1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 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, 5 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, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 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

 

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

 

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

 

1:1-2: As an “apostle,” Paul possessed the full authority of the person who sent him (Jesus). He was “set apart” (for a holy calling) by Jesus to preach the gospel (Acts 9:1-9; Galatians 1:1-2; 11-24). The gospel has its foundation in the Old Testament promise and prophets (Genesis 3:15; 12:1-3; Exodus 12:1-32; Psalm 103:12; 118:14; Isaiah 1:18; 9:6; 43:11; 53; Jeremiah 31:31; Ezekiel 36:24-26).

 

1:3: The “Son of David” was a messianic title (2 Samuel 7:12-16); he was a future ruler who would bring justice, righteousness, and peace (Numbers 24:15-19; 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 7:9-16; Psalm 2; 110; Isaiah 7:10-15; 11:1-16; 63:1-6; Ezekiel 21: 25-27; Daniel 9:24-27; Joel 2:23; Hosea 3:4-5; Micah 2:12-13; 5:1-4).

 

The belief in the Messiah has played a key role in the spiritual formation of God’s people in many ways. First, we have hope for a better future. Second, God’s people have learned to pray for courage, strength, and deliverance. Third, we deepen our trust in God’s sovereign plan, control, and timing. Fourth, God’s people formed a spiritual community to worship God, pursue holiness, and serve others.  

 

1:4: A descendant of David (Matthew 1:1-17; Luke 3:23-38), Jesus was also declared to be divine (the Son of God) by “resurrecting from the dead.” (1 Corinthians 15) All three Persons of the triune God participated in Jesus’ resurrection (Father: Galatians 1:1; Romans 6:4; Ephesians 1:17, 1:20; himself: John 2:19; 5:21-22; 10:18; Spirit: Romans 8:11).      

 

Jesus’ resurrection declared God’s power in several ways. First, a declaration of God’s power over Satan—he is defeated! Second, a declaration of God’s power over sin and death (John 11:25; Romans 6:1-23; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58; Revelation 1:18).

 

Third, a declaration of God’s power over physical pain (a future resurrected body for Christ-followers—no more cancer, Alzheimer, or physical debilitating problems (1 Corinthians 15). Fourth, a declaration of God’s power over hopelessness. We have hope because Jesus was raised to a new life through the Spirit’s power. The Spirit’s presence and power is now with those who follow Christ (Romans 8).  

 

1:5-6: According to Pate, “Paul’s description of his calling as that of ‘grace and apostleship’ suggests that his encounter on the Damascus road…was both his conversion to Christ and his call to the apostle to the Gentiles.” (19) The “including you” (1:6) connects the Gentile Christians with the Jewish Christians—grace, gospel, and discipleship is for all the nations.

 

1:7: To show the continuity of God’s people from the Old to New Testament, “Paul applies three Old Testament labels for Israel to the Gentile Christians at Rome.” (Pate, 20) God’s love for us has been demonstrated in Jesus’ death (Romans 5:8; cf. John 15:13). This love has been proclaimed in the gospel.

 

Regarding the ideas of “called” and “saints,” Christ-followers have been set apart by God for His holy calling. Both grace and peace are blessings of the gospel. Grace is God’s unmerited favor (we don’t deserve it, we can’t work for it) and peace (shalom) refers to wholeness and completeness but it may also be used here in the context of bringing unity between Jewish and Gentile Christians.

 

1:8-13: In this section, Paul highlights four characteristics of gospel partnerships: (1) thankfulness, (2) prayer, (3) mutual edification, and (4) spiritual fruit—for people to be saved. First, Paul gives thanks to God for their faith. Behind Paul’s hyperbole—their faith is “proclaimed in all the world” stands the truth that their faith is a shining example throughout the world.

 

Second, Paul notes that he continually prays (“without ceasing,” “always in my prayers”) for them in Rome and wishes (if God willing) to visit them himself. Who wouldn’t want to visit the “capital” of the Western world?

