11 April 2021 to 13 June 2021

The Apostle Paul wrote to the “beloved of God” who were in Rome, frustrated of not yet having been able to meet them but hoping to come to them soon. This unfamiliarity is reflected in the letter being one of Paul’s most exhaustive theology of the gospel and it is the most extensive as well – being his longest letter in the New Testament. Both characteristics have been a benefit to the generations of Christians who have continued to read the letter. In another characteristically Pauline feature, the letter divides into two large portions (chapters 1-11 and chapters 12-16). More specially the opening five chapters particularly deal with sin and righteousness coming in the redemptive work of salvation through justification by faith. Paul wraps this all up in a bow with his thesis: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (Rom. 1:16-17) It is important to remember when reading the letter that Paul is not trying to convince his readers to be believers, they already are. Rather Paul is showing them what and how it means to live as believers. The solution Paul is trying to convince his readers of is found in the gospel of God revealed in Christ Jesus.