Christians in the first century lived in a world ruled by Rome. The vast size of the Roman Empire meant that it incorporated many different people groups who followed many different religions. Christians were thus often confronted with practices mandated by the local authorities where they lived that went against their faith in Jesus. But even more problematic, they were also often confronted with worldviews and systems of belief that went against their faith.

This was especially true of the believers who lived in the capital city of Rome. So it was that when Paul decided to visit the city, he first sent them a letter outlining the key principles and "doctrines" of the Christian faith. Paul explained what humans are really like (sinful), what God has done to provide an escape from the consequences of humanity's sin, and what a lifestyle that goes out of a Christian worldview looks like. Today, we need to know the same! We need to have a deep understanding of what we believe so we know how to respond when faced with other beliefs that go against Christ.

Each study in the NIV Application Commentary Resources series employs a three-step process to help you understand both the historical meaning of a biblical text and its relevance in modern times. The original meaning section reveals the questions and concerns the author was addressing. The past to present section then explains what significance the original audience would have found in the passage and what significance you can find in it today. Finally, the questions that accompany each section will help you specifically apply the author's words and teachings and find meaning in them for what you are facing in your life.

Lessons:

The Gospel of Righteousness by Faith (Romans 1-32; 3:21-26) Addicted to Sin (Romans 2:1-3:20) The Righteousness of God (Romans 3:21-4:25) Peace and Hope (Romans 5:1-21) Freedom from Sin (Romans 6:1-23) Freedom from the Law (Romans 7:1-25) Life in the Spirit (Romans 8:1-39) The Problem of Israel (Romans 9:1-10:21) Israel's Future (Romans 11:1-36) The Transformed Life (Romans 12:1-21) Love and Law (Romans 13:1-14) Life Together (Romans 14:1-16:27)