Romans

A Commentary

J. Martin

• Publisher: Aneko Press
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781622456079
• eBook ISBN: 9781622456086

For the invisible things of him, his eternal power and divinity, are clearly understood by the creation of the world and by the things that are made so that there is no excuse – Romans 1: 20A CommentaryMajor highlight: The reconciliation of God's sovereignty and man's free will. When Paul wrote the epistle of Romans, his intention was that Romans would read the whole letter in one sitting, and that they would understand what they were reading without further explanation. Sometimes we dig so deep into scripture that we lose the basic meaning of what we're reading. This is not, then, as much a commentary as it is an attempt to revitalize interest in the book of Romans itself – as it was written, and as it was meant to be understood. Attention is drawn to the words and phrases of the text, highlighting things imperative to be understood and claimed for our own.

Romans 1

1 ¶ Paul, slave of Jesus, the Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God

Paul was certainly and unmistakable called to be an apostle while on the road to Damascus. Our God is not mute and if He has something for us to do, we may know for certain that it is Him calling us to the work. This is not to cast doubt on whether or not we should be an active Christian, but to say that we needn’t worry about our specific and individual calling – God will certainly reveal our calling to us, if we have sincere hearts for the Lord and in sincerity wait on Him for direction. And then as Paul responded, when He has called us, we must respond in ready obedience to the call.

2 (which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures)

3 of his Son (who was born unto him of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Without a moment’s delay, Paul makes sure his readers know that this is about Jesus Christ, not about Paul. In verse 1 he says he is a slave of Jesus Christ, and what he’s called to is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In verses 2 and 3, he makes it clear that this is not a new Jesus or a false gospel, but the same Jesus Christ the prophets prophesied of. If we genuinely know and love the Lord, our whole desire and motivation will be to declare Jesus Christ, while simultaneously making it clear that we are merely the Lord’s slaves (v. 1).

4 who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of sanctification, by the resurrection from the dead), of Jesus, the Christ, our Lord.

If Jesus had died on the cross but not risen from the dead, He might have been dismissed as a false prophet (as the Jewish leaders also knew, and through their attempt to conceal the resurrection [Matthew 18:11-25], hoped to convince others that Jesus wasn’t the Christ). But Jesus did not stay in the tomb. He really did rise on the third day and fulfilled prophecy to demonstrate that He was who He said He was – the Son of God and the Savior of all who believe.

5 By whom we have received the grace and the apostleship, to cause the faith to be obeyed among all the Gentiles in his name,

6 among whom ye are also the called of Jesus Christ;

“By whom” (v. 5) shows that Paul received “the grace and the apostleship” from Jesus Christ. Not from other men, and certainly not from Paul himself. V. 6 makes it clear that the same is true for those Paul is writing to; Paul is not calling men to Christ – it is Jesus Christ Himself who is calling men to Himself. Even though the message was being delivered through Paul, it was still Jesus Christ’s message and His calling, not Paul’s.

7 to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints; ye have grace and peace of God our Father and of the Lord Jesus, the Christ.

We are “called to be saints,” a very high calling. Within our natural selves, we have no desire to be saints, rather preferring to blend with the world in our speech, activities, and employment. But to be a saint means to truly deny ourselves and follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

8 ¶ First, I thank my God through Jesus, the Christ, regarding you all, that your faith is preached in all the world.

The whole world knew that Romans were coming to Christ, this created no small stir. Our family, our friends, and our neighbors should likewise know about our faith, and if the church in any country of the world experienced the conversion as the Romans experienced, it could be anticipated that the whole world would be watching. Genuine revival needs no advertising.

9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I always remember you in my prayers,

Here is a lesson on prayer. Does this mean we should constantly be breathing prayers up to heaven as we go about our day, an unspoken thought directed to heaven as we work? Even a little searching in scripture will make it clear that this shallow type of prayer is not biblical. “Without ceasing” here is simply indicates that Paul prayed for the Romans regularly, without giving up. It doesn’t not mean that Paul was literally praying all the time, even while about the other duties of the day. All scripture indicates that when men prayed, they stopped all other activities and prayed sincerely and reverently, with all attention directed towards the Lord while in prayer.

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 with you some spiritual gift to confirm you,

12 that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.

Notice that Paul did not want to visit the Romans in order to help them restructure their denomination or to discuss more effective methods of ministry, but to impart “some spiritual gift.” This concept of imparting spiritual gifts is unfortunately lacking in most of the church, though in some churches the gifts are sought in extrabiblical ways. But the genuine is what we need, and if we want to be comforted that our ministry is of the Lord, seeing others receive spiritual gifts imparted by us is such a confirmation.

13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that many times I purposed to come unto you (but up until now I have been unable) 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 announce the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16 ¶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the Christ; for it is the power of God to give saving health to every one that believes: to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of the Christ.” These are convicting words. Am I ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Much of the church today is overly careful in how the gospel is presented lest people become offended, but isn’t this often just us being ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? This gospel is not necessarily offensive, but redeeming. It is not necessarily condemning, but freeing. If we genuinely love the Lord and understand the power of the gospel, we ought not to worry about those who will become offended, but make sure we are handling the gospel with all reverence and diligence and truthfulness.

17 For in him is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and injustice of men, who hold back the truth with injustice;

Therefore sin is still in the one that knows to do good and does not do it. The same is true if we know the truth, and hold it back (v. 18). If God cares for the truth to be made known, He will also equip the saints to share the truth boldly and clearly.

Whatever the biblical tru...

Table of contents

• Contents
• Introduction
• Romans 1
• Romans 2
• Romans 3
• Romans 4
• Romans 5
• Romans 6
• Romans 7
• Romans 8
• Romans 9
• Romans 10
• Romans 11
• Romans 12
• Romans 13
• Romans 14
• Romans 15
• Romans 16
• Other Books to Enjoy