Paul's Letter

Introduction

When studying the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, many scholars regard the book of Romans as the most important of the apostle Paul’s letters. (Knight & Ray, 2005) This is perhaps because it contains the most in-depth exploration of Christian theology, namely justification through faith in Jesus Christ. (Hinson & Towns, 2013)The letter, especially chapters one through eight, contains a summary of what embodies a Christian worldview. Since Paul wrote to both the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome, he provided for them, as well as readers today, a biblical perspective that answers questions about the natural world, human identity, human relationships, and culture. The Natural World While Paul does not specifically address mankind’s

Because of sin, humans are separated from God. In chapter three, Paul professes that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (v 23) Mankind’s relationship with God had been broken since sin entered the world through Adam, (v 5:18) rendering any relationship between God and humanity impossible. (Rose Publishing, 2012) Paul continues in chapter three to explain how people can restore a right relationship with God: “They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (v 24) Through this justification, believers are given a new life through the death and resurrection of Jesus, (Porter, 2004) and are no longer slaves to sin but should desire to be slaves of righteousness. (vv 6:15-23) Paul also explains that sin affects people’s relationships with each other, mentioning that the unrighteous were prone to gossip, slander, quarrels, and even murder because of their sinful nature. (vv 1:28-32) Since Christians are free from sin’s control, however, Paul admonishes believers to offer themselves as “weapons for righteousness” (v

His paints a portrait of people who act unfavorably toward one another, practicing murder, deceit, gossip, slander, and wickedness. In addition, the culture of sin included homosexual acts, which Paul refers to as “degrading passions.” (v 1:26) It was obvious to Paul that such things were commonplace, and even encouraged by society. (v 32) Paul found fault with the Jews as well, pointing out that stealing, adultery, and plundering were widespread among people who claimed to live by God’s law. (v 2:17-24) In chapter eight Paul provides hope to believers to escape this culture of wickedness: “but those who live according to the Spirit [think] about the things of the Spirit.” (v 4) In a different epistle to the Galatians, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit, including kindness, patience, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22) Paul also encourages believers to unite the previously separate cultures of Jews and Gentiles, proclaiming God’s gift of righteousness to all people. (Porter,