Why was the letter to the Romans written?

Answer 1

Romans was written by the apostle Paul in approximately 56 A.D. It is the sixth book of the New Testament. Romans is an epistle (a letter), written to the church in Rome, whom Paul had never met before.

Romans was probably written on Paul's third missionary journey, likely while he was in Corinth.

Some of the purposes of this letter include Paul's introducing himself to the Romans and explaining himself and his ministry to them, and letting them know that he would like to stop in Rome on his way to Spain.

Romans contains a very good doctrinal summary of many important Christian beliefs, including sin, election, redemption, and the unchangeable love of God for his children:

Some important verses in Romans include the following:

[23] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, [24] and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [25] whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. [26] It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

(Romans 3:23-26 ESV)

[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. [10] For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. [11] More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

(Romans 5:8-11 ESV)

[28] And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. [29] For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. [30] And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

[31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? [33] Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. [34] Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died-more than that, who was raised-who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written,

"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;

we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

[37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Romans 8:28-39 ESV)

Answer 2

The letter to the Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to address theological concerns and provide guidance to the early Christian community in Rome. Paul wanted to clarify key aspects of Christian doctrine, particularly relating to salvation, faith, and the inclusion of Gentiles, and to strengthen the believers in their faith.

Answer 3

Paul was planning to go to Rome and visit the Christians there. Rome was on the edge of missionary expansion and had not had the benefit of direct apostolic teaching so Paul wrote at length about the Christian faith.