Pauline Epistle to the Romans: A Study Guide

Module 1: Introduction and Background

 Romans is an undisputed Pauline epistle sent to Roman Christians

 The church in Rome was already flourishing when Paul wrote the letter

 The Church in Rome was famous for its faith throughout the Roman Empire

 There are multiple explanations about the origin of the Church in Rome (Study Pearl 1)

 Paul addresses the letter to all Christians throughout Rome (Romans 1:7)

Review Questions: Module 1

Study Pearl 1
1. What evidence confirms that Paul is

Who founded the Christian Church in Rome? the undisputed author of the epistle

Visitors from Rome present during the to the Romans?

Pentecost returned to establish the Church in 2. Describe the origin of the Christian

Rome (Acts 2:10-11) Church in Rome

Jews had already established the church 3. Paul did not establish the Church in

before Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome Rome. What are the implications of

(Acts 18:2) this fact on the Roman’s epistle?

“All Roads Lead to Rome”: Travelers who 4. Was the epistle to the Romans

heard the gospel in Asia, Greece, and intended for Jews only or also the

elsewhere may have established the Church in Gentiles in Rome?

Rome
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Module 2: Context and Purpose

 The context of the letter lays the foundation for understanding the reason behind Paul’s
epistle to the Romans (See Study Pearl 2)
 The Romans is different from the other Epistles because Paul was not writing to a Church
that he had established
 The message conveyed in the Romans is not situational because Paul is not addressing a
specific issue

 In Romans, Paul focuses on the big

picture drawn from the doctrine of Study Pearl 2

soteriology or the doctrine of  Paul writes to Christians in Rome from

salvation Corinth at the end of his third evangelistic

 Paul’s plan is to preach the Gospel of journey (Acts 20:2)

Christ to the Romans before visiting  Paul is going to Jerusalem but plans to visit

them; Paul was keen about involving Spain in the future (Romans 15:20, 24, 28)

the believers in his missionary work  Paul hopes to visit the famous City of Rome
on his way to Spain (Romans 15:20-22)
 Paul might have written to the
Romans for multiple reasons:

1. Preparatory Work: Paul writes to the Romans in preparation for the intended visit. Paul
sets out to Jerusalem to distribute offerings collected from various churches. He hopes to
visit Rome on his way to Spain (Romans 15:20-24 28)

2. Rome as the Base for Operations: Paul was about to embark on a journey to evangelize in
Spain and other western regions of the empire. Thus, he hoped that Rome would become the
base of operation for the west

 Ephesus was the base of operation for Asia Minor and Antioch for the East. Paul
desired to have Rome serve the same purpose of an “emotional home”
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 Rome would then become Paul’s

base of both support and operations
Review Questions: Module 2 for the planned missionary work in
Jerusalem and other western regions
What is the significance of the Roman
of the empire
epistle?
3. Rome as a Legacy to the Church: Paul is
Why were bases of operations important
aware of the danger in Jerusalem (Romans
to Pauline ministry?
15:31). Thus, the Romans could be Paul’s
Review and discuss various elements of
last will and testament considering the
Paul’s occasion-purpose for writing the
likelihood of facing imprisonment or even
epistle to the Romans?
dying in Jerusalem before reaching Rome,
How is the Book of Romans different Spain, and other western portions
from the other undisputed Pauline
4. Ministering to the Spiritual Needs of the
epistles?
Roman Christians: The Church in Rome
was experiencing the same problems that the
early churches encountered. The common problems identified in the epistle included internal
conflict, specifically between Gentile and Jewish believers, and external threats posed by
false teachers (Romans 15:1-8; 16:17-20)
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Module 3: Key Themes and Relevance

 Romans is the longest of all the undisputed Pauline epistles

 Paul addresses multiple issues, but two primary themes emerge:

1. Justification of Sinners: Justification of sinners is only possible through God’s grace

alone; by Faith alone; and in Christ alone

God’s grace through Christ, rather than social status or religious works, is the only way to
salvation and justification

2. True Meaning of Justification: Paul redefines God’s people. The true people of God
have unwavering faith in Christ. Their family lineage or specific religious rituals are no
longer the basis for justification

 Justification through Christ and

Faith lays the foundation for
Review Questions: Module 3

Study Pearl 3 How does Paul approach the theme of justification

in Romans?

1. Assured Salvation (Chapter 5) What is the significance of referencing Abraham

2. Spiritual Maturity and Growth to explore the theme of justification?
(Chapter 6)
What is the standard for justification in Romans?
3. Purpose of the Law (Chapter 7)
4. Holy Spirit Ministry (Chapter
other themes in Romans (Study Pearl 3)
8)
5. Responsibilities as Christ
Followers (Chapters 12-15)
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Module 4: Learning Romans Through Poems

Read the Poem, “Romans, Justification through Faith” and answer the review questions

Romans an epistle from Paul, A true jewel among jewels

Righteousness a key message, A standing legacy to the Church
Rich in faith are the Romans, but beset by divisions and false teachings
Repressing the true knowledge of God, Gentiles overburdened by sin

One man brings sin to the world, Disobedience in the garden of Eden
One man then dies for all, Revealing the righteousness of God
Oozing from the Jews to the Gentiles, Righteousness through faith
Open to those who believe, justified by faith in Jesus Christ and not works of the law

Ministering to the Church in Rome, Of the need for righteousness

Ministry in transition, Laying the foundation of future Church of Christ
Missionary, pastoral and apologetic, Key themes devoid of controversy
Magnified in its importance, Romans, the longest of all Pauline epistles

Abraham our father of faith, Justified by faith in the unseen promises

Abraham the ancestor of righteousness, Trust in God he teaches
Accorded righteousness while uncircumcised, Righteousness sealed in circumcision
Abraham, a true father of faith, To the circumcised and uncircumcised alike

No longer bound by family lineage or religious rituals, Justification only through faith
No longer defined as Jew or Gentile, all have become God’s chosen people
No longer living under the yoke of sin, but redeemed by the blood of Jesus
No longer excluded from God’s plan, But partakers in Christ’s sacrifice

Sinners and guilty before God, A great lesson from the Romans
Sanctified by the blood of Christ, Counted among the righteous
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Salvation no longer obtained through works, Faith alone is sufficient

Saved people surrender fully to God,
God has finally saved us helpless
sinners
Review Questions: Module 4
After reading the poem, what themes can you
identify that are consistent with those presented
in epistle to the Romans?

Based on the poem, how does the Pauline

epistle to the Romans broaden understanding of
the Christian faith?
Study Pearl 4
God counted Abraham as being righteousness
while uncircumcised. Circumcision then sealed  The faith of Abraham (Romans 4:23-
Abraham’s righteousness. What is the 25)
significance of uncircumcision and
 Effect of Abraham’s justification
circumcision in the epistle to the Romans?
(Romans 5:1-11
If God counted Abraham as being righteousness
 Justification of for everyone,
by faith alone, what is the place of works in the
whether Jew or Gentile (Romans 3:22-
epistle to the Romans?
31)
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Further Reading

1. Godet, F. L. (1998). Commentary on Romans. Kregel Publications

2. Graham, A., & Kamm, A. (2020). The Romans: An introduction (4th ed.). Routledge

3. Longenecker, R. N. (2011). Introducing Romans: Critical issues in Paul’s most famous letter.

Journal of Theological Studies, 64(2), 664-667. https://doi.org/10.1093/jts/flt060

4. Porter, S. E. (2016). The apostle Paul: His life, thoughts, and letters. Wm. B. Eerdmans

Publishing Co.

5. Scholz, D. J. (2013). The Pauline letters: Introducing the New Testament. Anslem

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