The epistle of paul to the romans is undoubtedly the most powerful human document that has ever been written. If he were here today with us, and was asked which epistle was the most needed for this time in history, i. When paul wrote to the romans, the jews were still using the temple to offer sacrifices to god. This is the book that lit the fire in martin luthers heart and brought about the protestant reformation, changing the history of europe, as well as the world. The book of romans tells us about god, who he is and what he has done. What the bible says about predestination zondervan academic. John gills exposition of the bible he preached in the same church as c. The book of romans is the apostle pauls masterpiece, a carefully constructed summary of christian theology. Commentary on the book of romans by matthew henry new. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must remember to say, if the lord will, james 4. The epistle begins with to all gods beloved in rome and this would clearly indicate that paul was addressing the christian church in rome.
Romans explains gods plan of salvation by grace, through faith in jesus christ. Throughout the book of romans it is clear that in the church at rome there were many jews and gentiles. Romans 1 commentary new testament matthew henry st. We see in the book of romans how jesus justifies and. Over the years i have been asked if i had any other books of the bible that are explained like the one for the book of revelation which took a year to complete. This one book in your bible condenses down into 16 chapters the greatest themes. Remember paul was a roman citizen, from tarsus, a pharisee of the hebrews. The epistle to the romans or letter to the romans, often shortened to romans, is the sixth book in the new testament. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the jews. To indicate how saved people, christians, should conduct themselves. After it is explained that there is no hope for us through the things that we do for god, we read that there is hope through what god did for us.
The second principle is to identify the literary units. Paul had never been to rome when he wrote the letter to the romans, though he had clearly expressed his desire to travel there in the. The epistle to the romans is the complete and mature expression of the apostles main doctrine, which it unfolds in due order. Here we see him at his greatest as a constructive thinker and theologian. New testament places romans as the first of 21 epistles or letters to the early churches or church leaders.
Pauls gospel did not change but his way of presenting it did. That fulfillment is accomplished, not simply as followers of a philosophy, or a philosopher, but through relationship with a living person, savior and redeemer. The whole work was rewritten and enriched with his mature studies in 1864. But let me say one more time that if you dont own a single commentary on romans, you are not at a loss. Chapters 111 present the theological truths of that doctrine, while chaps.
God promised to abraham that by one of his descendants, god would show kindness to all the families on earth. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by paul the apostle to explain that salvation is offered through the gospel of jesus christ. Romans commentary john gills exposition of the bible. I love this commentary, it is simply the best commentary on romans. Paul the apostle is universally accepted as the author of the epistle to the romans.
The epistle to the romans is the complete and mature expression of the apostles main doctrine, which it. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the. The former was translated and published in france in 1841, and the latter republished in england in 1838. Commentary on the book of romans romans 1 1paul, a bondservant of christ jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of god, paul refers to himself very humbly as a bondservant of god, having chosen to submit himself willingly to the purposes of god. There are 14 epistles written by paul and 7 general epistles written by james, peter, john and jude. Possibly no other new testament book depicts the overall message of the scripture than does romans. Another remarkable example of the power of pauls letter to the romans is its role in the sixteenth century protestant reformation, which was the. If we understand romans, we understand salvation on gods terms. Sidlow baxter in explore the book, states in his introduction to romans. Romans free bible commentary in easy english easyenglish bible. As with all pauls epistles to the churches, his purpose in writing was to proclaim the glory of the lord jesus christ by teaching. Discover books of the bible this web site explains various books of the bible, by explaining each individual scripture. The book of romans is a fourpart explanation of the gospel message written by paul to the church in rome.
When a chapter or section is finished, you will see at the bottom of the page over the links, go to the next section. Romans cliffsnotes study guides book summaries, test. The great apostle paul authored at least new testament epistles. You should begin this study with prayer, asking the lord to help you understand the truths of his word. Romans is the theological development of the truths of galatians possibly pauls first book. Then you will be able to test and approve what gods. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew god, they did. When we grasp gods plan to save us, we will know the unending joy of gods free gift 6.
Watch our overview video on the book of romans, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Yet most people today have never heard of john gill. Book of romans overview insight for living ministries. Though hampered by lack of any outline to relate things, the work has much gold if one has. Exploring the riches of the book of romans romans 116. Cbi the book of romans dealing with sin chapter one the righteousness and wrath of god page 4 the book of romans chapter one the righteousness and wrath of god i. In any conversation about predestination, election, and gods will in the act of salvation, two verses from romans 8 are usually cited. Romans is a book of doctrine, christian living and justification by faith alone chaps. Since later study will consider the text on a versebyverse basis, we will pass by all but the main thrust of each section. I had to buy this commentary for a romans class at liberty university also had to buy the encounter romans book by douglas moo. The writer of this letter was the apostle paul see 1.
