Chapter 1:1-7
VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF ROMANS
By Pastor Greg Hooker
PAUL GREETS THE BELIEVERS AT ROME
Read Scripture Text (Note: All Scriptures used are from the KJV.)
Chapter 1:1-7
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Read Scripture Text (Note: All Scriptures used are from the KJV.)
Chapter 1:1-7
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse 1
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...”
As we have already discovered in our previous intro, the Apostle Paul is the writer of Romans. He wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit with him adding his own personality, or style of writing.
For example, a Medical Doctor like Luke would write from his understanding of medicine, while Peter would write from the life he lived as a common, rugged fisherman. Paul’s writings would be laced with his great knowledge as a lawyer and the ability to reason the Scriptures as in a court of law. This is what we are seeing in this letter to the church at Rome. It’s written like a law document reasoning justification by faith in Jesus as opposed to the demands of the Law and man’s inability to keep it. The Lord uses our God-given talents and experiences to accomplish His purposes.
This in no way suggests the words were not inspired from God, for all Scripture is “God Breathed” without error and is preserved in Heaven (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
NOTE: It’s important to remember that in the original manuscripts of Scriptures (Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic), there are no mistakes. It is God’s inerrant and infallible Word to mankind and forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). If we place a shred of doubt on even one word of Scripture, we cast a shadow of uncertainty on the sum total of God’s collective Word. If we cannot trust one word, we unleash a whirlwind of doubt on all. One flaming match brings down the whole house.
The Epistle to the Roman church was written in Greek as Paul did with the other churches he corresponded with, even though it was addressed to people whose native language was Latin.
Paul uses the term “servant” to describe his relationship with Jesus. “Servant” actually means a “slave”. Not in the respect of our modern understanding of the word, but a ‘willing’ servant seeking to please his Master with joy and adoration because of the great debt Jesus paid for Paul (and us) on the cross. No higher honor can be afforded to God’s children as being called a faithful servant. Remember what Jesus will say to the faithful in Heaven?
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” - Matthew 25:23
Paul was “called to be an Apostle” replacing Judas Iscariot, the traitor who sold the life of Christ for 30 pieces of silver and later hung himself. The word “called” means merely to be invited, but has the stronger sense of being ‘appointed’. It indicates that Paul had not assumed the office himself by desire, but that he was set apart to it by the authority of Christ Himself.
We do not choose our offices and gifts, God bestows them upon us according to His will (Romans 11:29; Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30; Ephesians 4:11).
The Lord had separated Paul for the great and important task of spreading the Gospel, the Good News that Christ Jesus offered up Himself for the sins of the world. Likewise we have the same “Great Commission” (Mark 16:15) to go forth and preach the saving grace of Christ to a sinful world. Everyday is another day to share Jesus with our family, friends, and neighbors. Let’s not waste them! Time is of essence. The coming of the Lord is nigh!
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...”
As we have already discovered in our previous intro, the Apostle Paul is the writer of Romans. He wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit with him adding his own personality, or style of writing.
For example, a Medical Doctor like Luke would write from his understanding of medicine, while Peter would write from the life he lived as a common, rugged fisherman. Paul’s writings would be laced with his great knowledge as a lawyer and the ability to reason the Scriptures as in a court of law. This is what we are seeing in this letter to the church at Rome. It’s written like a law document reasoning justification by faith in Jesus as opposed to the demands of the Law and man’s inability to keep it. The Lord uses our God-given talents and experiences to accomplish His purposes.
This in no way suggests the words were not inspired from God, for all Scripture is “God Breathed” without error and is preserved in Heaven (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
NOTE: It’s important to remember that in the original manuscripts of Scriptures (Hebrew, Greek, and Arabic), there are no mistakes. It is God’s inerrant and infallible Word to mankind and forever settled in Heaven (Psalm 119:89). If we place a shred of doubt on even one word of Scripture, we cast a shadow of uncertainty on the sum total of God’s collective Word. If we cannot trust one word, we unleash a whirlwind of doubt on all. One flaming match brings down the whole house.
The Epistle to the Roman church was written in Greek as Paul did with the other churches he corresponded with, even though it was addressed to people whose native language was Latin.
Paul uses the term “servant” to describe his relationship with Jesus. “Servant” actually means a “slave”. Not in the respect of our modern understanding of the word, but a ‘willing’ servant seeking to please his Master with joy and adoration because of the great debt Jesus paid for Paul (and us) on the cross. No higher honor can be afforded to God’s children as being called a faithful servant. Remember what Jesus will say to the faithful in Heaven?
“His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” - Matthew 25:23
Paul was “called to be an Apostle” replacing Judas Iscariot, the traitor who sold the life of Christ for 30 pieces of silver and later hung himself. The word “called” means merely to be invited, but has the stronger sense of being ‘appointed’. It indicates that Paul had not assumed the office himself by desire, but that he was set apart to it by the authority of Christ Himself.
