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Book introduction

The book of Romans

Romans is Paul’s fullest explanation of the gospel. Everyone has sinned, and God puts people right with himself as a gift through faith in Jesus. Paul then shows what that means for life in the Spirit, for Israel, and for life together.

Letters of Paul · 16 chapters

Read Romans 8Start at chapter 1

Who wrote Romans?

Paul. Scholars agree it is his, written with the help of a scribe named Tertius.

When was it written?

About AD 57, from Corinth.

See Romans on the Bible timeline

Main themes

All have sinned
Jews and Gentiles stand in the same need.
Made right by faith
God’s righteousness is a gift received by faith.
Life in the Spirit
No condemnation for those in Christ, and nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Living sacrifices
The gospel reshapes how believers treat one another.

Outline of Romans

  1. Chapters 1–3Everyone needs God’s righteousness
  2. Chapters 3–5Made right through faith
  3. Chapters 6–8Freedom from sin and life in the Spirit
  4. Chapters 9–11God’s plan for Israel
  5. Chapters 12–16Living the gospel together

Key verses

since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, yet they are justified as a free gift of his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23-24

But God makes his own love for us plain: Christ died for us when we were still sinners.

Romans 5:8

We know that, for those who love God, all things work together toward good—for those who are called in keeping with his purpose.

Romans 8:28

Do not take on the pattern of this age. Instead, keep being transformed as your mind is made new, so that you can discern by testing what the will of God is: the good, the pleasing, and the perfect.

Romans 12:2

Quoted from the Lumin Translation.

Where to start

Chapter 8 is the high point. Then read from chapter 1.

Read Romans 8

How well do you know Romans?

Ten questions on the book of Romans, from “Paul is not ashamed of what, because it is God’s power to save?” on. Each answer shows its verse.

Take the Romans quiz

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Questions about Romans?

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