Romans 1:1-17

I. INTRODUCTION 1:1-17

This great epistle begins with a broad perspective. It looks at the promise of a Savior in the Old Testament, reviews Paul’s ministry to date, and surveys the religious history of the Gentile world.

"The main body of Romans is a treatise on Paul’s gospel, bracketed by an epistolary opening (Romans 1:1-17) and conclusion (Romans 15:14 to Romans 16:27). These opening and concluding statements have many similarities, not the least of which is the emphasis on the gospel. (Eight of the 11 occurrences in Romans of euangelion ["gospel"] and euangelizomia ["to evangelize"] are in these passages.) Paul’s special relationship to this gospel, a relationship that encompasses the Roman Christians, both opens and closes the strictly ’epistolary’ introductory material in the section (Romans 1:1-5; Romans 1:13-15)." [Note: Ibid., p. 39. See The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament, p. 439, for a chart comparing Paul’s introductions to his epistles.]