We do not choose our offices and gifts, God bestows them upon us according to His will (Romans 11:29; Romans 12:6-8; I Corinthians 12:8-10; 28-30; Ephesians 4:11).
The Lord had separated Paul for the great and important task of spreading the Gospel, the Good News that Christ Jesus offered up Himself for the sins of the world. Likewise we have the same “Great Commission” (Mark 16:15) to go forth and preach the saving grace of Christ to a sinful world. Everyday is another day to share Jesus with our family, friends, and neighbors. Let’s not waste them! Time is of essence. The coming of the Lord is nigh!
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
1) Discuss how Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
2) What language did Paul use to write the letter to the church at Rome.
3) The word “servant” means what? Please discuss how the word is used.
4) Paul was “called to be an Apostle” to replace who?
5) Who chooses our “offices and gifts”?
2) What language did Paul use to write the letter to the church at Rome.
3) The word “servant” means what? Please discuss how the word is used.
4) Paul was “called to be an Apostle” to replace who?
5) Who chooses our “offices and gifts”?
Verse 2
“(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”
Many times the prophets of the Old Testament spoke of the coming Messiah who would be proclaimed throughout all the world. The office of the prophet was for those that ‘spoke’ the Word of God, as well as those who ‘wrote’ it down.
These Old Testament prophets were called “holy men” which simply meant they were held in high esteem because they were chosen and ordained by God and received their words directly from the the Lord.
NOTE: The Holy Spirit did not indwell the hearts of the Old Testament Prophets as He does believers today under grace, but spoke to them directly (Hosea 12:10). Sometimes through visits from the Lord Himself called a “theophany” a visible manifestation of the Lord Jesus as when the Lord appeared in the Garden of Eden to talk with Adam and Eve. The prophets also received from the Lord through visions and dreams.
Paul wants it made clear to the believers at Rome, that he is not preaching anything that was not already prophesied by the past prophets, which is the teachings of the coming Messiah. Paul was simply continuing the message, or story of redemption for mankind as the Lord had commissioned him to do.
“(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”
Many times the prophets of the Old Testament spoke of the coming Messiah who would be proclaimed throughout all the world. The office of the prophet was for those that ‘spoke’ the Word of God, as well as those who ‘wrote’ it down.
These Old Testament prophets were called “holy men” which simply meant they were held in high esteem because they were chosen and ordained by God and received their words directly from the the Lord.
NOTE: The Holy Spirit did not indwell the hearts of the Old Testament Prophets as He does believers today under grace, but spoke to them directly (Hosea 12:10). Sometimes through visits from the Lord Himself called a “theophany” a visible manifestation of the Lord Jesus as when the Lord appeared in the Garden of Eden to talk with Adam and Eve. The prophets also received from the Lord through visions and dreams.
Paul wants it made clear to the believers at Rome, that he is not preaching anything that was not already prophesied by the past prophets, which is the teachings of the coming Messiah. Paul was simply continuing the message, or story of redemption for mankind as the Lord had commissioned him to do.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
6) What were the Old Testament Prophets called and what did it mean?
7) How did God speak to the prophets in contrast to the way He speaks to us today?
7) How did God speak to the prophets in contrast to the way He speaks to us today?
Verse 3
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh”
Paul unveils the subject he wants to impart to the Roman believers, which is the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through Him and Him alone, that salvation is accomplished in the sinners life (Acts 4:12). Jesus is “the way”, not “a way” (John 14:6).
He goes on to say that Jesus was born and came through the lineage, or seed of David through the Virgin Mary who was conceived not of mortal man, but by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 1:20).
"God sent forth his Son made of a woman," born of a woman” - Galatians 4:4
It was was of great importance for the sacred writers and to Paul to make it clear that Jesus came through the lineage of King David, the Royal line (Matthew 1:1), thus authenticating the prophets before him.
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh”
Paul unveils the subject he wants to impart to the Roman believers, which is the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through Him and Him alone, that salvation is accomplished in the sinners life (Acts 4:12). Jesus is “the way”, not “a way” (John 14:6).
He goes on to say that Jesus was born and came through the lineage, or seed of David through the Virgin Mary who was conceived not of mortal man, but by the Holy Spirit of God (Matthew 1:20).
"God sent forth his Son made of a woman," born of a woman” - Galatians 4:4
It was was of great importance for the sacred writers and to Paul to make it clear that Jesus came through the lineage of King David, the Royal line (Matthew 1:1), thus authenticating the prophets before him.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
8) Explain what Paul’s subject matter was in his letter to the church at Rome.
9) In what manner was Jesus born?
10) What lineage did Jesus come through?
9) In what manner was Jesus born?
10) What lineage did Jesus come through?
Verse 4
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”
Paul proclaims to the Romans that Jesus is “declared to be the Son of God with power”. He wanted no doubt lingering in their minds that Jesus was just a mere man, but that He was God incarnate (in human flesh). Yes He was a man of flesh, but He was God as well - the ‘God/Man’ with all of the powers of the God-Head Trinity residing in human flesh and blood.
