Author
Paul is the undisputed author of this letter.
Date
This book was written around 57-58AD.
Setting
Paul was likely in Corinth, about to make a trip to Jerusalem. His aim was to evangelize into Spain and he needed the community at Rome to provide aid in this. He had accomplished his goal of preaching from Jerusalem to Illyricum (15:19). He planned to personally carry a collection from the Gentile churches to the community in Jerusalem before making his way to Rome.
Paul writes the letter to introduce himself to the Roman Christians. He needs to set the stage of who he is: an apostle, a preacher to the Gentiles, and a faithful follower of Christ.
Theology
Romans is not a compendium of Paul’s theology. The overarching theme is that justification and salvation depended not on deeds prescribed by Jewish law but rather by faith in Jesus Christ.