Romans 1

Commentary on Romans Chapter 1

Overview

Romans 1 is the opening of the Apostle Paul's letter to the church in Rome, where he begins by introducing himself and presenting the core message of the Gospel. This epistle is known for its theological depth and systematic content among Paul's letters, playing a crucial role in understanding the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Various theological traditions have interpreted the entire book of Romans, focusing on Paul's apostolic authority, the importance of the Gospel, and God's plan of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.

Structure of the Text

1:1-7: Apostle Paul's self-introduction and greeting to the Roman church.

1:8-15: Paul's longing to visit the Roman church and his mission to preach the Gospel.

1:16-17: The core message of the Gospel: God's righteousness revealed through faith.

1:18-32: God's wrath and judgment against sin (the sin of the Gentiles).

Key Themes

The Power of the Gospel: The core of God's plan of salvation, it is the power of God that brings salvation to those who believe.

God's Righteousness: The righteous standard of God, given not by human works but through faith.

Sin and Judgment: All humanity is under sin and cannot escape God's righteous judgment.

Section-by-Section Commentary

1:1-7: Apostle Paul's Self-Introduction and Greeting to the Roman Church

1:1: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God"

The Reformed tradition emphasizes Paul's introduction of himself as a 'servant (δοῦλος, doulos) of Christ Jesus.' This signifies not merely an employee but an absolute dedication as one who belongs to Christ. Furthermore, the expression 'called to be an apostle (κλητὸς ἀπόστολος, kletos apostolos)' highlights that his apostleship was not of human origin but a direct commission from God.

The Anglican tradition explains that the word 'bondservant' signifies one who has been bought by Christ or one who has voluntarily surrendered himself. Paul used this title before mentioning his special apostolic office.

The Methodist tradition emphasizes that Paul's apostleship was not human but a direct commission from God, and the expression 'called apostle' indicates that his office is by God's grace.

The Protestant tradition interprets Paul's statement, 'set apart for the gospel of God,' to mean that he was specially separated and appointed to preach the Gospel.

1:2-3: "which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh"

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that this Gospel was prophesied in the Old Testament Scriptures and that Jesus Christ, coming from the lineage of David, fulfilled these Old Testament promises.

The German Protestant tradition explains that the Gospel was promised beforehand through the prophecies of the Old Testament, and the fact that Jesus Christ was born of the lineage of David demonstrates his humanity.

1:4-5: "who through the Spirit of holiness was declared to be the Son of God with power by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the nations to the obedience of faith for his name's sake"

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that Jesus Christ was confirmed as the Son of God through his resurrection and clarifies that Paul's apostleship was for preaching faith to the Gentiles.

The German Protestant tradition explains that Jesus Christ was proclaimed the Son of God through his resurrection, and Paul's apostleship is a gracious calling to preach faith to the Gentiles.

1:6-7: "among whom are you also, called to belong to Jesus Christ, To all those of Rome who are beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that the Roman believers were called to belong to Jesus Christ and offers greetings of grace and peace from God and Christ.

The Protestant tradition mentions that the Roman believers are beloved by God and called to be saints, and blesses them with grace and peace from God.

1:8-15: Paul's Longing to Visit the Roman Church and His Mission to Preach the Gospel

1:8-10: "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you."

The Reformed tradition expresses gratitude for the faith of the Roman believers being known throughout the world and states his desire for an opportunity to visit Rome to be opened by God's will.

The Evangelical tradition notes Paul's commendation of the faith of the Roman believers and indicates that he remembers them always in his prayers.

1:11-12: "For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine."

The Reformed tradition states that Paul desires to impart spiritual gifts to the Roman believers to strengthen them and to encourage mutual faith.

The Protestant tradition expresses Paul's desire to be with the Roman believers, share spiritual gifts, and encourage each other to stand firm in faith.

1:13-15: "I want you to know, brothers, that I have often been hindered from coming to you until now—so that I might bear fruit even among you, just as I have among the rest of the Gentiles. I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome."

The Reformed tradition expresses Paul's regret over the delay in visiting Rome and his hope to bear fruit for the Gospel among other Gentiles, just as he has among the Roman believers.

The Evangelical tradition expresses Paul's strong desire to preach the Gospel to the Roman believers and his expectation that the Gospel will be further expanded through them.

1:16-17: The Core Message of the Gospel: God's Righteousness Revealed Through Faith

1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and that it applies equally to both Jews and Gentiles.

The Methodist tradition emphasizes that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes and clarifies that this Gospel applies equally to Gentiles as well as Jews.

The Lutheran tradition emphasizes that the Gospel is the power of God that brings salvation, and this is the righteousness of God given to those who believe.

1:17: "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”"

The Reformed tradition emphasizes that God's righteousness is revealed through the Gospel, and this righteousness is obtained by faith and grows in faith. The quotation, "The righteous shall live by faith," forms the core of the Gospel.

The Baptist tradition emphasizes that the Gospel reveals God's righteousness, and this righteousness is obtained by faith and grows in faith. The saying, "The righteous shall live by faith," clarifies that faith is the basis of salvation.

The Lutheran tradition emphasizes that the Gospel reveals God's righteousness, and this righteousness is a gift from God obtained by faith. The saying, "The righteous shall live by faith," forms the core of justification.

