The Epistle to the Romans
Lesson 3
Paul’s Authority, Greeting, Prayer, and Purpose

Reading Assignment: Romans 1

Introduction
Believing that the best way to spiritually digest the great truths embodied in Romans is to master one short passage at a time, we have deliberately divided the book into a number of relatively short sections.

In Lessons 1 and 2 your attention was called to the authorship of the book, the time, the people to whom it was written, the keys to understanding it and some outlines presenting an overview of the entire book.

In this lesson you will begin to study the text verse by verse. The portion expounded covers Chapter 1, verses 1 through 13. As you approach the lesson joyfully, expectantly and prayerfully, may the Holy Spirit give you complete understanding.

Importance of this Lesson

• Always bear in mind, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every verse before you is part of God’s complete revelation.
• This section settles Paul’s apostolic authority, presents a clear statement concerning the meaning of the gospel, reveals the absolute deity of the Lord Jesus Christ and uncovers the heart of Paul in the prayer he offers on behalf of the saints at Rome.

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The Lesson

I. AN OVERVIEW
Keep the suggested outline before you and notice that verses 1-13 constitute a part of the INTRODUCTION. This introduction will actually continue through verse 17 in lesson 4. In this lesson, we have:

1. Paul the Apostle – Romans 1:1
2. Paul’s Gospel and Greeting – Romans 1:1-7
3. Paul’s Prayer and Purpose – Romans 1:8-13

II. A VERSE BY VERSE EXPLANATION

1. Chapter 1, Verse 1 – Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ
   1. The word translated “servant” is the same word used for a bond slave. A bond slave is one who voluntarily and willingly becomes the permanent servant of his master. Paul was the devoted, willing and voluntary servant of Jesus Christ.
   2. This is what we all should be (1 Corinthians 7:22; Romans 6:17-18).
2. Called (to be) an apostle
   1. The word “called” is an adjective describing the apostle. Paul was a “called” apostle.
   2. Since some in Rome had questioned Paul’s authority to speak as a chosen apostle, he here stated and defended his position.
   3. Read and study the following:
      1. 1 Corinthians 9:1 – “Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?”
      2. Refer also to Galatians 1:15-16 and Acts 9:15, 26:14-19. Paul was zealous and jealous of his apostleship and never hesitated to declare and defend it. He preached and taught with apostolic authority.
3. separated unto the gospel of God
   1. Galatians 1:15 – But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by His grace. God called and separated Paul unto the purpose of preaching the gospel to the Gentile nations.
   2. Separated unto – Here is positive separation. It is good to keep in mind that all that are saved are called upon to live separated lives, not simply from sin but unto God and His service. (Read Hebrews 13:13-15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.)
   3. The gospel of God
      1. Here we have the broadest possible designation of what the gospel is.
      2. Gospel means “good news,” and in Romans Paul expounds the “good news” from God Almighty concerning our salvation.
      3. We call your attention to Paul’s other designations of the gospel:
         1. Romans 1:9 – the gospel of His Son
         2. Romans 1:16 – the gospel of Christ
         3. Romans 2:16 – my gospel
4. Verse 2 – Beginning here and continuing through verse 6 we have a parenthetical passage relating to the gospel. In verse 7, Paul again picked up his address to the Romans.
   1. Which he had promised afore, in the Old Testament God prophesied. We find such passages as Genesis 3:15 – “…It (the seed of a woman) shall bruise thy (Satan’s) head…”
   2. Genesis 12:3 – The blessing of all the nations through Abraham—“…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”
   3. Psalm 22, 23, 24 – In this blessed trilogy, we see Christ, the Good Shepherd, giving His life for the sheep; the Great Shepherd providing for His sheep and the Chief Shepherd coming for His sheep.
   4. Isaiah 53 – This chapter clearly reveals Christ bearing and suffering for our sins.
   5. In the Holy Scripture – the word holy is hagios which means set apart as divine, authoritative and inspired.
      1. 2 Peter 1:21 – “…holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”
      2. 2 Timothy 3:16 – “All scripture is given by inspiration of God….”
5. Verse 3 – Concerning is the preposition peri. It is used in English in such words as perimeter and means “around.”
   1. Christ, therefore, is the very heart and center of the gospel. It is about Him. It centers in Him. God’s Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, IS the gospel!
   2. Which was made of the seed of David – This phrase introduces Christ as the promised Messiah who would permanently sit on David’s throne.
      1. Matthew 1:1-17 traces Christ’s lineage from David to Mary. He truly was “of the seed of David.”
      2. In Luke 1:32, an angel announces about Christ: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David.”
6. In verses 3 and 4, the entire gospel can be seen in 7 statements.
   1. His Son – An everlasting Father had to have an everlasting Son. Here Christ’s deity is professed. Christ claimed it in Mark 14:62 and was accused, smitten and spat upon because of it.
   2. Jesus Christ – Here is His name and title. All Old Testament prophecies have their fulfillment in the One having this title.
   3. Our Lord – “…he is Lord of all” (Acts 10:36).
   4. Which was made – The word here is ginoma and is the word used in Galatians 4:4-5, where it says Christ was “made of a woman.” This is a definite reference to His virgin birth.
      “ of the seed of David” – compare Matthew 1:1 and Revelation 22:16. You will note that the New Testament opens and closes with this assertion. This means that God has kept His promise to David (2 Samuel 7:11-16) and that Christ will still reign from David’s throne in Jerusalem
      (Luke 1:32).
   5. Declared to be the Son of God – the phrases “son of David” and “Son of God” reveal Christ’s humanity and His deity.
   6. With Power –The resurrection did not make Christ the Son of God, it merely demonstrated it! Power was both the cause and effect of the resurrection. (Read Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20.)
   7. According to the Spirit of holiness – Or, Holy Spirit. Note the Triune God working together in verses 1-4.
   8. By the Resurrection from the dead – Here is the capstone of the gospel! The incarnation and resurrection are in these verses. The resurrection of Christ differentiates Christianity from all other religions.
7. Verse 5 – By Whom – That is, by God and His Son, Jesus Christ. This is the source of Paul’s apostolic authority. (Note 1 Corinthians 1:1.)
   1. We have received grace and apostleship – Grace for salvation, apostleship for service.
      1. Grace – God’s free, unmerited favor in Christ.
      2. Apostleship – Given to one sent forth after being particularly and directly chosen by the Lord (Matthew 10:1,2), endued with miraculous power (Matthew 10:1) and had been an eyewitness of Christ’s resurrection (1 Corinthians 9:1).
   2. For obedience to the faith – the Greek word “for” is “eis” and means “unto.” The same phrase is found in Romans 16:26. Paul begins and ends his epistle reminding us that true faith involves obedience.
   3. The faith – All the great truths and doctrines concerning the great salvation we have in Christ (Jude 3).
   4. Among all nations – Note the universality of the gospel.
   5. For his name – All preaching and all Christian living is for the glory of His name (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31).
8. Verse 6 – the called of Jesus Christ – Not simply invited. All who are really saved have heard and heeded God’s call (Romans 8:28, 30).
   THIS IS THE END OF PAUL’S PARENTHETICAL STATEMENT

