ter or conduct of those whom he
addresses. (2) A Doctrinal Section, in which he discusses some great
Christian teaching, which needs special emphasis as the case of the
church or individual addressed. (3) A Practical Section, in which he
sets forth the practical application of the principles discussed in
the doctrinal section to the life of those addressed. (4) A Personal
Section, in which are personal messages and salutations sent to and by
various friends. (5) A Conclusion, in which may be found a benediction
or autograph conclusion to authenticate the letter, maybe both, with
other closing words.

The Occasion of the Roman Epistle. (1) Paul longed to go to Rome (Acts
19:21) and now hoped soon to do so (Romans 15:24-33). He may,
therefore, have wished them to know of his doctrine before his
arrival, especially as they had perhaps heard some false reports of
it. (2) It was just after he wrote Galatians and Paul's mind was full
of the doctrine of justification, and he may have desired to write
further upon the subject, giving special emphasis to the Divine side
of the doctrine as he had given to the human side of it in Galatians.
(3) Then, too, he may have been misunderstood in Galatians and desired
to enlarge upon his teaching. In Galatians man is justified by
believing, in Romans God gives his own righteousness to the believer
for his justification. (4) Phoebe, a woman of influence and Christian
character, a friend of Paul, was about to go to Rome from the coasts
of Corinth, and Paul not only had a good opportunity to send the
letter, but could do her a service by way of introducing her (16:1-2).

The Church at Rome. It was doubtless in a very prosperous condition
the time of Paul's writing. It was perhaps organized by some Jews
heard and believed while at Jerusalem, probably on the day of
Pentecost. While its membership included both Jews and Gentiles (1:6-
13; 7:1), it was regarded by Paul as especially a Gentile church (1:3-
7; 13-15).

Some Errors of Doctrine and Practice Had Crept in Which Needed
Correction. (1) They seem to have misunderstood Paul's teachings and
to have charged that he taught that the greater the sin the greater
the glory of God (3:8). (2) They may have thought him to teach that we
should sin in order to get more grace (6:1) and, therefore, may have
made his teaching of justification by faith an excuse for immoral
conduct. (3) The Jews would not recognize the Gentile Christians as
equal wit