Romans1

Paul introduces himself as an apostle called to preach the gospel of God concerning Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He expresses his desire to visit Rome to impart a spiritual gift and declares he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe. The chapter then reveals God's wrath against humanity's ungodliness, as they suppress the truth, exchanging the Creator's glory for idols and descending into moral corruption. This leads God to give them over to various forms of depravity and a reprobate mind.
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Paul’s Apostolic Greeting and Identity

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Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, ​
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(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) ​
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Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; ​
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And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: ​
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By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: ​
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Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
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To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. ​

Thanksgiving and Desire to Visit Rome

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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ​
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For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
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Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
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For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; ​
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That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
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Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
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I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. ​
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So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.

The Theme of the Letter: The Power of the Gospel

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For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. ​
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For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. ​

The Necessity of the Gospel: God’s Wrath Against Sin

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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; ​
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Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
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For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: ​
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Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. ​
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Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
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And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
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Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: ​
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Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
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For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: ​
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And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
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And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; ​
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Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
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Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
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Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
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Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. ​

Study Notes for Romans 1

Verse 1

Paul identifies himself as a 'servant' (doulos, slave) of Christ, emphasizing complete devotion, and asserts his divine calling as an apostle, set apart specifically for the Gospel.

Verse 2

Highlights that the Gospel is not a new invention but the fulfillment of promises found in the Old Testament, tying Christian faith directly to Israel’s sacred history.

Verse 3

This verse begins a concise confessional statement (likely an early creedal form) defining Christ’s dual nature: fully human ('seed of David') and fully divine.

Verse 4

Christ was 'declared' (marked out) as the Son of God not merely by birth, but powerfully through the ultimate spiritual act: the resurrection from the dead.

Verse 5

Paul’s apostleship is a gift intended to produce 'obedience to the faith' among the Gentiles, underscoring that faith is active and results in submission to God’s calling.

Verse 7

The recipients are defined by their status as 'beloved of God' and 'called to be saints' (hagioi), meaning they are holy people set apart by God for His purposes.

Verse 8

Paul praises the Roman church’s widespread reputation, suggesting it was already a significant hub of Christian activity, despite not being founded by an apostle.

Verse 11

The 'spiritual gift' likely refers to the benefit of apostolic teaching, instruction, and encouragement necessary for the believers’ establishment and strengthening in the faith.

Verse 14

Paul sees himself as 'debtor' to all humanity, regardless of culture (Greeks vs. Barbarians) or education (wise vs. unwise), reflecting the universal scope of the Gospel mission.

Verse 16

This is the crucial thesis statement of Romans. The Gospel is the unique, dynamic 'power of God' (dynamis) leading directly to salvation, offered equally to Jews and Gentiles.

Verse 17

Explains the mechanism of salvation: God’s saving righteousness is revealed through faith alone, citing Habakkuk 2:4—a foundational verse for the doctrine of justification.

Verse 18

Introduces the theme of divine judgment. God's active wrath (not just passive allowing) is revealed against the ungodliness of those who deliberately suppress the truth available to them.

Verse 20

This defines natural revelation (general revelation): God’s eternal power and divine nature are clearly visible through the created world, leaving all humanity 'without excuse' for failing to acknowledge Him.

Verse 21

The core sin is willful rejection: humanity knew God but refused to glorify or thank Him, leading to intellectual vanity and moral darkening of the heart.

Verse 24

The first instance of the judicial phrase 'God also gave them up' (paradidomi). When humans reject God, He removes His restraining hand, allowing them to suffer the consequences of their sinful desires.

Verse 26

The second stage of divine judgment, detailing increasing moral depravity, specifically focusing on the rejection of natural order in sexual relations ('vile affections').

Verse 28

The final stage of judgment: God delivers them to a 'reprobate mind' (adokimon noun), a morally useless or rejected way of thinking, resulting from their persistent refusal to retain God in their knowledge.

Verse 32

Highlights the depth of moral corruption: the unrighteous not only commit sins worthy of death, but they actively approve and encourage others who do the same, demonstrating a complete rejection of divine law.

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