INTRODUCTION

This epistle was one of Paul's greatest accomplishments.
Theologically, it is paramount to the discussions of salvation and living as a saved Christian.

Probably, the epistle was written during Paul's visit to Corinth somewhere between 56 and 58AD.
One of the reasons the epistle is supposed to have been written from Corinth is because Phoebe
was a member and deaconess of that church. (See Romans 16:1-2)
She is the one Paul introduced to the church in Rome, and carried the letter to them from him.
Another reason for the epistle to have been written while Paul was in Corinth is that "Tertius" was Paul's
secretary, and wrote the letter. (See Romans 16:22).
And, Tertius describes the fact he was (and probably Paul was) a guest in the home of "Gaius" who was a
member of the church in Corinth. (Romans 16:23)

Paul had actually wanted to go to Rome and minister to the church there. (See Romans 15:24)
However, he was first going to Jerusalem with money he had collected to "minister to the saints" there. (See Romans 15:25)
And, when Paul did reach Jerusalem, he was arrested.
Then, he actually did visit with the church in Rome while he was a prisoner there.

So, the epistle to the Romans includes very specific and detailed instructions about:
Salvation, Justification and Sanctification (Rom. 1-8);
God's plan for the Jews, and the responsibility of the church (Rom. 9-11);
And, appropriate Christian lifestyle (Rom. 12-16).

There are many other subjects approached by Paul in this letter:
The righteousness of God (Rom. 1:16-17);
Absoluteness of sin in ALL mankind (Rom. 3:9-23);
Result of sin (Rom. 6:23);
The free Gift of God (Rom. 6:23);
Propitiation (Rom. 3:25);
Spiritual gifts (Rom. 12:3-8);
And, respect for government (Rom. 13:1-7).

CHAPTER 1

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 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.

Paul was first a "servant of Jesus Christ."
The word comes from the Greek doulos, meaning SLAVE!
Whether a slave was involuntary or voluntary, he was considered under the control of his master.
Paul was voluntarily enslaved to Jesus as his Lord and Master.

He was also "called."
Called, meaning invited or appointed.
Paul was divinely appointed as a messenger of Christ to the Gentiles. (See Acts 9:15-16)

And, Paul was "separated." He had purposely set himself off for the service to which he was called and appointed.
He was determined to follow the directions of our Lord and perform the task with diligence.

The parenthetical interjection of verse 2, exhibits Paul's respect for the "holy (God-inspired) Scriptures."
Paul believed he was not presenting something NEW by presenting the "Gospel of God."
He was presenting what God had already stated in the Divinely inspired Scriptures!

What was written in the Old Testament Scriptures was "Concerning His (God's) Son," Who "was made of the seed of David according to the flesh."
Paul knew and believed that God incarnate, in the Person of Jesus, was prophesied in the Old Testament.
(See Isaiah 9:6-7)
(See Isaiah 43:11)
(See Micah 5:2)

He also knew and believed this "Son" was, as promised, of the lineage of David.
(See Psalm 89:3-4)

Paul knew that Jesus Christ was this "Son of God with power...by the resurrection from the dead" because he had met Him personally on the road to Damascus. (See Acts 9:1-6)

In that meeting (on the road to Damascus) Paul had received "BY GRACE" the appointed apostleship to preach
"obedience to the faith among all nations."
Saul was a sinner, headed for an eternal hell, apart from the mercy and grace of God.
But Christ had appeared to him, declaring his mercy and grace to accept Saul as an apostle to the Gentiles.

Whatever we receive from Christ is BY GRACE.
And, however we continue in Christ is THROUGH FAITH.
"8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.(Eph 2:8-9)

Now, the church at Rome (to whom Paul is writing) is "among whom"? -- among all nations.
And, they are "called" to the same faith in Jesus Christ.
They are "called to be saints."
The word saint is from the Greek hagiazo, meaning purified, and sanctified.
They are called to be purified IN God, and sanctified to service FOR God in the faith of Jesus Christ.
((And might I say, so are ALL true Christians!)

Now, having introduced himself, Paul imparts "grace....from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Being a participant of grace allows one the privilege of imparting the same.
Also, a participant of the grace of God through Christ is COMMANDED to impart the same!
(See Matthew 28:18-20)

Imparting grace is to impart favor or benefit.
Each Christian has the privilege and the command to impart favor and benefit from God by declaring that ANY and ALL may be saved by surrendering to Christ as Lord!!

