Romans 1:8-32

Romans 1:8-17: Faith and the Power of the Good News

Paul’s words in Romans 1:8 is what I seek to communicate to you as an expression of my thankfulness to God for you. For the last two weeks, I have had a sense of gratitude for the ability to lead this congregation in a better and hopefully more fruitful understanding of God’s Word. As a result, I have seen how the Word of God has impacted your lives to the point you are now expressing your heart of selflessness in ways that can be felt within our small community.

In Romans 1, Paul takes an opportunity to publicly acknowledge his thankfulness to God for those who are in the faith of Christ Jesus. Paul writes, “Let me say first that I thank my GOD through JESUS CHRIST for all of you...” However, it is the reason for this thankfulness that is most important. He is thankful for their faith that is being talked about all over the world. Here, we find a very clear depiction of the Christ community Paul modeled throughout all the churches. These were communities known and defined by their faith in Christ Jesus.

The faith in the community in Rome did two things:

It sparked the interest and the attention of the “entire world” (Romans 1:8).

It encouraged others (Romans 1:12).

The question that many have entertained is whether this is hyperbole or is it to be taken literally. First, we should understand that references to the “entire world” was often a reference to the Roman Empire. And from this perspective, it is quite literal, that the entire world had become known of the faith of these Christ communities. This accomplishment is significant, considering the empire’s broad reach across the known world and its influence.

For Paul, his ministerial objective is progressing along as planned. The spread of the gospel to Rome is one major accomplishment—only leaving Spain to be evangelized before reaching the “ends of the world.” And why was this such an accomplishment? Wasn’t it the fulfillment of the commandment given by our Lord and Savior before His ascension? For, it was the objective of every apostle to see the gospel preached to the “ends” of the world according to the commandment given by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15–16 “And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.” C.f. Matthew 26:13).

Here, we find the eschatological objective of the apostle Paul in everything he does, particularly the preaching of th gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the preaching of the gospel to the entire world is an eschatological mission relevant to the first century and the very first apostles. The current mandate we have set to spread the gospel throughout the entire world is uniquely different and altogether secondary to the one that was established during the first century with the first apostles. Why is is this so?

The apostles were introducing the message of the Jesus Christ to a new population of people never reached before.

The apostles were sharing the message of Gentile inclusion in a way that was never done before.

The apostles were sharing the message of Jesus Christ with a deadline to save as many people before the imminent judgment that was never seen before.

So now, we see the faith of the community was intrinsically connected to a variety of eschatological matters. However, the faith that is found among the apostles are also encouraging to the apostles. For, we see that the faith which is found within the Christ community in Rome is encouraging to the apostle Paul as he seeks to be an encouragement to them. Furthermore, these elements of importance also laid the groundwork for Paul’s desire to travel the world and visit the churches. Such elements are directly connected to the administration of the apostles to dispense gifts among the churches as the only authorized agents capable of delivering that which is valuable and necessary.

Paul shares there are two things he seeks to accomplish by visiting Rome:

He wants to deliver a spiritual gift (Romans 1:11)

He wants to produce a spiritual ministry (fruit) (Romans 1:13)

First, we should mention the gift which Paul is alluding to is πνευματικός, which is to say spiritual. The point of using the word, spiritual is to suggest that the gift is caused by and filled with the Spirit. It defines the gift’s origin and its inspiration. However, more importantly is the idea of the gift not being gifts, plural, but gift, singular. The church in Rome can expect, not many gifts, but one gift that would improve its quality as a faith community.

Here, we can conclude that the motive of Paul’s visit is not the administration of spiritual gifts as in 1 Corinthians 12. Rather, he wants to provide a spiritual gift, which should be considered a holy blessing or endowment of favor that is facilitated and administered through the active work of the Holy Spirit. In other words, he is looking to bring a spiritual blessing and demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s participation.

These are things we should anticipate as we grow as a community. But even more—these are things we should seek to deliver to those we are sent to in fellowship. Nevertheless, the catalyst in all of this is the work of the Spirit and His facilitation of such blessings.

Second, we must entertain the idea of Paul traveling to Rome to “work and see spiritual fruit.” The key to understanding this portion is the following words, “…just as I have seen among other Gentiles” (Romans 1:13). Paul’s third missionary journey was AD 54-57. He was in prison in Caesarea from AD 57-59, and he eventually travelled to Rome in AD 59-60, until retiring under house arrest in AD 60-67. Rome was the last stop as Paul traversed to Spain. By this time, he had virtually visited all the other Gentile areas. As an apostle of the nations, the timing was appropriate to bear fruit in Rome, even if he was not the establishmentarian. He sees himself as obligated (Romans 1:14).

So, now we see the motivation behind Paul’s desire to visit Rome and the need for preaching the gospel. Perhaps, no other verse in Paul’s writing provides his emphatic commitment to preach the gospel than Romans 1:15-17

Romans 1:15–17 NLT

So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.* This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”*

These verse help us understand the heart of Paul towards spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. However, it provides deeper understanding of Paul’s commitment to spread the gospel in Rome, particularly. Rome was the capital of the imperial Roman Empire. And unless we understand the nature of the Roman Empire and its capital, Rome, we shall never understand why Paul might mention being ashamed to preach the gospel about Jesus Christ. Now is a great moment to remind ourselves of the words of Jesus that must have grabbed Paul’s heart as he considered the sacred responsibility of preaching the gospel (Mark 8:38, Luke 9:26).

