Romans Chapter 1 Vs. 1

Greeting

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Rom 1:1

Paul... His history, Acts 7:58; 8:1-3; 9:1-30; 11:25-30; 12:25; 13:1-28:31; Gal. 1:1-24; Phlp. 3:1-21; 1Tim. 1:1-20; 2 Cor. 11-12. His name heads up all of his epistles (except Hebrews).

Servant... Greek: doulos, bondslave; one who is the entire property of another (note, Mat. 20:27; 1Cor. 6:19-20; 2Cor. 4:5).

called... Greek: kletos, called. Here, called to an office and divinely selected and appointed to fill it (Rom. 1:1; 1Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:15).

apostle... Greek: apostolos, (note, Acts 15:33).

separated... Greek: aphorizo, set apart. Translated "separate" (Mat. 25:32; Luke 6:22; Acts 13:2; 19:9; Rom. 1:1; 2Cor. 6:17; Gal. 1:15; 2:12); "divide" (Mat. 25:32); and "sever" (Mat. 13:49). Three stages of Paul’s separation:

1. At birth, in God’s mind (Gal. 1:15)

2. At conversion, from Judaism to the gospel (Acts 9:15-16; 1Tim. 1:15-16)

3. At his commission, from secular work to the work of God (Acts 13:2; 26:16-18; 1Tim. 1:11-12)

the gospel of... The gospel of God (Acts 1:1-5):

1. The gospel defined (Acts 10:15)

2. Fulfillment of the promises (Acts 1:2)

3. A revelation (Gal. 1:11-12, 1:16)

4. A manifestation of:

(1) God’s creation (Acts 1:20; Eph. 3:9)

(2) Man’s rebellion (Acts 1:21-3:23)

(3) God’s love, mercy, and grace (John 1:17; 3:16; Tit. 2:11-12; 3:5)

(4) God’s wrath (Rom. 1:18-32)

(5) God’s salvation (Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31; John 3:16; 1Jn. 1:9)

(6) God’s plan (Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 8:19-25; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 21-22)

(7) Man’s destiny: rebels (Mat. 25:41, 25:46; Rev. 14:9-11; 20:10-15); the saved (John 14:1-3; Rev. 5:10; 21:1-22:5)

5. Historical and prophetic facts of the gospel (Luke 24:44; 1Cor. 15:1-23)

6. Ordinances of the gospel:

(1) Water baptism (Mat. 28:19)

(2) The Lord’s Supper (1Cor. 11:19-34)

7. Preaching of the gospel (Mat. 28:19-20; Luke 24:41; Acts 1:8; 1Cor. 1:21)

8. Confirmation of the gospel (Mar. 16:15-20; Rom. 15:18-29; Heb. 2:1-4)

Introductory Matters (Rom. 1:1-17)

Epistolary greetings (Rom. 1:1-7)

The customary formula for letters in ancient times included (a) naming and identifying the author, (b) naming and identifying the recipient, and (c) a word of salutation. Paul followed this formula in this letter to the Romans despite the lengthy digression precipitated by the word “gospel.” The same formula is used in all the New Testament letters except Hebrews and 1 John.

Paul identified himself first as a servant of Christ Jesus. “Servant” (doulos) means slave, a person owned by another. Paul wore this title gladly (Gal. 1:10; Tit. 1:1), reveling in the Old Testament picture of a slave who in love binds himself to his master for life (Exo. 21:2-6).

Paul also identified himself as an apostle — one sent with delegated authority (cf. Mat. 10:1-2) — a position to which he was called. (Lit., the Gr. is, “a called apostle.”) This calling was from God (Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:1), though it was acknowledged by men (Gal. 2:7-9). It involved being set apart (from aphorizō; cf. Acts 13:2) for the gospel of God, the message of good news from God that centered on “His Son” (Rom. 1:2, 1:9) which Paul was “eager to preach” (Rom. 1:15) without shame (Rom. 1:16). This setting apart did not keep Paul from making tents to support himself and his companions (Acts 20:34; 1Th. 2:9; 2Th. 3:8) nor from mingling freely with all levels of pagan society. It was a setting apart to something — a commitment and dedication, not from things in isolation like the Pharisees. (Interestingly the word “Pharisee” means “separated one” in the sense of being isolated and segregated.)