Chapters 1-8
The Apostle Paul’s purpose in writing this epistle was to make known to the saints in Rome the gospel that he preached among the Gentiles. At the time of its writing, he had not been to Rome, and therefore, did not know all of the believers there—though in chapter 16, he mentions some by name whom he did know. Since this was the case, Paul had reason to believe that the saints in Rome may not have been apprised of the full gospel that he preached—which he calls, “my gospel” (chaps. 2:16; 16:25). Therefore, in this epistle he takes them systematically through the details of the gospel that he announced. His burden was to ground these believers in the foundational truth of the gospel (chap. 1:11).
The Main Divisions
Paul told Timothy that the “workman” who desires to teach the truth, and be “approved unto God” in doing it, must “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). This shows that there are divisions in God’s Word that we are to take note of if we desire to have a proper understanding of Scripture. The epistle to the Romans has three such divisions, and also a number of sub-divisions. It is our purpose, therefore, to note these divisions and the reason for their existence, and in doing so, instruct those who are looking for a better understanding of the truth of the gospel. These main divisions are:
• Chapters 1-8—Doctrinal.
• Chapters 9-11—Dispensational.
• Chapters 12-15—Devotional.
Chapter 16 is a letter of commendation that has been added to the epistle as a supplement or an appendix, and was delivered to the saints at Rome at the same time as the epistle itself. In a sense, we could say that Romans consists of two epistles.
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The Development of Truth in Paul's Epistles
There is a distinct progression of truth in connection with our identification with Christ in Paul’s doctrinal epistles. They are:
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Galatians only goes as far as our identification with Christ "crucified" and "dead" (Gal. 2:19-20). Romans goes a step farther and sees the believer "buried" with Christ (Rom. 6:4). Colossians sees the believer on higher ground yet; we are not only dead and buried, but also "quickened" and "raised" with Him (Col. 2:13). The epistle to the Ephesians does not even present Christ as “crucified,” “dead,” or “buried.” It sees the believer on the highest ground with Christ on the other side of death altogether—as “quickened,” “raised,” and “seated” in Him in the heavenlies (Eph. 2:6).
Two Views of Man in the Flesh in Paul's Epistles
The fallen condition of man is viewed in two different ways in Paul's epistles:
• In Colossians and Ephesians man is seen as dead in his sins (Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 2:13).
• In Romans and Galatians man is seen as alive in his sins (Rom. 1:32; Gal. 1:4).
Moreover, in Romans, Christ Himself is seen as alive on earth, come of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared the Son of God (Rom. 1:3-4). Whereas in Colossians and Ephesians, Christ is looked at as dead, and the power of God having been applied to Him in raising Him from the dead and setting Him at God's right hand (Eph. 1:19-21).
The remedy for man’s twofold fallen condition is found in Christ in two ways—in His death and in His resurrection. In the Romans’ view of man, man is seen living on earth as a guilty sinner before God. He is so affected by the disorder of his sins, and under the dominion of his sin-nature, that he cannot stop his sinful course of living. God's way of delivering him from his condition is to put him to death. This is the line of truth that is developed in Romans. Christ's death is brought in (and our identification therewith) as the remedy for that condition. Christ died and shed His blood (Rom. 3:25; 4:25; 5:6-8) to put away the believer's sins, but also to put an end to the sinner judicially before God, and thus breaking his link with that condition in which he lives (Rom. 6:1-11; Gal. 2:20).
In the Ephesians’ view of man, he is seen as dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), and the remedy for him is found in the power of God that raised Christ from the dead (Eph. 1:19-21), working to quicken him together with Christ (Eph. 2:5). Thus, he is delivered from the state of death by which he has been held.
Two Positions of the Christian in Romans and Ephesians
Christians are viewed at the present in two different positions:
In Romans, the believer is viewed as being on earth, waiting for the Lord to come to take him home to heaven (Rom. 8:11, 25; 13:11).
In Ephesians, the believer is viewed as being seated together in heavenly places in Christ, and the Lord’s coming (the Rapture) is not mentioned (Eph. 2:5-6).