Greeting my brothers and sisters in faith.
I've enjoyed my journey through Romans so far and am now working through segment 3. (The reason for Romans.)
In addition to the reasons outlined by Dr. Moo, which are all possible, I was thinking there is another explanation. By the time Paul wrote, the gospel accounts (at least Mark, and maybe Matthew if one goes with the earlier dates) had been written, and the life of Jesus was well documented. Luke likely wrote his gospel a few years after Paul wrote Romans. I don't think we should engage Romans as if Paul and other church figures like Luke and Peter did not talk. We certainly know that the paths of Paul and Luke (among others) often intertwined.
I could hear the conversation now: "Ya know Luke, we have a good account of Lord Jesus, but there are some other sources out there. How about you run those down and complete that account. Meanwhile, I've been thinking about what the life of Jesus and his death and resurrection mean to both Jew and Gentile. I been synthesizing that story a long time, and I have a burning desire to write it down." Luke replies, "Well Paul, you wanted to stop by Rome on the way to Spain. They are having a bit of a tiff between Jew and Gentile, maybe writing them would do some good and you can get all that down on paper, and I'll go work on investigating the life of our Savior and getting that written down as well."
Of course, that is fictitious and there is no way to directly see such a conversation. Indirectly, thought, there are hints sprinkled though out Romans. In Romans, Paul constantly refers to facts about Jesus that were written down in the gospels and builds on them. While the gospels document the life of our Lord and Savior, Romans explains the gospel as part of God's grand design to rescue both Jew and Gentile.
What is my point? I think Paul's purpose was to write down, in a clear methodical manner, a synthesis of God's plan for Jew and Gentile. In the end, Paul makes the point it is really just one plan. I don't think Roman was a last will and testament, as some have called it. Rather, Paul had such a clear synthesis of everything in his head, heart, and soul, that he had to get it written down. The need to visit and help the Romans was just God's perfect timing at work.
Any way, thanks for listening, and appreciate your thoughts.
God bless,
Tim
- Convincing
- i just started this study, but am also doing another study in which we discussed the purpose of Paul's writing Romans. I really like how you distilled my thoughts! Thank you! Mine was way too wordy.
- Hey Timothy, Appreciate your thoughts! The conversation you postulate as possibly occurring, may have taken place at the Council in Jerusalem (circa 49AD) referenced in Gal 2. Before either was penned.