Romans Chapter 1
Studies in Romans, Chapter 1
Ron Thomas, Highway Church of Christ, Sullivan, IL
Some introductory matters with respect to the book of Romans. There is some uncertainty about who started the church in Rome. Some think the apostle Peter did so, but that is highly improbable. It seems to me that the founding of the church starts with the events in Acts 2. From this starting point, the men and women who were converted went to their homes and established the church. As other converts came to the city (over the days, months, and years), the church became more sure footed.
The time that the epistle was written was around the events of Acts 20:2-3 (date of the letter is about A.D. 56-57). The reason Paul started writing this letter is uncertain; some think it has connection with a collection Paul was working on for the saints (Romans 15:22-33). Thus, he decided to write because he was trying to collect monies for the saints in Jerusalem. While the collection may have prompted Paul to write, the major theme of the epistle is justification by faith. Possibly, Paul got word, after he had been prompted to write, of a problem the church had with what role of the Law of Moses had in God’s plan of redemption. There was a complete misunderstanding that existed with some on how the Lord justified a person. This is associated with one of two major heresies going about at that time: Judaizing teachers and gnosticism (in its earliest stages). Paul deals with the former in this letter.
Paul’s introductory remarks and his theme (point) in writing (Romans 1:1-17)
You will recall that Paul was an apostle guided by the Holy Spirit. While he was not one of the original twelve, he was, just the same, chosen by our Lord (Acts 9). Being guided by the Holy Spirit meant that which he wrote down (or said) was by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it came from God.
Paul’s motivation, message, and credentials (Romans 1:1-6)
When we compare ourselves to the Lord, it is only reasonable that we humbly submit to His authority. Paul did just that. He was a servant to God, a man who set the Lord apart in his own heart. That made service to the Almighty a great deal easier. He was not compelled to do this—he chose to do this. Paul, however, was not one to have something all his own; he wanted others to have the same thing he did. So he set about preaching the Word. He wanted to bring all people to the point of obedience.
In writing to the church at Rome, Paul set out to establish the antiquity of the Lord’s promise to mankind (Romans 1:2-4). Our Lord came from royal blood. He was of the seed of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Take note of the phrase “Spirit of holiness” (ESV, NKJV). It is the word holiness that I would like to emphasize. We are to be a holy people unto the Lord. Our Lord was holy and we need to be that way as well (1 Peter 2:5-9). This holiness is tied to the resurrection of the Lord from the dead. When we were immersed (baptized) into the Lord’s name, we put off the old man and put on the new man. Consequently, we are to walk faithfully in the Lord’s Light (cf. Psa. 119:105; 1 John 1:5-8). This letter is addressed to all the saints who are in Rome. Of course, there is an extended application of this letter.
Paul’s obligation to the church in Rome (Romans 1:7-15)
While it was addressed to the saints in Rome, it is addressed to us as well (2 Timothy 2:2). Paul was very mindful of the saints, he prayed for them often. Take note of the “inside/out” service in verse 9. Service to our Lord is not from the “outside/in” – trying to put the cart before the horse confuses matters. We need to serve the Lord from the “inside/out.” In Paul’s service to the Lord, he received a benefit in that he was encouraged by the brethren. Sometimes people interpret spiritual gift (Romans 1:11) as miraculous, but I do not think that is required (though, it must be admitted, that some do interpret it that way—and it will fit within the context). I think we all receive spiritual benefit when we are around the brethren.
Paul’s desire to serve the Lord took him to the furthest parts of the Roman world. He felt an obligation to preach the Gospel. It was more than a felt-need, it was the Lord’s obligation set upon Paul to preach the Gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 9:15-18). So, whether Paul was in Rome, Corinth, Ephesus, or anywhere else—he was a member of the church, and he was preaching the Gospel to those within the church and to those outside the church. The brethren’s presence was to encourage him. It should be that way for us as well.
