An Introduction to the book of Romans: Chapter 1: 1-7

The book of Romans has had a habit of beginning major works of reformation and revival in the
hearts of those that have heard it preached. Martin Luther, for one, was brought to a saving
knowledge of the gospel through Romans. Most have heard of his comments on v17, “the just shall
live by faith,” they were as the very gates of paradise themselves, Luther said. When Robert Haldane
lectured in Romans to a handful of students in a hotel room in Geneva a great and permanent work
was performed in their hearts. The result of Haldane’s ministry is quite amazing: Adolphe Monod-
One of France’s greatest preachers, Merle de Aubigne- renowned author of the Reformation, and
among others Louis Gaussen- who wrote a standard on the doctrine of inspiration. Martin Lloyd-
Jones preached a most famous series of sermons from Romans that has lasted in print with many
copies owned throughout the English speaking church. We put these experiences down to the
providential workings of the Spirit. But there is something central to the gospel about Romans in
how it sets forth the very critical heart of the gospel, significantly when it deals with Justification and
how justification impacts upon the Christian life and experience.

What do we need to study the book of Romans?

-Weekly hand-outs for review of the ground covered.

-Booklets to write our thoughts and expressions down- little or large!

-Access to audio and notes online of the previous messages- I’ll try to be your commentary! (Get a
commentary if you wish)

-An Expositional look at the book with a verse by verse analysis.

-An exegetical study of the original Greek with a view to greater understanding of the teachings in
Romans.

-Most importantly, much prayer that the Lord will descend upon us in the power of the Spirit.

I do not believe we are going to get through all or even most of Romans in the time I spend with you,
but to bring in the first few chapters to consideration will be of great benefit to our souls. It is
possible to cover a section of Romans and come away with a full view of different doctrines,
although not a full view of the whole message of Romans. It is good that Paul is logical in his working
on the truths of the gospel, so we are able to take it in smaller bite size pieces and still learn a lot.

Furthermore I would like you to see this plan of preaching through Romans as a declaration of my
intention of preaching a Reformed and expository ministry. I am convinced that preaching through
the word consecutively in this manner is the way that the Spirit delights to work, for in this pursuit
we respect the Inspiration of His Word. Also, I believe this is the way we as believers are most
blessed and sanctified by the Word. Thus, if you take time with this study, then I assure you that you
will know a closer walk with God. If you are not saved or you are still unconvinced of your need of
Justification, then this study is essential to your eternal wellbeing.
“Exposition of the Word of God is an arduous task. It is also great joy. No undertaking is more sacred.
For that reason it is demanding. But by the same token it is rewarding.” 1

Please come then, as we are introduced to this powerful part of God’s revelation concerning His
salvation for sinners!

1. The Author of Romans

Who wrote Romans is a question that should not be debated. There is little doubt or counter
evidence concerning the apostle Paul being it’s author. 2 Nevertheless Paul’s authorship is a
worthwhile fact to look into; that this particular man wrote this letter to the Romans is significant.

Paul’s personal details:

It seems from the outset that the subject Paul is going to deal with in this letter is one that he has
had close experience of. When he says simply at first “Paul.” As part of his duty to inform the
Romans of the identity of the letter writer yes, but these first two verses give us an introduction to
Paul’s connection to the subject. Thus “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God.” What great and challenging words to open the letter!

Paul was a Jew and this causes, it would appear, a special appeal to the gentile and Jewish
relationship throughout the book’s explanation of the gospel. Obviously this matter of
Gentile/Jewish divide is a matter with the Romans. But his personal detail of Israel and affection for
them shows his willingness and ability to comment on these matters. Rom2-3 shows his knowledge
of the Jewish faulty understanding of salvation (note the personal terms used e.g. 2:9). Again
Rom4:1 reveals his awareness of the Old Economy and how Abraham was viewed (watch for the
personal terms again). Rom 10:1 shows his inner desire for Israel as a people group to be saved from
their sin and self-righteousness. Therefore Paul has a personal attachment to the Jewish view of the
doctrine by birth, and so a personal agenda in writing concerning the issues surrounding Justification
and how it relates to the Jews. Yet is not Paul a missionary, preacher sent to the gentiles? 15:16

Paul’s theological position:

The theology of Romans centres on Justification, and how the Law and Grace fit into this act of God.
John Murray says something striking which sums up what I want you to take from this point: “When
Paul unfolds the antithesis between grace and law, faith and works, he writes of an antithesis which
had been reflected in the contrast between two periods in his own life history, periods divided by
the Damascus road.” May I interject and say that if we in studying Romans could get this truth into
our foundations, that Damascus road foundation, we will find it easier to understand the great and
weighty truths of this book. Ref: Acts 9:1-8. Here we have a practical example of much of the
teaching in Romans.