His jewish name was saul and his roman name was paul. From this proposition, paul unfolds the righteousness of god justification in the rest of the epistle. Paul begins by warning of the consequences of unbelief in chapter 1. If you read it carefully and slowly brood over what it says with prayer and humility, the book of romans. Before we begin in the book of romans we need to look at the penman, paul.
Ive written a onesentence overview of every book of the bible. The book of romans the book of romans is written from paul, to all that be in rome, beloved of god, called to be saints romans 1. Zeigler from spirit food christian center in winnetka, california begins teaching a message titled understanding the book of romans. These words are not found in the earliest ancient manuscripts of the book of romans and. It will also help us explain to others how we are living according to the revelation knowledge of gods word that causes us to live above the norm. Divinely inspired, paul passed on truths that are followed by believers to this day.
Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of. The state of this corruption is indicated in the closing. The state of this corruption is indicated in the closing verses of the first chapter of pauls epistle to the romans. You have your bible, the most precious book in the universe. We will survey the subject of gods righteousness by tracking this theme through the epistle. The people of israel tried to obey god and follow the law, but they didnt succeed. Who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the spirit. Therefore, we must strive to understand the purpose of the whole biblical book before we interpret the individual literary units. Discover how quickly you can understand the entire book of romans reading this brief survey. All 66 books of the bible in easy, onesentence summaries. The book of romans tells how god can save the whole person. Go to the bottom of that page to see the index chapters, which are hot links. If you want more, ive linked to quick, 3minute guides to every book of the bible, too. Pauls letter to the romans a free bible version and commentary on the new testament book of romans in easy english.
You will walk away grasping the theme and concepts of the book of romans. The overarching theme of romans is the righteousness that comes from god. Paul shows how jesus created the new covenant family of abraham through. Biblical scholars agree that it was composed by paul the apostle to explain that salvation is offered through the gospel of. The gospel way of justification by faith, for jews and gentiles. The predominant theme of the book of romans is the righteousness of god. Prays for the saints at rome, and expresses his desire to see them. The romans boasted of the superior quality of their system of laws. Most commentators have said that verses sixteen and seventeen of chapter one are a concise summary of the content of the epistle.
The theme of the book centers on the gospel of christ rom. Theyre listed in the order they show up in the protestant bible. Interpreters have no right to isolate one aspect of truth by excluding others. A study through the book of romans bible baptist church. Brilliant of mind, slow of speech, physically unattractive, his influence upon. It tells us of jesus christ, what his death accomplished. Romans is placed first among pauls letters in the new testament not only because it is his longest work, but because it also furnishes a massive and basic theological framework for the whole collection of the apostles writings. Used by permission of pathway press, cleveland, tn 37311, from studying pauls letter to the romans, we can learn the content of the christian faith like nowhere else in the new testament. What this book does not do is cover each and every important topic presented by paul in the book of romans.
My prayer is that the teaching of this letter will open our minds and hearts to a higher view of god so that we may begin to understand the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of god. Aug 19, 2015 after it is explained that there is no hope for us through the things that we do for god, we read that there is hope through what god did for us. Many scholars also describe it as the gospel and the righteousness of god, which can be received only by faith in the atoning death of jesus christ. Taken from the greatest letter ever written by french l. Saul means asked and this was the name he was using when he was persecuting the christians. This is a lot to take in, so if you want to start with baby steps, check out this list of the shortest books of the bible.
The greatest letter ever written bible study tools. As with all pauls epistles to the churches, his purpose in writing was to proclaim the. In this commentary, kevin conner makes the book of romans come alive as he walks the reader through each passage verse by verse. Click on a book listed below which will take you to its introduction page. Pastor kevin patterson explains the book of romans in a nutshell. To explain that justification was not by the law of moses but rather by faith. Since adam, humans chose to live sinful and selfish lives. It is the stone cut out without hands the word, christ, which hits the feet of daniels great image, the roman empire daniel 2. With this summary of romans, even if youre a beginner in bible study, youll be able to understand the basic ideas in this book. Pauls presentation of the gospel in romans has impacted the churchs life in every age. See the flow of thought throughout romans and prepare yourself for a thoughtful study of the book. The apostle greeted twentysix different people by name, personalizing a letter from a man who would have been a personal stranger to most of the.
The book of romans reveals the answers to important questions and supplies information on many topics, such as salvation, the sovereignty of god, judgment, spiritual growth, and the righteousness of god. The book of leviticus gives all the rules for the priests and for the ceremonies. Ephesians is the development of romans into a summary cyclical letter. He was called by god as an apostle when christ visited him on the road to damascus. Romans baker exegetical commentary on the new testament. This brief survey is designed to follow the flow of pauls writing. Introduction romans is the greatest book in the new testament. Paul had never been to rome when he wrote the letter to the romans, though he had clearly expressed his desire to travel there in the near future acts 19.
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