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The Bible Study New Testament

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.]

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See also Romans 1:1-7 in other biblical comments:

  • A Textual Commentary On The Greek New Testament by Bruce M. Metzger

    ROMANS 1:1 Cristou/ VIhsou/ {B} In the opening verses of most of the Pauline letters, the manuscripts vary the sequence between VIhsou/ Cristou/ and Cristou/ VIhsou/. In general, the earlier letters...

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS. -Year of the Constantinopolitan AEra of the World, 5566. -Year of the Alexandrian AEra of the World; 5560. -Year of the Antiochian AEra of the World,...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    PAUL - The original name of the author of this Epistle was “Saul.” Acts 7:58; Acts 7:1; Acts 8:1, etc. This was changed to Paul (see the note at Acts 13:9

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    ANALYSIS AND ANNOTATIONS I. DOCTRINAL. THE SALVATION OF GOD. Chapter 1-8. CHAPTER 1 _ 1. The Apostle and the Gospel of God. (Romans 1:1 .)_ 2. The Greeting. (Romans 1:7 .) 3. The Apostle's Prayer...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    THE ADDRESS is elaborate, for Paul is introducing himself to a strange community; and stately, as befits Christ's ambassador approaching the imperial city. Romans 1:1 f., Romans 1:5 f. He is an apostl...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    This is a letter from Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart to serve the good news of God. This good news God promised long ago, through his prophets, in the sacred writing...

  • Barclay Daily Study Bible (NT)

    A CALL, A GOSPEL AND A TASK (Romans 1:1-7)...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    Paul. Paul's name heads all his Epistles, except Hebrews. SERVANT. Greek. _doulos._ App-190. Compare 2 Corinthians 4:5.Galatians 1:1; Galatians 1:10;...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Romans 1:1-7. Greeting 1. _Paul_ On the name, see _Introduction_, i. § 2. _a servant_ Strictly, A BONDSERVANT. So Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1;...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    A. Romans 1:1-17. INTRODUCTION. ADDRESS 1–7. OCCASION 8–15. SUBJECT 16–17. 1–7. Address. The writer’s (_a_) name and state, (_b_) office, (_c_) commission defined by a statement of (i) the Person from...

  • Cambridge Greek Testament for Schools and Colleges Commentary

    ΠΑΥ͂ΛΟΣ. Here, Gal., Gal., Ephesians, 1 and 2 Tim., no colleague is mentioned. ΔΟΥ͂ΛΟΣ in the address here and Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1, only; cf. James 1:1;...

  • Charles Rose Commentaries

    ΠΑΎΛΟΣ (G3972) Павел. Nom. используется в адресе письма. О форме и отправлении писем в античном мире _см._ NDIEC, 7:1-57; DPL, 550-53; LAE, 146-215; RAC, 2:564-84; КР, 2:324-27; John Lee White, The Fo...

  • Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

    PAUL, A SERVANT, &C.— From this to the fifteenth verse we have the introduction to this epistle, in which St. Paul asserts his commission as the apostle to the Gentiles; throws in such reflections con...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    PART ONE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS, Romans 1:1-15 SALUTATION, Romans 1:1-7 _Text_ Romans 1:1-7. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be anapostle, separated unto the gospel of God,...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    _RETHINKING IN OUTLINE FORM_ PART ONE INTRODUCTORY STATEMENTS, Romans 1:1-15 I. Salutation. Romans 1:1-7 1. The Author. Romans 1:1 2. The Gospel in Review....

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, The Salutation (Romans 1:1) Instead of the "greeting" [ chairein (G5463)] familiar to us in the epistola...

  • Concordant Commentary on the New Testament by A. E. Knoch

    1 Paul dates his apostleship from the commission he received at Antioch (Act_13:2) when he was severed from the rest to preach the evangel of God to the nations. Hitherto only Jews and proselytes like...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    1:1 called (f-7) 'A called apostle,' i.e. an apostle by (divine) calling. Cf. ver. 7 'called saints,' and see note there....

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    SERVANT] A title used in the OT. of those devoted to a special work for God: cp. Joshua 24:29; Psalms 36 (title) Jeremiah 7:25; Daniel 9:11;...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL AND THE NEED OF THE WORLD. THE GUILT OF THE HEATHEN In his salutation the apostle emphasises his commission, and the greatness of the Person whose servant he is and who is the...

