Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-17

[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  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  also  the called  of Jesus  Christ:  [7] To all  in  Rome,  beloved  of God,  called  to be saints:  Grace  and  peace  from  God  Father,  and  the Lord  Jesus  Christ.  [8] First,  I thank  God  through  Jesus  Christ  all,  that  faith  is spoken  of throughout  the whole  world.  [9] For  God  witness,  whom  I serve  with  spirit  in  the gospel  of his  Son,  that  without ceasing  I make  mention  [10] Making request,  now  at length  I might have a prosperous journey  by  the will  of God  to come  unto  [11] For  I long  that  I may impart  some  spiritual  gift,  to the end  may be established;  [12] That  that I may be comforted together  with  by  the mutual  faith  both  and  [13] Now  I would  not  ignorant,  brethren,  that  oftentimes  I purposed  to come  unto  (but  was let  hitherto,)  that  I might have  some  fruit  among  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  I am ready  to preach the gospel  that are at  Rome  also.  [16] For  not  ashamed  of the gospel  for  the power  of God  unto  salvation  to every one  that believeth;  to the Jew  first,  and  also  to the Greek.  [17] For  therein  the righteousness  of God  revealed  from  faith  to  faith:  as  it is written,  The just  shall live  by  faith. 

What does Romans 1:1-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This great epistle begins with a broad perspective. It looks at the promise of a Savior in the Old Testament, reviews Paul"s ministry to date, and surveys the religious history of the Gentile world.
"The main body of Romans is a treatise on Paul"s gospel, bracketed by an epistolary opening ( Romans 1:1-17) and conclusion ( Romans 15:14 to Romans 16:27). These opening and concluding statements have many similarities, not the least of which is the emphasis on the gospel. (Eight of the11occurrences in Romans of euangelion [1] and euangelizomia [2] are in these passages.) Paul"s special relationship to this gospel, a relationship that encompasses the Roman Christians, both opens and closes the strictly "epistolary" introductory material in the section ( Romans 1:1-5; Romans 1:13-15)." [3]