We have two examples where the gospel is noted to be ἐπαισχύνομαι, to be ashamed. Being ashamed here is the experience of a particular painful feeling or a sense of loss of status because of some particular event or activity. What event could have caused such a loss of status? What could have led to such shamefulness? Chrysostom wrote this,

[Paul] he was about to preach of One who ‘passed for the son of a carpenter, brought up in Judaea, in the house of a poor woman … and who died like a criminal in the company of robbers?’

Sanday, W., & Headlam, A. C. (1897). A critical and exegetical commentary on the Epistle of the Romans (3d ed., p. 22). C. Scribner’s Sons.

This message in the imperial empire of Rome was embarrassing to most individuals. First, the Messiah was unimpressive by natural and Roman standards. Secondly, the message of this Messiah’s death and resurrection may have been miraculous, but it was not “royal.” Yet, Paul states, he does not lose anything and is not concerned about the level of his status. Rather, he preaches the gospel proudly.

There are two important reasons for Paul’s eagerness and exuberant declaration of the gospel about Jesus Christ.

The gospel is God’s power δύναμις that saves everyone who believes

The gospel tells us how we are made right with God

Romans 1:16–17 “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.* This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”*”

The gospel is how God exerts his strength, force, or power to save everyone who believes. When God wanted to become active in the world, He used a message about an event that was powerful enough to erase the affects of man’s greatest transgression. And this message is about the work of Jesus Christ.

We should address the special formula to the Jew first and also the Greek. This addresses Jesus’s responsibility to fulfill the covenantal promises to the Jew before reaching the Gentiles. However, both are granted status of being made right with God through the same means—the gospel of Christ.

This point is incredibly important to the overall theme Paul introduced in vs. 16 about being ashamed. Essentially, the gospel about Jesus Christ tells us about being made right with God. The word righteousness δικαιοσύνη is referencing God’s righteousness or justice which makes us right with Him. The point is God’s righteousness makes us right with Him. This is accomplished through our faith.

Paul looks back to Habakkuk 2:4 to emphasize the point. And the point is this: those who depend on themselves and their self-obtained status are not living in faith. Those who are believers trust in the righteousness of God, which makes them right with God; and in the process they receive a much worthy status.

Romans 1:18-32: Idolatry—When Creation Forgets God

The truth that is set forth in Jesus Christ highlights a significant problem that has existed since the fall of Adam. Essentially, Paul’s dealing with this problem is what makes the book of Romans so spectacular. From this point on, we will see the systematic approach Paul takes to dealing with two significant issues:

How God’s creation is drastically impacted by the sin and death that rules over man.

How God’s steward agents are now disconnected from His family and incapable of being useful in the creation they have stewardship over.

The gospel is the solution to the universal problem that has led to the world’s devastation. However, Paul shares a major claim in verse 18. Notice, how Romans 1:18 indicates God’s anger or wrath. First, we should make a note concerning God’s anger:

God’s anger is rational

God’s anger is righteous

God’s anger is preceded by longsuffering

This anger is completely understandable, even by human rationale. Perhaps, you have experienced anger at the mention of school shootings that take away the lives of innocent students and school teachers. How are your emotions? Are you understanding of the murderer’s actions in lieu of his or her’s childhood experiences or dissatisfaction of the current government’s decisions? Absolutely not! What about those individuals who abuse and neglect children? Do we consider the fact they may be burnt out, without the proper resources, or just completely ignorant of the sort of life they are responsible for providing? Not at all. You and I are completely upset and enraged and demand the severest punishment possible for such acts. In this your anger is both rational and righteous, even if it is not longsuffering.

Yet, God has observed the wickedness of people who suppress the truth by their wickedness and ignore the only Creator and Sustainer of creation. Here we find Paul’s admission to general revelation. General revelation is God’s testimony to his character and works given to all human beings indiscriminately through the created order. General revelation may come in the following ways:

Through nature

Through the human mind

Through the conscience

Through the governing forces of the world (Romans 13:1).

Psalm 19:1–6 NLT

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.* Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun. It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding. It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race. The sun rises at one end of the heavens and follows its course to the other end. Nothing can hide from its heat.

According to Paul the sinfulness and wickedness of mankind is without excuse because this general revelation has provided enough to lead one to worship and thanksgiving. Accordingly, the first step to belief in Jesus, which many would consider special revelation, is acceptance of general revelation. This is where many people get hung up.

Many people are not believers—not because the special revelation of Jesus Christ is too hard to comprehend. Rather, because they have not accepted the central truths revealed through general revelation:

We did not create this world.

Therefore, we are not in control of it.

So, we must submit to the sovereign and holy God (who has revealed himself enough to know and worship).

In essence, the prepared heart will accept these undeniable truths concerning God, and worship Him. To these are given the special revelation concerning the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Now, what if there are some who have not received this testimony? Will they be damned? No, not at all. For, God does not judge for that which has not been revealed, but rather for that which is known and denied.

6 Results of Forgetting God (Romans 1:21-32):

We don’t worship or give thanks (Romans 1:21)

We become creatively foolish (Romans 1:21-23)

We trade the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25)

We worship created things instead of God (Romans 1:25)

We turn to unusual sexual desires (Romans 1:26-27)

We become full of diverse acts of wickedness (Romans 1:29-32)

The number one thing God does in response to man’s wickedness is He abandons them (Romans 1:24, 26, 28). That is, he hands us over, delivers, and entrusts us to someone or something else. In short, when we suppress the truth and forget God, He gives us to our own selves. When this happens we become destructive not only to creation, but to our own selves.

Conclusion

In our study tonight, we have learned the following things:

The faith of the Christ community is critical to evangelism.

The preaching of the gospel about Jesus is necessary.

Acknowledgement of God, worship of God, and thanksgiving to God are all expressions of a believer who accepts truth.