Introduction To Romans

Romans 1
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called [to be] saints....

I decided to read Romans a few weeks ago and, since then, spent some time reading the history of the time. Here are a few things that caught my attention.

Romans was written before two critical events of early Christianity: the Great Fire of Rome and Destruction of Temple. For comparison, Revelations was written after these two events.

Romans was probably written during the last years of the reign of Claudius. Though, it may have been written during the first few years of Nero's reign. There is no agreement on the historical facts.

There may have been very few Hebrew Christians in Rome when Romans was written. At some point Claudius may have removed the Jews from Rome because of unrest caused by the Christians in the Jewish community. Again, there is no agreement on the historical facts.

According to Suetonius, Claudius was extraordinarily fond of games. Rome of the first century kind of reminds me of America with it's foot ball, base ball, NASCAR culture.

For perspective - here is a time line for the book of Romans.

35 A.D. Paul's Conversion.
41 A.D. End Caligula's reign. Beginning of Claudius reign.
44 A.D. James the Great (Son of Zebedee) was beheaded in Judea.
50 A.D. Council of Jerusalem.
54 A.D. End Claudius' reign. Beginning of Nero's reign.
54 A.D. Philip the Apostle was crucified in Hierapolis.
56 A.D. The book of Romans written in Corinth.
57 A.D. Arrest of Paul in Jerusalem.
60 A.D. Matthew the Evangelist killed in Ethiopia or in Macedonia
60 A.D. Paul goes to Rome.
62 A.D. James the Just, crucified and stoned in Jerusalem.
64 A.D. Great Fire of Rome. Nero starts persecution of Christians.
65 A.D. Saint Jude was crucified, in Lebanon, buried in Rome.
67 A.D. Paul beheaded in Rome.
67 A.D. Saint Peter, crucified upside-down, in Rome.
68 A.D. End Nero's reign.
68 A.D. Saint Mark was dragged in the streets until his death in Alexandria.
70 A.D. The destruction of the second temple.
72 A.D. Thomas the Apostle was killed by a spear in Mylapore, Madras, India.
74 A.D. Simon the Zealot was crucified in Armenia (?).
80 A.D. Matthias was stoned and beheaded Jerusalem (or Georgia).
84 A.D. Luke the Evangelist was hanged, near Boeotia, Greece.
100 A.D. John the Evangelist (John of Patmos?) may not have been martyred.
Mid to late first century. Saint Andrew, St. Peter's brother, was crucified in Patras, Greece.
First Century. Saint Bartholomew flayed alive and crucified,in Albania.

More From Romans 1
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.