Paul wrote to the believers in Rome about humanity's sin and God's righteousness through faith. He urged them to offer themselves to God and live together in love (Romans 1:1-17; 3:9-5:11; 12:1-15:13). Paul was preparing to take a contribution from Macedonia and Achaia to Jerusalem. Phoebe's connection to Cenchrea and Paul's greetings from Gaius and others point to Corinth as the writing place during his stay in Greece (Romans 15:14-16:27; 1 Corinthians 1:14-16; Acts 20:1-3).
Written from Corinth during Paul's stay in Greece, after the collection from Macedonia and Achaia and before his journey to Jerusalem; Scripture gives no calendar year for the letter
Connections
Quotation
The command against coveting
Paul quotes the command, "Do not covet." He uses it to show how the law made him aware of sin.
Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Deuteronomy 5:21
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Exodus 20:17 and Deuteronomy 5:21 both forbid coveting. Romans 7:7 repeats the command. Paul says the law taught him what coveting was.
Quotation
Love your neighbor as yourself fulfills the law
Paul quotes four commands from the Ten Commandments. He says they are summed up in the command, "Love your neighbor as yourself."
Exodus 20:13–17
You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Deuteronomy 5:17–21
You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Exodus 20:13-17 and Deuteronomy 5:17-21 contain the commands against adultery, murder, theft, and coveting. Leviticus 19:18 commands love for one's neighbor. Romans 13:8-10 quotes these commands and says that love does no wrong to a neighbor.
Quotation
Eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear
Paul joins words from Moses and Isaiah about eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear, and a spirit of deep sleep.
Deuteronomy 29:4
Yet to this day the LORD has not given you a mind to understand, eyes to see, or ears to hear.
Isaiah 29:10
For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has shut your eyes, O prophets; He has covered your heads, O seers.
Deuteronomy 29:4 speaks of eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear to that very day. Isaiah 29:10 speaks of a spirit of deep sleep. Romans 11:8 introduces the combined wording with, "As it is written."
Quotation
The word is near you
Paul uses Moses' words about the command being near, in the mouth and in the heart, while speaking of the word of faith.
Deuteronomy 30:12–14
It is not in heaven, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will ascend into heaven to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ And it is not beyond the sea, that you should need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea to get it for us and proclaim it, that we may obey it?’ But the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may obey it.
Deuteronomy 30:12-14 says that the command is not in heaven or beyond the sea. It is near, in the mouth and heart. Romans 10:6-8 takes up this wording and says that the word is the word of faith being proclaimed.
Quotation
Vengeance belongs to God; feed your enemy
Paul joins Moses' words that vengeance belongs to God with Proverbs' instruction to feed an enemy.
Deuteronomy 32:35
Vengeance is Mine; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; for their day of disaster is near, and their doom is coming quickly.”
Proverbs 25:21–22
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.
Deuteronomy 32:35 says that vengeance and repayment belong to God. Proverbs 25:21-22 says to give food and water to an enemy in need. Romans 12:17-21 places these quotations together while instructing believers to overcome evil with good.
Quotation
I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation
Paul quotes Moses' warning that God would make Israel jealous by those who were not a people.
Deuteronomy 32:21
They have provoked My jealousy by that which is not God; they have enraged Me with their worthless idols. So I will make them jealous by those who are not a people; I will make them angry by a nation without understanding.
Deuteronomy 32:21 says that Israel provoked God with what was not God, so He would make them jealous by those who were not a people. Romans 10:19 names Moses and quotes the warning.
Quotation
Elijah's appeal and God's reply
Paul recalls Elijah's appeal against Israel and God's reply that seven thousand had not bowed to Baal.
1 Kings 19:10
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
1 Kings 19:14
“I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.”
1 Kings 19:18
Nevertheless, I have reserved seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
First Kings 19:10 and 19:14 record Elijah's words about the prophets being killed, the altars being torn down, and his life being sought. First Kings 19:18 records God's reply about seven thousand in Israel. Romans 11:2-4 quotes the appeal and the reply.
Quotation
God's words of mercy to Moses
Paul quotes God's words to Moses about mercy and compassion.
Exodus 33:19
“I will cause all My goodness to pass before you,” the LORD replied, “and I will proclaim My name—the LORD—in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”
Exodus 33:19 records God's answer when Moses asks to see His glory. Romans 9:15 quotes the words about mercy and compassion.
Quotation
God's purpose declared to Pharaoh
Paul quotes God's words about displaying His power and proclaiming His name through Pharaoh.
Exodus 9:16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power to you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
Exodus 9:16 states why God raised Pharaoh up. Romans 9:17 introduces the same words with, "For the Scripture says to Pharaoh."
Quotation
Abraham believes God's promise
Paul uses God's promise of numerous offspring and Abraham's faith being credited as righteousness to explain that righteousness is credited through faith rather than earned by works.
Genesis 15:5
And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.”
Genesis 15:6
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Romans 4:3 asks what Scripture says and quotes Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:18 quotes the promise in Genesis 15:5; and Romans 4:22-24 returns to the credited-righteousness wording and applies it to those who believe in the God who raised Jesus.