III. THE GREETING CONTINUED

1. Verse 7 – Paul continued his greeting
   To all…Rome – all the believers or the true church in Rome.
   1. Called saints – As in verse 1, “called” is an adjective. “To be” should be omitted.
      • All believers are saints by calling and position, not just certain specified individuals.
   2. Beloved of God – Note 1 John 4:10. What a resting-place! What a cause for joy!
   3. Grace and Peace – Paul’s great couplet is never reversed. Grace is chavis, a Gentile word. Peace is shalom, a Jewish word, showing that the gospel is for both Jews and Gentiles.
   4. Someone has made an excellent acrostic out of both words:
      GRACE – God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense
      PEACE – Perfect Enrichment at Christ’s Expense
      Grace always precedes peace, for without grace there could be no peace.
      B. A comparison of these two words: Grace / Peace (Learn the ways these are contrasted.)

   GRACE	PEACE
   1. Is the source of salvation	1. The result of salvation
   2. God giving	2. Man receiving
   3. God at work for man	3. Man resting in that work
   4. God supplying	4. Man fully supplied
   5. God enriching	5. Man enriched
   6. Is what God is	6. Is what man has

IV. THE CONCLUSION OF PAUL’S GREETING

• Verses 8-13 contain Paul’s Prayer and Purpose

1. Verse 8
   1. I thank – He becomes personal. Contrast the “we” of verse 5.
   2. God through Jesus Christ – This is the proper order for prayer. (Note John 16:23.)
   3. For your faith – Here it is not “the faith” as in verse 5, but it stands for what they believed and for the widest faith they exercised.
   4. Spoken of throughout the whole world – The vast reaches of the empire of which Rome was the capital: The entire then known world. Colossians 1:23 states …which was preached to every creature which is under heaven…
2. Verses 9-10, read together. Romans was written 20 years after Paul’s conversion. Many questioned his veracity for not visiting their city.
   1. God is my witness – Paul often called upon God to witness to the integrity of his life and ministry. Oh, that all of us could do the same!
   2. Whom I serve – Serve as a hired bond slave.
   3. With (in) my spirit – The spirit of man is that which God uses to convey the message or get the work done. We should strive to keep our spirits energized and pure (John 4:24).
   4. In the gospel of his Son – It is always the same gospel. This is another term Paul used to describe it (Romans 1:16 and 2:16).
   5. Without ceasing – In 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Paul wrote that we all are to pray without ceasing. We should all strive to constantly be in communication with God, either talking or listening.
   6. Making request – Paul had actually been longing and praying for the opportunity to come to Rome.
   7. By the will of God – It had not been easy. His difficulties in getting there had taught him to wait upon the will of God. We can all learn this lesson.
3. Verse 11 – I long – Paul was far from the indifference and unconcern of which he was accused.
   1. that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift – The word for “impart” in this verse means, “to share.” Paul was bursting with desire to share with others that which God had given him concerning wisdom and knowledge of the truth. We all should have that same longing to share whatever we have of spiritual gifts.
   2. Ye may be established – This is one of the major purposes of all good preaching and teaching. Here is one of the reasons Paul had for wanting to visit Rome.
4. Verse 12 – …that I may be comforted…with you by the mutual faith… – Here we glimpse Paul’s humility. He had no desire or intention of lording it over these people. Rather, he stressed that they also had spiritual gifts to share with him so that he and they would be blessed. Note that every Christian has some gift from God (Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11).
5. Verse 13 – Now…ignorant, brethren – This is a definite Paulinism. (See 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Thessalonians 4:13; Romans 11:25.) Paul wants the Romans, and us, to be knowledgeable.
   1. Brethren – This is a generic term and includes both men and women.
   2. Often times I purposed – Paul desired or purposed in his heart many times to come to Rome. Our plans are not always God’s plans! Paul realized the strategic importance of Rome.
   3. That I might have some fruit – Fruit is not always simply the salvation of souls. The purpose of preaching and teaching is more than winning souls. (Note Romans 6:22 and Galatians 5:22.)
   4. Among you…as among other Gentiles – Here is evidence that the church at Rome was primarily a Gentile church. Paul also was making a statement here that he was the chosen apostle to the Gentiles. Paul’s ministry had resulted in much fruit in other Gentile churches and he felt sure it would in Rome also.
      

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