Romans 1: Unveiling the Gospel and Humanity's Plight
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
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.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
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;
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1 serves as a powerful introduction to Paul's letter, laying the groundwork for understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and the universal need for salvation. In this chapter, Paul introduces himself, expresses his deep longing to visit the Roman believers, and boldly declares the gospel as God's power for salvation. He then transitions to a stark depiction of humanity's rejection of God and the consequences of that rejection. This chapter is critical for understanding the rest of the book, as it establishes the fundamental truths about God, humanity, and the good news of redemption.
Paul's Introduction and Gospel Declaration (Romans 1:1-17)
Paul identifies himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). This is more than a simple greeting; it's a declaration of his entire identity and purpose. He is a doulos, a bond-servant, willingly submitted to the authority of Jesus. As an apostle, he is Christ's representative, entrusted with sharing the good news. This gospel, Paul emphasizes, isn't a new invention but was "promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures" (Romans 1:2). The Old Testament foreshadowed the coming Messiah, giving signs of what he would be like, what he would bring, and what he would accomplish.
The gospel centers on Jesus Christ, both fully human – "a descendant of David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3) – and fully God – "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" (Romans 1:4). The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus' divinity, demonstrating God's power and confirming Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
Paul's apostolic calling extends to "all the Gentiles" (Romans 1:5), including the believers in Rome. He longs to visit them, not out of mere social obligation, but to impart a "spiritual gift to strengthen you" (Romans 1:11), seeking mutual encouragement in their shared faith (Romans 1:12). This highlights the importance of community and the reciprocal nature of spiritual growth. Ideally, we encourage the one who ministers to us while he ministers to and encourages us. The Christian life is one of giving in every direction, always seeking to encourage and enrich others.
The heart of Paul's message is unveiled in Romans 1:16: "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." The gospel is not a message of shame, but of power! It's God's power to rescue humanity from sin and its consequences. This salvation is not merely for deliverance from hell but also for the deliverance of believers from the temporal wrath of God against sin. The gospel offers righteousness—being made right with God—through faith, a righteousness "that is by faith from first to last" (Romans 1:17). The act of faith in the finished work of Christ justifies us, and it is the lifestyle of faith that sanctifies and transforms us.
Humanity's Rejection and God's Wrath (Romans 1:18-32)
Paul transitions from the good news of salvation to the stark reality of humanity's sin and the necessity for that salvation. He declares that "the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18). God's wrath is his righteous and just retribution against sin. He does not apologize for his righteous anger, like we often try to do. Rather, he publishes it for all to see.
Humanity is "without excuse" (Romans 1:20) because God has made Himself known through creation. "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Whether a man lives in Timbuktu or Dallas, he knows something about God because God’s invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen. Creation testifies to the existence, greatness, power, and glory of God.
Despite this clear revelation, humanity has chosen to reject God, leading to a downward spiral. "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). Suppressing the truth results in a vicious cycle of idolatry. Because humanity did not glorify him as God . . . their thinking became worthless. We humans decided to exchange God for something we thought would be more satisfying, so we swapped the glory of the immortal God for all manner of earthly things—images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and cars and houses and money and sex. An idol is any person, place, thing, or thought that you look to in order to get your needs met apart from God. It’s the worst exchange imaginable, as Paul plainly says: Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
As a consequence of rejecting God, He "gave them up" (Romans 1:24, 26, 28) to their own sinful desires. This phrase appears three times, and it shows God taking his hand of restraint off, essentially saying, “You want to do life without me? You’ve got it.” This is the passive wrath of God at work in history. He lets you experience the built-in negative consequences of living independent of him. This includes sexual immorality (Romans 1:24-27) and a host of other sins (Romans 1:29-31).
Paul concludes the chapter by highlighting the depravity of those who "know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:32). You can know a person or a culture has descended into ultimate corruption when people give public and legal approval to sin. Paul lists twenty-four ways godlessness leads to madness. This is a catalogue of societal breakdown, filled with greed, murder, and deceit. We look around at our culture and say, “How did things get so crazy?” Paul answers: as a society, you asked to be free from God. This is what you get.
Romans 1 paints a sobering picture of humanity's condition apart from God. It underscores the universal need for the gospel, the "good news" of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This chapter serves as a crucial foundation for the rest of the letter, setting the stage for Paul's comprehensive explanation of God's plan of redemption. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to acknowledge our need for God, and to embrace the power of the gospel that can transform our lives and reconcile us to Him.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
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.
