Romans Introduction
Romans : Introduction
Who was the author of this letter?
1. The author claimed to be the Apostle Paul
2. Pauline authorship of ‘Romans’ was not disputed
3. By the early 2nd century onward, his letters were a unit
4. The oldest surviving copy of this unit is from 200AD
This copy is called the Chester Beatty manuscript P46. It is 85% intact and includes Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Hebrews, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, Philemon (1-2 Timothy & Titus were not included)
Who was this letter written to?
1. Emperor Claudius had banished all Jews from Rome in AD49.
We learn this not only from Acts 18:2, but from the Roman Historian Suetonius who wrote, “Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.” So only Gentile Christians were left in Rome (perhaps with a degree of Anti-Semitism). Nero rescinded Claudius' decree in AD54, allowing Jews to return (including Christian Jews). So we can see how this would have created difficulties b/w the Gentile and Jewish believers in Rome.
2. It was written to Jewish & Gentile believers in Rome (1:7)
3. The recipients had never met Paul
4. Paul was planning on visiting them shortly (15:23-29)
What are the Contents of this Letter
Part 1----Introduction---------------Romans 1:1-1:17
Part 2----Gospel Presentation--------Romans 1:18-8:39
Part 3----Discussion of ‘Israel’-----Romans 9:1-11:36
Part 4----Christians & Relationships-Romans 12:1-15:13
Part 5----Closing--------------------Romans 15:14-16:27
Where was this letter sent?
1. The letter was sent to Christians in Rome, Italy
2. Priscilla & Aquila were the likely recipients
3. The Roman Church was likely a group of house-churches
4. The letter was to be read to all the Christians
When was the letter written?
1. It is nearly unanimous that Romans was written around AD57
2. Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the letter
Why did Paul write this letter?
1. Most of the Epistles were written to combat crisis
2. Romans, however, seems to have been written in times of peace
3. Paul wanted to firmly establish the church in this strategic city
4. Paul wanted to help the Gentile/Jewish relationships in the church
Who was the author of this letter?
1. The author claimed to be the Apostle Paul
2. Pauline authorship of ‘Romans’ was not disputed
3. By the early 2nd century onward, his letters were a unit
4. The oldest surviving copy of this unit is from 200AD
This copy is called the Chester Beatty manuscript P46. It is 85% intact and includes Romans, 1-2 Corinthians, Hebrews, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, Philemon (1-2 Timothy & Titus were not included)
Who was this letter written to?
1. Emperor Claudius had banished all Jews from Rome in AD49.
We learn this not only from Acts 18:2, but from the Roman Historian Suetonius who wrote, “Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.” So only Gentile Christians were left in Rome (perhaps with a degree of Anti-Semitism). Nero rescinded Claudius' decree in AD54, allowing Jews to return (including Christian Jews). So we can see how this would have created difficulties b/w the Gentile and Jewish believers in Rome.
2. It was written to Jewish & Gentile believers in Rome (1:7)
3. The recipients had never met Paul
4. Paul was planning on visiting them shortly (15:23-29)
What are the Contents of this Letter
Part 1----Introduction---------------Romans 1:1-1:17
Part 2----Gospel Presentation--------Romans 1:18-8:39
Part 3----Discussion of ‘Israel’-----Romans 9:1-11:36
Part 4----Christians & Relationships-Romans 12:1-15:13
Part 5----Closing--------------------Romans 15:14-16:27
Where was this letter sent?
1. The letter was sent to Christians in Rome, Italy
2. Priscilla & Aquila were the likely recipients
3. The Roman Church was likely a group of house-churches
4. The letter was to be read to all the Christians
When was the letter written?
1. It is nearly unanimous that Romans was written around AD57
2. Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the letter
Why did Paul write this letter?
1. Most of the Epistles were written to combat crisis
2. Romans, however, seems to have been written in times of peace
3. Paul wanted to firmly establish the church in this strategic city
4. Paul wanted to help the Gentile/Jewish relationships in the church
posted by matthew at 5:29 PM
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