When Was the Book of Romans Written?
The book of Romans was written from the city of Corinth during Paul’s three-month stay there on his Third Missionary Journey (Acts 20:1–3). Many Bible scholars date this visit in the winter of 57–58 AD.
That the epistle was written from the city of Corinth is shown by Paul’s references to Gaius (Romans 16:23; 1 Corinthians 1:14) and Erastus (Romans 16:23; Timothy 4:20) and by his praise of Phoebe, whom he mentioned as giving unique ministry to the church at Cenchreae, the eastern seaport of Corinth (Romans 16:1).
At the time of recording the book of Romans, Paul was about to return to Palestine, carrying from the churches in Macedonia and Achaia a donation for the poor among the Christians in Jerusalem (Romans 15:25, 26; Acts 19:21; 20:3; 24:17; 1 Corinthians 16:1–5; 2 Corinthians 8:1–4; 2 Corinthians 9:1, 2).
Paul planned, after concluding this mission, to visit Rome, and from there journey on to Spain (Acts 19:21; Romans 15:24, 28). As yet he had never been able to visit the Christian church in the capital city of the Roman Empire, though he had often wished to do so (Romans 1:13; 15:22).
But now he knew that he had finished his missionary labors in Asia and Greece (Romans 15:19, 23), and was looking forward to traveling westward to build up the work in Italy and to preach the good news of the gospel in Spain.
In order to do this latter plan, Paul wanted to have the blessing and collaboration of the Christians in Rome. Therefore, in hope of his visit, he wrote them this epistle, preaching to them in firm, clear terms the great news of the gospel (Romans 1:15; 2:16).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
