Bible Study: Why some say Romans is the greatest letter ever written
Romans: an overview
As we start a study of Romans, we’ll begin with an overview of Paul’s letter to the church in Rome.
Here’s one tidbit I learned preparing this lesson: The average Greco-Roman letter 2,000 years ago was 90-200 words long, which easily fit on one piece of parchment.
Paul’s letters in the New Testament average 1,300 words — and Romans is 7,100 words long. Paul had a lot to say!
Main Idea of Romans
The gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes — both Jew and Gentile. Paul explains that righteousness comes by faith, not by works, and that through Jesus Christ, God offers justification, transformation, and eternal life to all who trust in Him.
Summary
Author: The Apostle Paul
Date Written: Around A.D. 56–57
Location: Likely written from Corinth (Greece) during Paul’s third missionary journey. It likely was delivered by Phoebe, who would have taken two or three weeks to travel the 600 miles over land and sea to get from Corinth to Rome. Here’s a map.
Audience: The church in Rome — a mixed group of Jewish and Gentile believers.
Purpose: To explain the gospel clearly, unify Jewish and Gentile believers, and prepare the way for Paul’s future mission to Spain. Paul felt the need to unify the Roman church so politically he could be supported in his desire to take the gospel to Spain. The Bible does not confirm that Paul ever made it to Spain.
Romans is Paul’s most thorough explanation of the gospel. Pastor John Piper sees it as a majestic unfolding of God's righteousness revealed in Christ for the salvation of all who believe.
“Righteousness” — meaning being right with God and living in a way that aligns with his character, standards and will.
The book addresses the universal problem of sin, the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement, and the power of grace to transform lives. Piper emphasizes Romans 1:16–17 as the theme: the gospel is the power of God for salvation.
Chapters 1–11 lay the doctrinal foundation; chapters 12–16 show the practical outworking. Piper sees Romans as a call to treasure Christ above all, live by faith, and be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Key Takeaways
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).
Justification comes by faith, not by works (Romans 5:1). “Justification” is a legal term that — through faith in Jesus Christ — a sinner is forgiven, acquitted and accepted as righteous — not because of personal merit, but because of Christ’s atoning work on the cross.
Believers are set free from sin and live by the Spirit (Romans 6–8).
God’s promises to Israel remain, even as Gentiles are included (Romans 9–11).
Confessing and believing in Christ brings salvation (Rom. 10:9-10), and salvation is available to anyone who calls on Jesus (Rom. 10:13).
Christian living is marked by love, humility and service (Romans 12:1–2, 9–21).
Quotes
J.I. Packer (Anglican pastor who died in 2020): “Romans sets forth the gospel with breathtaking clarity, and it has been the doorway to revival in every age.”
Charles Spurgeon (19th century Baptist pastor): “No man ever truly comes to Christ without first passing through the door of Romans.”
John Piper (Baptist pastor): “The book of Romans is the greatest letter ever written. It contains the gospel of the glory of Christ and shows how God saves sinners.”
R.C. Sproul (pastor who died in 2017) : “The central theme of the book of Romans is justification by faith alone. That doctrine is the article upon which the church stands or falls. … God uses this book to awaken dead souls and ignite true reformation.”
Questions
Which of the above key takeaways stand out to you and why?
Which of the above quotes stand out to you and why?
What do you already know—or think you know—about the book of Romans?
Why do you think Romans has had such a powerful influence throughout church history?
What do you hope to gain personally from this study?