These opening words are a title to the most important and influential document in the New Testament after the four gospels. It would be hard to overestimate its importance. St. Paul's Letter to the Romans reflects his most mature theological understanding of the meaning of Jesus' identity and mission as well as his own. These first words are not even a real sentence, but they warn us of dense reading ahead!
St. Paul had never visited the Christian community in Rome before writing his letter. The community was composed of both Jewish and Gentile converts. Unlike the letters to the Corinthian and other communities, the Letter to the Romans is not concerned, principally, with problems but rather with a proclamation of the truth about salvation in Christ Jesus. The role of the Jewish people, of whom Paul still considered himself a member, receives special attention. The Mosaic Law has been fulfilled by a new law and a new Israel - the Church. The significant event by which this happened was the death and resurrection of Christ. Christians participate in this event through baptism. All persons, Jew and Gentile alike, are invited to faith through the power of the Holy Spirit in baptism.
In the days ahead, excerpts from the Letter to the Romans will form the first scripture of the day. But I urge my Beloved Congregation to read the whole letter first and get a "big picture" that the fragmented lectionary presentation can prevent. The depths of the mystery of God's plan of salvation will be opened to you. AMEN