Romans 1:2

KJV

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

KJV (with Strong's)

(Which {G3739} he had promised afore {G4279} by {G1223} his {G846} prophets {G4396} in {G1722} the holy {G40} scriptures {G1124},)

Complete Jewish Bible

God promised this Good News in advance through his prophets in the Tanakh.

Berean Standard Bible

the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

American Standard Version

which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 1:2 immediately grounds the gospel message in God's eternal plan, asserting that the good news concerning His Son, Jesus Christ, is not a novel concept but the very promise God Himself declared centuries earlier through His inspired spokesmen, the prophets, whose words are faithfully preserved in the sacred writings of the Old Testament. This verse establishes the divine origin and historical continuity of the Christian faith, presenting it as the culmination of long-foretold divine revelation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a crucial bridge between Paul's self-identification and the core subject of his letter. In [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - Paul's Apostolic Calling"), Paul introduces himself as a "servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." Verse 2 then immediately qualifies *what* this "gospel of God" is, emphasizing its ancient, divine origin. It clarifies that the gospel is not a new, human invention but rather the fulfillment of a long-standing divine promise. This sets the stage for Paul's subsequent exposition of the gospel's content, its universal necessity, and its implications for both Jews and Gentiles, all rooted in God's consistent redemptive plan. The following verses, [Romans 1:3-4](/romans/1-3-4 "Romans 1:3-4 - The Son of God and the Gospel"), then elaborate on the specific person of Jesus Christ as the subject of this gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Paul wrote to a diverse church in Rome, comprising both Jewish and Gentile believers. For Jewish believers, the concept of a Messiah promised in the Old Testament was central to their faith. By emphasizing that the gospel was "promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures," Paul directly appealed to their understanding of God's covenant faithfulness and the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures. For Gentiles, who might have been less familiar with Jewish prophetic tradition, this statement underscored the gospel's antiquity, divine origin, and intellectual credibility, distinguishing it from contemporary philosophical or religious fads. The "holy scriptures" (τῶν γραφῶν τῶν ἁγίων) refers specifically to the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible, which was widely used in the Diaspora synagogues and would have been accessible to the Roman church. This strategic grounding in established divine revelation provided a common authoritative foundation for both segments of the Roman Christian community.
* **Key Themes:** Romans 1:2 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Romans and Paul's theology. Firstly, it highlights the **divine origin and authority of the gospel**, asserting that it comes directly from God, not human ingenuity, a theme reinforced throughout Paul's defense of his apostleship and message (e.g., [Galatians 1:11-12](/galatians/1-11-12 "Galatians 1:11-12 - Gospel Not from Man")). Secondly, it establishes the **continuity of God's redemptive plan** across testaments, demonstrating that the New Covenant in Christ is not a radical departure but the fulfillment of the Old Covenant's promises. This continuity is a foundational argument for Paul, particularly when addressing the relationship between Law and Grace, and the inclusion of Gentiles (e.g., [Romans 3:21](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21 - Righteousness Apart from Law")). Thirdly, the verse underscores the **reliability and trustworthiness of God's promises**, as His ancient declarations through the prophets have now come to fruition in Christ, affirming His faithfulness (e.g., [Romans 4:20-21](/romans/4-20-21 "Romans 4:20-21 - Abraham's Faith in God's Promise")). Finally, it implicitly affirms the **inspiration and authority of the Old Testament Scriptures** as the very medium through which God's promises were conveyed (e.g., [2 Timothy 3:16](/2_timothy/3-16 "2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is God-breathed")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **promised afore (Greek, _proepangéllomai'_):** This verb, G4279, literally means "to promise before" or "to announce beforehand." Its use here emphasizes the pre-existence and forethought of God's plan for salvation. It highlights that the gospel was not an afterthought or a reaction to human sin, but a deliberate, ancient declaration rooted in God's eternal counsel, demonstrating His sovereignty and intentionality throughout history.
* **prophets (Greek, _prophḗtēs'_):** G4396 refers to those who speak for God, often foretelling future events but also delivering God's message for their contemporary audience. By stating the gospel was promised "by his prophets," Paul affirms the divine inspiration and authority of the Old Testament prophets as God's chosen instruments for revealing His redemptive plan, thereby lending immense weight and credibility to the gospel message.
* **holy (Greek, _hágios'_):** G40 signifies something set apart, consecrated, or sacred, often implying purity and divine origin. When applied to "scriptures," it designates them as uniquely God-breathed and distinct from human writings, possessing inherent divine authority and truth. The holiness of the scriptures underscores their reliability as the record of God's promises.
* **scriptures (Greek, _graphḗ'_):** G1124, derived from the verb "to write," refers specifically to written documents, and in this context, to the sacred writings of the Old Testament. The plural form ("scriptures") emphasizes the comprehensive body of prophetic revelation. Paul's reference to these "holy scriptures" as the repository of God's prior promises firmly links the New Testament gospel to the foundational truths and prophecies of the Old Testament, demonstrating continuity and fulfillment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(Which he had promised afore":** This clause directly attributes the origin of the gospel to God Himself ("he" referring to God, implied from the preceding verse's "gospel of God"). The verb "promised afore" (proepangéllomai) stresses the pre-existence and long-standing nature of this divine pledge. It signifies that the good news about Jesus Christ was not a spontaneous development but a deliberate, pre-ordained component of God's eternal plan, declared long before its historical manifestation.
* **"by his prophets":** This phrase identifies the human agents through whom God conveyed His ancient promises. The "prophets" are the inspired spokesmen of the Old Testament, such as Moses, David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and others. Their role was to deliver God's word, often foretelling the coming Messiah and the New Covenant. This highlights the mediatorial role of the prophets in God's unfolding revelation.
* **"in the holy scriptures,)":** This final phrase specifies the medium through which these promises were preserved and transmitted: the "holy scriptures." This refers collectively to the Old Testament writings, which were recognized as divinely inspired and authoritative. The term "holy" emphasizes their sacred, set-apart nature, distinguishing them from ordinary writings. By grounding the gospel in these established, revered texts, Paul asserts its legitimacy, divine authority, and its fulfillment of a long-anticipated divine program.

