Romans 1

The book of Romans

Chapter 1

The book of Romans is the first book written by Paul we find when we are reading the Bible. If you are not familiar with the Bible, it is a collection of 66 books put together by men of God lead by the Holy Spirit. This letter Paul writes to the Romans is different than the other letters Paul writes in that this group of people are ones that he has not visited yet. All of the other letters Paul wrote were to people that he had visited. I find Romans to be my favorite book of the Bible. Next to the gospel according to John and the book of Ephesians of course. This book has so much packed into it. A lot of doctrine starts here. At least for me this book was where I started to learn about the doctrines of predestination, election, and reprobation.

Now let's get into Romans chapter 1. Romans 1 starts off with a greeting from Paul.

 "1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God". Romans 1:1

Now I am going to stop there for something that sticks out to me when I read that verse. Notice the words gospel of God? Interesting right? Yeah, I definitely thought so. Now let's talk a little bit about the gospel since Paul so kindly addresses it in his first sentence to the Romans. What is the gospel? Is it about personal salvation? Is it about adding Jesus to our lives? Is is about accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts? I will kindly say that it is definitely about personal salvation, but definitely not about the second or third thing. The answer to the question of what is the gospel is found in the next few verses.

"2 which He(GOD) promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3a concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord," Romans 1:2-3a

I'm going to stop there to go over something about the gospel. The gospel is not about you or me. As depicted in v. 3, the gospel is about Jesus Christ. Now I did say that it does include personal salvation which is correct, but that's just a small part of the gospel. The gospel is about Jesus Christ bringing His kingdom(heaven) to earth. It is about Him reigning as King over ALL of HIS creation.

"3b who was born 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."

When I read this, what I clearly see is that Paul is addressing the fact that Jesus Christ was fully God and fully man, the Godman or God-incarnate. The same thing is done by Luke in the gospel according to Luke. 

"35 And the angel answered and said to her, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.'" Luke 1:35

What we see in v. 35 is that Mary was to give birth to the Son of God. Mary is human, and the Holy Spirit is God. This is how one can logically conclude the Jesus was fully God and fully man.

"5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all the nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ." Romans 1:5-6

I do not have much to say with this verse other than salvation is of the Lord. Notice the wording in v. 5, "Through Him we have received grace...", and in v.6, "...you also are THE called of Jesus Christ." It seems interesting to me that this is the way it was worded. I wont get any further into this topic at this time.

"7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 1:7

Paul finishes his formal greeting to the Romans.

"8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 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," Romans 1:8-9

I immediately notice that in v. 9 it says gospel of His Son. I'll say this again. The gospel is not about you or me. It is about Jesus Christ. Hopefully you have gotten that message by now.

"10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established-- 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me." Romans 1:10-12

Paul wants to visit the Romans badly, and he pleads with the Lord to do so. Now in v. 11 we see the mention of spiritual gift. Something to note is that this is not the same spiritual gifts that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12-14. Paul actually clears that up for us in v. 12 with "that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith..."

"13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. 15 So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also." Romans 1:13-15

Paul stresses the fact that he has wanted to go to Rome and was "hindered until now"(v. 13). In vv. 14-15, Paul stresses the fact that he is ready to preach the gospel to anyone, and this includes the Romans.

"16 For I am unashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, '"The just shall live by faith.'" Romans 1:16-17

Paul here makes it clear he is unashamed of the gospel of Christ. We too shouldn't be ashamed of the gospel of Christ for "it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes," (v. 16). V. 16 paints the picture well enough for anyone to understand. "It is the power of GOD to salvation for everyone who believes" (v.16). Notice it does not say that it is the power of MAN to salvation. Yes, it does say that salvation is for everyone who believes, but who are the ones who will believe? Psalm 65:4 answers this question. 

"4 Blessed is the man You choose,

And cause to approach You,

That he may dwell in your courts.

We shall be satisfied with the

goodness of Your house,

Of Your holy temple." Psalm 65:4

Notice what is says, "the man You CHOOSE, And CAUSE to APPROACH You,". Who is the author of salvation? God is, and He is sovereign over it just as He is sovereign over the universe and everything in it.

Now what about v. 17. "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith;" The righteousness of God is revealed through our faith. How does one please God? Through faith. Let's turn to Hebrews 11 to see why I say that faith pleases God.

"6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him," Hebrews 11:6

Now for vv. 18-32. These are the fun verses that deal with some pretty deep stuff such as the unbeliever and presuppositionalism. If you are unfamiliar with presuppositionalism, Van Til and Greg Bahnsen would be worth your time as both of them are big time pressuppositionalists. Now let's get right into vv. 18-32.

"18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being made understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were they thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools," Romans 1:18-22

Paul is illustrating to us that God has made Himself known to everyone. Basically Paul is saying he does not believe in atheists. "because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." (v.19). It's so clear here that no one is an atheist, and that everyone is a theist. Something to note about the unbeliever is that he will "suppress the truth in unrighteousness." (v.18). Still, "they are without excuse." (v. 20). My favorite part is "Professing to be wise, they became fools," (v. 22). Paul is illustrating that anyone who suppresses the truth in unrighteousness is a fool.

"23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things." Romans 1:23

How sad it is that man in their sinful nature will exchange worshiping God for worshiping themselves and things they make(idols).

"24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen." Romans 1:24-25

Again, how sad it is that man will give up worshiping God to worship the creature... God gave them over to their carnal desires. Now something you will notice about these next two passages is that like vv. 24-25, it'll say "God gave them up".

"26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." Romans 1:26-27

Again, God gave them up to their "vile passions." (v.26).  Paul uses the example of homosexuality here by writing, "burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful," (v.27). Something that I noticed was the fact that these verses sound similar to what is happening in USA right now. Homosexuality is on the rise in America. Is God giving man over to their vile passions as depicted in v. 26? I'd say yes. Now I am not saying this verse is specifically prophetic, but that it shows exactly what happens to sinful man. God gives them over to their sins.

"28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgement of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32

V. 28 starts with "they did not like to retain God in their knowledge,". Sound anything like the new atheist movement rising up in America? Atheists will do all they can to deny God, but they simply cannot. V. 28 also says, "God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;". Again, it is stated that God is giving them over to something. Here, God is giving them up to a debased mind. All of this just sounds so similar to what is going on in the world, not just America. VV. 29-32 go on to describe all the evil things man does when given over to their sinful desires. Notice it does not say that only certain people will commit certain evil acts when given over to their sinful desires. It does not separate the level of each sin either. Anyone and everyone you come in contact with is capable of committing any of the sins listed in vv. 29-32.

Alright, this is my blog post for today on Roman 1. I hope y'all enjoyed it. God bless and have a great week.

Logan Meyer