INTRODUCTION
Romans chapter 1: 1-17
The Salutation (1-7)
The Author:
Paul, the author of this letter, introduces himself as:
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A bondservant of Jesus Christ - "servant" here comes from the Greek "doula" which translates best as "slave", both literally and symbolically, voluntarily or involuntarily, always implying an absolute subjection.
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Called by God to be an apostle - "call" comes from the Greek "cles", nominated for a position in this case, that of apostle.
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Separated to the gospel of God - indicates that he was taken away from where he was for the special purpose of proclaiming the Gospel (good news) of God, the Holy Scriptures (Old Testament) had predicted, to the Gentiles (v. 5) .
Paul explains that this good news of God, already provided, refer to the Son of God (and so divine), Jesus Christ "our Lord": in verses 3 and 5 Paul uses the first person plural, but he certainly is referring to his own self. Christ was born physically a descendant of King David through his mother, Mary, therefore legally entitled to the throne of Israel. He was the Son of God before coming to the world (2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:6), He proved that He was during his life, but it was His rising from the dead which definitely identified Jesus as God the Son: this confirmed His own statements to that effect and His prophecy that after three days He would rise again. It was the seal of God given "with power" (1 Corinthians 15, 2 Corinthians 13:4). The resurrection of Christ is the miracle of miracles and of itself evidenced that He was who He claimed to be.
It was through Jesus Christ that Paul received the "grace" (favour not deserved) and the apostleship (the exercise of a personal delegation by Christ) for the obedience that comes from faith, among all the nations, that is the Gentiles. The Romans were amongst them, and they were also called by God to be of Jesus Christ just as the Jewish Paul was. The initiative therefore had been of God, not of Paul.
The addressees:
The letter was addressed to all the believers in Rome - there were several churches, gathered at different locations, and the letter would eventually be circulated among them. Copies would also be taken and sent to churches in other places, as was done with the other letters found in the Bible, because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit and were of general interest to all believers, just as they are today.
Paul uses two expressions, "beloved of God" and "called to be saints" apply to all who by faith have been redeemed by the precious blood of Christ. God loves them in a special way and calls them tospiritually stay away from the world, which is the meaning of "saint": to be separated for dedication to God.
Paul characteristically wished them:
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"grace" (Greek "caris"), a word which includes benefit, favour, gift and generosity which is the meaning here (it also includes thanks, as in the next verse); it does not concern salvation, which believers already had, but the grace by which God provides what is necessary for Christian life and for His service.
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and " peace ", a common greeting among the Jews ("Shalom") and indicates cessation of hostility, of conflict, of unrest, and a state of calm and quiet. In the context of the churches in Rome, it is a particularly suitable combination, as they consisted of "Greeks" (all the Gentiles) and Jews, who joined in the communion of Christ, forming a new "man" as Paul said in another epistle (Ephesians 2:14,15). It is not so much about peace with God, for they had been justified by faith, but the peace of God reigning in their hearts within the turbulent environment in which they lived.
By saying "from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ" Paul is inferring the divinity of Jesus Christ and His equality with the Father.
Paul's interest (8-15)
Note that Paul gives thanks to God through Jesus Christ (our Mediator) - just as as all our requests to God must be made in His name. Although Rome was the imperial capital and much of what happened there was reported throughout that part of the world, it is not appropriate to understand the expression "declared around the world" literally. It is a hyperbole, still widely used today, for example: "All the world knows ...". Paul had the good habit of, whenever possible, starting his letters with praise to those who received them.
Paul served God in the Gospel of His Son in his spirit: it was not by means of some tiresome ritual, or liturgical homilies routinely repeated. It was a voluntary, dedicated and tireless service, showered with warm and trusting prayers, and driven by him who loved the Lord Jesus above all things. His passion was to proclaim the good news about the Son of God.
Paul mentioned the Romans unceasingly in his prayers, requesting that by the will of God he might at last find a good occasion to go and see them (he little imagined at this point that the answer was going to be to go as a prisoner for judgement at the court of Caesar). The purpose of his visit would be to "impart to them some spiritual gift". It was not a gift of the Holy Spirit, as only He provides such gifts, according to His sovereign will. The spiritual gift that Paul is referring to would be limited to what he himself could give, in the areas of teaching and experience, to strengthen their Christian faith. It would also be beneficial to himself, for he would be encouraged by the faith found in them.
Paul had often planned to go to them so he "might might have some fruit among them", as he had among other Gentiles, but he had been hindered until the time of writing. He clarified in the following two verses that he was now referring to the preaching the Gospel and resulting conversions.
Because of the burden entrusted to him by the Lord, Paul was under obligation to all nations, whatever might be their culture or education, to proclaim the Gospel and so was ready to preach it also in Rome.
The theme (16-17)
Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, knowing it is the wisdom of God, though it was to the Jews a stumbling block (embarrassment or scandal) and to the Greeks foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:23). It is the power of God to redeem the sinner that believes and to cover him with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and wisdom in the way that salvation is given, first to the Jews and then to the Greeks (Gentiles).
The order given to the apostles to preach to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles was fulfilled faithfully during the period reported in the book of Acts. Although there is still an ongoing obligation before God to preach the Gospel to the Jews, no longer have we to obey this instruction personally. God promotes evangelism among Jews and Gentiles in an equal manner, and the message and the determined time are the same for everyone.
The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel. The word "justice" is used with different meanings in the New Testament, so we will consider three of them:
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It describes the characteristic of God which determines that everything He does is right, just, certain and is consistent with all His other attributes. When it is said that God is righteous, it is understood that there is no evil, dishonesty, or falsehood in Him.
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It concerns the state of perfection which God provides to those who believe in His Son (2 Corinthians 5:21). Those who are not in themselves righteous are treated just as if they were because God sees in them all the perfection of Christ. His righteousness is attributed to them.
In verse 17 the word "justice" brings together these three meanings, but the latter prevails. The righteousness of God is revealed in the Gospel. First it tells us that God's justice requires punishment for sin, which is death. Then declares that the love of God satisfies His justice by sending His Son to die as a substitute for sinners, fully paying the penalty. Finally, because His just demands having been met God can save, acting with righteousness, all who draw on the work of Christ.
The expression "from faith to faith" can mean: (1) From the faithfulness of God for our faith, (2) from a degree of faith to another, or (3) of faith from beginning to end. The latter is the most probable meaning. God's justice is not assigned on the basis of works or merit of those who seek it. It is revealed only on the principle of faith. This agrees perfectly with the divine decree in Habakkuk 2:4: "The just shall live by his faith", which can also be understood as "the justified will live by his faith. "
R David Jones
Next
1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;
7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers,
10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established—
12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise.
15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."
Romans chapter 1, verses 1 to 17