Romans 1:1–7 – Paul’s Greeting and the Gospel Promised
📖 Passage
Romans 1:1–7
Read Romans 1:1–7 (NKJV)
🧠 Context & Background
Author & Occasion
Paul wrote Romans around AD 57 while in Corinth, near the end of his third missionary journey. Unlike his other letters, he had not yet visited the Roman believers. His purpose was to lay out the fullness of the gospel and prepare the way for a future mission to Spain. Romans stands as Paul’s clearest and most systematic presentation of justification by faith and life in the Spirit.Audience
The church in Rome was a mixed body of Jewish and Gentile believers. Jewish Christians had been expelled under Emperor Claudius (Acts 18:2) but were returning by the time of Nero’s rule. This created tension: Jewish believers valued the Law and their covenant heritage, while Gentiles came from pagan backgrounds and were often despised by Jews as “unclean.” Paul’s letter addressed both groups, showing that all alike are under sin and in equal need of Christ.Historical & Cultural Setting
The Jews of Paul’s day generally saw Gentiles as outsiders to God’s covenant promises. They viewed themselves as the chosen people, set apart through circumcision, dietary laws, and temple worship. Gentiles, in their eyes, lived in idolatry and moral corruption. Conversely, Gentiles often looked down on Jews as narrow, strange, and exclusive. This mutual suspicion made unity in the church fragile.The Impact of Romans
Into this climate, Paul’s message was both radical and unifying: the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel for Jew and Gentile alike (Romans 1:16–17). The Jews would have been challenged to see Gentiles as full heirs of God’s promises through faith alone. Gentiles would have been humbled to recognize their need of the same grace. For both, Romans announced that salvation was not found in heritage, works, or law-keeping, but in Christ alone.
🌿 Key Themes
- Servanthood First — Christian identity begins with humility and belonging to Christ.
- Divine Commission — Apostolic authority rests on God’s call, not human appointment.
- Scriptural Continuity — The gospel is rooted in God’s promises to Israel, not a new invention.
- Christ as God-Man — His humanity and divinity together form the core of the gospel.
- Obedience of Faith — Genuine faith necessarily produces obedience to God.
📖 Verse-by-Verse Commentary
Romans 1:1 - Paul the Servant and Apostle
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…”
- Paul identifies himself first as a servant of Christ Jesus, stressing submission before authority.
- His apostleship is a divine calling, not self-appointed.
- Being “set apart” reflects God’s sovereign choice, similar to Jeremiah’s consecration before birth.
Romans 1:2 - The Gospel Promised in Scripture
“Which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures…”
- The gospel was promised beforehand, showing its roots in God’s eternal plan.
- The prophets testified to Christ across the Old Testament (cf. Luke 24:27).
- Scripture’s unity proves God’s promises are sure and trustworthy.
Romans 1:3 - Christ Descended from David
“Concerning His Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh…”
- The gospel centers concerning His Son—a Person, not abstract principles.
- Jesus is the rightful heir of David’s throne, fulfilling covenant promises (2 Samuel 7:12–16).
- According to the flesh affirms His full humanity.
Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God in Power
“And was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord…”
- The resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God in power, confirming His divine authority.
- The Spirit of holiness vindicated Jesus’ identity, raising Him from the dead (cf. Romans 8:11).
- His full title—Jesus Christ our Lord—emphasizes His saving work, messianic role, and sovereign reign.
Romans 1:5 - Grace, Apostleship, and Obedience of Faith
“Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name among all the nations…”
- Paul received grace and apostleship, showing ministry is a gift, not merit.
- The goal is the obedience of faith—faith that transforms life and produces obedience.
- The mission is doxological: all is for the sake of His name, not man’s glory.
- The gospel extends “among all the nations”, fulfilling God’s global redemptive plan.
Romans 1:6 - The Called of Jesus Christ
“Including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ…”
- The Roman believers are included in God’s saving call, part of His worldwide mission.
- To be called is to belong to Jesus Christ—salvation is not just forgiveness, but union with Christ.
Romans 1:7 - Grace and Peace to the Beloved in Rome
“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.”
- They are loved by God—their identity rests in divine affection, not Roman status.
- Called to be saints shows that holiness flows from God’s calling, not human effort.
- The blessing of grace and peace combines Greek (charis) and Hebrew (shalom), uniting Jew and Gentile in Christ.
- The blessing comes jointly from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, affirming Christ’s divinity and the Trinitarian source of salvation.
🔍 Trusted Insight
“Paul insists that the gospel is not a human invention but the fulfillment of God’s promises through His prophets. The gospel centers on Jesus Christ, who according to His human nature descended from David, and according to His divine nature was declared the powerful Son of God by the resurrection. This opening makes clear both Christ’s humanity and His deity.” — R.C. Sproul, commentary on Romans
🧩 Review Questions
- Why is it significant that Paul calls himself a servant before an apostle?
- How does connecting the gospel to Old Testament prophecy strengthen our confidence?
- In what way does the resurrection confirm Christ’s divine authority?
- What does the phrase “obedience of faith” teach us about true belief? ---
🌎 Worldviews
- Jewish worldview — The Messiah was expected to restore Israel’s national glory and bring deliverance from foreign oppression. A servant-like role (Paul calling himself a slave of Christ) did not match their hopes for a conquering king.
- Greco-Roman worldview — Honor, power, and wisdom were the marks of greatness. The idea that true authority comes from being a servant (Romans 1:1) or that salvation is found in a crucified and risen Jew sounded weak and foolish.
- Philosophical worldview — Many Greeks prized human reason as the highest truth. The claim that the Gospel was promised beforehand in the Scriptures (Romans 1:2) rooted truth in divine revelation, not human speculation.
- Biblical worldview — Paul shows that Jesus fulfills God’s promises, descended from David in the flesh (Romans 1:3) and declared Son of God in power by resurrection (Romans 1:4). The Gospel redefines greatness: God’s grace brings apostleship to call all nations to obedience of faith (Romans 1:5–7).
🙋 Application Questions
- How can Paul’s humility shape our own approach to serving Christ?
- What does it mean for your faith to be both trusting and obedient?
- How does the resurrection give you confidence in daily life?
- In what ways is God calling you to live out your identity as a beloved saint?
🔤 Greek Keywords
- Doulos (δοῦλος) — Servant, slave; one under total devotion to Christ.
- Apostolos (ἀπόστολος) — One sent by Christ with authority.
- Euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον) — The gospel, rooted in God’s promises.
- Pistis (πίστις) — Faith, inseparable from obedience.
- Charis (χάρις) — Grace, divine favor and empowerment.
📚 Cross References
- 2 Samuel 7:12 — Promise of a Davidic King fulfilled in Christ.
- Isaiah 9:6 — The promised Son given to us.
- Acts 13:33 — Apostolic preaching of Christ as Son of God.
- Galatians 3:8 — Gospel promised beforehand to Abraham.
- 1 Peter 2:9 — Believers called as God’s holy people.
📦 Next Study
Next Study → Romans 1:8–15