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    PAUL’S LETTER TO THE *ROMANS ROMANS _HILDA BRIGHT AND KEITH SIMONS_ ABOUT PAUL’S LETTER TO THE *ROMANS ABOUT THE FIRST CHRISTIANS IN ROME Rome was the most important city in the world at the tim...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    (1-7) In writing to the Romans, a Church to which he was personally unknown, and which might be supposed, so far as it was Jewish, to be prejudiced against him, the Apostle delivers with somewhat more...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    SERVANT. — More strictly, here as elsewhere in the New Testament, _slave;_ and yet not wrongly translated “servant,” because the compulsory and degrading side of service is not put forward. The idea o...

  • Expositor's Bible Commentary (Nicoll)

    CHAPTER 2 THE WRITER AND HIS READERS Romans 1:1 PAUL, a bondservant of Jesus Christ. So the man opens his Lord's message with his own name. We may, if we please, leave it and pass on, for to the let...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    The usual salutation of the Apostle is expanded, as is natural in writing to persons whom he has not seen, into a description both of himself and of his Gospel. Both, so to speak, need a fuller introd...

  • Expositor's Greek Testament (Nicoll)

    Paul's description of himself. δοῦλος Ἰ. Χ. The use of the same expression in James, Jude, 2 Pet., shows how universal in the Church was the sense of being under an obligation to Christ which could ne...

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE APOSTLE'S BURNING DESIRE Romans 1:1 Upon the threshold of his greatest Epistle, Paul describes himself as a bond-servant. Such humility as his qualified him to be the medium of God's wondrous rev...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    Bringing the first and seventh verses together, we find the called apostle writing to the called saints. As for himself, Paul declared, first, that he was debtor, because a gift had been bestowed on...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    Paul, (1) a (2) (a) servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an (b) apostle, (c) separated unto the gospel of God, (1) The first part of the epistle contains a most profitable preface down to verse six...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Called to be an apostle, [1] or a called apostle. That is, not only having the name of an apostle, but having a his call to this high function, and his mission from God. --- Separated unto the gospel...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    “ _Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus_, _an apostle by_ [his] _call, separated unto the gospel of God, which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures._ ” Paul introduces himself in th...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    PREFACE. 1:1-15. THE framework of the Epistle to the Romans is, as we have seen, the same as that of the most of Paul's other Epistles: 1. An epistolary preface; 2. The body of the letter; 3. An epis...

  • Godet's commentary on Luke, John, Romans, 1 Corinthians

    FIRST PASSAGE (1:1-7). THE ADDRESS. The form of address usual among the ancients contained three terms: “N. to N. _greeting._ ” Comp. Acts 23:26: “Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Feli...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (2) (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures), (3) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    CONTENTS Paul opens the Epistle with declaring his Apostleship. He salutes the Church, with the Profession of his brotherly Love: declares his willingness to visit them; and draws a faithful, but mel...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    The circumstances under which the epistle to the Romans was written gave occasion to the most thorough and comprehensive unfolding, not of the church, but of Christianity. No apostle had ever yet visi...

  • James Nisbet's Church Pulpit Commentary

    _‘A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST’_ ‘A servant of Jesus Christ.’ Romans 1:1 It is the highest title that is known in earth or heaven—‘a servant of Jesus Christ.’ Service is based on love. Can you help t...

  • John Calvin's Bible Commentary

    1._Paul, etc. _(11) — With regard to the word Paul, as it is a subject of no such moment as ought to detain us, and as nothing can be said which has not been mentioned by other expounders, I should sa...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    There is no epistle in which the apostle places his apostleship on more positive and formal ground than in this; for at Rome he had no claim in virtue of his labours. He had never seen the Romans. He...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    PAUL, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST,.... The name of the author of this epistle is Paul, who formerly was called Saul. Some think his name was changed upon his own conversion; others, upon the conversion...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called _to be_ an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Ver. 1. _Paul_] A little man, it should seem by his name (such as was James the Less, Mar 15:40): but as...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ_ Though once a bitter persecutor; _called to be an apostle_ And made an apostle by that calling. The Greek, κλητος αποστολος, is literally, _a called apostle_, or _an...

  • Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament (1851)

    A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE; he first places himself with the whole body of believers as "a servant of Jesus Christ," and then, in accordance with his usual custom, asserts his...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    PAUL, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST, CALLED TO BE AN APOSTLE, SEPARATED UNTO THE GOSPEL OF GOD,...

  • Kretzmann's Popular Commentary of the Bible

    SALUTATION OF THE LETTER....

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    The salutation (unusually long) occupies seven verses, - laying down distinctly, as it does, the complete foundation of that Gospel of which Paul was a messenger - thus introducing him with the Gospel...

  • Manly Luscombe Commentary on New Testament

    ROMANS 1:1-17 1. How did Paul gain the ear of the Roman church? a. How did Paul establish a common tie with the Jews at Rome? i. Prophets ii. Quote from Scripture iii. Jesus was the seed of David...

