grace, faith, righteousness, and the sovereign plan of God for Jews and Gentiles

1.2 Authorship and Context
• Author: Paul the apostle, dictated to his scribe Tertius (Romans 16:22), likely during his stay in Corinth on his third missionary journey
• When: Written around AD 57 during Paul’s preparation for his journey to Jerusalem with a collection for the saints
• Audience: A mixed community of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire
• Purpose: To clarify the Gospel message, unify Jewish and Gentile believers, raise support for future missionary work in Spain, and provide theological grounding in the midst of cultural and spiritual tensions

1.3 Literary and Thematic Features
• Literary and Rhetorical Features: Structured as a theological treatise with logical argumentation, rhetorical questions, diatribe, chiasm, quotations from Scripture, and a doxological conclusion
• Key Themes: Justification by faith, righteousness of God, human depravity, sanctification, grace, law, Israel’s role, election, and Christian ethics
• Themes of Redemption and Christology
○ Christ is portrayed as the second Adam, whose obedience brings life (Romans 5:12–21)
○ His death is the means of propitiation, redemption, and reconciliation (Romans 3:24–25; 5:10)
○ His resurrection assures justification and new life (Romans 4:25; 6:4)
• Symbolism and Imagery
○ Slavery and freedom contrast life under sin versus life in the Spirit
○ Grafting imagery illustrates Gentile inclusion in the covenant tree (Romans 11:17–24)
○ Living sacrifices represent the believer’s holistic worship (Romans 12:1)

1.4 Canonical and Interconnected Significance
• Structure: Divided into theological exposition (chapters 1–11) and practical exhortation (chapters 12–16), with a transition in Romans 12:1
• Canonical Significance: Foundational for Christian doctrine; first of Paul’s epistles in canonical order due to its theological depth and universal scope
• Interconnections
○ Related Books: Echoes Genesis (Adam, Abraham), Isaiah (salvation, election), and Habakkuk (faith and righteousness); connects to Galatians and Ephesians
○ Connections to the Old Testament: Extensive use of the Hebrew Scriptures to support arguments on justification, sin, and the promises to Israel
○ Connections to the New Testament: Central influence on later epistles; its theology shaped Church councils, reformations, and spiritual revivals
○ Prophetic and Messianic References: Jesus is the fulfilment of the law and the promises to David and Abraham (Romans 1:2–3; 15:8–9)
○ Connections with Judaism: Engages deeply with Jewish law, covenant, circumcision, and Israel’s election and future role
○ Connections with Islam: Shared emphasis on monotheism, sin, judgment, and divine mercy; differences arise in Christology and soteriology
• Key Passages or Verses: Romans 1:16–17 – “The Gospel… is the power of God… ‘The righteous will live by faith’”
Romans 3:23 – “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Romans 5:8 – “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life”
Romans 12:1 – “Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice”

(2) Characters

2.1 Main Figures and Their Roles
• Role of Authors: Paul as apostle to the Gentiles expounds divine revelation and practical theology with apostolic authority and pastoral concern
• Who are the Main Characters: Paul, Christ as the centre of theology, Abraham as exemplar of faith, Adam as type of fallen humanity, and various house church leaders mentioned in chapter 16

2.2 Roles in Theological Framework
• The Role of God
○ The Father – Sovereign over salvation history, initiator of grace, and fulfiller of promises to Israel and the world
○ The Son – Justifier, redeemer, risen Lord, and second Adam who brings righteousness and eternal life
○ The Holy Spirit – Active in assurance, transformation, prayer, and sanctification (Romans 8)
• The Role of Priests, Prophets, and Kings: Jesus as the high priest and Davidic king; Paul identifies himself as a priestly minister of the Gospel (Romans 15:16)
• Role of the Church: A unified, Spirit-filled body of believers called to holiness, mutual love, and service in a hostile world
• Role of Men and Women: Both are addressed equally in moral instruction and included in ministry; numerous women are commended as leaders (e.g., Phoebe, Priscilla, Junia)

