The Epistle to the Romans

(The bridge between the Gospels, the Acts, and the rest of the New Testament)

 

The Epistle to the Romans

 

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans is recognized as one of the great masterpieces of literature, both sacred and secular. Addressed to Christians living in Rome–the city which was the center of the ancient world–Romans is the only book in the New Testament, with the possible exception of Hebrews, which was written as a theological treatise rather than an encouraging or correcting letter.  In Romans, Paul forcefully presents the entire scope of Christian doctrine and provides an authoritative theology as well expresses the universality of the Gospel. Romans gives a comprehensive interpretation of the Incarnation and the ministry of Christ, showing with convincing logic and supported by Old Testament scriptures, that God has made a radical breakthrough into human history in the life, death, and resurrection of His Son. The dilemma of the human condition, sinfulness, is met with a profound solution–the righteousness of God made real for the individual by faith.  Many of the great revivals began with a study of Romans. Augustine, Luther, and Wesley credit Romans as the source from which they gained an understanding of the Gospel. Christian theology has never had a higher expression than presented by Paul in Romans under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Epistle has another significance for the student of the Bible. It interprets the life of Jesus as seen in the Gospels, and finally, it forms a bridge between the Acts and the rest of the New Testament.