Romans 1 — Called of God
Introduction: In August 2002 I completed a Bible study on Romans Chapter 12 because of the rich content, not planning to do all the chapters of Paul’s letter. Since 2004 I have done Bible studies on every chapter of sixteen New Testament letters, and have decided to return to Romans and begin with chapter 1. Chapter 12 of Romans was done in my own paraphrase by examining several translations, as well as referring to a Greek lexicon through Strong’s numbers. I have used that style for the study of this chapter, and to some extent it is an amplified paraphrase.
NOTE: Verses in the comments are from the 1769 King James Bible.
A — Paul Began by Speaking of the Call of God
Romans 1 “1 Paul, a bond slave of Jesus Christ, called by him and given the gift to be an apostle, that is, separated to spread the gospel of God. 2 This gospel was promised by God in earlier times by His prophets as they wrote the Holy Scriptures. 3 Those gospel prophecies concerned His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendent of David in his humanity, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by his resurrection from the dead. 5 By whom, that is Christ, we have received grace and apostleship, to offer obedience to the faith among all people of all nations for His name. 6 You are also among the called of Jesus Christ.”
Comments: Paul identified himself humbly as a bond slave, set apart as an apostle called specifically by Jesus Christ to spread the gospel. In two later letters he gave more detail about his qualifications. Galatians 1:1 “Paul, an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.” Galatians 1:11–12 “The gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul declared that certain inspired Old Testament prophecies represent the promise fulfilled by the appearing of the Son of God. Jesus was a descendent of David when born in the flesh, and was declared to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead. The authority of apostleship was given by Christ to those he had chosen to present the offer for people to become obedient to the faith among all nations for the name of Christ.
B — Paul Gave Greeting to the Saints in Rome
Romans 1 “7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints… greetings with Grace… 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 I unceasingly mention you always in my prayers; 10 as I make request, if by any means now finally I may have a fruitful journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be made firm and secure; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith we all share.”
Comments: Paul’s letter was addressed to all Christians in Rome who could benefit from the content — the beloved of God, called to be saints. He was thankful to God that the faith of the believers at Rome was well spoken of in many places. He swore by God as his witness that he continually prayed for the opportunity to visit them, longing to impart some spiritual gift to help them be more firmly established in their faith and to enjoy the comfort of their mutual faith together. 2 Peter 1:2–4 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord… Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises.” Ephesians 2:19–22 “Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.”
C — Paul Wanted the Believers at Rome to Grow Even More in Christ
Romans 1 “13 Now I want you to be aware brethren, that quite often it has been my intention to come to you though not able as yet, that I might have some spiritual fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I have an obligation both to the Greeks, and to other cultures; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I have no reservations about preaching the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
Comments: Paul was obligated to Christ as if paying a debt, to take the gospel to all people groups without regard to education or background. He had no hesitation about preaching the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God that gives salvation to everyone who believes, whether Jew or Gentile. The righteousness of God is revealed as it begins and ends with faith, just as it had been written even in the Old Testament. Habakkuk 2:4 “The just shall live by his faith.” Galatians 3:11 “No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, for, The just shall live by faith.” John 3:36 “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”
D — God Must Judge Those Who Do Not Accept Him by Faith
Romans 1 “18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who ignore the truth and remain immoral, unjust, wicked; 19 Because that which may be known of God has been made apparent and obvious; for God has shown it to them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen… even God’s eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because when they knew God, they did not glorify him as God, neither were they thankful; but became worthless and fruitless in their imaginations, and their foolish heart lost the light of truth. 22 claiming that they were wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the everlasting… God into an image that looked like mortal man, and birds, and four footed beasts, and reptiles.”
Comments: Paul described the depraved condition of all mankind from the beginning of time, that can only be changed by faith and trust in the Lord God. Man cannot have true wisdom without a faith and belief in God demonstrated by respectful obedience with awe and praise. Job 28:28 “The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:24–33 shows the continual rejection of God by man, and the unchangeable nature of God’s response to those who will not repent.
E — God Leaves in the Depth of Their Sin Those Who Reject Him
Romans 1 “26 Because they changed the truth into a lie, God gave them up unto vile, despicable affections: for even their women did change from natural sexual relations into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, forsaking natural sexual relations with a woman, burned in their lust toward other men; men with men in sexual relations which are improper and detestable, thereby receiving in themselves the deserved reward for those immoral perversions. 28 And even as they would not acknowledge God, God let them be guided by their morally unprincipled, debased mind, to do those things which are abnormal, vile, and despicable… 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but are pleased with those who do them.”
Comments: Paul wrote quite an extensive list of various characteristics of those who strongly deny or reject God in all matters of daily living. As items from the list grow within the heart, a person becomes more callous to the truth and seeks the company of those who also want to live without accountability to God. They become like a god in their own minds, which was the basic temptation of Satan to Adam and Eve. It is crucial to fully comprehend that no person is inherently good, and no person can become acceptable in God’s sight through their ancestry or their own efforts. The grace of God is required for both Jew and Gentile to have a relationship with Christ through faith.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for calling me by grace to be among the many saints separated over the centuries, to follow your holy purposes as long as we are still in this world. The opening of Paul’s letter prompted me to reflect on the way your design was recorded in history with many prophecies brought to fruition in the coming of Christ to walk with men in the flesh. Then he was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by his resurrection from the dead. Paul said the believers at Rome were known by their faith, and I pray that I may be an active part in my own church that our reputation may be a witness for Christ. The stark reality that Paul presented about the base and depraved nature of man through rejection or denial of the power and authority of God throughout all time has helped me to have a deeper appreciation for what Christ has done for me. Help me, Lord, to be used of you in whatever way you have designed for me: first to give all praise and glory to the true and living God, then to be consistent in prayer for myself and other believers to avoid those unholy things that can so easily be manifested in our lives. Finally help me to be willing to point others to the grace that can provide the only real escape for them from such a foolish and rebellious way of life. Amen.
Published 23 January 2016