📖 Biblical Definition
Paul's longest letter, written from Corinth around AD 57 to a church he had not yet visited. Romans is the most theologically systematic letter in the New Testament. Chapters 1-3 establish universal sin; 3-5, justification by faith; 6-8, the new life in Christ and the Spirit; 9-11, God's sovereign election and the future of Israel; 12-15, the practical Christian life; 16, personal greetings. Romans was the engine of the Reformation: Luther, Wesley, and countless others were converted or recommissioned by its pages.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
ROMANS, n.
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A scriptural proper name; Paul's longest and most systematic letter.
📖 Key Scripture
Romans 1:16 — "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."
Romans 3:23 — "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 8:28 — "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 12:1 — "I beseech you therefore, brethren... that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity skips Romans 9-11; the chapters are essential to the gospel of grace.
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Romans 9-11 is one of the most under-preached sections of the New Testament. Some skip it because the doctrine of election is uncomfortable; some skip it because the future of national Israel is debated. The result is a truncated Romans that loses its theological balance. Romans 1-8 is glorious; Romans 9-11 explains how God's sovereign mercy actually accomplishes the salvation of the elect; Romans 12-16 applies it.
Read Romans whole. Read it slowly. Mark the connectives (therefore, but now, moreover, what shall we say then) — Paul's argument is logical and cumulative. Romans is the Reformation in book form; it has not lost its power; it can convert and recommission today.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek roots below.
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G4516 — Rhome — Rome
Usage
"Modern Christianity skips Romans 9-11; the chapters are essential to grace theology."
"Read Romans whole; mark the connectives; the argument is logical and cumulative."
"Romans is the Reformation in book form; it has not lost its power."