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead”
Paul proclaims to the Romans that Jesus is “declared to be the Son of God with power”. He wanted no doubt lingering in their minds that Jesus was just a mere man, but that He was God incarnate (in human flesh). Yes He was a man of flesh, but He was God as well - the ‘God/Man’ with all of the powers of the God-Head Trinity residing in human flesh and blood.
Verse 5
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name”
“By whom” Paul enforces to the Romans again that his authority to make these claims came not from him, but upon divine authority. It was upon the authorization of Jesus that he was commissioned to be an Apostle,
“for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ” - Galatians 1:12. (See also 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 3:1-3.)
“For obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name”
It was obedience to the Lord Jesus and through faith that Paul was declaring the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus the Messiah to the whole world. Paul was born and called for this and he responded by faith.
NOTE: Our callings today should be likewise responded to by faith. Faith opens the door that God provides for us to serve and do His will. If we fail to open that door, we loose the gifts and rewards the Lord has in store for us. There may be other “doors” later in life, but they will be of lessor rewards because we ignored God’s perfect door for our lives.
My friends, don’t resist your callings and gifts. Respond to them post haste. Your life will be less than productive and your blessings lost if you don’t walk through that open door by faith. One step of faith through that door drives away fear and gives us a straight path to follow for the Lords blessings.
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name”
“By whom” Paul enforces to the Romans again that his authority to make these claims came not from him, but upon divine authority. It was upon the authorization of Jesus that he was commissioned to be an Apostle,
“for I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by revelation of Jesus Christ” - Galatians 1:12. (See also 1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Ephesians 3:1-3.)
“For obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name”
It was obedience to the Lord Jesus and through faith that Paul was declaring the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus the Messiah to the whole world. Paul was born and called for this and he responded by faith.
NOTE: Our callings today should be likewise responded to by faith. Faith opens the door that God provides for us to serve and do His will. If we fail to open that door, we loose the gifts and rewards the Lord has in store for us. There may be other “doors” later in life, but they will be of lessor rewards because we ignored God’s perfect door for our lives.
My friends, don’t resist your callings and gifts. Respond to them post haste. Your life will be less than productive and your blessings lost if you don’t walk through that open door by faith. One step of faith through that door drives away fear and gives us a straight path to follow for the Lords blessings.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
11) What does “God incarnate” mean?
12. How do we receive our ‘callings’ today?
12. How do we receive our ‘callings’ today?
Verses 6-7
“Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Not only was Paul called by Jesus, but we also receive our own personal callings from Him. It’s important to stay close to the Lord through His Word and prayer to hear that “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit. He will lead and guide us as he did the Apostle Paul in the preordained path he wants us to be on to effectively help in the building of God’s kingdom.
NOTE: When I was struggling with the call to preach many years ago, I sought advice from my pastor and he gave me this verse,
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop [pastor/preacher], he desireth a good work.”
- 1 Timothy 3:1
In other words, if a person is dedicated and close to God, He will give you a deep “desire” to do the Lord’s perfect will for your life. A desire that will burn in your soul and you can never quench it. Timothy says if you “desire” the office of a bishop (preacher, pastor, teacher, etc.) you “desire a good work.” It will not be a fleshly desire, but one bestowed upon you by the Lord. If you can talk yourself out of it, it’s most likely not of God, because “the callings of God are without repentance.”
Paul then ends this chapter with “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Grace and peace - in other words, may God and Christ look favourably upon you as you are obedient to Him, enjoying each rewarding day as the result of His favor, and may the peace of God fill your lives to the fullest.
“Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Not only was Paul called by Jesus, but we also receive our own personal callings from Him. It’s important to stay close to the Lord through His Word and prayer to hear that “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit. He will lead and guide us as he did the Apostle Paul in the preordained path he wants us to be on to effectively help in the building of God’s kingdom.
NOTE: When I was struggling with the call to preach many years ago, I sought advice from my pastor and he gave me this verse,
“This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop [pastor/preacher], he desireth a good work.”
- 1 Timothy 3:1
In other words, if a person is dedicated and close to God, He will give you a deep “desire” to do the Lord’s perfect will for your life. A desire that will burn in your soul and you can never quench it. Timothy says if you “desire” the office of a bishop (preacher, pastor, teacher, etc.) you “desire a good work.” It will not be a fleshly desire, but one bestowed upon you by the Lord. If you can talk yourself out of it, it’s most likely not of God, because “the callings of God are without repentance.”
Paul then ends this chapter with “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Grace and peace - in other words, may God and Christ look favourably upon you as you are obedient to Him, enjoying each rewarding day as the result of His favor, and may the peace of God fill your lives to the fullest.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
13. Why is it so important to stay close to God?
14. According to 1 Timothy 3:2, explain how God ‘calls’ people into His service.
14. According to 1 Timothy 3:2, explain how God ‘calls’ people into His service.