The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Columbia Encyclopedia World Factbook Columbia Gazetteer American Heritage Coll. It is a treatise addressed to the Christian church at Rome, apparently to introduce himself and his teaching before his expected visit. The same matter is the subject of the more polemical letter to the Galatians .
Romans opens with a solemn introduction, in which the doctrine is summarized.
Finally, Paul discusses God's apparent rejection of Israel. He argues that God has not broken the promise to His chosen people, rather He is working toward universal redemption. The remainder of the epistle is mainly exhortation, beginning with a general admonition to Christian virtue. The letter closes with remarks of Paul about his life, greetings to various individuals, and a doxology. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.