Romans 1
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ - The word δουλος, which we translate servant, properly means a slave, one who is the entire property of his master; and is used here by the apostle with great propriety. He felt he was not his own, and that his life and powers belonged to his heavenly owner, and that he had no right to dispose of or employ them but in the strictest subserviency to the will of his Lord. In this sense, and in this spirit, he is the willing slave of Jesus Christ; and this is, perhaps, the highest character which any soul of man can attain on this side eternity. "I am wholly the Lord's; and wholly devoted in the spirit of sacrificial obedience, to the constant, complete, and energetic performance of the Divine will." A friend of God is high; a son of God is higher; but the servant, or, in the above sense, the slave of God, is higher than all; - in a word, he is a person who feels he has no property in himself, and that God is all and in all. Called to be an apostle - The word αποστολος, apostle, from αποστελλειν, to send, signifies simply a messenger or envoy; one sent on a confidential errand: but here it means an extraordinary messenger; one sent by God himself to deliver the most important message on behalf of his Maker; - in a word, one sent by the Divine authority to preach the Gospel to the nations. The word κλητος, called, signifies here the same as constituted, and should be joined with αποστολος, as it is in the Greek, and translated thus: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, constituted an apostle, etc. This sense the word called has in many places of the sacred writings; e. g. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called, κληθωμεν, Constituted, or made the sons of God. As it is likely that no apostle had been emp…
Open source ↗INTRODUCTION. (Rom. 1:1-17) Paul--(See on Act 13:9). a servant of Jesus Christ--The word here rendered "servant" means "bond-servant," or one subject to the will and wholly at the disposal of another. In this sense it is applied to the disciples of Christ at large (Co1 7:21-23), as in the Old Testament to all the people of God (Isa 66:14). But as, in addition to this, the prophets and kings of Israel were officially "the servants of the Lord" (Jos 1:1; Psa 18:1, title), the apostles call themselves, in the same official sense, "the servants of Christ" (as here, and Phi 1:1; Jam 1:1; Pe2 1:1; Jde 1:1), expressing such absolute subjection and devotion to the Lord Jesus as they would never have yielded to a mere creature. (See on Rom 1:7; Joh 5:22-23). called to be an apostle--when first he "saw the Lord"; the indispensable qualification for apostleship. (See on Act 9:5; Act 22:14; Co1 9:1). separated unto the--preaching of the gospel--neither so late as when "the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul" (Act 13:2), nor so early as when "separated from his mother's womb" (see on Gal 1:15). He was called at one and the same time to the faith and the apostleship of Christ (Act 26:16-18). of God--that is, the Gospel of which God is the glorious Author. (So Rom 15:16; Th1 2:2, Th1 2:8-9; Pe1 4:17).
Open source ↗Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,.... The name of the author of this epistle is Paul, who formerly was called Saul. Some think his name was changed upon his own conversion; others, upon the conversion of the Roman deputy Sergius Paulus, Act 13:7; others, that he was so called from the littleness of his stature; but rather it should seem that he had two names, which was usual with the Jews; one by which they went among the Gentiles, and another by they were called in their own land; See Gill on Act 13:9. "A servant of Jesus Christ"; not a servant of sin, nor of Satan, nor of man, nor of Moses and his law, nor of the traditions of the elders, but of Jesus Christ; and not by creation only, but by redemption, and by powerful efficacious grace in conversion; which is no ways contrary to true liberty; nor a disgraceful, but a most honourable character; and which chiefly regards him as a minister of the Gospel: called to be an apostle: an apostle was one that was immediately sent by Christ, and had his authority and doctrine directly from him, and had a power of working miracles from him, in confirmation of the truth of his mission, authority, and doctrine; all which were to be found in the author of this epistle, who did not thrust himself into this office, or take this honour to himself, of which he always judged himself unworthy, but was "called" to it according to the will, and by the grace of God: separated unto the Gospel of God. This may regard either God's eternal purpose concerning him, his preordination of him from eternity to be a preacher of the Gospel, to which he was separated from his mother's womb, Gal 1:15; or the separation of him to that work made by the order of the Spirit of God, Act 13:2. The phrase used is either in allusion to the priests and Levites, wh…
Open source ↗In this paragraph we have, I. The person who writes the epistle described (Rom 1:1): Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ; this is his title of honour, which he glories in, not as the Jewish teachers, Rabbi, Rabbi; but a servant, a more immediate attendant, a steward in the house. Called to be an apostle. Some think he alludes to his old name Saul, which signifies one called for, or enquired after: Christ sought him to make an apostle of him, Act 9:15. He here builds his authority upon his call; he did not run without sending, as the false apostles did; klētos apostolos - called an apostle, as if this were the name he would be called by, though he acknowledged himself not meet to be called so, Co1 15:9. Separated to the gospel of God. The Pharisees had their name from separation, because they separated themselves to the study of the law, and might be called aphōrismenoi eis ton nomon; such a one Paul had formerly been; but now he had changed his studies, was aphōrismenos eis to Euangelion, a gospel Pharisee, separated by the counsel of God (Gal 1:15), separated from his mother's womb, by an immediate direction of the Spirit, and a regular ordination according to that direction (Act 13:2, Act 13:3), by a dedication of himself to this work. He was an entire devotee to the gospel of God, the gospel which has God for its author, the origin and extraction of it divine and heavenly. II. Having mentioned the gospel of God, he digresses, to give us an encomium of it. 1. The antiquity of it. It was promised before (Rom 1:2); it was no novel upstart doctrine, but of ancient standing in the promises and prophecies of the old Testament, which did all unanimously point at the gospel, the morning-beams that ushered in the sun of righteousness; this not by word of mouth only, but in the…