 

Third, he is excited about mutual edification. In verse 11, Paul is not teaching that he can bestow spiritual gifts upon Christians (see Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7). Rather, that he could use his spiritual gifts to edify them and likewise for the Christians in Rome to encourage and build him up with their faith (and probably their gifts as well).

 

Fourth, Paul’s final reason (perhaps his primary one?) is evangelistic: “that I may read some harvest among you…among the rest of the Gentiles.” (1:13) In short, a well-rounded gospel partnership should include thankfulness, prayer, mutual edification, and evangelism.  

 

1:14-17: From Paul’s example, we can learn three practical reasons for sharing the gospel. First, Paul was “under obligation” to preach the gospel. What exactly does this mean? Why is Paul obligated and to whom? John Murray notes that it is “the obligation under which the apostle was placed by God to preach the gospel to all nations and classes (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:16-17).” (24)

 

Second, Paul was “eager” to evangelize. In other words, because Paul believed he was called and commissioned by Jesus to preach the gospel it follows that he was “eager” to share the good news. This is an important point because many of us don’t connect gospel proclamation to God’s calling us to share the good news. Has God only commissioned Paul or has He also commissioned us as well?

 

What are the implications for partnerships in missions? Missions is more than an overseas or international culture experience! While it’s good to “do short-term missions” for compassionate reasons and to encourage our brothers/sisters, Paul reminds us that gospel proclamation/evangelism should be a high priority in our short-term missions.  

 

Third, Paul was “not ashamed of the gospel.” But, what about us? We may not say we are “ashamed,” but perhaps we are either embarrassed or feel foolish about the gospel. In my view, Paul wasn’t ashamed of the gospel because he experienced the blessings of the gospel (grace, peace, forgiveness, union, intimacy, spiritual giftedness, community, etc.) on a consistent basis. “We need to experience the gospel every day and twice on Sunday” is what I often say.  

 

The gospel “is the power of God for salvation.” People cannot be saved by good works—they cannot merit or earn salvation for themselves. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

 

Because our salvation cannot be attributed to our social status, financial resources, intellectual reasoning, physical strength, political affinity, or psychological well-being God receives all the glory. Why do you think this truth (grace and not good works) is so hard for people to accept? How does this truth lead us to humility and a life of gratitude?

 

Concerning “the Jew first,” Paul is teaching that Jews received the “good news” (although not in its fullest form as we have in the New Testament) first in the sense that it was revealed to them via the Old Testament promises and prophets (see 1:2).

 

The gospel reveals “the righteous of God”—an alien righteousness (outside of us) that reflects God’s perfect and holy standard of moral goodness (see 3:21-31). Because we are sinners (Romans 3:23) we cannot save ourselves—it’s impossible. We need to somehow be “righteous” in God’s eyes.

 

The gospel is God’s answer for our problem of sin. Briefly, Christ’s righteousness is exchanged for our sinfulness. His righteousness is accredited to us so that God sees us in His Son’s righteousness and declares us righteous (justification: 2 Corinthians 5:21).

 

Finally, the “righteous…live by faith” in two ways. First, we live by faith as a means to be saved from our sin (Ephesians 2:8-9; cf. John 3:16; Romans 10:9-13). Second, we walk by faith as a means to deepen our relationship with God, bear spiritual fruit, and spiritually mature (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

If faith is the key to our salvation and sanctification (becoming more like Jesus), then what are some barriers that impede us from increasing or strengthening our faith? Or to put it another way, what practical steps will you take to deepen your faith? Who will keep you accountable?

 

1. Who’s on your Fab Five list for sharing the gospel? How will you begin to initiate spiritual conversations with these people?

 

2. Paul used three words to describe the recipients of his letter (loved, called, saints). What’s their significance?

 

3. Paul identifies four characteristics for gospel partnerships. Identify these characteristic and explain their importance.

 

4. What makes the gospel so good?

 

5. Share about Paul’s three attitudes toward the gospel (obligation, eager, not ashamed). Concerning the gospel, how would you compare you own life with Paul’s? What changes do you need to make?’

 

6. Pathway uses the word PRISM (Prayer, Relationships, Invitations, Spiritual conversations, Movement) as a tool for sharing the gospel. How can this model assist you?