Romans 1:1-7: Introduction

Introduction

Succinct Summation

Diagnosing the Problem

Outline

Romans 1:1-17 - Introduction

Romans 1:1-7 - Introduction

Romans 1:1 - Paul

Romans 1:2-4 - The Gospel of God

Romans 1:5-7 - The Recipients of the Gospel of God

Purpose of Book

The purpose of Romans is the righteousness of God

Main Point

The purpose of these seven verses is Paul introduces himself to the Roman church and begins his understanding of the Gospel.

Romans 1:1 - Paul

Exegesis

Paul,

Acts 7:58–8:3 ESV

58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. 3 But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.

Acts 9 - Saul meets the Lord Jesus on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians. Paul is blinded and received his sight upon his baptism. God tells Ananias that Paul will carry His name to the Gentiles and rulers. Paul will suffer much.

A servant of Christ Jesus,

One who is solely committed to another person

Jesus is the Christ/Messiah/Deliverer the Israelites were expecting

Called to be an apostle,

God called Paul to this special office - summoned

Apostle, gift vs. office, someone who saw the visible risen Jesus and is sent to preach the Gospel

Paul’s specific apostolic role was to the Gentiles

Romans 11:13 ESV

13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry

Galatians 1:15–16 ESV

15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;

Ephesians 3:8 ESV

8 To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

Set apart for the gospel of God,

God set Paul apart for the preaching of the Gospel - he is consecrated to a holy life and task

Gospel means good news and Paul knew this good news was not political, but spiritual and relating to God freeing people from sin

The Gospel does not originate with man in anyway shape or form - The Gospel of God is initiated by God Himself

The Conscience

Application

Romans 1:2-4 - The Gospel of God

Exegesis

Which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

Who promised the Gospel of God beforehand? God the Father

How did He do this? Through the prophets in the Old Testament

Paul’s Gospel message is not contradictory to anything in the Old Testament - The Gospel instead fulfills the Old Testament salvific promised made to Israel and they also apply to the Gentiles

The Gentiles cannot sever the root of the Gospel in the Old Testament

Concerning his Son,

The Gospel of God centers on the Son of God!

Relational element - Father/Son

Who was descended from David according to the flesh

Jesus Christ, the Son, fulfills the promise made to David

2 Samuel 7:12 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.

2 Samuel 7:16 ESV

16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

Acts 13:22–23 ESV

22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.

And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead,

Son of God is theologically significant

Here is the divine nature of the Messiah

Spirit of God that makes people holy by setting them apart

From the time of Jesus’ resurrection He began to function as the Son of God in power

A new age has begun where the prophecy from Ezekiel 37:11-14 is fulfilled!

Ezekiel 37:11–14 ESV

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.”

Matthew 27:51–53 ESV

51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Jesus Christ our Lord

The highest Christological title is ascribe to Jesus - LORD

Same divine identity as Yahweh of Israel in the Old Testament

The Conscience

Application

Romans 1:5-7 - Recipients of the Gospel of God

Exegesis

Through whom we have received grace and apostleship

“We” literary plural - I

Paul has received grace and apostleship from Christ Jesus

This is a particular grace speaking to the divine calling he was given - apostolic ministry

To bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

For what reason was Paul given apostolic ministry? bring about the obedience of faith

True faith will always result in obedience

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Obedience of faith speaks to the obedience of trusting and believing in the Gospel AND obedience to the powerful reign of God in one’s life

Why?

For the sake of Jesus’ name

Paul’s apostolic ministry was not for his means, but for the glory of Christ

Where?

Among the nations - the Gentiles

Including you shows that Paul thinks they are among the nations revealing that the readers of the letter were most likely mainly Gentiles

Called - as Paul was summoned to be an apostle, they are summoned to belong to Christ Jesus

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.

The Conscience

Application

Main Point