Preaching and Paul's Letter to the Romans

Ronald J. Allen argues that the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the Romans to address specifically the gentiles in the congregation in Rome. Allen suggests that this was because the gentiles exhibited arrogant behavior towards Jewish members of the community, thereby undermining a primary facet of the early church — to witness to the community of love and mutual support that God seeks for all. Allen shows readers how Paul points the gentiles to the faithfulness of God, who invites them to recognize and live according to the grace of God, shown to them through Jesus Christ. In this pastorally engaged work, Allen not only provides historical commentary on Romans but also helps preachers and scholars make connections between arrogance and its destructiveness in communities today, as well as inviting congregations to participate in the grace that makes possible a loving and mutually respectful community.