Lesson 1
Romans 1: 1-7, Introduction, Gospel, Grace, and Peace.
According to Romans 1:1, Paul is the author of Romans. He wrote this book during his third missionary journey in Corinth in AD 56. According to Romans 1:7, his audience were the Christians in Rome, whom had had not met before. Paul expounded the foundational doctrines of Christianity in this book. The theme of this book is the righteousness of God.
V1, 1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Paul, the author of Romans, was a bond servant of Jesus Christ. Greek for bond servant is “doulos”. which means slave. Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ. Greek for apostle is “apostolos”, which means a messenger. Paul was separated to preach the gospel of God. Greek for separated is “chorizo”, which means to set apart.
V2, which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures
The gospel of God had been prophesied by prophets in the Holy Bible.
V3-4, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born 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 form the dead.
The gospel is about Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Greek for gospel is “euaggelion”, which means good news. It is the good news concerning Jesus Christ, a descendant from the lineage of David. God, the Father declared Jesus Christ, His Son, and resurrected Him by the power of the Holy Spirit.
V5, Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
We have received grace and peace form God the Father, through Jesus Christ. Grace precedes peace. Before justification, we faced the wrath of God. After justification by grace and reconciliation with God and we received the peace from God, the peace with God and the peace of God.
V 6-7, 6 among whom you are also the called of Jesus Christ. 7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul addressed his audience, and us, beloved of God and saints. Greek for saints is “hagios”, which means consecrated, holy, or sanctified. In Pauline theology, all Christians are saints. Paul pronounced grace and peace to us from God the Father and Jesus Christ.
Prayer:
Father, thank You the gospel of Jesus Christ, the good news for all mankind irrespective of race, social class, geographical location, and times. Thank You for the gift of salvation and eternal life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