Open source ↗1:1-17 These verses contain the normal features of New Testament letter introductions: an identification of the writer (1:1-6) and readers (1:7), a thanksgiving (1:8-15), and the theme of the letter (1:16-17). 1:1 slave of Christ Jesus: The word slave is used of important Old Testament leaders of God’s people, such as Moses (2 Kgs 18:12), Joshua (Josh 24:29), Elijah (2 Kgs 10:10), and David (2 Sam 7:8). The title underscores Paul’s complete subservience to Christ as Lord. • sent out (literally set apart): Paul may be alluding to being set apart by God for his mission before he was born, as the prophet Jeremiah was (Jer 1:5). He may also be referring to God’s call at the time of his Damascus Road conversion (Acts 9:15-16; cp. Acts 13:2), to preach the Good News to Jews and especially to Gentiles. • The Good News, or “gospel,” is a recurrent topic in the opening of the letter (Rom 1:1, 9, 15, 16). Paul takes the word from the Old Testament, where the Hebrew equivalent refers to the victory that God wins for his people (Isa 40:9; 41:27; 60:6; 61:1; Nah 1:15; see Joel 2:32).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
Παῦλος (Paûlos, G3972) — (little; but remotely from a derivative of G3973 (παύω), meaning the same); Paulus, the… δοῦλος (doûlos, G1401) — a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint ἀπόστολος (apóstolos, G652) — a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ… ἀφορίζω (aphorízō, G873) — to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc. εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
Open source ↗ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that προεπαγγέλλομαι (proepangéllomai, G4279) — to promise of old διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… προφήτης (prophḗtēs, G4396) — a foreteller ("prophet"); by analogy, an inspired speaker; by extension, a poet ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) γραφή (graphḗ, G1124) — a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
Open source ↗περί (perí, G4012) — properly, through (all over), i.e. around; figuratively with respect to; used in various… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us κύριος (kýrios, G2962) — supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful… ὁ (ho, G3588) — the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom) γίνομαι (gínomai, G1096) — to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e. (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with… ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) σπέρμα (spérma, G4690) — something sown, i.e. seed (including the male "sperm"); by implication, offspring;… Δαβίδ (Dabíd, G1138) — Dabid (i.e. David), the Israelite king κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… σάρξ (sárx, G4561) — flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by…
Open source ↗ὁρίζω (horízō, G3724) — to mark out or bound ("horizon"), i.e. (figuratively) to appoint, decree, specify υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. δύναμις (dýnamis, G1411) — force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a… κατά (katá, G2596) — (prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case… πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… ἁγιωσύνη (hagiōsýnē, G42) — sacredness (i.e. properly, the quality) ἐκ (ek, G1537) — literal or figurative; direct or remote) ἀνάστασις (anástasis, G386) — a standing up again, i.e. (literally) a resurrection from death (individual, genitive… νεκρός (nekrós, G3498) — dead (literally or figuratively; also as noun)
Open source ↗διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λαμβάνω (lambánō, G2983) — while G138 (αἱρέομαι) is more violent, to seize or remove)) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἀποστολή (apostolḗ, G651) — commission, i.e. (specially) apostolate εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… ὑπακοή (hypakoḗ, G5218) — attentive hearkening, i.e. (by implication) compliance or submission πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ἔθνος (éthnos, G1484) — a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; specially, a foreign (non-Jewish) one… ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the…
Open source ↗ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that ἐστέ (esté, G2075) — ye are ὑμεῖς (hymeîs, G5210) — you (as subjective of verb) καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
Open source ↗πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὤν (ṓn, G5607) — being ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. Ῥώμη (Rhṓmē, G4516) — strength; Roma, the capital of Italy ἀγαπητός (agapētós, G27) — beloved θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very κλητός (klētós, G2822) — invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint ἅγιος (hágios, G40) — sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated) χάρις (cháris, G5485) — graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative… ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… εἰρήνη (eirḗnē, G1515) — peace (literally or figuratively); by implication, prosperity ἀπό (apó, G575) — "off," i.e. away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation;… ἡμῶν (hēmōn, G2257) — of (or from) us
