Romans 1:1-7
Paul's Introduction to the Book of Romans
Video: Bible Project - Intro to Romans
Romans has the longest introduction of any of Paul's letters.
He hadn't been to Rome when he wrote the letter.
He wanted to summarize the gospel for the Roman brethren.
Verse by Verse Exposition
Verse 1: Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ (as were Moses, Joshua David, and OT prophets)
1 Called (invited, appointed) to be an Apostle (a delegated ambassador, of the same stature as Peter, James, John, etc.) Gal_2:6-9
The Gospel
1 Set apart (set off by boundary, separated) for the gospel of God
The word 'Gospel' (evangelion) doesn't simply mean good news. It has two meanings:
It is first the message about being reconciled to Yahweh through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, our Savior,
But the gospel also includes how God's Spirit completely transforms a believer's life after a person believes #1.
In his writings, Paul uses the word 'gospel' both ways:
The basic facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. 1Co_15:1-4
The interpretation and outworking of these facts. Rom_2:16, Gal_1:7, Gal_1:11, Gal_2:2
2 The gospel that God promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures. Luk_4:21 Luk_24:27 Luk_24:44 Joh_5:39 Act_26:22, Stephen's speech in Acts 7:1-60
3 The gospel concerning God's Son:
3 Descended from David 2Sa_7:12-16 Psa_89:36-37 Isa_9:6-7 Jer_23:5-6 Jer_33:15-17 Amo_9:11
4 Declared Son of God in power Psa_2:7 Heb_5:5-6 Rev_1:18
4 According to the spirit of holiness Heb_9:14
4 By his resurrection from the dead Act_13:32-33
4 Jesus Christ our Lord (missing from KJV)
5-6 Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called of Jesus Christ. 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
5 What is the 'obedience of faith?'
Food for thought...
Rom_15:18-19 the ministry of the gospel is to bring people to obedience, by word and deed
Rom_16:25-27 a Mystery kept secret for long ages, but now disclosed through prophetic writings revealed to all nations, according to God's command to bring about the obedience of faith
So, the phrase 'obedience of faith' bookends the Book of Romans. (from 1:5 to 16:26)
The 'Obedience of Faith' is the path to perfection
Act_6:7 Temple Priests became obedient to the (New Covenant) faith. We can assume they had been obedient to the Mosaic Law. So, what did they become obedient to? How is (New Covenant) ‘obedience to the faith’ different from obedience to the law of Moses?
2Co_10:3-6 Mosaic laws are carnal. The 'obedience of faith' is at a higher level than Mosaic laws.
Heb_5:9-10 Jesus is the source of salvation to all who obey (G5219, hupakouo) him.
His New Priesthood gives us the potential to attain perfection Heb_7:11-12 by the obedience of faith
2Th_1:8 Vengeance will come to those who don't know God, and on those who don't obey the gospel (the goats in Mt 25)
True faith is not just intellectual agreement, or saying a sinner's prayer.
True faith involves a life of obedience to God's will, abiding in communion with God's Spirit.
Faith and obedience are inseparable; genuine faith leads to a life that aligns with God's nature, reflecting trust in and allegiance to Him.
5 For the sake of his name among all the nations
Gen 12:1-3 God wants to bless people of every nation
Exo_9:13-16 From the 7th plague of the Exodus, God says his name will be proclaimed in all the earth
Psa_86:9 David wrote about it
Psa_106:47 God's people come 'out of' the nations, to give thanks to his holy name.
Ekklesia (translated as 'church') is a called-out assembly.
Mal_1:11 At the end of the Hebrew Bible, God intends that his name will be great among the nations
Rom_2:23-29 But Israel's disobedience caused the nations to blaspheme God's name.
6 all the nations...among whom are also ye, the called of Jesus Christ (YLT)
Christians are the called (kletos, invited, appointed) of Jesus Christ
In v1 Paul was kletos to be an Apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.
1Co_1:9 Believers are called to share fellowship (koinonia: partnership, participation, communion) with Jesus. Also Eph_2:20-22, Eph_3:6; Heb_3:14; 1Jn_1:3, 1Jn_1:5-7 (if we walk in the light)
Rom_8:28-30 Those who are predestined are called according to his purpose, to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Gal_1:6 Believers are called in the grace of Christ
1Th_2:12 to walk in a manner worthy of God
2Th_2:14 so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2Ti_1:9 he called us to a holy calling
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Called to be saints (hagios: sacred, pure, blameless)
Grace: (charis, favor, pleasure, delight)
Peace: (eirene, harmonious relationship)
Hebrew counterpart is shalom = wholeness