The theme (point) of Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans 1:16-17)
Most people consider this the theme of the book, particularly the phrase the just shall live by faith. The meaning of this phrase is important to all of us, for those who would be saved under either covenant, it must be by faith. Unfortunately, there are some who interpret this phrase as some sort of contrast to that which our Lord set forth in the Old Testament. This is to misunderstand Paul’s point in this letter. Paul is contrasting the view of the old law (how it was perceived by those who lived under it) to the new in the manner of justification, emphasizing the role of faith in God’s system of justification. A second feature of these two verses is the power of the Word of God. Some relegate the Word of our Lord to some inferior position. These people stress the role of feelings in religion. This is unfortunate. The Scriptures do not say that the power of God is founded on feelings (sounds like a song from the seventies), but in the spoken Word of Jesus and the prophets.
All are under sin (Romans 1:18-32)
This section of Scripture is the Lord’s indictment against all people. This indictment goes all the way back to the time shortly after creation. When Adam and Eve sinned their sin was a result of placing their own will above God’s – this could only result in separation. The very thing mentioned here in Romans 1:21 is a result of what started in the Garden of Eden. We don’t generally think of the first couple being guilty as the ones described in this chapter, but they were. Whether they sinned little or much, they sinned.
The General Charge (Romans 1:18-20)
The ungodliness and unrighteousness (ESV) of men corresponds to the words of Solomon in Proverbs 14:12. Men become unrighteous because of sin. Men sin because they decide to live their life according to what they want to do. God’s righteousness is revealed in the Gospel (Romans 1:17), and Paul now declares that the Gospel exposes man’s unrighteousness. However, in this verse (and subsequent verses), God’s wrath has been revealed in biblical history and it is currently revealed in Gospel revelation (history).
Here, Paul says that man can know something about God through His creation (cf. Acts 14:15-17). They can know something of His eternal power and His divine nature (Ecclesiastes 3:11). I suppose they can know something of His eternal power because reason tells us that it is impossible for “something to come from nothing.” If it were not for God, then what brought us into existence? If it were not for God, what is it that brought us into existence with a moral code? Instinctively, we know two things about God. First, we know, by looking at creation, the power of God, for no man could bring into existence that which is about us. Second, we have some understanding of the divine nature of God. Things that are inaccessible to our five senses are clears to intelligence (Expositors Greek Testament, vol. 2, p. 592). Man can only conclude that there must be something greater than him to bring this marvelous world into existence. Further, there is some quality of God that can be known because of who we are. For instance, take the idea of ethics. We not only live by standards of right and wrong, but we perceive that a standard of right and wrong has to be greater than man himself, otherwise we invite chaos into the world. Because of the Lord’s revelation we can know more exactly what that right and wrong is, and the why.
The Specific Charge (Romans 1:21-32)
The result of rejecting God and His way brings one to confusion. “The greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God” (“On the Meaning of Life,” Will Durant, p. 23). To live without God is to live a life of “make up you morality as you go,” and all without God. Having a “moral” code without God is as weak as a traffic law when the policeman is on foot! (ibid, p. 24).
This section of Romans simply identifies some of the vices the Lord identifies man participating in. It all started when man decided to think he was god. When that occurred, his thinking became futile and he then began to exchange the knowledge of God for that which is corrupt and wicked. Because of this, the Lord decided to give men up to their own way of thinking. If man wants to think in a certain direction, he will. If man is insistent upon thinking a certain way, thereby giving up any knowledge and relationship with God, then the Lord will let him do as he wishes. A consequence of this is the Lord hardening man’s heart in this state of rebellion (cf. Romans 8:3-7); in this state man is condemned (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12). In verse 32, Paul makes a transition and special application to the Jews (next chapter). While ALL men were under consideration in chapter 1, Paul “zeros” in on the Jews in chapter 2. Why? Because of their hypocrisy! The Jews (as a group) KNEW the law of God and chose to not obey it. Many of the Gentiles, on the other hand, had a different disposition about them.
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