Having completed his research on the theological principles, as well as adding his practical suggestions, Paul summed up his design and his worthiness to write this epistle. He did so in order that the readers might not be a prey of criticism or doubts.
Paul confirmed to the Christians in Rome that they did not follow a theoretical, theological philosophy, but that the fruits of the gospel were realized in them. He called them his own brothers in spirit in the family of God, who had become children of God according to the truth and spirit. They had this privilege because they were filled with goodness, which was not of them, but was given to them by God. They did not only speak about the Lord and their relationship with him, but they also lived this commitment with love, humility, and respect so that those who were out of the church were astonished at their goodness.
The apostle Paul confirmed that such spiritual privileges and divine character come from the knowledge of God the Father through faith in his Son. He said, with some exaggeration, that they were filled with all knowledge. They knew that the holy God is the Father, that Jesus Christ is his beloved Son, and that they had experienced the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, they lived at another level like the other Jews and the Gentiles in general.
This granted them the responsibility to reform each other, not with pride and haughtiness, but with the humility of Christ and the guidance of the Spirit of the truth. Right love is realized when it communicates the truth gently and lovingly to those who are going astray. However, right speech requires practice, knowledge, and execution with propriety and respect. The apostle Paul wrote this epistle in spite of his spiritual maturity in the principles of Christian faith and lifestyle, and he called his comprehensive epistle as only a “part”.
In Part 1 of his epistle, he explained the righteousness of God, who remains righteous, even if he justified the sinners through the blood of Jesus Christ, and filled them with his Holy Spirit and eternal love.
In Part 2, he emphasized the continuance of the righteousness of God, in spite of the hardheartedness of his chosen people, in order that the whole world may participate in the fullness of his grace, promised to the fathers of faith.
In Part 3, the apostle explained the practical realization of the righteousness of God in the life of the followers of Christ who bear with each other without complaint, even if some of them lived in a way different from the others.
Paul wrote about the following principles in his short epistle: “The bases of faith”, “the doctrine of predestination”, and “the principles of Christian behavior”. He wrote to remind the church which was gifted by the Spirit of God with the universal fullness of God bestowed on the believers. He had the courage to emphasize these fundamental principles in Christianity because he had experienced in his life the forgiveness of God in spite of his persecution of the church. Furthermore, the Holy One called him to be a slave of Christ, and propagate the gospel among the unclean Gentiles unconditionally. This service was not performed with violence, sword, or blood shedding, nor with outstanding eloquence, but with prayer, faith, and thanksgiving before the throne of God. Paul became a spiritual priest who reconciled the non-Jewish multitudes to God.
His hard words were aimed at preparing those who were ignorant and lost to commit themselves to Christ by way of thankfulness in the obedience of faith that they might be grafted as members into the spiritual body of Christ. His service was performed through the power of the Holy Spirit, which led the apostle to complete his ministry according to the will of Christ. The pleasure of God accompanied him because he was obedient to the motives of his spirit.