It is the most extensive explanation of the gospel in the entire Bible.
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 1:1-4
Rome was the cultural and political center of the world.
"Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentilesto the obedience that comes from[a] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:5-7
Right away he is inclusive. We're all in this together.
The overarching theme of the book is the following verses:
16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of Godthat brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[b]
Romans 1:16-17
This is daily bread for us.
It explains the gospel.
The gospel is the manifestation of God's power.
Salvation has three tenses: past, present and future.
Salvation saves us from what we deserve.
Past:
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—" Ephesians 2:8. This is called Justification.
Present:
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing,but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18. This is called Sanctification.
Future:
"who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:5. This is called glorification.
Our conversion is just the beginning.
Getting started as a Christian might seem easy. But it isn't a sprint. It is a marathon.