The
most important of Paul's letters, not only because of its length, but
because it summarizes the essential teachings of the Christian gospel.
The letter was written c. 55-7  AD
to a church which Paul had never visited. Paul was concerned in his own
life and theirs about total commitment to God (chapters 12-16). For the
church in Rome, this meant offering themselves to God as living
sacrifices (12:1-2), while Paul's aim was to preach the gospel wherever
possible, especially where Christ was not known (15:14-29). Since within
a few years both Paul and many Christians in Rome died in Nero's
persecution, this teaching has a certain poignancy. The heart of the
letter is a carefully constructed argument about God's saving purposes
for the human race (chapters 1-11). This gospel, which Paul describes as
the power of God, is demonstrated in Christ's resurrection and in
believers' lives (1:2-4, 16-17). Paul then develops his major theme
about God's righteousness and the gospel (chapters 4-8). Although human
beings without exception are under the threat of God's judgement, God
puts them in a right relationship with himself through the righteous
sacrifice of Jesus' death (3:21-6). God's righteousness works in several
ways. It condemns all forms of sin, it keeps God's Old Testament
promises, it characterizes Jesus' death, and it is a gift to all who
believe in Jesus. To make the point that this is not a new idea, Paul
uses Abraham as his chief example (chapter 4). This righteousness can
only be received by faith in Christ, not through human achievement, and
shows itself in believers' lives as they oppose sin with the help of
God's Spirit (chapters 4-8). God is also concerned to include Gentiles
as well as Jews in his purposes, which raises the question of the role
of Old Testament law (chapter 7). Paul attacks Israel's pride in the
law, either because it encouraged legalism or because it had become a
badge of Jewish privilege. Since the law is not a sufficient basis for
knowing God, despite its continuing role for Christians, people can
trust only the grace of God. The availability of this grace to everyone
is ultimately a mystery, and the basic reason why God should be praised
(chapters 9-11). Romans has been extremely influential in Christian
history, especially through the teaching of Augustine and Luther. The
latter's emphasis on justification by faith was especially crucial in
the fundamental changes which took place in the church during the
Reformation.

1. Epistle to the Romans 1-5 (Tyndale)
2. Epistle to the Romans 6-10 (Tyndale)
3. Epistle to the Romans 16 (Tyndale)