Where it fits

Romans is the sixth book of the New Testament and the first of Paul's letters in your Bible, with 16 chapters. Paul wrote it to Christians in Rome, a church he had not yet visited, probably from Corinth around AD 57. It is the fullest explanation of the gospel in the New Testament. Read straight through, it takes about an hour.

Who, to whom, and why

Paul planned to visit Rome on his way to Spain (15:23–24) and wanted the church's support, so he lays out the gospel he preaches. The church was made up of Jewish and non-Jewish believers, and tension between the two groups is never far from the surface.

The argument has four movements. Chapters 1 to 5: everyone, Jew and non-Jew, has fallen short of God's standard, and God offers right standing with him as a gift through faith in Jesus. Chapters 6 to 8: that gift brings new life. Believers are freed from sin's power and led by the Spirit, and nothing can separate them from God's love. Chapters 9 to 11: Paul wrestles with what this means for Israel and affirms that God remains faithful to his promises. Chapters 12 to 16: the gospel works itself out in daily life, in humility, love, and patience with people who disagree, and the letter ends with greetings to many named friends.

Three ideas to hold on to

1. Everyone needs the same rescue, and God gives it as a gift. Paul says “all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God” (3:23). People are made right with God by trusting Jesus, not by earning it (3:21–28).
2. God changes people from the inside. Chapter 6 says believers are no longer slaves to sin, and chapter 8 says the Spirit lives in them, giving them new life and the confidence to call God Father (8:15).
3. God's love is secure, and his promises hold. Paul closes the first half of the letter by saying nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ (8:38–39), and chapters 9 to 11 show that God has not abandoned Israel.

Passages people ask about

• Romans 3:21–26. The center of the argument. God's righteousness is shown in Jesus, and people are put right through faith in him.
• Romans 7:14–25. Paul's inner struggle with doing what he doesn't want to do. Christians disagree about whether he describes life before coming to faith or an ongoing battle, so read it alongside chapter 8.
• Romans 8:28–39. The promise that God works for good, and the assurance that nothing can separate believers from his love.
• Romans 12:1–2. A turning point: because of God's mercy, offer your whole self to him and be changed by a renewed mind.
• Romans 13:1–7. Paul on governing authorities. It was written to Christians living under Rome, and thoughtful readers debate how far it applies to every situation.

How it points to Jesus

Paul says the gospel was promised beforehand in the Scriptures (1:2) and centers on Jesus, a descendant of David declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection (1:3–4). In chapter 5 he sets Jesus beside Adam: Adam's disobedience brought death, and Jesus' obedience brings life. That sends the reader back to Genesis. Paul also says Christ is the goal of the law for everyone who believes (10:4).

A common misunderstanding

Romans 8:28 is often quoted to mean that everything that happens is good. Paul's promise is narrower and stronger: for those who love God, God is working in all things toward their good, and verse 29 explains that good as becoming like Jesus. The verse doesn't call suffering good. It says God doesn't waste it.