Introduction to Romans

Rome, often called the eternal city, is a place that draws tourists from all over to the world. The city has a long history and is significant to the development of Christianity. One cannot help but become enchanted by the events that have taken place in this city. It is a city that keeps drawing us to it.

The apostle Paul was also fascinated by Rome and had often hoped to go there in order to see the believers there (Romans 15:20-24). He was prevented (ἐνεκοπτόμην) from going to Rome several times (πολλά) seemingly because there were other places where he needed to bring the gospel first. Paul had said that he did not want to build on someone else's foundation but wanted to preach where Christ had not yet been "named" (ὠνομάσθη). This means that the church at Rome had been established without Paul but was known by Paul.

So, when was the church at Rome established and by whom? No one is sure of the answer to these two questions. A couple of theories have been put forward as possible answers. First, it may be a good idea to locate the story of the church at Rome and thus the book of Romans inside a historical context. Dr. Harold Hoehner has researched biblical chronology and has given us a reconstructed time line from the crucifixion to the death of Paul. The following is a dateline summary to help us put the book of Romans into a historical context.

• The Crucifixion - Friday, April 3, 33 A.D.
• Stephan stoned to death - April 35 A.D.
• Paul's conversion - summer 35 A.D.
• Paul's 1st missionary journey - April 48 to September 49 A.D.
• (Galatians written in autumn of 49 A.D. = southern theory and written from Antioch)
• Paul's 2nd missionary journey - April 50 - September 52 A.D.
• Paul's 3rd missionary journey - Spring 53 - May 57 A.D.
• Arrives in Corinth - last part of November 56 A.D.
• Romans written - winter 56/57 A.D.
• Departs Corinth - last of February 57 A.D.
• Voyage to Rome as a prisoner - August 59 - February 60 A.D.
• Arrival in Rome - last of February 60 A.D.
• 1st Roman imprisonment - February 60 - March 62 A.D.
• Ephesians written - autumn 60 A.D.
• Colossians and Philemon - 61 A.D.
• Philippians - early spring 62 A.D.
• (Peter in Rome - 62 A.D.)
• 2nd arrest and imprisonment in Rome - autumn 67 A.D. (see also 2 Timothy 1:8; 2:9)
• Paul beheaded - spring 68 A.D.
• Jerusalem destroyed - 70 A.D.

So, with the above information, the church in Rome would have been established between 33 A.D. and 57 A.D. The book of Acts (2:10) states that on the day of Pentecost, there were Jews from Rome who heard Peter's sermon. It might be possible that some of those Jews and converts to Judaism heard the gospel and believed in Jesus as their Messiah. These would have been the founding members of the church in Rome.

According to Bruce (1994, p.16), there were Jews living in Rome from the time of Pompey. After conquering Judea, he brought some of them to Rome about 60 years before Christ. The Jewish community went through periods of being pushed out of the city and being allowed to come back. During the time of Emperor Claudius, who reigned from 41 - 54 A.D., the Jews were commanded to leave (Acts 18:2). With that expulsion there was a husband (Aquila) and his wife (Priscilla) who had recently come to Corinth. They were Jewish and made tents for a living. It is unclear if they were believers in Jesus while in Rome or became believers after meeting Paul in Corinth. What is clear is that when they returned to Rome and by the time Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, they had a church that met in their home. They had previously risked their lives for Paul.

Next, one may ask why Paul wrote to the church in Rome. Paul indicated in the letter that he had wanted to visit them (Romans 15:20-24) and would plan to see them on his way to Spain. He also wanted to impart a spiritual gift and enjoy mutual encouragement (Romans 1:11-15). The content of the letter seems to suggest that Paul wanted to fully explain the gospel to the believers in Rome.

In conclusion, Paul was in Corinth after his 3rd missionary journey. He wrote to the church in Rome in the winter of 56-57 A.D. to a mixed congregation composed of Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. His purpose in writing was to tell of his desire to come to them and give them a full account of the gospel message that he preached.