Paul’s place and time of writing:

1
John Murray p9 of the preface to his second volume on Romans.
2
“That the apostle Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans is not a matter of dispute and for that reason, as one
of the most recent commentators has said, it is “a proposition which it is unnecessary to discuss.”” John
Murray
The time in Paul’s life was on his 3rd missionary journey. If we note Romans 15: 24-26, he was on his
way to Jerusalem collecting for the church there. In Acts 20:1-6, after spending 3 months in Greece
Paul travelled to Jerusalem for Pentecost. So it is probable that it was in Corinth or around that area
in Greece that the letter to the Romans was penned. So Paul is on his way to Jerusalem, the seat of
the Jewish church and even the nest of the influential Pharisees and their law doctrine of
justification. The place and timing is therefore important, as Douglas Moo tells us,

“For almost twenty-five years, Paul has planted churches in the eastern Mediterranean. Now he
prepares to bring to Jerusalem a practical fruit of that work, one that he hopes will heal the most
serious social-theological rift in the early church- the relationship between Jew and Gentile in the
people of God.”3 This is an issue of salvation, an issue of how to be saved.

2. The Church at Rome

As we have looked at the Author of the letter, let’s take a look at the Romans to whom it was
written. For as the author makes an interesting study, so does the recipients of his theological letter.
Two questions are at the forefront of establishing an understanding of the Roman church.

How did the church begin?

A major factor is often assumed. That from the massive intake of foreigners into Christianity by
salvation at Pentecost, that because many from Rome (Acts 2:10) were there who took this message
back and saw a church established. Rom 15:20 makes it impossible for another apostle to have been
involved, even Peter could not have had a hand in the founding of this church. Thus the synagogue
may have been the starting point for Christianity in Rome.

Another possible factor that is propounded by John Murray who in turn borrows it from ‘Sanday and
Headlam,’ is described in short: “Never in the course of previous history had there been anything
like the freedom of circulation and movement which now existed in the Roman Empire.” 4 Therefore
through the various channels of road, mail and military connections, word travelled easily and
quickly. These two ideas add weight to my conclusion on the next point.

Were they Jew or Gentile?

It doesn’t take a scholar to pick up the fact that both Jew and Gentile were present to some amount
in the Roman church. However, scholars lean on different evidence from Romans to prove that the
audience was Jewish or Gentile. One commentator even claims that different parts of the letter are
aimed at a total of five groups in the church. 5 However, this takes away from the unity of the
message as it was prescribed to “To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” Rom 1:7. So it seems that there were
simply Jewish and Gentile Christians here who were being taught the essence of the Gospel which by
result united them as one to the Lord.

3. The reason for the letter to Rome

3
Douglas Moo p3
4
John Murray
5
Douglas Moo p12 ref: Paul Minear
Paul was writing to the Romans as a precursor to his arrival there, which he desperately longed for
Rom 1:11. Moreover, we could well ask the question, why is this letter written or what is this letter
about? This is probably the most important point in introduction. We need to know the general
teaching of Romans if we are to investigate the doctrines that fit into that general teaching. It is
difficult admittedly to brand this book with a single theme, thereby the danger is to straightjacket
Paul and try to make his thoughts fit in with ours rather than ours with his. In other words we don’t
want to make up a theme for Paul and then make his words fit into that. Yet to grasp a theme of
some kind has its place!

Romans’ Foundation is Christological

I think this is a great starting point for understanding Romans more fully. It is clear from the outset
Rom 1: 1-7, that Jesus Christ the Messiah is the foundation for all that is to be said.

In the words again of Douglas Moo,

“God’s act in Christ is the starting point of all Paul’s thinking and is so basic to the early church that
he could assume that the Roman Christians shared this conviction with him. In this sense, while
Christology is nowhere in Romans the expressed topic, it is everywhere the underlying point of
departure.”6

Romans’ Development is around the gospel

While there are many critical works about what kind of gospel Romans teaches, I don’t think we
need to prove them wrong. But in our own investigations, we prove the orthodox or reformed
position as already being a correct one. By this we prove all other attempts to explain the salvific
views of the NT wrong. Simpler again, let’s let the Bible speak for itself.

It is evident that Romans takes up the subject of the gospel and explains it. Ref: Rom 1:1-2, 9, 15-17
is universally agreed as the banner verses or starting point of Paul’s intentions; also note 15:16 and
19. In taking the gospel as the over-arching framework, then it is understandable why so many
subjects are covered, from the condemnation of the law to sanctification and even election.

Romans’ Central Topic or theme is therefore Justification

And, that specifically, the central theme is Justification by grace through faith, not through the works
of the law. William Hendriksen readily and dogmatically agrees,

“Justification by faith (Rom 5:1), spread out into ‘justification by grace through faith’ ( see 3:22-24;
cfEph 2:8), is clearly the theme of Romans.” 7

It is Paul’s intention to take this gospel of justification to the Roman church Rom 1:15. He is totally
convinced and consumed by this gospel of free grace in justification. And, as we see the zeal that
Paul has for preaching this message “I am ready…” we are again lead back to the Damascus road.
This dusty and dry journey of sin, embarked upon to imprison those who preach the gospel of Jesus
Christ, was suddenly stopped by the Jesus Christ who in that moment made Paul a justified sinner.
Now, we could say, that his life’s work being the evangelisation of the Roman world, was coming to a
6
Douglas Moo P25
7
William Hendriksen P29
great climax in a letter to the great city itself, a letter in which Paul openly and with delight explains
the gospel of free justification.