Quotation
Abraham made a father of many nations
Paul quotes God's naming of Abraham as a father of many nations while explaining that the promise rests on grace and is guaranteed to all who share Abraham's faith.
Genesis 17:5
No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.
Genesis 17:5 says that Abram will be called Abraham because God has made him a father of many nations; Romans 4:16-17 says that Abraham is the father of all who share his faith and introduces the same promise with "as it is written."
Quotation
The promise of Sarah's son quoted in Romans
Paul quotes God's promise that He would return at the appointed time and Sarah would have a son.
Genesis 18:10–14
Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing. So she laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” And the LORD asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Can I really bear a child when I am old?’ Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.”
Genesis 18:10-14 promises that Sarah will have a son. Romans 9:9 repeats the promise while speaking about God's word to Abraham.
Quotation
The promise through Isaac quoted in Romans
Paul quotes God's word to Abraham that his offspring would be reckoned through Isaac.
Genesis 21:12
But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.
Genesis 21:12 gives God's promise about Isaac. Romans 9:6-9 quotes it while explaining the children of the promise.
Quotation
The older will serve the younger
Paul quotes God's word to Rebekah that the older son would serve the younger.
Genesis 25:23
and He declared to her: “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”
Genesis 25:23 speaks of two nations in Rebekah's womb and says the older will serve the younger. Romans 9:10-12 says these words were spoken before the twins were born.
Quotation
The righteous will live by faith
As Paul introduces the gospel's revelation of God's righteousness, he quotes Habakkuk's words that the righteous will live by faith.
Habakkuk 2:4
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright— but the righteous will live by faith—
Habakkuk 2:4 contrasts the proud person with the righteous person who lives by faith; Romans 1:16-17 says that the gospel reveals God's righteousness and introduces the same words with "just as it is written."
Quotation
My people and sons of the living God
Paul joins two promises from Hosea while writing about people called from the Jews and the Gentiles.
Hosea 2:23
And I will sow her as My own in the land, and I will have compassion on ‘No Compassion.’ I will say to those called ‘Not My People,’ ‘You are My people,’ and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”
Hosea 1:10
Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted. And it will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’
Romans 9:25 names Hosea before quoting Hosea 2:23. The next verse quotes Hosea 1:10 about those once called "Not My People" being called sons of the living God.
Quotation
The Deliverer will come from Zion
Paul joins Isaiah's words about the Redeemer, God's covenant, and the removal of Jacob's sin.
Isaiah 27:9
Therefore Jacob’s guilt will be atoned for, and the full fruit of the removal of his sin will be this: When he makes all the altar stones like crushed bits of chalk, no Asherah poles or incense altars will remain standing.
Isaiah 59:20–21
“The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the LORD. “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” says the LORD. “My Spirit will not depart from you, and My words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth or from the mouths of your children and grandchildren, from now on and forevermore,” says the LORD.
Isaiah 59:20-21 speaks of the Redeemer coming to Zion and introduces God's covenant. Isaiah 27:9 speaks of the removal of Jacob's sin. Romans 11:26-27 introduces these words with, "As it is written," and presents them as one sequence.
Quotation
Isaiah's words about a remnant
Paul joins two quotations from Isaiah about a remnant and survivors from Israel.
Isaiah 10:22–23
Though your people, O Israel, be like the sand of the sea, only a remnant will return. Destruction has been decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will carry out the destruction decreed upon the whole land.
Isaiah 1:9
Unless the LORD of Hosts had left us a few survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have resembled Gomorrah.
Romans 9:27 names Isaiah and quotes Isaiah 10:22-23. Romans 9:29 then introduces Isaiah 1:9 with, "It is just as Isaiah foretold."
Quotation
The stone in Zion
Paul joins Isaiah's stone of stumbling with Isaiah's promise about the one who believes. He repeats that promise in the next chapter.
Isaiah 8:14
And He will be a sanctuary— but to both houses of Israel a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense, to the dwellers of Jerusalem a trap and a snare.
Isaiah 28:16
So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
Romans 9:33 combines the stone of stumbling and rock of offense from Isaiah 8:14 with the stone in Zion and the promise to the one who believes from Isaiah 28:16. Romans 10:11 returns to the promise about the one who believes.
Quotation
Who has been His counselor, or first given to Him?
Paul closes with questions found in Isaiah and Job. Isaiah asks who has informed God as His counselor, and God asks Job who has given to Him that He should repay.
Isaiah 40:13
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor?
Job 41:11
Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.
Isaiah 40:13 asks who has directed the Spirit of the LORD or informed Him as His counselor. Job 41:11 asks who has given to God that He should repay. Romans 11:34-35 places these questions together.
Quotation
Every knee will bow before God
Paul quotes Isaiah's declaration that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess to God.
Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.
Isaiah 45:23 says that every knee will bow before the LORD and every tongue will swear allegiance. Romans 14:10-12 quotes these words while saying that everyone will stand before God's judgment seat and give an account to Him.
Quotation
How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news
Paul quotes Isaiah's words about the beautiful feet of those who bring good news.
