Romans 1:1-32
This letter was written by the apostle Paul around 57-58 AD. He had not yet been to Rome but was planning to visit them soon.
v. 1 Paul became an apostle, not by human appointment but because God made him one. The gospel is "the gospel of God." It's God's message not Paul's personal message.
v. 2-3 This gospel was promised by God "beforehand" through the prophets. The "Holy Scriptures" Paul mentions here are the writings that we call the Old Testament today. God told people about His Son through the writings of the OT prophets. Jesus is both a descendant of David and the Son of God.
v. 4 Jesus "was declared with power" to be the Son of God through His resurrection from the dead. This was proof that Jesus is God's Son. Paul mentions the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in this passage-- again alluding to the Trinity without explaining how God can be three in one.
v. 5 Through Christ and for His name's sake Paul and his fellow workers (we) were given the task of "calling people from among the Gentiles" (not every individual Gentile but rather individuals from Gentile nations) to faith in Christ. It was no longer only the Jews who were called the people of God.
v. 6-15 "You" (the first century Roman readers) are also called to belong to Christ. Paul addresses his letter to the believers in Rome. He thanks God for them because of their faith in Christ. Paul wants to come visit them for mutual encouragement but has been prevented from doing so until now. He must preach the gospel to Greeks and non-Greeks (that is, to all people).
v. 16-17 Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It's the power of God to save both Jews and Gentiles. "First to Jews" because the gospel went to them first at Pentecost and then it went out to Gentiles. In the gospel "a righteousness from God" (not from law, or works, or anything else) is revealed. This righteousness starts with faith and ends with faith. This righteousness is Jesus Christ.
v. 18-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven" (present tense) against the godlessness of wicked men who suppress (or hold down) the truth by their wickedness. They know something of God because God has revealed Himself to them. Since the creation of the world people have been able to see His power and divinity through nature. Therefore men (and women) are without excuse for suppressing this truth.
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