St. Raphael Parish

A Commentary on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans [1b]
Chapter 1:1-17-thanksgiving and explanation of the theme of the letter
(Continued from previous article…)

1:8-11: “thanking God through Jesus Christ…” Paul gives thanks for the heroic faith of the Christians in Rome, who live in hostile environment. He feels a personal affiliation toward Roman church because of common faith and good-news they share. What Christ accomplished for the world is the reason for faith and for all manner of praise and thanksgiving. Praise is addressed to One God through Christ the mediator. Christ’s humanity is the access point for all to come to know God. Paul says that faith of Christians in Rome is known to other Christian communities. Roman emperor Claudius [41-54 AD] expelled Jews from Rome during his reign. At that time Christians were known as a sect within the Jewish religion. Roman officials did not distinguish between Jews and Jewish Christians. Paul met many of those exiled Jews and Christians from Rome during his missionary journeys [Priscilla and Aquila were such missionary partners of Paul-Romans 16:3].

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