1:18-32: God's Wrath and Judgment Against Sin (The Sin of the Gentiles)

1:18-20: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."

The Reformed tradition explains that the wrath of God is revealed because, although what can be known about God is evident within humanity and clearly revealed through His creation, people suppress the truth by their unrighteousness and ungodliness.

The Anglican tradition states that what can be known about God is within humanity, and His eternal power and divine nature are clearly revealed through the created world, therefore people have no excuse.

The Methodist tradition explains that God's wrath is against those who suppress the truth by their unrighteousness, and although God's divine nature can be clearly known through creation, people deny it, thus having no excuse.

1:21-23: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things."

The Reformed tradition points out that although people knew God, they did not glorify Him or give thanks to Him, thus their thoughts became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened, leading them to idolatry.

The Puritan tradition criticizes that people, though knowing God, did not give thanks and instead fell into futile thoughts, becoming foolish and engaging in idolatry by exchanging the glory of the immortal God for perishable images.

The Methodist tradition explains that people, though knowing God, did not glorify Him or give thanks, thus their thoughts became futile and their hearts were darkened, leading them to idolatry by exchanging the glory of the immortal God for perishable images.

1:24-25: "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen."

The Reformed tradition explains that because people exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, God gave them up to impurity according to the lusts of their hearts.

The Anglican tradition states that because people exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity.

The Methodist tradition explains that because people exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, emphasizing that this is a betrayal of God who is blessed forever.

1:26-27: "For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

The Reformed tradition explains that homosexual acts are evidence of shameful passions resulting from rejecting the truth of God and worshiping the creature.

The Methodist tradition states that homosexual acts are evidence of shameful passions resulting from rejecting the truth of God and worshiping the creature, and that they have received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

1:28-32: "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them."

The Reformed tradition explains that because people did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind, resulting in their being filled with all sorts of wickedness.

The Puritan tradition explains that because people refused to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind, listing the various sins that resulted, and warns that those who practice such things will face God's judgment, and those who approve of them will not escape judgment either.

The Methodist tradition points out that because people refused to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind, resulting in their being filled with all sorts of wickedness. It also warns that those who practice such things will face God's judgment, and those who approve of them will also be judged.

Original Language Insights

1:1: 'Servant (δοῦλος, doulos)' means slave, indicating absolute obedience and devotion in relation to Christ.

1:1: 'Called (κλητὸς, kletos)' means 'chosen' or 'invited,' indicating that the apostleship was by God's sovereign calling.

1:16: 'Power (δύναμις, dynamis)' means mighty power or authority, showing that the Gospel is God's supernatural force that overcomes sin and death.

1:17: 'Righteousness of God (δικαιοσύνη θεοῦ, dikaiosynē theou)' refers to the righteousness that God requires or the righteousness that God gives through faith, which is the core of the Gospel.

Theological Perspectives — Comparison by Tradition

Reformed/Puritan: Romans 1 emphasizes God's sovereign wrath and human depravity, clearly stating that salvation cannot be achieved by human works. God's righteousness is obtained solely through faith and is a gracious gift from God.

Methodist/Wesleyan: While acknowledging human depravity, it emphasizes that God's grace extends to all, and the Gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. Human free will and responsibility are also treated importantly.

Lutheran: Emphasizes the doctrine of justification by faith alone, explaining that the Gospel reveals God's righteousness and that one is made righteous through faith. God's grace, not human works, is the basis of salvation.

Baptist: Emphasizes that the Gospel is the power of God and that salvation comes through faith. It also values personal confession of faith and obedience through faith.

Anglican: Emphasizes the universality of the Gospel and God's righteousness, clearly stating human depravity and God's wrath. At the same time, it also emphasizes God's mercy and the grace of salvation.

Academic/Hellenistic Exegesis: Analyzes the meaning of the Greek original in depth to grasp Paul's theological intent and interprets the text considering the cultural and historical context of the time. It delicately handles the nuances of words like 'servant (doulos).'

Cross-References

Romans 2: Following God's wrath against the sins of the Gentiles, it points out that Jews, who have the law, are also sinners, dealing with God's righteous judgment.

Romans 3: Declares that all humanity (both Jews and Gentiles) is under sin, and one cannot be made righteous by the law but obtains God's righteousness solely through faith in Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1: Connects with the passage where Paul emphasizes that his apostleship did not come from man but from God.

Sermon/Application Points

Be Humble Before the Power of the Gospel: The Gospel is not merely good news but the power of God that overcomes the powers of sin and death. We must acknowledge our sinfulness before this power and approach it with humility.

Receive God's Righteousness by Faith: We can never stand before God by our own works. We must receive God's righteousness, given solely through faith in Jesus Christ, and give thanks for it.

Live as Light in a Sinful World: In a world that denies God while knowing Him and lives in sin, we must not be ashamed of the Gospel of Christ but boldly proclaim it and live as light.

Live a Life Where God Resides in Your Heart: Refusing to acknowledge God is the root of all sin. We must make God the center of our hearts and live a life of worship and thanksgiving to Him.

Remember God's Love and Grace Towards Believers: Just as the Roman believers were beloved by God and called to be saints, we too are in the same grace. We must remember this, give thanks, and encourage one another.