Introductory
Matters
To
all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to
be saints: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 1:7
“Beloved
of God … saints”: The Greek text records these as 3 separate
privileges:
1. God
has set His love on His own (5:5; 8:35; Eph. 1:6),
2. He
has extended to them not only the general, external invitation to
believe the gospel, but His effectual calling, or His drawing to
Himself all those He has chosen for salvation (8:30; 2 Thes. 2:13-14;
2 Tim. 1:9),
3. God
has set believers apart from sin unto Himself, so that they are holy
ones (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Cor. 1:2; Gal. 1:3; Eph. 1:2; Phlp. 1:2; Col.
1:2; 1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:2; 1 Tim. 1:2; 2 Tim. 1:2; Tit. 1:4; and
Phi. 3).
Obedience
and faith are often linked (cf. Rom. 15:18; 16:26; also cf. 1Pet.
1:2). Just as Paul was a “called” apostle, so the believers in
Rome were called to belong to Jesus Christ (lit., “called of Jesus
Christ”) and called to be saints (lit., “called saints”).
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