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November 17, 2025

Essential Facts About the Letter to the Romans

by Jason Neill

Scripture reading: Romans 1-16

This week we will read the entire book of Romans. Here’s the facts about the letter:

Author: The Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus).

Amanuensis: Paul dictated the letter to Tertius (Romans 16:22).

Date Written: Circa A.D. 57 or 58.

Location Written: Likely Corinth, during Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during the three months he spent in Greece (Acts 20:2-3).

Recipients: The Christian church in Rome, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Purpose: Paul has several purposes in mind for writing. Benware writes, “Twice in the letter the apostle Paul gives reason for writing Romans (1:10-13; 15:22-25). He tells them that he really wants to come see them, but circumstances have kept him from coming time and again. Paul wrote to enlist the help of the church at Rome for his missionary efforts to the west, including Spain. He wrote to emphasize the universality of the gospel of Christ – it is for Jews and Gentiles. He wrote to give the church of Jesus Christ a clear and comprehensive presentation of the doctrine of salvation by faith. And he wrote for some personal reasons, including seeking prayer support for himself and hoping to have some spiritual fruit among them (1:11-13; 15:30-33)” (Survey of the New Testament, p. 192).

Key verse: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16, NASB).

Outline:

  1. Introduction 1:1-17
  2. The Need for Righteousness 1:18-3:20
  3. God Imparting Righteousness 3:21-5:21
  4. The Practical Outworking of God’s Righteousness 6-8
  5. The Righteousness of God Pertaining to Israel 9-11
  6. The Application of God’s Righteousness 12-16

Keep reading your Bible!