Paul and his famous epistle to the RomansCategory: Religion
Article posted by: Eckhardt Haase
Around A.D. 58 the apostle Paul wrote his epistle to the Christian church of Rome.
Maybe this letter is the most famous in the entire New Testament. It includes a complete theology, a summary of the christian doctrine.
Like a skilled lawyer presenting his case, Paul established a solid framework for understanding the broad scope of the gospel in this letter. This is also the longest of all the epistles of Paul. It consists of 16 chapters. Alltogether thirteen letters in the New Testament come from Paul.
After a long introduction, Paul opened his discourse by discussing humanity’s relationship to God. He says that all human beings are violators of the holy law. But Paul also offers the solution of the problem: Jesus Christ and his sacrifice. So all who accept this free gift by faith will receive forgiveness and eternal life. There are no works that can be done for salvation. It’s only the free grace of god that provides a way for mankind to be saved.
Returning to his earlier train of thought, Paul discussed some practical applications of redemption through Jesus. He concluded his lofty discourse with heartfelt salutations to several believers in Rome. Paul’s Epistle to the roman church provides the Christian church with a systematic understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is interesting to know that the reformation by Martin Luther was initiated by a verse out of this epistle. Luther long thought about Romans 1:17 („It is throug faith that a righteous person has life“). He recogniced that it won’t be possible to be righteous to God by just being religious, as it was common to that time. So Luther started to change the things and the result was his great reformation.
Paul’s epistle to the Roman church shows the basics of faith, it shows everything a Christian should know. There is much gospel included in this letter. It’s mainly about Jesus Christ and the only way to be safed. That’s the purpose of this letter. If from an intellectual view or from a theological view the epistle to the Romans has always been seen as the masterpiece of Paul.
Posted By: Eckhardt Haase
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