Open source ↗πρῶτον (prōton, G4412) — firstly (in time, place, order, or importance) μέν (mén, G3303) — properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a… εὐχαριστέω (eucharistéō, G2168) — to be grateful, i.e. (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace… μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) Ἰησοῦς (Iēsoûs, G2424) — Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites Χριστός (Christós, G5547) — anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus ὑπέρ (hypér, G5228) — "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the… ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you πᾶς (pâs, G3956) — all, any, every, the whole ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… καταγγέλλω (katangéllō, G2605) — to proclaim, promulgate
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are μοῦ (moû, G3450) — of me μάρτυς (mártys, G3144) — a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr" ὅς (hós, G3739) — the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that λατρεύω (latreúō, G3000) — to minister (to God), i.e. render religious homage ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. πνεῦμα (pneûma, G4151) — a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit,… εὐαγγέλιον (euangélion, G2098) — a good message, i.e. the gospel αὐτός (autós, G846) — the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative G1438 (ἑαυτοῦ)) of the… υἱός (huiós, G5207) — a "son" (sometimes of animals), used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively,… ὡς (hōs, G5613) — which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows) ἀδιαλείπτως (adialeíptōs, G89) — uninterruptedly, i.e. without omission (on an appropriate occasion)
Open source ↗δέομαι (déomai, G1189) — to beg (as binding oneself), i.e. petition εἴ πως (eí pōs, G1513) — if somehow ἤδη (ḗdē, G2235) — even now ποτέ (poté, G4218) — indefinite adverb, at some time, ever εὐοδόω (euodóō, G2137) — to help on the road, i.e. (passively) succeed in reaching; figuratively, to succeed in… ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. θέλημα (thélēma, G2307) — a determination (properly, the thing), i.e. (actively) choice (specially, purpose,… θεός (theós, G2316) — figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)
Open source ↗γάρ (gár, G1063) — properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often… ἐπιποθέω (epipothéō, G1971) — to dote upon, i.e. intensely crave possession (lawfully or wrongfully) εἴδω (eídō, G1492) — used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent G3700… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἵνα (hína, G2443) — compare G3588 (ὁ)); in order that (denoting the purpose or the result) μεταδίδωμι (metadídōmi, G3330) — to give over, i.e. share ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you τὶς (tìs, G5100) — some or any person or object πνευματικός (pneumatikós, G4152) — non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (dæmoniacally) a spirit… χάρισμα (chárisma, G5486) — a (divine) gratuity, i.e. deliverance (from danger or passion); (specially), a… εἰς (eis, G1519) — to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively)… στηρίζω (stērízō, G4741) — to set fast, i.e. (literally) to turn resolutely in a certain direction, or…
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. τοῦτο (toûto, G5124) — that thing ἐστί (estí, G2076) — he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are συμπαρακαλέω (symparakaléō, G4837) — to console jointly ἐν (en, G1722) — "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc. ὑμῖν (hymîn, G5213) — to (with or by) you διά (diá, G1223) — through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) ἀλλήλων (allḗlōn, G240) — one another πίστις (pístis, G4102) — persuasion, i.e. credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) ὑμῶν (hymōn, G5216) — of (from or concerning) you καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… ἐμοῦ (emoû, G1700) — of me
Open source ↗δέ (dé, G1161) — but, and, etc. θέλω (thélō, G2309) — to determine (as an active option from subjective impulse; whereas G1014 (βούλομαι)… οὐ (ou, G3756) — the absolute negative (compare G3361 (μή)) adverb; no or not ἀγνοέω (agnoéō, G50) — not to know (through lack of information or intelligence); by implication, to ignore… ὑμᾶς (hymâs, G5209) — you (as the objective of a verb or preposition) ἀδελφός (adelphós, G80) — a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like G1 (Α)) ὅτι (hóti, G3754) — demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because πολλάκις (pollákis, G4178) — many times, i.e. frequently προτίθεμαι (protíthemai, G4388) — to place before, i.e. (for oneself) to exhibit; (to oneself) to propose (determine) ἔρχομαι (érchomai, G2064) — to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) πρός (prós, G4314) — a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. toward (with the genitive case, the side of,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… κωλύω (kōlýō, G2967) — to estop, i.e. prevent (by word or act) ἄχρι (áchri, G891) — (of time) until or (of place) up to
Open source ↗εἰμί (eimí, G1510) — I exist (used only when emphatic) ὀφειλέτης (opheilétēs, G3781) — an ower, i.e. person indebted; figuratively, a delinquent; morally, a transgressor… τέ (té, G5037) — both or also (properly, as correlation of G2532 (καί)) Ἕλλην (Héllēn, G1672) — a Hellen (Grecian) or inhabitant of Hellas; by extension a Greek-speaking person,… καί (kaí, G2532) — and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other… βάρβαρος (bárbaros, G915) — a foreigner (i.e. non-Greek) σοφός (sophós, G4680) — wise (in a most general application) ἀνόητος (anóētos, G453) — unintelligent; by implication, sensual
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
God, whom I serve with my spirit in preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord?
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,