A Letter To Strangers

I Introduction

A letter to unknown people. 

• The Epistle to the Romans is Paul’s Opus Magnus.

• Paul did not know these brethren in person.

II THE LETTER

• The longest of Paul's writings.  Without a doubt recognized as Pauline by the early church.

• This letter was delivered to the church by Phoebe a woman recognized as a deacon (a servant) in Cenchrea, a church which was close to Corinth.

• He calls Gaius “a host to me” (Ro.16:23).

• Paul mentions Erastus, “a city treasurer”, who sends greetings from where Paul was writing (16:23).

III THE WONDER OF ROMANS 

• It is just a letter.

• It was written to a church probably spread into many smaller congregations throughout the city of Rome.

• The letter was written to and for common people.

• This is the book, that caused Luther to rediscover the Gospel

• This event triggered (unintentionally for Luther) the schism that led to the Protestant  Reformation.

• Paul wanted to visit them and communicate the Gospel he preached.

• He wrote a summary of his Gospel!

IV Conclusion

• If this letter is the Gospel, it is scary to think about today’s gospel, which resembles very little about the content of this book.

• 2 Peter 3:17 commands us to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

• Learning Romans is one of the greatest means to do that.

• Romans is a magnificent example of Jesus words to the disciples…