The Letter to the Romans is, without doubt, the most important of Paul's correspondences with the churches, even if it is not the loftiest or the easiest to understand. Colin Kruze observes,
While it addresses issues of crucial importance for first-century believers, in particular those of the Christian congregations in Rome, in doing so it also addresses matters of great importance for believers of all times. Romans is essentially an exposition and defense of the gospel of God concerning his Son, Jesus Christ, a gospel in which the righteousness of God is revealed for the salvation of all who believe in his Son. This exposition and defense is carried out against the background of God's sovereign action as creator, judge, and redeemer of the world.
The Letter includes important statements about the person and work of God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In addition, it addresses such major theological themes as the righteousness of God, the law, and believers' freedom from it as a regulatory norm, the renewal of the creation, and the place of Israel in the purposes of God. It also deals with practical matters such as ministry in the Christian congregation, believers' relation to the state, and attitudes to be adopted by the 'weak' and the 'strong' in the Christian community, and it refers to Paul's many associates and ministerial colleagues, including many notable women.
Colin G. Kruse, Paul's Letter to the Romans (Pillar New Testament Commentary; Nottingham/Grand Rapids: Apollos/Eerdmans, 2012), xvi-xvii.
If Romans is the most important of Paul's letters, theologically, it is also the most comprehensive and his arguments often condensed and tight-knit. It is easy to get lost in Romans, and beginners often get overwhelmed. Bishop N.T. Wright likens Romans to a symphony in four movements: the first movement takes up Chaps 1-5, the second consisting of Chaps 5-8, the next from 9-11, and the final movement from Chap 12 to the end of the letter. (To listen to Wright's address, click ☰)
Now it is entirely possible—and it has often been done—to preach a passage from Romans without having understood the flow and thrust of Paul's arguments. It is probably not the best way to go about things. It is important that, as a preacher, you have have a fair grasp of the movement of Paul's argument as he works his way through his letter. We have prepared a reading of the letter with guidelines to help you do this.Click here.
Low Chai Hok
©Alberith, 2014