Paul names himself
Romans begins with a clear answer. Paul introduces himself as the sender, describing his calling as an apostle set apart for God's gospel (Romans 1:1). The same Paul had once persecuted the church, but the risen Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and redirected his whole life (Acts 9:3-6).
This is the apostle Paul also known as Saul of Tarsus. He travelled widely, started and strengthened churches, and wrote letters to help believers understand and live out the good news of Jesus. Romans is one of his fullest explanations of that good news.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Tertius wrote the words down
Near the end of the letter, Tertius sends his own greeting and says that he wrote the epistle (Romans 16:22). That does not mean Tertius was the author in the sense of composing its message. It shows that Paul used a secretary, sometimes called an amanuensis, a person who wrote a letter as another person dictated it.
This was a normal way to produce a long letter in the ancient world. Paul remained the recognised author because the letter came from him, carried his apostolic teaching, and opened in his name. Tertius faithfully served by recording it.
Why Paul wrote to Rome
Paul had not yet visited the Roman Christians when he wrote. He wanted to encourage them, share spiritual strength with them, and preach the gospel there too (Romans 1:11-15). The church in Rome included both Jewish and Gentile believers, so Paul carefully explains how all people need God's grace and how God makes people right with him through faith in Christ.
He also hoped Rome would support a later journey westward to Spain after he had visited them (Romans 15:23-24). So Romans is a personal letter with practical plans, but it is also a rich, carefully shaped account of the gospel Paul preached.
Reading Romans for yourself
Knowing Paul wrote Romans helps you hear it as a pastor's letter to real Christians facing real questions about sin, faith, grace, Israel, unity, and daily life. Paul does not present the gospel as a way to earn God's favour. He points to God's love shown while people were still sinners (Romans 5:8).
As you read, notice both the big ideas and the personal names at the end. Romans is not just a theological book. It is a letter from Paul, written with help from Tertius, to a community of believers whom Paul hoped to know and serve.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.