Apart Apostle Authority Bondman Bondservant Bond-servant Christ Glad God's Gospel News Paul Preacher Proclaim Selection Separated Servant Tidings
1:1 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.
(2) Paul, exhorting the Romans to give diligent heed to him, in that he shows that he comes not in his own name, but as God's messenger to the Gentiles, entreats them with the weightiest matter that exists, promised long ago by God, by many good witnesses, and now at length indeed performed.
(a) Minister, for this word servant is not taken in this place as set against the word freeman, but rather refers to and declares his ministry and office.
(b) Whereas he said before in a general term that he was a minister, now he comes to a more special name, and says that he is an apostle, and that he did not take this office upon himself by his own doing, but that he was called by God, and therefore in this letter of his to the Romans he is doing nothing but his duty.
(c) Appointed by God to preach the gospel.
1:1 Introduction. The Morals of Paganism
SUMMARY OF ROMANS 1:
Paul's Salutation to the Church at Rome. His Deep Interest in Its Welfare. His Confidence in the Gospel. It Is the Power of God. The Wrath of God. The Sins of the Gentile World. The Gentile World Under Condemnation.
Paul. Instead of subscribing a name at the end of a letter, the custom was to introduce it at the beginning. See other Epistles of Paul. For Paul's name, see PNT Ac 13:9.
Called [to be] an apostle. To be is not in the original. Paul simply states that he is a called apostle, not one appointed by men, but called by Jesus Christ. He was called when he saw the Lord, an essential to apostleship. See notes on 1Co 9:1 Ac 26:16. His setting apart at Antioch was not this call, but it came direct from Jesus Christ (Ac 13:2). As some Judaizing teachers tried to destroy his apostolic authority, he found it necessary on several occasions to show that his commission was directly from the Lord.
Separated. Set apart to the work of the gospel. Christ set him apart, and his whole life was consecrated to his divine glory.
1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ - To this introduction the conclusion answers, Romans 15:15, and c. Called to be an apostle - And made an apostle by that calling. While God calls, he makes what he calls. As the Judaizing teachers disputed his claim to the apostolical office, it is with great propriety that he asserts it in the very entrance of an epistle wherein their principles are entirely overthrown. And various other proper and important thoughts are suggested in this short introduction; particularly the prophecies concerning the gospel, the descent of Jesus from David, the great doctrines of his Godhead and resurrection, the sending the gospel to the gentiles, the privileges of Christians, and the obedience and holiness to which they were obliged in virtue of their profession. Separated - By God, not only from the bulk of other men, from other Jews, from other disciples, but even from other Christian teachers, to be a peculiar instrument of God in spreading the gospel.
1:1-7 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 David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Apart Apostle Authority Bondservant Bond-Servant Christ Glad God's Good Gospel Jesus News Paul Preacher Proclaim Selection Separated Servant Tidings
Apart Apostle Authority Bondservant Bond-Servant Christ Glad God's Good Gospel Jesus News Paul Preacher Proclaim Selection Separated Servant Tidings
