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REL 103 - New Testament Survey

Class Notes on the Epistle to the Romans

The following notes are provided as a supplement to the REL 103 course.
They are intended to supplement, not replace, the readings from the text book.
Comments or questions should be sent to: Dr. Rollinson.

Romans :
Paul probably wrote his Letter to the Romans in AD 56 - after the Emperor Nero allowed Jews and Christians to return to Rome (AD 54). They had been banned from Rome by the Emperor Claudius in AD 49 because of riots about "someone called Chrestus", (Claudius evidently mis-heard "Christus"). Paul was on his way to Jerusalem with the money which had been collected by the churches in Macedonia and Greece as a gift to the poor in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25-28), and wanted to visit the Christians in Rome after that. However, it was in Jerusalem that Paul was imprisoned, and eventually sent as a prisoner to Rome in AD 62.

Structure :

Romans 1:1-15 : Greetings and thanksgiving
Romans 1:16-17 : Paul's summary of the Gospel
Romans 1:18 - 3:20 : Everyone, both Jews and Gentiles, commits sin and is guilty before God
Romans 3:21 - 4:25 : God provides a way for the guilty to be acquitted. When people believe and trust Him as Abraham did, they are treated as if they were righteous.
Romans 5:-21 : Jesus already paid the price for the guilty, and brings them Life instead of death.
Romans 6:1 - 8:39 : The old Law is replaced by the Spiritual Law
Romans 9:1 - 11:36 : Jews and Gentiles
Romans 12:1 - 15:13 : The Christian life
Romans 15:14 - 16:27 : Paul's wish to visit Rome; concluding greetings and warnings

Dr. Rollinson

Department of Religion
ENMU
Portales, NM 88130

Last Updated: January 21, 2007

REL 103

Notes 7

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