Romans 1:1-7

From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. The custom in the first century was for the writer to introduce himself at the beginning of a letter. Chosen and called by God. Paul makes this strong statement of his "apostleship," because Jews of the "circumcision party" tried very hard to discredit him. Jesus Christ appointed Paul to be an apostle (Acts 9:15; 1 Corinthians 9:1). To preach his Good News. God himself is the source of the gospel. It is God's act in Christ which sets us free (compare 1 Corinthians 2:8-10). Was promised long ago. The Good News was no "off-beat distortion of Judaism." It was the fulfillment of God's Plan. The prophets of the Old Testament pointed forward to "Someone who is coming." It is about his Son. Christianity is based on the rock-foundation of this fact: Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God. Certain Jews were offended by this claim (see Luke 22:67-71). He was born. Christ was uniquely the "child of the woman" (see notes on 1 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 4:4). This made him a descendant of David by his human birth, since his human mother belonged to "David's family." Compare Matthew 22:41-46. As to his divine holiness. Jesus had no human father, but God himself by means of the Holy Spirit was directly the father of Jesus. But more than this, Jesus was the Eternal Logos in human form. Both humanity and divinity were united in him. Compare Romans 8:3. He was shown. The "raising from death" proved him to be the son of God!!! Through him God gave me. Christ chose the apostles directly. Compare John 17:6-12. An apostle. "Apostle" originally meant one of the ships which transported grain on the Mediterranean Sea. Apostles had all the miraculous "gifts from the Spirit," and only they could pass these on to others (Acts 8:14-17). Paul was an apostle and could do these things. In order. "To believe and obey" = "unto obedience of faith." Paul's mission was to proclaim the Good News so people could believe and obey. Compare Romans 10:17; Acts 26:16-18. [On faith, see note on James 2:19.] This also includes you. These Christians at Rome had believed and obeyed. God had called them to Christ through the Good News. And so I write. Paul sends this letter to all who are "God's people" in Rome. Rome was the capital of the world, home of Emperor Nero, a city of some two million. Whom God loves. Compare Colossians 3:12 and note. His own people. Christians are uniquely God's own people. [Saint originally meant "one consecrated to God" = "God's own people."] Give you grace and peace. This is Paul's greeting to them. It is a prayer for God and Jesus to bless them. Note that Paul was not a "Unitarian." [Paul states the gospel in this introduction: (1) Jesus is the Son of God; (2) he took our humanity; (3) he demonstrated divine power; (4) he was raised from death; (5) men are saved when they believe and obey.]