Contextual Study (1:1-3:20)
It is necessary when handling a textual study that we deal with its entire context. The immediate context of our study begins with 1:18 and carries its thought to completion at 3:20 (cf. Grubbs; Reese; Shepherd, et al.).
Universality (1:1-17). In order to introduce the Roman Christians to his thesis, the prolific Paul first declared the universality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, “. . . to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (1:17).
Individuality (1:18-32). The design of this section (incidentally, the one we deal with in our study) was individuality; i.e., to dismiss the notion that non-Jews (termed in the New Testament “Gentiles”) were safe from the wrath of Jehovah by virtue of their supposed ignorance of His existence, and thus, His requirements.
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