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7 describes the feet of those who bring good news, proclaim peace and salvation, and say that God reigns. Romans 10:14-15 asks how people can preach unless they are sent, then quotes Isaiah's words.
Quotation
God's name blasphemed among the Gentiles
When Paul rebukes those who boast in the law while breaking it, he quotes Isaiah's words about God's name being blasphemed.
Isaiah 52:5
And now what have I here? declares the LORD. For My people have been taken without cause; those who rule them taunt, declares the LORD, and My name is blasphemed continually all day long.
Isaiah 52:5 says that God's name is continually blasphemed while His people are oppressed; Romans 2:23-24 applies the words to those who dishonor God by breaking the law and introduces them with "as it is written."
Quotation
Who has believed our message?
Paul quotes Isaiah's question, "Who has believed our message?" after saying that not everyone accepted the good news.
Isaiah 53:1
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
Isaiah 53:1 asks who has believed the message and to whom the arm of the LORD has been revealed. Romans 10:16 names Isaiah and quotes the question before saying that faith comes by hearing.
Quotation
Found by those who did not seek Me
Paul names Isaiah and quotes two lines about people who did not seek God and people who resisted Him.
Isaiah 65:1–2
“I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call My name, I said, ‘Here I am! Here I am!’ All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,
Isaiah 65:1 says that God was found by those who did not seek Him. Verse 2 says that He held out His hands to an obstinate people. Romans 10:20-21 names Isaiah and quotes both lines in sequence.
Quotation
Everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved
Paul quotes Joel's promise that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Joel 2:32
And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has promised, among the remnant called by the LORD.
Joel 2:32 promises salvation to everyone who calls on the name of the LORD. Romans 10:12-13 says that the same Lord is Lord of all, then quotes Joel's words.
Quotation
The one who does these things will live by them
Paul quotes Moses' words that the person who does what the law requires will live by them.
Leviticus 18:5
Keep My statutes and My judgments, for the man who does these things will live by them. I am the LORD.
Leviticus 18:5 tells Israel to keep God's statutes and says that the one who does them will live by them. Romans 10:5 says that Moses writes this about righteousness by the law.
Quotation
Jacob loved and Esau hated
Paul quotes Malachi's words about God's love for Jacob and judgment on Esau.
Malachi 1:2–3
“I have loved you,” says the LORD. But you ask, “How have You loved us?” “Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated, and I have made his mountains a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.”
Malachi 1:2-3 contrasts Jacob and Esau and describes Edom's land as a wasteland. Romans 9:13 quotes the contrast during Paul's discussion of God's purpose.
Quotation
Their voice has gone out into all the earth
Paul quotes Psalm 19's words about a voice reaching all the earth when asking whether the message was heard.
Psalms 19:4
their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun.
Psalm 19:4 says that the voice of the heavens has gone out into all the earth and their words to the ends of the world. Romans 10:18 asks whether they heard, then quotes those words.
Quotation
Blessed are those whose sins are forgiven
Paul quotes David's blessing on the person whose sins are forgiven and whom the Lord does not count guilty.
Psalms 32:1–2
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2 blesses the person whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered, and whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him; Romans 4:6-8 names David and quotes the blessing while speaking of righteousness credited apart from works.
Quotation
Counted as sheep to be slaughtered
Paul quotes Psalm 44 while speaking about suffering. He says that hardship cannot separate believers from Christ's love.
Psalms 44:22
Yet for Your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.
Psalm 44:22 says God's people face death for His sake. It says they are counted as sheep to be slaughtered. Romans 8:35-37 quotes the verse and says believers overcome through Christ's love.
Quotation
David's confession quoted in Romans
David confessed his sin in Psalm 51 after Nathan confronted him. Paul later quoted part of that prayer in Romans 3:4.
Psalms 51:4
Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Psalm 51 says David wrote it after Nathan came to him. In verse 4, David says God is right when He speaks and blameless when He judges. Romans 3:4 quotes these words to show that God is always true.
Quotation
May their table become a snare
Paul names David and quotes his prayer that a table would become a snare and that eyes would be darkened.
Psalms 69:22–23
May their table become a snare; may it be a retribution and a trap. May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.
Psalm 69:22-23 asks that a table become a snare and that eyes be darkened. Romans 11:9-10 names David and quotes both lines.
Quotation
The Scriptures' witness that all are under sin
After charging Jews and Gentiles alike as under sin, Paul gathers words from the Psalms and Isaiah describing no one as righteous, truthful, peaceful, or fearing God.
Psalms 14:1–3
For the choirmaster. Of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good. The LORD looks down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if any understand, if any seek God. All have turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Psalms 5:9
For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.
Psalms 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah
Psalms 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.
Isaiah 59:7–8
Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace.
Psalms 36:1
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the LORD. An oracle is in my heart regarding the transgression of the wicked man: There is no fear of God before his eyes.
Romans 3:10-18 introduces the chain with "as it is written": verses 10-12 draw from Psalm 14:1-3; verse 13 joins Psalm 5:9 and Psalm 140:3; verse 14 uses Psalm 10:7; verses 15-17 use Isaiah 59:7-8; and verse 18 closes with Psalm 36:1.
