Perhaps no one book in the whole of the Scriptures may be considered to

have a greater claim upon all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, than the

epistle to the Romans.  Where all exhibit the hall-mark of inspiration,

comparisons are odious, but inasmuch as a building needs foundations as well

as top stones, so we may speak of the epistle to the Romans as essentially

fundamental in character.

In this epistle, Israel as well as Gentile, both in their sin and their

salvation, are placed in their true relation to the purpose of God.  Here sin

receives its fullest exposure, and here justification by faith its grandest

exposition.  Doctrinal, practical and dispensational truth receive equal

attention, and the whole argument is conducted upon a calmer level than was

possible when dealing with matters as personal as those which prompted the

epistles to the Galatians or to the Corinthians.

To those who are vitally concerned with the teaching of Ephesians,

Romans 5:12 to 8:39 is of supreme importance, for Ephesians 2:1 proceeds upon

the assumption that Romans 6 is practical truth.  Philippians, too, does not

teach, but assumes knowledge of justification by faith (Phil. 3:9).

The primary purpose of the epistle may well have been the

dispensational problem covered by chapters 9 to 11, for this touches upon the

sore point of Israel's rejection.  This would necessitate not only a

reference to Sinai and to the covenant made before with Abraham, but in

virtue of Paul's apostleship to the Gentiles, would demand a statement that

carried things as far back as Adam.  This is indeed what we find.  To the

apostle Paul we must look for information concerning the relation of Adam and

the race, and to this epistle in particular for its fullest exposition.

The epistle to the Romans, while it must be read through as one would

an ordinary letter, must be studied along the lines of its divisions, and the

first division of importance is that which we call, for clearness' sake, the

outer and the inner.  The outer occupies 1:1 to 5:11 and 9:1 to 16:24.  The

inner occupies 5:12 to 8:39 with 16:25-27 as a final note.  The dominant

figure (speaking of men) in 1:1 to 5:11 is Abraham, whereas the dominant

figure in 5:12 to 8:39 is Adam.  The background of Romans 1 is Babel; the

background of 5:12 is Eden.  `Sins' are the concern of the outer portion;

`sin' the concern of the inner.

The reader will observe that the concluding verses of Romans 16 are

considered as an integral part of, or an expansion of, the inner teaching of

Romans.  This we must study in its place, but we will here say that we do not

believe that the Mystery of Ephesians is in view in Romans 16.  Let us now

compare the opening and closing words of the epistle.

The gospel of God

My gospel

Concerning His Son Jesus Christ

The preaching of Jesus Christ