Just as our letters have standard elements in a normal location (return address and date, destination address, salutation, body, closing), so in the ancient world letters had a regular form. Ancient letters began with the author’s name and perhaps his identification, noted the addressee, and then announced a greeting. More educated letters in the Greek tradition added a thanksgiving section. Within the thanksgiving section, the writer might preview the purpose of the letter or several important themes. These elements are found in all Paul’s letters.

The letter to the Romans has a very rich beginning as it works up to the primary theme of the book in verse 16-17. Paul begins with magisterial phrases about the nature of Jesus and the gifts He distributes to humanity through the gospel. Even in the opening greeting, Paul packs theological power in every sentence.

Paul begins by identifying himself by name and rank. He is Paul, a servant. He goes on to describe his service to Christ Jesus as that of an “apostle.” This word in the original language simply means, “one who is sent with a message.” In a world without telephones or mail service, messengers routinely carried important information. An “apostle” was not unusual, but this word was adopted and given technical meaning as “a specially chosen disciple of Jesus.” It is in that sense that Paul usually uses the word (and always when describing himself), but it sometimes has the broader meaning, too (see Romans 16:7).

The message he is carrying is the gospel-the ancient promise heard from the prophets in the Scriptures but now delivered in Christ. In verses 3 and 4, Paul previews one of the most important themes in the book: the union of flesh and spirit in one person. In this case, he discusses Jesus. In the flesh, He descended from the family line of David; in the Spirit, He is proven to be the Son of God. It is through this Jesus that we received grace. The subject of grace is central to Paul’s discussion in Romans.

Along with grace, we received an “apostleship,” too. We are not specially chosen disciples of Jesus in the technical sense of the word, though. We are instead messengers in the general sense of the word, calling out the gospel message to anyone from any nation who will hear and obey. And faith demands obedience. Our lives change as a result of our faith. Our obedience doesn’t secure our salvation-it only demonstrates the faith we possess. And Paul will make it abundantly clear that God has always sought a people of faith. This describes the Roman Christians to whom Paul wrote, so he is pleased to “greet” them.

Paul coined a phrase when he substituted “grace” for “greeting” in the standard letter format. It is a clever play on words, with only a slight change of letters and very slight change in sound. From the New Testament on, religious writers typically began their letters with “grace” as the greeting, in imitation of Paul!

Paul mentions his thanksgiving for the Roman Christians on the basis of their faith, which was well known throughout the churches. In Paul’s fervent prayer, he prayed for God to open a way for him to come to Rome. He had a very specific desire for coming to Rome-he intended to impart spiritual gifts to the Christians there. This is in harmony with what we know about the transfer of miraculous abilities in the New Testament (see Acts 8:18-19; 2 Timothy 1:6). As an item of interest, this tends to show that no apostle had yet come to the church at Rome, since spiritual gifts would then have been manifested there already.

Paul had intended to visit Rome earlier, but was “prevented.” It is impossible to know precisely what prevented him, but the edict of Claudius in AD 49 banning all Jews from Rome would certainly have stopped him. Now that a new emperor occupied the throne, Paul expected to be free to come to Rome. Little did he know that his transportation to Rome would ultimately be by governmental expense!

He wanted to preach at Rome and be responsible for the salvation of souls. He felt a keen obligation to announce the gospel message to everyone, no matter what their background might be. It is interesting to note that the common condition of Jew and Gentile is first seen here.

This is unquestionably Paul’s theme statement for this book. Everything he writes later centers around the salvation that is ours through our faith in Christ. Paul begins with a figure of speech that actually means he glories in the gospel. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all-again specifically mentioning the two broad classes of humanity: Jew and Gentile.

In the gospel of Christ we encounter a righteousness that is from God, not one we earn ourselves. That righteousness “from faith to faith,” i.e., it is gained by faith in Jesus Christ and is indeed a faith for living. Paul nails down the everlasting nature of God’s requirement for faith by quoting Habakkuk 2:4. It is worthy of note that Habakkuk addresses an Old Testament problem: God seemed to reject His people in favor of Gentiles, who were actually more wicked than the Jews. This is precisely the situation in Romans, as he discusses God’s inclusion of the obedient Gentiles into His kingdom (in preference to unbelieving Jews), even though they have always been more wicked than the Jews. The message in this majestic statement is that salvation is by faith, not works.

Paul includes a “thanksgiving” in every one of his letters-except Galatians. What does this tell you about his letter to the Galatians?

In what sense are we “apostles”? What is required of such an apostle? How should we fulfill that duty? How do we know that we are not apostles in the same sense that Paul, Matthew, Peter and the others were?

What is the tension between the flesh and the spirit in us? Why is it important to know that Jesus fully realized both natures in Himself?

How do we know that the spiritual gifts in the early church were given by the apostles only, and not in any other way? How would you explain this to someone who sincerely believed he could pray himself into some spiritual gift?

What is the theme of Romans? How is righteousness by grace and not works? Can you explain what it means that the gospel is “from faith to faith”?