Romans— the Righteousness of God
02.08.23
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16, 17)
The grand theme of this epistle, written by Paul to the Romans, is the righteousness of God. To be righteous is to be right or just. Only God is righteous, and we can only become righteous through the gift of God provided by Christ.
In the first eleven chapters, the apostle seeks to prove that the entire human race is surrounded by three impossible walls. The first wall is universal guilt. The second wall is the flesh with its sinful tendencies and lusts. The third wall is God’s sovereignty.
Paul points out the door that God’s mercy has provided by the plan of salvation. It is a door of justification by faith, and a door of regeneration by the Holy Spirit.
In the last five chapters, Paul presents the practice of Christianity. Righteousness is demonstrated by the conduct of those who have received the gospel by faith. Their spiritual gifts are on display, as well as their obedience to God and human authority.
Though Paul had never been to Rome at the time that he wrote this Book, he longed to visit. He wrote the epistle in anticipation of a visit. He eventually would get there as a prisoner. While in prison he wrote several of the other NT epistles.
At the time that this epistle was written Rome was the capital of the Empire. It was the largest and most influential city in the world, having a population of about four million. Certainly Paul was aware of its significance and influence in his vision for world evangelism.
The emperor at the time of writing was Nero. The epistle was written during the early part of his reign—during his ‘good behavior’ era. It would be about six years later that he would begin his extensive and brutal persecutions.
Two social practices influenced almost everything in the Empire: the military and slavery. About one-half of the population was slaves. The rest, whether rich or poor, lived in idleness, believing only that slaves should work. The religion of Rome’s population was polytheism—many gods from many nations were worshipped.
This book has been called Paul’s greatest work, or his ‘magnum opus.’ Luther called it ‘the Masterpiece of the New Testament.’
It is a great irony that the church to which this epistle is addressed should have so greatly departed from its teachings. The heresies and superstitions of Rome would be corrected if they faced up to what the Epistle to the Romans has to say.
Christ is seen in Romans as the Second Adam whose righteousness and substitutionary death provide justification for all who place their faith in Him. He offers His righteousness as a gracious gift to sinful men, as he bore God’s condemnation and wrath for our sin on the cross. His death and resurrection are the basis for the believer’s redemption, justification, reconciliation and glorification.
If you have never done so, please accept God’s gift of salvation offered through His Son.