Paul introduces the greatest letter in the history of the world 

1.  . . . with a greeting (1–7)

• The letter’s opening introduces Paul as the author and the Christians in Rome as the addressees. Several themes bookend the letter: the gospel, the Son, the Old Testament, Paul, the obedience of faith, and the Gentiles (see 16:25–27)

2.  . . . a thanksgiving (8–15)

• Paul thanks God for them all

• He prays for them

• He longs to see them and he tells them why

• He has often planned to visit them

3.  . . . and a thesis statement (16–17)

• Paul concludes the introduction with a two-sentence transition that serves as Paul’s thesis statement in Romans: the gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” which people can experience only through faith. 

This sermon is indebted to The Letter to the Romans; Encountering the Book of Romans, by Douglas J. Moo; Romans, by Andrew David Naselli; The Message of Romans, by John Stott;  Paul’s Use of Righteousness Language Against its Hellenistic Background, by Mark A. Seifrid,