The Hope of the Gospel:
The New Testament Letter to the Romans
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith."
~Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)
from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith."
~Romans 1:16-17 (ESV)
Starting this winter, we will begin a long trek through one of the most important books of the Bible. It’s perhaps a bit strange to say, “most important books of the Bible”, since all the books of the Bible are important. However, an argument can easily be made that no book has been so central to the life and renewal of the church as Paul’s letter to the Romans.
It is not surprising that Romans is positioned first among the New Testament letters instructing the churches, for it is the longest and most thorough of the Apostle Paul’s. Most commentators deem it his “magnum opus”, for it lays out, systematically, the logic and comprehensive nature of the gospel.
The early church father John Chrysostom (c.347-407), one of the most eloquent expositors in all church history, was so taken by the book that he had read to him twice a week, feasting on it freshly and continually. William Tyndale (c.1494-1536), the father of the English Bible, wrote of Romans that it “is the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament. It is the light and way into the whole Scripture. No man can read it too often or study too well.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) begins his commentary on Romans with these words: “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest gospel and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but occupy himself with it every day as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much.”
As you can see, we are in good company in pondering this book together. Likewise, since Romans is a systematic treatment of the faith, there’s no better time to invite your friends to church. At our cultural moment, many are hungering for the very truth Romans presents.
If you would like to follow along with the sermon series using our sermon series study guide, you can access it below.
It is not surprising that Romans is positioned first among the New Testament letters instructing the churches, for it is the longest and most thorough of the Apostle Paul’s. Most commentators deem it his “magnum opus”, for it lays out, systematically, the logic and comprehensive nature of the gospel.
The early church father John Chrysostom (c.347-407), one of the most eloquent expositors in all church history, was so taken by the book that he had read to him twice a week, feasting on it freshly and continually. William Tyndale (c.1494-1536), the father of the English Bible, wrote of Romans that it “is the principal and most excellent part of the New Testament. It is the light and way into the whole Scripture. No man can read it too often or study too well.”
Martin Luther (1483-1546) begins his commentary on Romans with these words: “This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest gospel and is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word by heart, but occupy himself with it every day as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much.”
As you can see, we are in good company in pondering this book together. Likewise, since Romans is a systematic treatment of the faith, there’s no better time to invite your friends to church. At our cultural moment, many are hungering for the very truth Romans presents.
If you would like to follow along with the sermon series using our sermon series study guide, you can access it below.
- Romans Study Guide (mobile friendly)
- Romans Study Guide (print friendly)