The Purpose of Romans

Abstract: This study determines the purpose of Paul’s Letter to the Romans, a purpose that does justice to the content and the flow of argument as well as to the syntactic structure of the letter text. The overall approach is to conduct a particularly close reading and detailed analysis of the introductory and concluding parts of Romans. Based on these analyses and a reconstruction of the historical and social context, a preliminary thesis of the letter purpose will be formulated. The thesis will then be tested and assessed to determine if it is reasonable against the flow of argument and the line of thought in the letter body at large.The detailed analyses of the introductory and concluding parts will be performed in two steps for each part. First, a close reading and detailed analyses to understand the textual arrangement and the content in each part. Second, a study of what observations can be perceived from the content and flow of argument that provide information about the purpose. The thesis is then tested and assessed against the content and flow of argument in the letter body at large, and what can be noted that are in line with the thesis, what arguments run against the thesis, and what additional observations have a direct impact on the thesis.The conclusion is that Paul writes the Letter to the Romans as an apostle of God and Jesus Christ to proclaim the good news among all the nations. The good news is for all people, both Jews and gentiles. The good news both includes doctrinal statements and requires an ethical response from the believers in Christ. The previous work in the East is coming to an end. Paul wishes to work with the addressees in Rome in his coming mission to the West, a work that first begins in Rome and the area around, and eventually leads all the way to Spain. Paul in a way begins his future apostolic work in Rome by sending the letter, which will continue when he comes in person to the capital of the Roman Empire.