Romans 1:1-7 (NKJV) Greeting
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.
V1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God…
All Christ-followers are children of God the Father. This is adoption. See Romans 8:15-17, Galatians 4:5, and 2 Corinthians 6:18.
All Christ-followers are servants of God the Son, Jesus. Jesus is Lord of the church. See Luke 1:38 (Mary’s statement), Galatians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 7:22-23, and Colossians 3:24.
To be an Apostle, one must:
- Have seen the risen Jesus Christ in the flesh and been physically with Him from the baptism of John to His ascension. Acts 1:21-22 (NKJV) “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, 22 beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”
- Miracles: 2 Corinthians 12:12 (NKJV) Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Paul’s call was to preach the Gospel and primarily to Gentiles. See Acts 9:15-16, 1 Corinthians 9:1, and 2 Timothy 1:11. Also see 2 Corinthians 12:11-12.
The Gospel is:
- Mosaic Law does not forgive sins; it covers sins and restores fellowship.
- All have sinned by breaking God’s laws (Exodus 20:1-17). See Romans 6:23.
- Sin is punished with eternal torment separated from God. Revelation 20:11-15.
- Jesus is sinless. Hebrews 9:15.
- Jesus is the Passover Lamb. 1 Corinthians 5:7.
- Jesus suffered and died for our sins ( 1 Peter 3:18, 1 Corinthians 15:3, and 1 Peter 2:24).
- Jesus is the substitute. Otherwise, I would be punished by going to hell for eternal torment ( 1 John 2:2).
- Jesus was buried ( 1 Corinthians 15:3).
- Jesus physically rose from the dead in a new body ( 1 Corinthians 15:4 and John 20:27).
- Jesus ascended into heaven and ministers to His people, His flock ( Acts 1:6-11).
- Jesus is coming back for us ( John 14:1-2).
- Jesus will resurrect us ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16).
- We serve Jesus ( Colossians 3:24).
- The only way to have forgiveness of sins is faith in Jesus Christ, without works or any additions. We must believe in Him—John 3:15-18, Galatians 3:24, and Romans 4:1-6.
V2 …which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures…
The prophets foretold the Gospel by inspiration. See Romans 4:7-8 and Genesis 15:6.
V3 …concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh…
Without Jesus there is no salvation. His story (the Gospels) is the Gospel. See Acts 4:12, John 8:24, and Galatians 2:16.
V4 …and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
His resurrection proved He was righteous (without sin) and has accomplished salvation for any who would believe in Him. It proves He is without sin because otherwise He would have died for His own sin. He accomplished salvation—Romans 10:4 and Hebrews 9:26-28.
V5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name…
All Christ-followers have received grace for service (Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Ephesians 4:11-12, and 1 Peter 4:10-11).
Obedience to faith is to believe the Gospel as it is commanded. See Mark 1:15 and Romans 16:26.
V6 …among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ…
The calling is the invitation to believe. This is the work of the Holy Spirit who convicts people of their sins. Without God doing this work in our lives, no one could be saved. He initiates; we believe. See John 16:8.
V7 …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.
This is primarily written to Gentile believers, but it also addresses some of the questions from the Jewish believers. Believers are beloved because we believed. We were invited, not forced or decreed. Saints are all believers in Jesus Christ. Saints carries the idea of separation. There is separation from our sin, God’s wrath, our enslavement/addiction to sin, and the fruits of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). There is separation to God’s love, God’s spirit (Romans 8:16), servants to righteousness, eternal life, and serving a risen Savior forever.
We learn:
- What qualifications are needed to be an Apostle?
- The importance of Jesus Christ?
Questions:
- Are we living a separated life? (This would be according to God’s worldview, lifestyle, and rules.)
- Are we willing to do God’s will?