I the many of the different letters that Paul wrote he used secretaries, or scribes to relate his messages to the people of different lands as a substitute for personal visits. Romans is a unique letter because it is believed to be written in word for word verbatim of what Paul actually dictated. The book of Romans was written to the churches that Paul had authority over, and is not to be read as a biography but more as a theology.
In the first verse Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ. In this context the word ‘servant’ is equivalent to ‘slave’. According to the Hebrew tradition everyone has a master. When Paul says that he is the Slave of Jesus Christ he is calling Christ his master. This also acts as a representation that he is a good person because he has a good master. Because he is referring to Hebrew tradition, Paul is inferring that Christ is Jewish. Paul also makes this known by referring to Christ as the son of David. In the second half of the first chapter. Paul declares that humanity is fallen, and that all are condemned to go to hell. Paul makes it sound like due to the weakness of the natural man, any man if under certain circumstances and in certain places could sink to a fallen state. Paul makes a standing argument: we are only men and we are weak, none of us are invincible. We as mankind are still able to be influenced by the devil even in the small aspects of life. Therefore, if any man claims perfection, he is indeed lying because no one is sinless.
As Christians we don’t set the terms for our own sacrifices, our sacrifices are determined by what the Lord has asked of us. Christ too sacrificed himself in accordance to what Heavenly Father asked of him. In 5:7 of Romans, Paul says “scarcely for a righteous man will one die”. I would even add to Paul’s truth by saying that man will not give up their lives for anyone whether it was a righteous man or a sinner. After talking about how all of humanity is sinners and that it is rare that a man would die for another Paul made one of his most powerful points. One of my favorite things that Paul said is that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” We are all so imperfect, we are sinners, yet Christ was willing to give up his perfect life-- even if it would have only been for me. Paul describes the the process of the Atonement and all of its power, and then he councils the Romans to follow it. In Romans 8:35-39 he said “who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” “For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life... Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Christ did all of that for us, so that we might have the unconditional opportunity to be saved. To me this brings powerful zeal, I will not let anything, no not anything halter me in my understanding and use of the Atonement. Christ died so that I may be free from my sins. I will not let him die in vain for me. I will not bleed again what he already bled for me. For I will not let anything separate me from the love of my God, and my brother Jesus Christ, who by mercy allowed me to be free from the damning effects of sin.
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