Exegetical notes and commentary from Wednesday night’s School of Ministry (Bible College):

Chapter 1 (Romans 1:1–17)

1 Paul, a bondservant [bondservant (Gk. δοῦλος): slave, one who belongs to another] of Jesus Christ [bondservant of Jesus Christ (Gk. δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ): one who is leading a surrendered life to Jesus], called to be an apostle [apostle (Gk. ἀπόστολος): commissioned messenger/delegate], separated to the gospel [gospel (Gk. εὐαγγέλιον): good news] of God [ Note: the word gospel is found 4x in chap. 1; 13x in Romans altogether; 86x in the NT, not counting the Canonical Gospels].

2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures [See, e.g., Gen.3:15; Isaiah 7:14; Zechariah 9:9],

3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David [descendant of David] according to the flesh [lineage can be traced all the way back to David. See, e.g., Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5],

4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead [the Resurrection! Jesus rose again on the third day in power and glory! See, e.g., 1 Cor. 15:17–18].

5 Through Him we have received grace [grace (Gk. χάρις): favor, kindness] and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ [We are all called! See, e.g., 1 Peter 2:9];

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints [saints (Gk. ἅγιος): set apart, sacred, holy]. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Desire to Visit Rome

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith [faith (Gk. πίστις): trust, confidence, belief] is spoken of throughout the whole world [Note: in the midst of great trials and tribulation, they were staying true to the faith; they were not renouncing their faith. Christianity was not favorable to the Romans because Christianity did not recognize Caesar as god. As a result there were many challenges and difficulties (e.g., martyrdom, imprisonment) And yet, Christianity was still advancing].

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers [Note: excellent example of what church pastors/leadership should be doing for their congregations],

10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.

11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift [spiritual (Gk. πνευματικός); gift (Gk. Χάρισμα), so that you may be established—

12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me [Note: see Acts 19:1–6 for an example of the laying on of hands and impartation].

13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.

14 I am a debtor both to Greeks [educated and/or cultured] and to barbarians [the opposite of those educated and/or cultured], both to wise and to unwise.

15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel [the good news!] to you who are in Rome also.

The Just Live by Faith

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ [ Christ (Gk. Χριστός): the Anointed One, Messiah], for it [the gospel—the good news!] is the power [power (Gk. δύναμις): miracle working power] of God to salvation [salvation (Gk. σωτηρία): “welfare/welbeing, prosperity, deliverance, preservation, safety”] for everyone who believes [believes (Gk. πιστεύω): has faith, trusts—that is, puts their faith/trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ], for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

17 For in it [in the gospel] the righteousness of God [righteousness of God (Gk. δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ): or the right standing with/of God] is revealed [revealed (Gk. ἀποκαλύπτω): revealed, uncovered, unveiled] from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.”

 

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