  • Mark Dunagan Commentaries

    ROMANS CHAPTER ONE _ NOTES AND COMMENTS:_ Romans 1:1 Paul,. servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 'Paul' -meaning 'little'. It was. favorite name among...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    1-7 The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from Dav...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    ROMANS CHAPTER 1 ROMANS 1:1 Paul, commending to the Romans his calling, greets them, ROMANS 1:8 and professes his concern for, and desire of coming to see them. ROMANS 1:16,17 He shows tha

  • McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,...

  • NT Verse References in the Ante-Nicene Fathers

    Irenaeus Against Heresies Book III Paul, when writing to the Romans, has explained this very point: "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, predestinated unto the Gospel of God, which He had promised by H...

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Romans 1:1 Paul G3972 bondservant G1401 Jesus G2424 Christ G5547 called G2822 apostle G652 separated G873 (G5772) to...

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    COMMENTARY. This Letter was written by Paul to the church in Rome, and its whole stress is on ‘the Good News of God'. It commences with a description of that ‘Good News (Gospel) of God', which is wha...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    _ADDRESS AND GREETING_ The Apostle conforms to the usage of his time, beginning his letters with his own name, followed by a designation of the persons addressed, to which a greeting is added. But he...

  • Philip Schaff's Popular Commentary on the NT (4 vols)

    Romans 1:1. PAUL. See _Gen. Introd._, § 1, and Acts throughout. A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST. The word ‘servant' here means ‘bondman,' expressing the fact that Paul personally belonged to Jesus Christ,...

  • Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament

    TO THE ROMANS (προς Ρωμαιους). This is the title in Aleph A B C, our oldest Greek MSS. for the Epistle. We do not know whether Paul gave any title at all. Later MSS. add other words up to the Textu...

  • Sermon Bible Commentary

    Romans 1:1 I. The fact that a man like Paul, brought up as he was with such a brain and such a heart, turned the wrong way at first, should be capable of burning with such enthusiasm for a man of whos...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Romans 1:1. _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.)_ Paul had not seen the R...

  • Spurgeon's Bible Commentary

    Romans 1:1. _Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,_ Paul has many titles, and he delights to mention them in writing to these Christians at Rome....

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Words of comfort to the church at Rome. The universe a revelation of the power and deity of God. The deplorable condition of a lost world. CHARACTERS: God, Jesus, Paul. CONCLUSION: God has...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Romans 1:1. _Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,_ in the sense he himself illustrates to the Corinthians. Ye are not your own; ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your s...

  • The Biblical Illustrator

    _Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ._ AUTHENTICATION AND SALUTATION I. The apostle. 1. Paul was not the name by which he was always known, but was assumed shortly after the commencement of his mission...

  • The ESV Global Study Bible's Study Notes

    ROMANS—NOTE ON ROMANS 1:1 The Gospel as the Revelation of God’s Righteous­ness. This first section includes Paul’s opening greeting (vv. Romans 1:1), thanksgiving (vv....

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    _CRITICAL NOTES_ Romans 1:1. PAUL.—In Latin Paulus, and equals little. Chosen, perhaps, for humility. Name of illustrious Roman family. Saul among Jews. Afterwards Paul. Very common for Jews to accept...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    EXPOSITION ROMANS 1:1 I. INTRODUCTORY. ROMANS 1:1 A. _Salutation_ with long interposed parenthesis, suggested by "gospel of God." The parenthesis, expressing thoughts of which the writer's mind is...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    This time let us turn in our Bibles to Romans, chapter 1. Paul opens his epistle to the Romans declaring: Paul, a bond slave of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    1 Chronicles 23:13; 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 15:8; 1 Corinthians 9:1;...

  • Vincent's Word Studies in the New Testament (4 Volume Set)

    Paul [π α υ λ ο ς]. A transcript for the Latin paulus or paullus, meaning little. It was a favorite name among the Cilicians, and the nearest approach in sound to the Hebrew Saul. According to some, b...

  • Wells of Living Water Commentary

    THE GOSPEL OF GOD Romans 1:1 INTRODUCTORY WORDS The opening statement of the first chapter of Romans gives us sufficient basis for our introductory word. The statement reads thus: "Paul, a SERVANT...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ — To this introduction the conclusion answers, Romans 15:15, &c. Called to be an apostle — And made an apostle by that calling. While God calls, he makes what he calls....

  • William Burkitt's Expository Notes

    Observe here, The author and penman of this epistle described: 1. By his name, Paul. Before his conversion he was called Saul, then Saul the persecuter; after his conversion he was Paul the professor...

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Old Testament