Why is Paul's letter to the Romans important in understanding the New Testament?

 

Paul wrote his epistle to the Christian community in Rome, seeking their approval for him to spend some time preaching in in their city, before proceeding to Spain. Paul spends the first chapter winning the trust of the Romans, assuring them that he would fit into their group, and closing by assuring them that he has no intention of stepping on toes and will not outstay his welcome, because he plans to proceed to Spain after a short stay in Rome. He then provides a detailed resume that lays out much of what we know about his theology. In no other single epistle is there such a wealth of information about what Paul taught.

The New Testament gospels follow the basic themes that can be deduced from Paul’s epistles but, even when they seem to differ from what he had written in Romans and elsewhere, these differences provide information about the possible early evolution of Christianity.