Reason For Writing Romans

Romans 1:8-15

The Roman Christians were known throughout the world. Paul implies that at the time of this writing, he had not yet been to Rome. According to Galatians 2 there were at least fourteen years between Acts 9, when Paul was converted and Acts 15, when he returned to Jerusalem the first time.

Some time after his return from Jerusalem Paul began another journey, accompanied by Silas, during which he spent time in many places including more than a year and a half in Corinth, and two years and three months at Ephesus. On his return to Jerusalem, he spent three months in Greece, and at least another month traveling. He then spent at least two years as a prisoner in Ceasarea as a prisoner and several months traveling to Rome. We have no details as to the amount of time he spent in many other cities, other than saying he spent a good while at one. It is impossible to determine a date for Romans with any certainty.

Not knowing how much teaching they have had, Paul is praying for the Christians in Rome, that he may be able to come and see them.

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.” (Romans 1:8-10)

Because he had not been there, and had met many like the disciples at Ephesus in Acts 19, who had only part of the story, Paul has a desire to come and address areas where they might be deficient. Personal contact would help identify those deficiencies and correct them so they could be fully equipped. This would comfort Paul as well, but he has been unable to come thus far. It explains why Paul goes to such lengths to lay out the entire doctrine of salvation and Christian living for the Romans. He knew what had been taught in other churches, and thus could focus on their specific needs, but he didn’t know about Rome. This implies Peter did not start the church at Rome, as Paul would have known what Peter had taught.

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.” (Romans 1:11-13)

Paul’s goal is that he impart a gift of understanding that will result in their establishment, that they be rooted and grounded in the truth, understanding the love and power that provided salvation for us, and the impact on our lives. Ephesians 3:16-19 describes the goal. “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.”

It should be the goal of every leader to develop a sound faith (having a solid foundation of truth) in every mature Christian according to Titus 2:1-2. “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

This is the purpose of the book of Romans. It is the original "discipleship" program.