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Paul expresses thanksgiving through Christ that the church in Rome is "spoken of throughout the whole world."
In other words, they are known by their life's actions and testimony to be followers of Christ.

Paul also makes notice that he prays for the church in Rome "without ceasing."
It is RIGHT for Christians to be concerned for and pray for the encouragement and inspiration of other Christians!

He expresses that he desires to visit with them, and asks God for a "prosperous journey" to them.
Note, that he places the condition of "by the will of God" in the prayer.
We should always pray for our desires, if they are godly, and always ask for it to be God's express will.

It is Paul's desire to share with them (vs 11) so that they may be "established," or strengthened and set.
Each Christian should determine within them to strengthen other Christians faith!

This will provide a comfort to the Christian because of the "mutual faith."
It is by comforting and strengthening one another that we "sharpen" each other's faith! (See Proverbs 27:17)

13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

Paul wants them to know that he had determined to visit with them many times, but "was let hitherto."
The word "let" is translated from the Greek koluo, which means prevented or forbidden.

Following God's WILL is imperative in the Christian life.
As Paul determined to follow God's will, he was subject to the placement of God.
Though he had desired to come and visit with them, God had placed him in other places for His purposes.

Paul considered himself "debtor" to ALL mankind!
He OWED both the "Greeks, and .. the Barbarians; both .. the wise, and .. the unwise."
He owed them to "preach the Gospel"!!
And, he owed that to the church of Rome also.

LISTEN!!
EACH Christian is a "debtor" to Christ!
As, such we OWE mankind the preaching of the Gospel!
It is the ONLY "Good News" whereby man may be saved!!

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

We must NEVER be "ashamed of the Gospel of Christ"!!

Preaching, sharing, giving testimony to the saving grace of God through Jesus, is ALWAYS accompanied by the witness of God's Holy Spirit upon the heart of the hearer.
It is by this that the Gospel has "the power of God unto salvation"!!
Because God's Holy Spirit will CALL the hearer to BELIEVE - place trust in the truth of salvation by grace through faith in Christ.
It doesn't matter to whom it is preached (Jew or Gentile), God ALWAYS works the miracle of His Holy Spirit accompanying the preaching!

And it is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that "the righteousness of God" is "revealed from faith to faith"!!
When a person BELIEVES the Gospel, then God's righteousness is revealed to that person.
God is righteous to JUDGE us guilty because of sin, which is failure to fulfill the purpose for which we are created --
that is, to please God our Creator!
God is righteous to PROVIDE us atonement and propitiation for our sins through the death of Christ upon the cross.
God is righteous to CALL us into His holy forgiveness and salvation.
God is righteous to JUSTIFY us upon our surrender to Christ as Lord.
And, God is quite willing to place UPON us HIS OWN righteousness when we surrender ourselves to Christ as LORD!

What a GREAT and WONDERFUL God!
What a tremendous POWER, this accompaniment of His Holy Spirit upon a simple preaching of the Gospel!

And, once we have received faith by grace, then we are SEALED in that Holy Spirit of Promise. (See Ephesians 1:13)

Therefore, the "just(ified) shall LIVE by FAITH"!!
Once sealed, we are born again and our desires CHANGE! (See 2Corinthians 5:17)

What a WONDERFUL salvation!!
How could ANYONE refuse such a BLESSING!
But many HAVE!
And, STILL DO!

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.

God's indignation is certainly revealed to man.
First, it is revealed in the law given to the Jews.
Second, it is revealed in the conscience of every man.

To deny this revelation is to deny God!

The word "wrath" is derived from the Greek orge.
It can mean indignation, anger or even vengeance.

However, we must understand that the use of the word depends upon the character of the person
to whom it is applied.
In this case, it is applied to God.
And, certainly God is not seeking vengeance upon mankind for their sins!
Because, God Himself (in the Person of Jesus Christ) came to PAY for those sins!
Yes, God is angry with "the wicked" (continual sinners) "every day!" (See Psalm 7:11)

But God is not seeking vengeance!
He is seeking RESTORATION and SALVATION!

