A. Salutation 1:1-7The salutation, which is the longest salutation in Paul’s epistles, identifies the writer (Romans 1:1), introduces the subject of the letter (Romans 1:2-5), and greets the original readers (Romans 1:6-7). This first sentence (Romans 1:1-7) implicitly sets forth the most fundamental facts of Christianity. In particular, it shows that the main facts of the gospel fulfill Old Testament predictions. read more
I. INTRODUCTION 1:1-17This great epistle begins with a broad perspective. It looks at the promise of a Savior in the Old Testament, reviews Paul’s ministry to date, and surveys the religious history of the Gentile world."The main body of Romans is a treatise on Paul’s gospel, bracketed by an epistolary opening (Romans 1:1-17) and conclusion (Romans 15:14 to Romans 16:27). These opening and concluding statements have many similarities, not the least of which is the emphasis on the gospel. (Eight... read more
1:1 called (f-7) 'A called apostle,' i.e. an apostle by (divine) calling. Cf. ver. 7 'called saints,' and see note there. read more
The Power of the Gospel and the need of the World. The Guilt of the HeathenIn his salutation the apostle emphasises his commission, and the greatness of the Person whose servant he is and who is the centre of his message (Romans 1:1-7). After expressing his desire to visit the Romans (Romans 1:8-15), he states the subject of his Epistle, viz. acceptance with God through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16-17), and proceeds to develop it by showing that none have been able to merit acceptance... read more
(1) 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 of “slavery” in the present day has altogether different associations.Separated.—Compare especially Acts 13:2 (“Separate me Barnabas and Saul”), where human instruments—the leaders of the Church at Antioch—are employed to carry out the divine will. The reference here is to the historical fact of the... read more
(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 than usual solemnity his credentials and commission. A divinely appointed minister of a system of things predicted by the prophets, and culminating in the revelation, divinely ordained and attested, of Jesus Christ, he greets the Roman Christians, themselves also divinely called. Note the... read more
The Incarnation of God Romans 1:1-4 We are invited to turn our thoughts with special devotion to that great truth upon which the Gospel, as St. Paul here says, is founded, the awful and overwhelming mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God the truth expressed in the beginning of St. John's Gospel 'the Word was made Flesh'. It must be, indeed, to Christians, their continual thought. I. Such an event as that can have nothing like it, or parallel to it, while this world lasts. The Gospel of... read more
Chapter 2THE WRITER AND HIS READERSRomans 1:1-7PAUL, 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 letter writer of that day it was as much a matter of course to prefix the personal name to the letter as it is to us to append it. But then, as now, the name was not a mere word of routine; certainly not in the communications of a religious leader. It avowed responsibility; it put in evidence a person.... read more
Analysis and Annotations I. DOCTRINAL. THE SALVATION OF GOD. Chapter 1-8. CHAPTER 1 1. The Apostle and the Gospel of God. (Romans 1:1-6 .) 2. The Greeting. (Romans 1:7 .) 3. The Apostle’s Prayer and Desire. (Romans 1:8-15 .) 4. The Great Theme Introduced. (Romans 1:16-17 .) Romans 1:1-6 The introduction to the Epistle is unsurpassed by any other Epistle. Every word should be carefully studied. The writer introduces himself first of all as a servant (literally: slave) of Jesus Christ and... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Romans 1:1
1. The writer 1:1As in all his epistles, Paul used his Roman rather than his Jewish name, Saul, perhaps because he was the apostle to the Gentiles. Even though he had not yet visited Rome his readers knew Paul’s reputation well. He just needed to give his name to identify himself.In his relationship to Jesus Christ, Paul was a bond-servant (Greek doulos). Some translators have rendered this word "slave," but Paul was a willing servant of Christ (cf. Philippians 2:7). This term is the equivalent... read more