Romans 1:1-7

Background

Paul is towards the end of his 25+ year ministry. He wants to get a church to support him in what would be his last missionary journey—to Spain. He’s never been to Rome.

Timeline

AD 33: "Visitors from Rome (both Jews and Converts)” were converted at Pentecost. Acts 2:10

This Jewish/Gentile mix likely went back to become the church in Rome.

~AD 50: Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome. The church in Rome continued among Gentiles.

AD 54: Nero becomes emperor and allows Jews to return to Rome.

AD 56: Paul writes Romans.

AD 57: Paul arrested in Jerusalem. Acts 21:27

The Roman historian Suetonius mentions early Christians and may refer to Jesus Christ in his work Lives of the Twelve Caesars. One passage in the biography of the Emperor Claudius, refers to agitations in the Roman Jewish community and the expulsion of Jews from Rome by Claudius during his reign (AD 41 to AD 54), which may be the expulsion mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (18:2). In this context "Chrestus" is mentioned. Some scholars see this as a likely reference to Jesus, while others see it as referring to another person living in Rome, of whom we have no information.

In Claudius 25 Suetonius refers to the expulsion of Jews by Claudius and states (in Catharine Edwards' translation):

Since the Jews constantly made disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus, he expelled them from Rome.

Suetonius goes on to later describe how Nero persecuted Christians in AD 64.

Where do we see deep divisions in today’s society? Do you expect Paul’s thoughts to be relevant today?

Do you feel like the Old Testament isn’t relevant, or that we aren’t following it enough?

Do you ever feel guilty for not being good enough?

Have you ever felt like Christianity was far away from you?

Romans 1:1–4 CSB

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures—concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh and was appointed to be the powerful Son of God according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection of the dead.

Romans 1:5–7 CSB

Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the Gentiles, including you who are also called by Jesus Christ. To all who are in Rome, loved by God, called as saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.