Romans 1:1-8

Study in Romans

This post is part of a study in Romans, whereby we identify keywords and phrases for each chapter with the goal of having a handle on the subject matter and flow of thought within Romans whereby we can preach the gospel to ourselves and others every day. See here for a introduction and description of our study in Romans.

Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Yesterday I wrote about the importance of Paul being an apostle to the doctrine of Divine Inspiration, or Verbal Plenary Inspiration of Scripture. (Note: Verbal meaning the words themselves, Plenary meaning all of them, Inspiration meaning God-breathed and God's words. Not just inspired men but inspired words. )

Continuing on then.......

Paul is Separated Unto the GOSPEL -- which we learn in the next verse is not an altogether new thing. NO PLAN B.
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures,)

The gospel is no plan B. But promised from Long Ago by God through his Prophets - which promises have already been written and preserved for us in the Holy Scriptures.

Gal 3:8 ... preached before the gospel to Abraham


So Jesus could begin with Moses and through all the prophets show all those things CONCERNING HIMSELF.
Luk 24:7

Luk 24:44-46 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. 45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the Scriptures, 46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

I especially like that phrase then that says "and thus it behooved Christ..." see it was necessary ... the scriptures all testify to it from Moses, the prophets and the Psalms... this MUST be that Jesus Christ our Lord would suffer and rise from the dead the third day.

Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Concerning: love this word. The greek word here being, peri, from which we get the word perimeter which makes good picture reminding me that the gospel that Paul was separated unto is all about Jesus. Reminding me that just like the perimeter of an object is all around the object, the gospel is ALL ABOUT Jesus.

Made of the seed of David according to the flesh: I don't think anyone speaks of themselves in this way. (any mere man.) "I was made of my father according to the flesh," for example. But this is proper to speak of the God who was manifest in the flesh. 1Ti 3:16. Jesus who was truly man, Jesus who was in the royal line of David according to the flesh was also.....

Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

DECLARED to be the SON OF GOD with POWER. Hallelujah. Jesus truly God, Jesus Truly man. We could study and joy and marvel for weeks at this amazing, mystery and precious truth. see John 1:1 and John 1:14

Then precious truth upon precious truth for it touches the Roman believers also, and us who are in Christ for .... ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Rom 1:5-6 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name; 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:

Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The greek word for saints though plural in this instance is the same word also used for "HOLY" as in "holy scriptures," "holy prophets", "Holy Spirit."

John Gill writes:
"...called to be saints; not born so, nor become so through their own power, but were so by calling grace, as a fruit of everlasting love; men are first beloved of the Lord, and then called to be his saints. "

Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

Two things from this verse:

First: Paul does not say, "Wow you guys are great, you should be commended and thanked for your great faith." But instead says "I thank my God through Jesus Christ." The Roman believers had some kind of faith that wherever you went people were there making note of the faith of believers in Rome. Perhaps something like: "Did you hear about the Romans? They believe in Christ and look at what they endure because of it? Look at their joy? Something has happened in them and is happening through them? " so GOD BE THANKED. Faith is a precious gift.

Found this in Keach's Catechism which was published in the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. click here for Keach's online

Q. 93. What is faith in Jesus Christ?

A. Faith in Jesus Christ is a saving grace, whereby we receive and rest upon Him alone for salvation, as He is offered to us in the Gospel.

(Heb. 10:39; John 1:12; Phil 3-9; Gal. 2:15,16)

Second: Another use of this passage, which was pointed out by a dear sister in Christ as the class worked through this verse together, is that this verse should encourage us to seek God that we as a body of believers at MBC would have such a faith that it would be spoken of throughout the whole world, or at least beginning with our whole neighborhood, then our whole city and even then the whole world. Not that we are anything but that the God we trust is everything.

Faith is gift, we ought to seek then our God whom we love, whom we trust for every good and perfect gift, that we might as brothers and sisters together walk in grace and in more grace yet.

REMINDER:
We plan to spend about two weeks per chapter. We covered the first half of Roman chap 1 last Sunday (actually Rom 1:1-16) and will, Lord willing, cover the 2nd half next time we meet. (Especially Rom 1:17-21)

Suggested Memory Verses for Romans Chapter One:
Rom 1:1
Rom 1:16
Rom 1:20 (if you are really ambitions you may want to memorize instead Rom 1:16-21)

Note - we will especially concentrate on verse 20 - so if you are hoping to limit yourself to memorizing only one verse, verse 20 will fit very well into our final goal of establishing keywords and phrases for each chapter.