Paraphrase of the Book of Romans
by E.H. “Jack” Sequeira
Preface
No book in the whole of the Bible explains so clearly and so
masterfully the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as Paul’s epistle to the Romans.
Here, the great apostle expounds fully the whole counsel of God pertaining to our
salvation in Christ. Paul’s purpose in writing this somewhat lengthy letter to the
Christians in Rome was to reveal to them the full significance of the everlasting
gospel so that they may be fully established in their Christian faith. It is for
this reason Luther labeled this epistle as “the clearest gospel of all.”
Further, no book in the whole Bible has made such an impact
on the Christian Church in bringing spiritual revival and reformation as the epistle
to the Romans. It was through being enlightened as to the truth of justification by
faith, so clearly expounded in Romans, that Martin Luther was delivered from his bondage
to legalism and became the leader of the Protestant Reformation. The same doctrine,
expounded by Luther, led to the conversion of John Bunyan, the “Immortal Tinker
of Bedford.” Similarly, it was as he listened to a man reading from the preface
of Luther’s Commentary on Romans that John Wesley’s heart was “strangely
warmed” on the evening of May 24, 1738, resulting in the great English revival
of the 18th century. Many other experiences could be added to the above.
Not only is the need for revival and reformation in the
Christian Church today so desperate, but never in the history of God’s people has it
been more important for believers to be fully established in Christ than in our present
day, “the time of the end.” Had Paul been living in these last days of this
earth’s history he certainly would have had as great a concern for the believers as he
had for the Roman Christians who in his day faced great persecution. However, while the
substance of his gospel would have been the same, the style of his letter to 20th Century
Christians would have been different. The Christians of his day belonged to a very
different culture, background, and mentality than their modern counterparts. This is
one reason why so many today find Romans such a difficult book to understand.
The purpose of this somewhat free paraphrase of Paul’s epistle
to the Romans is to bridge that gap between the world of Paul’s day and ours, so that
the message of Romans may become meaningful to the modern Christian. This in turn, I
hope, will bring revival and reformation in the lives of all those who are hungering
and thirsting after the righteousness of Christ. Jesus made it clear that before the
end comes “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a
witness” (Matt. 24:14).
The fulfillment of this prophecy is referred to in the book
of Revelation as the three angels’ messages—the Everlasting Gospel, proclaimed in the
setting of God’s final judgment (Rev. 14:6-12). It is my firm conviction that this
epistle to the Romans, along with its sister epistle to the Galatians, will never be
separated from the proclamation of the threefold message of Revelation 14 in their
worldwide work and influence. How important, then, that we come to grips with the
message of Romans!
Every attempt has been made to be as accurate as possible to Paul’s thought
expressed in each text. However, I do not claim infallibility, and the best I can hope
for is that you let this stimulate you to a deeper, prayerful study of Romans. Keep
close to several good Bible translations or, if you know it, the Greek. My sincere
prayer in presenting Paul’s letter to the Romans in today’s terms is that “you
shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
Righteousness by Faith is Apart from Good Works, Righteousness by Faith
is Apart from Circumcision, Righteousness by Faith is Apart from Law Obedience,
Abraham’s Faith is Our Example
Christ’s Righteousness is Imparted by the Spirit, Christian Duty is to Walk
in the Spirit, Our Future Glory, God’s Spirit Constantly Helps Us, God’s
Agape Love is the Rock of Our Salvation
Paul’s Deep Concern for His Fellow Jews, Who Constitutes True Israel,
God’s Sovereign Will, God’s Sovereign Will and Man’s Free Choice, Judaism and the Gospel
A Faithful Minority of the Jews Saved, Unbelief of Jews Brought Salvation to
Gentiles, A Word of Warning to the Gentile Believers, God’s Future Plans for Literal
Israel
