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The letter to the Romans is considered one of the more difficult letters to understand. In part it is because Paul tackles some difficult subjects. But greater is the fact that many of the things taught by Paul in this letter are not answers that people generally expect. “It cannot be denied, that one reason why the epistles of Paul have been regarded as so difficult has been an unwillingness to admit the truth of the plain doctrines which he teaches. The heart is by nature opposed to them, and comes to believe them with great reluctance. This feeling will account for no small part of the difficulties felt in regard to this epistle” [Albert Barnes, Barne’s Notes].

            Another cause for difficulty is that people make a great many assumptions about things that Paul did not say. They go beyond the words and insert their own assumption. Many difficulties could be avoided if people would just stick with what Paul actually did say.