What was the primary audience for Paul's Letter to the Romans?

• A. Jewish Christians in Rome
• B. Gentile Christians in Rome
• C. Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome
• D. Roman authorities

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that Paul writes to a mixed Christian community in Rome—both Jewish believers and Gentile believers. He wants to bring them together and show that salvation is available to everyone through faith, no matter their background. You can see this broad audience in how he opens the letter, addressing all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints. Throughout the letter, he treats Jews and Gentiles as part of one people of God, explains that all have sinned and all can be justified by faith, and uses examples that involve both groups to show how they fit into God’s plan. The olive tree image later helps explain how Gentiles are grafted into what God promised to Israel, while he also affirms God’s ongoing purpose for Israel itself. All of this points to a primary audience of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome, not just one group or a different audience altogether.