Simple Studies in Romans #247548

It is fitting that Romans should be located at the beginning of the New Testament epistles, because of its fundamental character, setting forth as it does in logical order of sequence the things that are elementary in "the faith which was once delivered to the saints."<br><br>In these studies the purpose is to help the children of God to a clear understanding of the wonderful truths set forth in Romans, to the end that they may be established. In the final chapter of the book it is declared that God is able to establish His people, and it is pointed out that His means of thus establishing them is according to what Paul calls his own gospel, "and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery." Paul's gospel, including "the revelation of the mystery," finds its beginnings in Romans. The body of truth revealed to Paul had been "kept secret since the ages began, but now is made manifest," starting with Romans (Rom. 16:25, 26; Eph. 3:5-7). The Thessalonian epistles, and some others, were written before this book, but it is hard to resist the conclusion that the Holy Spirit has superintended the arrangement of the books of the New Testament, and that among the epistles, Romans is rightly first.