(3) Background

3.1 Geographical, Historical, and Cultural Context
• Geographical Context: Written from Corinth and addressed to believers in Rome, the heart of the Empire and a cultural melting pot
• Historical Context: Jewish Christians had returned to Rome after Claudius’s expulsion; tensions existed between Jewish and Gentile believers
• Cultural Context: The Roman context involved imperial cults, moral decadence, ethnic division, and philosophical pluralism; Paul’s message challenged prevailing ideologies

3.2 Broader Context and Practices

1. Broader Context of the Ancient Near East: Roman law, Hellenistic ethics, and Jewish traditions intersected in Rome, influencing religious thought
2. Influence of Israel’s Neighbours: Paul critiques Gentile idolatry and moral decay (Romans 1) and contrasts it with Jewish reliance on the law without faith
3. Cultural and Ethical Influences: Stoicism and honour-shame dynamics inform Paul’s arguments on conscience, virtue, and Christian conduct
4. Cultural Practices
   ○ Circumcision, dietary laws, and festival observances debated within the Church
   ○ Patronage and house church systems shape the epistolary conclusion in chapter 16

(4) Theological and Historical Significance

1. The Book as a Theological Bridge: Bridges Old Testament promises with New Testament fulfilment; synthesises core doctrines of Christian faith
2. Theological Significance: Central for doctrines of justification, grace, original sin, election, assurance, and the Spirit-filled life
3. Spiritual Themes: Faith, righteousness, mercy, hope, obedience, adoption, and the triumph of grace
4. Key Lessons for Faith and Practice: All have sinned and need grace. Justification is by faith alone. Believers are dead to sin and alive in Christ. True worship is whole-life devotion
5. The Book in Christian Theology: Shaped Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Wesley, and countless theological traditions; considered the ‘Cathedral of Christian Faith’
6. Historical Reception: Revered for its intellectual depth and spiritual power; foundational in the Reformation and evangelical revivals

(5) Interfaith and Cultural Perspectives

1. Literary Unity with the Torah (or Canon): Integrates Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, and Deuteronomy into a unified redemptive framework centred on Christ
2. The Book in Jewish Tradition: Provides theological commentary on Jewish law, covenant, and identity; addresses the future of Israel (Romans 9–11)
3. Connections with Islam: Shared reverence for Abraham and monotheism; diverges in its understanding of grace, the cross, and divine sonship
4. Influence on Western Civilisation: Influenced law, ethics, philosophy, political theory, and reform movements; frequently cited in theological and legal discourse
5. Scientific Perspectives: Analysed in terms of moral philosophy, anthropology, textual transmission, and Greco-Roman rhetoric
6. Global Perspective: Applies cross-culturally in discussions of justice, salvation, unity, and human dignity; continues to inspire conversion and reform worldwide

(6) Ethical, Practical, and Philosophical Insights

1. Mystical and Esoteric Interpretations: Romans 8 is explored in mystical traditions as a vision of union with God through the Spirit
2. Comparative Mythology: Offers a rational and historically grounded alternative to mythologies of human ascent or divine appeasement
3. Ethical and Philosophical Reflections: Addresses conscience, moral failure, virtue, and transformation through divine grace and truth
4. Ethical Teachings and Practical Applications
   ○ Live as transformed people in light of mercy
   ○ Honour authorities while obeying God
   ○ Love genuinely, avoid vengeance, serve humbly
   ○ Welcome others across cultural divides
5. Relevance to Contemporary Issues and Ongoing Relevance: Informs debates on justice, diversity, ethics, salvation, and the human condition; foundational for addressing societal and spiritual divisions

(7) Interpretative and Theological Challenges

1. Interpretative Challenges: Reconciling divine sovereignty and human responsibility (Romans 9), understanding law and grace, and integrating Israel’s future
2. Theological Debates: Justification by faith, original sin, predestination, role of the law, gender in ministry, and civic duty under government
3. Key Questions Addressed: How is one made right with God? What is the role of faith and works? How does God relate to Jews and Gentiles? What does it mean to live in the Spirit?