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
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;
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1 serves as a powerful introduction to Paul's letter, laying the groundwork for understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ and the universal need for salvation. In this chapter, Paul introduces himself, expresses his deep longing to visit the Roman believers, and boldly declares the gospel as God's power for salvation. He then transitions to a stark depiction of humanity's rejection of God and the consequences of that rejection. This chapter is critical for understanding the rest of the book, as it establishes the fundamental truths about God, humanity, and the good news of redemption.
Paul's Introduction and Gospel Declaration (Romans 1:1-17)
Paul identifies himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1). This is more than a simple greeting; it's a declaration of his entire identity and purpose. He is a doulos, a bond-servant, willingly submitted to the authority of Jesus. As an apostle, he is Christ's representative, entrusted with sharing the good news. This gospel, Paul emphasizes, isn't a new invention but was "promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures" (Romans 1:2). The Old Testament foreshadowed the coming Messiah, giving signs of what he would be like, what he would bring, and what he would accomplish.
The gospel centers on Jesus Christ, both fully human – "a descendant of David according to the flesh" (Romans 1:3) – and fully God – "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" (Romans 1:4). The resurrection is the ultimate validation of Jesus' divinity, demonstrating God's power and confirming Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
Paul's apostolic calling extends to "all the Gentiles" (Romans 1:5), including the believers in Rome. He longs to visit them, not out of mere social obligation, but to impart a "spiritual gift to strengthen you" (Romans 1:11), seeking mutual encouragement in their shared faith (Romans 1:12). This highlights the importance of community and the reciprocal nature of spiritual growth. Ideally, we encourage the one who ministers to us while he ministers to and encourages us. The Christian life is one of giving in every direction, always seeking to encourage and enrich others.
The heart of Paul's message is unveiled in Romans 1:16: "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." The gospel is not a message of shame, but of power! It's God's power to rescue humanity from sin and its consequences. This salvation is not merely for deliverance from hell but also for the deliverance of believers from the temporal wrath of God against sin. The gospel offers righteousness—being made right with God—through faith, a righteousness "that is by faith from first to last" (Romans 1:17). The act of faith in the finished work of Christ justifies us, and it is the lifestyle of faith that sanctifies and transforms us.
Humanity's Rejection and God's Wrath (Romans 1:18-32)
Paul transitions from the good news of salvation to the stark reality of humanity's sin and the necessity for that salvation. He declares that "the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth" (Romans 1:18). God's wrath is his righteous and just retribution against sin. He does not apologize for his righteous anger, like we often try to do. Rather, he publishes it for all to see.
Humanity is "without excuse" (Romans 1:20) because God has made Himself known through creation. "For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made." Whether a man lives in Timbuktu or Dallas, he knows something about God because God’s invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen. Creation testifies to the existence, greatness, power, and glory of God.
Despite this clear revelation, humanity has chosen to reject God, leading to a downward spiral. "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened" (Romans 1:21). Suppressing the truth results in a vicious cycle of idolatry. Because humanity did not glorify him as God . . . their thinking became worthless. We humans decided to exchange God for something we thought would be more satisfying, so we swapped the glory of the immortal God for all manner of earthly things—images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and cars and houses and money and sex. An idol is any person, place, thing, or thought that you look to in order to get your needs met apart from God. It’s the worst exchange imaginable, as Paul plainly says: Claiming to be wise, they became fools.
As a consequence of rejecting God, He "gave them up" (Romans 1:24, 26, 28) to their own sinful desires. This phrase appears three times, and it shows God taking his hand of restraint off, essentially saying, “You want to do life without me? You’ve got it.” This is the passive wrath of God at work in history. He lets you experience the built-in negative consequences of living independent of him. This includes sexual immorality (Romans 1:24-27) and a host of other sins (Romans 1:29-31).
Paul concludes the chapter by highlighting the depravity of those who "know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them" (Romans 1:32). You can know a person or a culture has descended into ultimate corruption when people give public and legal approval to sin. Paul lists twenty-four ways godlessness leads to madness. This is a catalogue of societal breakdown, filled with greed, murder, and deceit. We look around at our culture and say, “How did things get so crazy?” Paul answers: as a society, you asked to be free from God. This is what you get.
Romans 1 paints a sobering picture of humanity's condition apart from God. It underscores the universal need for the gospel, the "good news" of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. This chapter serves as a crucial foundation for the rest of the letter, setting the stage for Paul's comprehensive explanation of God's plan of redemption. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to acknowledge our need for God, and to embrace the power of the gospel that can transform our lives and reconcile us to Him.