The Book of Romans is probably the greatest and most influential of all Paul's Epistles. It is a very profound, yet very simple, Epistle, written to and for sinful mankind. It points out how lost and helpless humanity really is, and how we can find deliverance in Christ. It presents Christ's redemption as the only hope for humanity. The book was apparently written from Corinth around a.d. 57.
The Book of Romans presents doctrinal truth on justification, sanctification, adoption, judgment, and identification with Christ. It presents dispensational truth, showing the relationship between Israel and the Church in the eternal plan of God. It presents practical truth, teaching the secret of Christian victory over the flesh, and the duties Christians have toward each other and in relationship to government. If we, as Christians, should try to master one book, it should be the Book of Romans. The understanding of this precious book is a key to unlocking the entire Word of God.
Chapter 1 contains the salutation. The writer identifies himself, and those to whom the book is written. They are identified as the saints at Rome, and not the unbelievers. The theme is Christ and the Gospel of salvation (verses 1-7). Paul tells us why he is writing the book in verses 8-15, and what he is writing about in verses 16 and 17. In the latter part of the chapter, Paul explains to the Gentiles that they are lost and engulfed by darkness and why man is condemned. Then, in chapter 2, he turns to his own people, the Jews, and shows them that they are equally condemned as sinners before God. Paul deals with Israel's unbelief and explains that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.
