In the light of God’s mercy shown to Jews and Gentiles, we should respond by living our lives wholly committed to God. our behaviour and thinking will change.

Following the general statements of the last episode, Paul gives detailed teaching about the practicalities of serving God. It should be done with humility, faith and love. He lists several gifts of the Holy spirit to build up the church.

Having encouraged the Roman Christians to be sensitive and kind to each other, Paul encourages them to have a long-term commitment to Jesus. He explains that the Old Testament is full of encouraging examples of faith. He traces the purpose of God to start with the Jewish nation and then to bring in the Gentiles to the faith.

Paul's goal is that a local church will have strong character development, increase of knowledge and skills to develop the church. There will be weak areas that should be addressed. Paul was called to plant many churches wherever he went. He wants to visit Rome and then move on to Spain with the help of the Roman church. His mission involves his teaching, his actions and miracles.

Paul uses the imagery of slavery to show what was the old life but compares it to the freedom of the new life. We are obligated to please God in response to God’s generous love towards us. We choose to follow God.

Paul believed that many Christians did not live their new life fully in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are obliged to please God. a radical change has been made in that now we are God’s children and can call him, Our Father. We are adopted into God’s family and are joint heirs with Jesus.

Sin has not only affected human beings, Paul explains that the whole of creation is also struggling because of sin. Although we are suffering now, we have a wondeful hope for the future. The Holy Spirit strengthens us now and helps us to pray.

Background detail of the city of Rome and historical influences on the church are given. Paul is shown to be a man of prayer. He wanted to go to Rome to impart spiritual gifts, share fellowship and encourage their evangelism.

Paul develops his understanding of the gospel. Everyone falls short of God’s standard. With Christ, there is a new era; he has the power to rescue humanity. Paul uses imagery from the law courts, the slave market and the Temple sacrifice to explain Christ’s death on the cross

Paul continues to develop his explanation of 'justification by faith alone. he recounts the story of Isaac and the simple trust Abraham showed through all the difficulties and circumstances he faced.