People "hold the truth in unrighteousness" by sinful actions.
The real truth, revealed by God's Word, and by nature is held back by willful sin!

Many who seek to control others, will DENY the truth of God in order to maintain control over others.
We have this problem in our government today!
People DENY that an embryo is a living being!
Yet God declares HE forms us in the womb! (See Deuteronomy 32:18, and Isaiah 44:24)
)

The truths of God are "manifest IN them."
They KNOW it by their conscience!
Yet, they DENY it so they can live in their "ungodliness and unrighteousness!"

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

The word "For" is translated from the Greek gar, which can mean no doubt, or because.
Paul is about to explain WHY men are sinners, and WHY they need salvation in a better manner than just "the law."

What men NEED is a personal LIVING relationship with God in order to be saved.
What men DESIRE is a personal lifestyle of self-gratification.
And, this is shown in the statements Paul makes in the remainder of this chapter.

The "invisible" things of God are exemplified in creation.
For instance, the birds of the air glorify God in their existence; and God provides them ALL they need!
(See Matthew 6:26)
If mankind would follow this type of living, God would provide ALL he needs!

Man is "without excuse" because God's evident handiwork can be clearly seen "by the things that are made."
WHO can explain the creation of this universe without admitting to God?
NO ONE!
Scientists contend that 3 particles rubbed together and BOOM, the universe came by explosion.
But from WHERE did those 3 particles come?
They can't explain that!
And THAT'S a testimony to God being the Creator!

Also, God has REVEALED Himself to the created through people.
God walked with and spoke to Adam, Abraham, Moses.
God REVEALED man's sinfulness and need of salvation through the prophets.

Yet, even though man has received this wonderful revelation, he has continually REFUSED God!
They have not been "thankful" for the revelation, and would not "glorify" God for having revealed Himself.

Therefore, they continually harden themselves against God, and have become "vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened."

We see evidence of this TODAY!
People calling unborn babies "fetus" instead of children!
People determining that same-sex marriages should be sanctioned, when that actually DEFIES the Creator and His purpose for the created to "multiply." (See Genesis 1:28)

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Men seek to be educated WITHOUT God; yet there can be no fruitful education without God!
When we profess to be "wise" without God, then we are only "fools."
Because God has said, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Ps. 14:1)

Men like to MAKE gods out of things God has made!
They form "image(s)", and worship them.
Man NEEDS spirituality, and recognizes it.
But he WANTS a diety which he can CONTROL!
So he makes an image which represents what he WANTS instead of what he NEEDS.
And, then he carries that image around!
Can one actually carry GOD around?
Is that even feasible to the intellectual mind?

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

But man IS a free agent.
God has created man with a free will.
And, man is free (by God's design) to determine whether to worship the TRUE God, or to worship evil!

So, man is free to live in "uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts" and "to dishonour their own bodies between themselves."
Man is free to change "the truth of God into a lie, and worship(ped) and serv(ed) the creature more than the CREATOR!"

But one thing is absolute about this.
Whatever man chooses, God is "blessed FOREVER!"

God will suffer NO LOSS if mankind does not surrender to Christ!
But the creature (man) will suffer loss if he/she does NOT surrender to Christ!!

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Since man is a free agent, he is free to have "vile affections" if he so desires!

And THESE are vile affections: prostitution, incest, bestiality, homosexuality and lesbianism!
(See Leviticus 18:1-23)

Mankind should not sanction what God calls VILE!

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

He who REFUSES God RECEIVES a "reprobate mind!"
The word reprobate is translated from the Greek adokimos, meaning worthless and/or rejected.

No matter the worldly intelligence of a person, that person's mind is REPROBATE (worthless) if it is without God!

And that worthless mind will conceive all kinds of evil!
Above all that mind will be "haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things."

And, even hearing the Gospel, and "knowing the judgment of God," they REJECT the same!
Thus they are "worthy of death."
That is they are worthy of the death of the body (as all are), and worthy of the death of the soul (as only unsaved are).

My friends, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God!!" (Heb 10:31)

NO PERSON has to have that happen!

RECEIVE the grace of God! Surrender to Christ.
He will JUSTIFY you in the sight of God; SANCTIFY you in His Holy Spirit and Holy Word; And DELIVER you safley into heaven of God!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.
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