Recipients of Grace

Paul began the letter to the Roman church, by not only greeting them, but by presenting his credentials to them.

1 Introduction and Credentials

Romans 1:1

It was important for Paul to begin the epistle as he did, because while the Roman believers had certainly heard of him, most had never seen him face-to-face.

He began by referring to himself as a “bondservant of Jesus Christ.” The word translated as bondservant is the Greek word <doulos> which usually referred to those who had become a slave voluntarily.

This pictured someone has given complete and utter devotion to the one they serve.

The next “credential” he offered, is that he was “called to be an apostle.”

The word apostle means someone who was sent as an ambassador, or messenger. Meanwhile, the idea of being “called” presents Paul has having been singled out by the Lord to operate in this specific office.

Each gospel account shows that Jesus personally chose each of His apostles.

However, the Bible also shows how the apostles foolishly attempted to fill Judas’ spot as an apostle by casting lots:

Acts 1:26

The Lord had his own plan to fill the twelfth apostle position, and it would be with Paul.

Paul continued listing his “credentials” as he then spoke of being “separated to the gospel of God.” Which shows how Paul had been called and mandated by God to carry the good news (Gospel) everywhere he would go.

The main reason why the word “gospel” is used, is because it is the “good news” that God’s grace is available to all, through the finished work of Jesus at Calvary.

Paul used the name “God” in the book of Romans, more than in any other book of Scripture, showing the epistle had come with God’s authority.

2 The Basics of the Gospel

After presenting his credentials, Paul then began an instruction on the basics of the Gospel:

Romans 1:2-6

First, he showed that the basics of Gospel itself wasn’t new, but had been presented throughout the Old Testament:

Romans 1:2

It was essential that he impress upon the Roman believers, that he wasn’t about to present them with new doctrine, but was building upon and elucidating that which had been presented by the prophets of old, which meant that the Gospel is from God Himself.

In verse three, Paul shows that Jesus is the focal point of the Gospel.

The reason, is because salvation comes from Christ alone:

Acts 4:12

Paul then spoke of Jesus’ human origin, stating how He was the seed of David.

He most likely began in this fashion, as an answer to a heretical teaching called Docetism, which taught that Jesus didn’t really have a human body, but was simply a spirit (emanation) which only appeared to be human.

Of the problems with such teaching, is that if Jesus was nut fully human, then He could not have died, and therefore did not pay for our sins, nor could He have resurrected from the dead, and therefore did not overcome death and the grave.

In addition to fulfilling prophecy, the fact that Jesus was the seed of David, qualified Him to be the Jewish Messiah.

Paul then continued showing that Jesus was Deity, by stating He was the Son of God.

In verse 4, he used the Greek word <horizo> which we see translated as “declared”. In the original language, the word means “to define, determine, or limit.” Therefore, it is showing that Jesus is the most complete visible representation of God.

Jesus’ resurrection was the ultimate proof that He was God in the flesh. It also authenticated everything which He had prophesied about Himself.

In verse 5, Paul speaks of how he was a recipient of God’s grace. Prior to surrendering his life to Christ, he had been a zealous Pharisee, arresting believers, at the direction of Jewish leadership. The Christians would then be put to death.

Here, Paul alludes to how because of God’s grace, he was not only saved, but then called to be an apostle.

In verse 6, Paul shows how all believers are likewise called by and for Jesus.

In verse 7, the apostle speaks of his attended audience as being the believers in Rome. At the time of the writing, he had never been to Rome. Scripture doesn’t speak of who founded the church in Rome, but church history suggests that the church was formed as believers settled in Rome, after having traveled from other parts of the Roman Empire.

Paul was in Corinth when he wrote the epistle to the Romans. It’s very likely that he saw the struggles of the Corinthian believers, and was hoping to prevent the same thing from happening to those in Rome, which was for all intents and purposes, a much larger version of Corinth.

In verse 7, Paul also used a familiar greeting when he wished grace and peace to the Roman church:

Romans 1:7b

3 Desire to Visit Rome

Paul then spoke of his great desire to visit Rome:

Romans 1:8-15

Paul gave thanks for the Roman church, which was another familiar characteristic of his writings.

He also commended them for their faith, which he said was spoken of throughout the world. This shows how the Roman believers were greatly impacting not only their immediate environment, but other areas of the Roman Empire as well.

Paul then spoke of how he frequently interceded for them in prayer. Paul understood that which would be necessary for their growth and protection, would come from the Lord.

Next, Paul stated he wished to bless them, by imparting a spiritual gift.

This statement could either have meant that he desired to bless them by using his apostolic or spiritual gifts, or it might have been that he desired to instruct them in the proper use of their spiritual gifts.

There is a great deal of credence with the second possibility, because he might have wanted the Roman church to avoid the abuse of spiritual gifts which was rife in the Corinthian church.

He stated that while he had desired to visit them for quite a while he had been hindered from doing so, but He didn’t state what had prevented him.

He then spoke of how he viewed himself as be a “debtor” which literally meant “obligated” to preach the Gospel to everyone he encountered.