The study of the book of Romans chapter 1

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

I greet you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is my sincere Prayer that you are being Blessed even as you read this email.

Today, we study the Book of Romans chapter 1.

1:1 Called to be an apostle means “an apostle by way of God’s sovereign call.”

1:3, 4 Was made of the seed of David: This emphasizes the humanity of Christ and His human lineage (cf 2 Samuel 7:13; Jer 33:17). Declared (lit. “marked out”)…Son of God: Jesus could not come to God. He could only receive this designation as recognition of an eternal truth. By the resurrection: The proof of Jesus’ deity is His resurrection from the dead. The spirit of holiness is the Holy Spirit.

1:5 Grace (Gr. Charin, “unmerited favor”) and apostleship: “Grace” emphasizes the ministry in relation to Paul; he did not deserve or earn it. “Apostleship” emphasizes the ministry in relation to others: to teach revelation authoritatively and establish churches.

1:7 Called to be saints: This tells how they got to be saints, namely, by way of God’s call (cf. 8:30). Grace is the typical Greek greeting, whereas peace is the traditional Hebrew greeting. Note Paul’s greeting in his other epistles for this characteristic expression of Paul.

1:9 Whom I serve: The word for service (Gr. Latreuo) signifies “priestly service.” Here the reference is to his regular intercession on their behalf.

1:11 Spiritual gift: Anticipates the discussion in 12:1-8.

1:12 Mutual faith: See Jude 3

1:13 Let (lit, “hindered”). Fruit: See John 4:36, 15:16; Philippians 1:22; Colossians 1:6.

1:14 Debtor signifies one who is morally obligated. Because of his call and gift of apostleship (1:1, 5), Paul was obligated culturally to the Greeks. These people were cultured and refined. To the Barbarians: These were strangers to the Greek language and culture. Educationally, he was indebted to the wise, whether they were wise in handicraft, the affairs of life, the sciences, or learning. He was also indebted to the unwise, or lunch learned. This was Paul’s way of expressing his burden to get the gospel to everyone.

1:16 The power of God: The English words dynamite and dynamo are derived from the word “power.” If Paul were writing today he would probably speak of atomic power. The gospel is so powerful hat it takes people all the way into heaven. Salvation: This is past (cf Luke 7:50; Rom. 1-3); present (cf Rom. 6:3-11), and future (cf 2 Cor. 4:16-5:10; Rom 8:16-25). Paul will develop the full breadth of this truth throughout this epistle. Every one that believeth: The basis of salvation is God’s gracious provision (Rom. 3:23-26). But the only means by which the sinner can appropriate this gift is faith (10:9-17). The gospel is the essential content of that faith. This is why Paul is so burdened to preach Christ to the world.

1:17 Righteousness, God’s essential attribute, is revealed. It is not man’s invention; it is God’s revelation. Left to himself, man would never have thought of it. From faith to faith: Its source and end are the same. To those who possess God’s righteousness Paul pronounces, The just shall live by faith. What one believes does make a difference. If he believes the gospel he has life (union with God); otherwise his death (separation from God).

1:18 The wrath is not the revelation of a future judgment of God or of the Great Tribulation, but a present revelation that parallels the present revelation of God’s righteousness (cf. 1:17). This revelation comes from heaven. Ungodliness is failure in the religious realm. Unrighteousness is failure n the moral sphere or injustice toward man. Who hold (lit. “hold down,” “suppress”) the truth in unrighteousness. They received the truth concerning the wrath of god but hindered it and prevented it from completing its work.

1:20 God’s creation reveals two things about Him: his eternal power and Godhead (Gr. Theiotes, “divine nature, “divinity”). Creation reveals that God is powerful; hence, man is obligated to Him and the fact that He is God. Without excuse: No man is able to stand before God and say that he turned away from God because God did not give any light. All men have had the revelation of god; therefore, all men are accountable to Him.

1:24-32. God gave them up (cf vv. 24, 26, 28): This giving is not permissive (i.e., God lets them do what they want to do) or privative (i.e., God withdraws His gracious help); it is judicial They were blinded not because God withdrew His light, but because of the judicial acts of God whereby He delivered them over to the natural result of their unbelief and action. When they followed the lie they began to walk in conformity to the lie. This is the kind of life-style described. Three results of the Gentiles’ rejection are given: God gave them up to all forms of uncleanness and its consequent actions (vv. 24, 25); God gave them up to all forms of sexual depravity and its consequent actions (vv. 26, 27); and God gave them over to a mind that would not retain Him in its knowledge and its consequent actions (vv. 28-32).

Yours in Jesus Christ,

Bishop William B. Caractor