TEACHING NOTES Introduction Paul’s letter to the church in Rome is one of the most loved books of the Bible. It is also one of the most debated books throughout church history. While many everyday Christians love several popular passages in Romans, there are also many sections which are confusing for most readers. These confusing sections are also the source of the many theological debates. However, most people are reading Romans without considering the original context and audience. This study of Romans will help us learn to read in context. Part 1: Introduction to Romans ‌ Romans is one of the most popular books of the Bible, but is also one of the most misunderstood books of the Bible. ‌ Many people read Romans without considering the context and situation Paul is addressing. ‌ This study of Romans will help us read in context. ‌ Who wrote Romans? - Paul is the author (Rom. 1:1). - Tertius is the scribe (Rom. 16:22). - Phoebe likely delivered the letter (Rom. 16:1-2). ‌ Note: It is important to know that most of the New Testament books were written using a scribe (Greek: amanuensis). The author would dictate to the scribe who would write and then read it back to make changes. Once a letter was finished, it would be sent by a trusted person who would read it aloud to the church and be prepared by the author to answer questions. Paul often mentions the names of his scribes in his letters (Rom. 16:22; 1 Cor. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Col. 1:1; 1 Thess. 1:1; 2 Thess. 1:1; Philemon 1:1). Occasionally Paul mentions the deliverer with a commendation (Rom. 16:1-2; Eph. 6:21-22; Col. 4:7-9). ‌ What is Romans? ‌ Popular Views of Romans: - Romans Road of Salvation - A Theological Treatise - Paul’s Systematic Theology ‌ Romans is not any of the above. The Romans Road way of reading Romans is not bad, but it unintentionally teaches us to take verses out of context. Romans cannot be a theological treatise because it is not written in the style/genre of a treatise. Romans is also not Paul’s systematic theology because that method of theology did not exist until recently. ‌ Romans is an Epistle/Letter. ‌ An Epistle/Letter is written to… - A specific place, people, time - A specific situation/occasion/reason All of Paul’s letters are situational or occasional letters. ‌ The Situation (Context) of Romans ‌ What is the situation Paul is addressing? - Paul wrote Romans around AD 56 from Cenchreae. - Paul didn’t plant the Roman church and had not yet visited them. - The Roman church began as predominately Jewish. - Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome in AD 49 (Acts 18:1-2). - The Roman church becomes predominately Gentile. - Claudius died in AD 54 and the Jews were able to return. - Jewish Christians return to a very Gentile church. Potential Problems: - Gatherings had become less Jewish - Dietary Differences - Ritual Differences (circumcision, Sabbath, etc) - Leadership/influence had changed - Jews looking down on Gentiles and Gentiles looking down on Jews.‌ Paul wrote Romans to address tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers in the Roman church. ‌ Paul is trying to prevent division between these two groups, which for Paul would be deadly. ‌ Romans was written to explain how the Gospel has brought both Jews and Gentiles into God’s family. ‌ The Structure of Romans ‌ Two-Part Romans: - Paul Addresses Jewish Christians (Chs 1-8) - Paul Addresses Gentile Christians (Chs 9-16) ‌ General Outline: - Introduction/Greeting (Rom. 1:1-15) - Paul’s Thesis (Rom. 1:16-17) - The Setup (Rom. 1:18-32) - We Jews Are No Better (Rom. 2-8) - You Gentiles Are No Better (Rom. 9-11) - The Application: Unity (Rom. 12-15) - Conclusion/Farewell (Rom. 16) ‌ Romans 1:16–17 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” ‌ Jews & Israel: Is there a difference? ‌ Israel began as one nation of twelve tribes from the sons of Jacob. Around 975 BC after the death of Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms. These two separate kingdoms were the southern kingdom of Judah and the northern kingdom of Israel. Judah was made up of two tribes (Judah, Benjamin) and Israel was the remaining ten tribes. ‌ Around 722 BC the northern kingdom (Israel) was conquered by Assyria and were assimilated into the other nations. This means that the ten tribes of the northern kingdom were “lost” meaning they became Gentiles. These “lost” ten tribes never returned as a distinct people. ‌ Around 586 BC the southern kingdom (Judah) was conquered and exiled by Babylon. In exile, Judah preserved their identity and were later allowed to return to Judea and rebuild Jerusalem. Therefore, the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and some Levites were all that survived of Israel’s original twelve tribes. At the time of Jesus and the apostles, the term “Jews” refers to the Judeans—those from the surviving tribes of Judah and Benjamin. ‌ Why does this matter? At the time that the New Testament was written, the terms “Jews” and “Israel” are not always referring to the same people. Paul uses this distinction in Romans by using “Jew” in this first eight chapters and using “Israel” in the last eight chapters. In Romans, Paul is arguing that the salvation of the Gentiles into the family of God is the way that “all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26). This context is vital to understanding Romans correctly. Paul wants the Roman church, which is at risk of dividing between Jewish and Gentile believers, to understand why God is saving the Gentiles and how God is keeping all of His promises to all Israel. ‌ Key Vocabulary: - The Wrath of God - Jew, Israel, Gentile, Greek - The Weak, The Strong - Pronouns: “we/us” “you, you also” - Faith, Faithfulness - Grace, Gift - The Law, Works of the Law - Justification, Righteousness - Sin, Trespass, Transgression - Death ‌ Next Week: Romans 1:1-17 ‌ Homework: - Read Rom. 1:1-17. - Read all of Romans in one sitting. - Mark “Jew(s)” “Gentile(s)” “Israel” - Mark Pronouns: “we/us” “you/you also”