Romans Part 3 – Romans 1:2-7
Verse 2:
• “Promised afore by the prophets” – What was promised? Not the Mystery of Christ - Rom 16:25, Eph 3:5, 2Cor 2:7-10 cf God revealed things not know in the OT to Paul by his Spirit.
I. Jesus, his death, and resurrection is what was promised and is what Paul preached - 1Cor 15:1-4, Acts 26:6-8, cf Gen 3:15, Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:25-32, Psalm 22:1-8, Isa 53.
II. Christ, Kingdom, Salvation, were all promised – Luke 1:69-72, Jer 23:6, Isa 45:17, John 5:38-39, 2Tim 1:1.
III. Salvation was prophesied, Christ death and resurrection was prophesied, but the mystery of the gospel was not. Namely, salvation offered freely by grace to all men – Rom 3:24, Eph 3:6-8, 6:19. How God could justify sinners was unknown in the OT – Psalms 32:1-2.
Verse 3:
• “Concerning Jesus Christ” – Paul’s Gospel concerns Jesus Christ, the Christ of the scriptures.
• “Made of the seed of David” – As was prophesied – 2Sam 7:8,12-13, Jer 23:5.
I. Jesus lineage given – Matt 1:1-17(Joseph’s), Luke 3:23-38(Mary’s) Matt 22:42.
• “according to the flesh” – Born flesh, speaks to his earthly ministry – Gal 4:4, 1Tim 3:16, Rom 8:3, 9:3,5 – 2Cor 5:16.
Verse 4:
• “Declared to be the Son of God with power” – By resurrection – Acts 2:29-36, 13:33-37, Phil 3:10.
• “according to the spirit” – Christ resurrected body – 1Cor 15:45
• “of holiness” – because he was God – Exo 28:36-38, Psalms 89:35, (verse 4 can be contrasted with verse 3. His Divine spiritual nature in resurrection is here contrasted with his human flesh as the seed of David). Some would say Paul preached two gospels but 2Tim 2:8, Rom 1:5 cf 16:26.
Verse 5
• “received grace and apostleship” – Paul received grace and apostleship from Christ of scriptures.
• “obedience to the faith” doctrine, not work. He that believeth - Rom 6:17.
• “among all nations” – Gentiles – Paul is the one we see going to the world – Gal 2:9, Col 1:6. Not the 12 apostles – Mark 16:15, Acts 8:1, Gal 2:9. It’s reasonable to ask what happened?
Verse 6 & 7
• “ye also the called of Jesus Christ” You are called by Jesus Christ and the gospel – 2Thess 2:14, Rom 10:17. (Vs7) “called to be saints” – called by Jesus Christ (vs6), to be saints or “saints by calling” – 1Cor 1:2. Saint ~set apart~ set apart as Gods possession – 1Cor 6:19-20. Sainthood is not something you attain by works, it’s what God has called you to through the gospel.
• “To all that be in Rome” – Paul audience is all those in Rome, both Jew and Gentile – Rom 2:17, 11:13 - Could’ve been some controversies in Rome between the two groups – Rom 3:8, 14:1,10.
• “beloved of God” – Because you’re in Christ, the beloved Son – Matt 3:17, 17:5, Eph 1:6. Christ loved us and died for us – Eph 5:2, Rom 5:8, Gal 2:20.
• “grace and peace to you” Paul gives this salutation in all of his epistles.(mercy is added in Timothy and Titus) It speaks to how God is operating in this dispensation. Not wrath, judgement, or war, but grace and peace.
If you have any questions: My email - csb33@centurylink.net
