JENS RANDOLFF
AUGUST 20, 2008
“Our calling is not primarily to be holy men and women, but to be proclaimers of the gospel of God … Paul was not conscious of himself. He was recklessly abandoned, totally surrendered, and separated by God for one purpose—to proclaim the gospel of God.”
Oswald Chambers.[1]
Introduction
Paul’s address to the Romans is possibly the greatest example of epistolary writing in all of the New Testament (NT). Its significance is evident in that it is listed first in virtually every list of Paul’s writings, even though; it was not first in the order of composition. Paul’s audience were the citizens of the capital of the Roman empire, which further underscores the importance of Paul’s work and theme and content of his writing. The epistle to the Romans also ties neatly into the Book of Acts, in that Acts concludes rather abruptly with Paul’s imprisonment in Rome. Henceforth, Paul’s letter follows naturally in the order of Bible books.[2]
Questions as to the genuineness of the Epistle to the Romans have never been successfully challenged in, particularly in the early days of the church. All the old orthodox, as well as all the old heterodox testimonies without a single exception ascribe this epistle to Paul, the Apostle of Jesus Christ. The Apostolic Fathers, Clement of Rome and Polycarp, both confidently quoted from it. Theophilus, Bishop of Antioch, and Irenaeus in the second century, as well as Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria in the third, considered Paul’s epistle to the Romans to be genuine. Even in more recent times, the most searching investigations of modern criticism have not been able to cast any real doubt.[3]
Occasion
Although, the Founder of the church in Rome remains unknown, the Catholic Church credits the Apostle Peter, as being its founder and even proclaims him to be her original bishop. However, such claims are born of an ancient tradition, even though; the Vatican Church continues to promote such claims as a fact not to be doubted, despite clear evidence to the contrary.[4]
Paul was known only by reputation to the large Christian community in Rome; therefore, he began his letter with an introduction, which was longer than usual. It was also more theological and personal in nature than any of his previous or later epistles. Paul unapologetically stated his credentials and his message: “called by God to preach the gospel of God.”[5] He wanted to make certain that the Roman people received what he had to say—that they would not “turn him off” before they had a chance to read his arguments and learn about his theology.[6]
The Church in Rome, in Paul’s days, was comprised of Jews and Gentiles (1:5, 6, 13; 2:17ff. 7:1–6; 11:13; 15:15f.), and there existed a real propensity for conflict between the two groups. It is for that reason that Paul stressed the point that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all” (10:12).[7] Paul’s goal was to provide answers and to teach both, the unbelieving as well as the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian, while converting the non-believing Gentile; and to affirm to the Gentile convert and Jew alike, that all are equal regarding one’s religious condition, and rank in the Divine favor.
Furthermore, the forgiveness of sin by grace through faith in Christ, independent of nationality is clearly stated, contrary to the position of some proselyte Jewish Christians, who were advocating sort of a cross between law and gospel criteria for salvation and attempting to shut out the Gentiles “from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah.”[8]
Date
Scholars generally agree that Paul wrote Romans in March of 58, near the end of his third missionary journey, just prior his departure from Corinth (Acts 20:1–6). Paul had previously visited Corinth on his second missionary journey. He spend eighteen months there, sharing the gospel in Corinth and in Greece (Acts 18:11). On his third missionary journey, Paul stayed close to three months (Acts 20:3). He had left Philippi early in April, immediately after the Jewish Passover and departed Corinth for Jerusalem when the shipping season opened. Paul was accompanied by the eight fellow believers delegated to offer the collection of relief supplies to the famine-stricken believers in Jerusalem and Palestine (Acts 20:4; 24:17). Before Paul left Corinth on this journey, he wrote Romans.[9]
Endnotes:
[1]. James Reimann, ed., My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language : The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers (Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House; reprint, Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson, 1992).
[2]. John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: an Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985). 2:435
[3]. Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, vol. 3 of 3 (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008). Part two, xiii.
[4]. Ibid, xiv.
[5]. Kenneth Boa, and William Kruidenier, vol. 6, Romans, Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference. (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 16.
[6]. R. Kent Hughes, Romans: Righteousness From Heaven (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 1991), 16
[7]. William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 12-13, New Testament Commentary: Exposition of Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Accompanying Biblical Text Is Author's Translation. New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001), 2.
[8]. Matthew Henry's Commentary On The Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991). Ro 1:1.
[9]. R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to The Romans (Columbus, Ohio: Lutheran Book Concern, 1936), 5.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Boa, Kenneth, and William Kruidenier. Romans, Holman New Testament Commentary; Holman Reference. Vol. 6. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000.
Hendriksen, William, and Simon J. Kistemaker, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of Paul's Epistle to the Romans. Vol. 12-13. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1953-2001.
Henry, Matthew. Matthew Henry's Commentary On The Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume. Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991.
Hughes, R. Kent. Romans: Righteousness From Heaven. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1991.
Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, On The Old and New Testaments. Vol. 3 of 3. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2008.
Lenski, R. C. H. The Interpretation of St. Paul's Epistle to The Romans. Columbus, OH: Lutheran Book Concern, 1936.
Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Dallas Theological Seminary. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985.
Reimann, James, ed. My Utmost for His Highest: An Updated Edition in Today's Language : The Golden Book of Oswald Chambers. Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House. Reprint, Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson, 1992.
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