#### Literary Devices
Romans 1:2 employs several literary devices to establish the gospel's foundational truth. **Allusion** is prominent, as the phrase "his prophets in the holy scriptures" alludes to the entire corpus of the Old Testament, invoking its authority and prophetic tradition without needing to cite specific passages. This broad reference serves to validate the gospel as deeply rooted in God's historical revelation. The use of **Anticipation** is also key; the gospel is presented not as a new, unexpected event, but as something "promised afore," building a sense of divine intentionality and the fulfillment of long-held expectations. Furthermore, the phrase "holy scriptures" functions as a powerful **Metonymy**, where "holy" emphasizes the divine origin and set-apart nature of the writings, and "scriptures" stands in for the entire body of Old Testament revelation, underscoring its sacred and authoritative status as the repository of God's truth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 1:2 lays a critical theological foundation for Paul's entire letter: the gospel is not a human invention or a recent theological innovation, but the culmination of God's consistent, eternal plan of salvation, revealed progressively throughout history. This verse firmly establishes the organic unity between the Old and New Testaments, demonstrating that the Christ event is not an interruption but the fulfillment of God's ancient promises. It underscores God's faithfulness to His word and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes, providing assurance that His promises are trustworthy and ultimately realized in Jesus Christ. This continuity is vital for understanding Paul's arguments regarding justification by faith, the role of the Law, and the inclusion of both Jews and Gentiles in God's saving work.

* [Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains Fulfillment of Scripture")
* [Acts 10:43](/acts/10-43 "Acts 10:43 - Peter's Sermon on Christ and the Prophets")
* [1 Peter 1:10-12](/1_peter/1-10-12 "1 Peter 1:10-12 - Prophets Foretold Salvation in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 1:2 offers profound encouragement and a solid foundation for our faith. In a world constantly seeking new truths and questioning ancient beliefs, this verse reminds us that the gospel is not a fleeting trend but an eternal promise from an unchanging God. It assures us that God's plans are meticulously laid out across millennia, demonstrating His sovereignty, foresight, and unwavering faithfulness. For believers, this means we can trust in the reliability of God's Word and the certainty of His redemptive work in Christ. It calls us to deeply appreciate the Old Testament, not as a collection of outdated stories, but as the very bedrock upon which our New Testament faith is built, revealing the consistent character and purposes of God. Understanding this continuity fosters a deeper sense of security in our salvation and inspires us to live in light of God's grand, unfolding narrative of redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the gospel as "promised afore" by God's prophets strengthen your confidence in its truth and divine origin?**
* **In what ways does recognizing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments deepen your appreciation for the Bible as a whole?**
* **How might you better engage with the "holy scriptures" (Old Testament) to see how they point to Christ and the gospel?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul immediately emphasize the Old Testament in connection with the gospel?**

Answer: Paul's immediate emphasis on the Old Testament in [Romans 1:2](/romans/1-2 "Romans 1:2 - The Gospel Promised in Scripture") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it establishes the divine authority and historical legitimacy of the gospel. By showing that the good news about Jesus was "promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures," Paul demonstrates that the Christian faith is not a new, arbitrary religion but the fulfillment of God's ancient covenant promises to Israel. This was particularly important for his Jewish audience in Rome, who revered the Hebrew Scriptures. Secondly, it highlights the continuity of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that God has been working consistently throughout history towards the salvation revealed in Christ. This continuity underscores God's faithfulness and the trustworthiness of His Word, providing a solid foundation for the theological arguments Paul will develop throughout the letter regarding justification, the Law, and the inclusion of Gentiles.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 1:2 powerfully sets the stage for the Christ-centered nature of the gospel, declaring that the good news is precisely what God "had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures." This verse implicitly identifies Jesus Christ as the singular fulfillment of millennia of divine anticipation and prophetic utterance. The Old Testament, with its covenants, laws, sacrifices, and prophecies, constantly pointed forward to a coming Messiah who would accomplish God's ultimate salvation. Jesus, therefore, is not merely a historical figure but the very embodiment of these ancient promises. As the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") foretold by the prophets, His life, death, and resurrection perfectly align with the scriptural pattern of suffering and glory (e.g., [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant")). His ministry inaugurated the New Covenant, which Jeremiah had prophesied (e.g., [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant")), and He is the "seed" of Abraham through whom all nations would be blessed (e.g., [Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed of Abraham")). Thus, Romans 1:2 positions the entire gospel narrative as the climactic realization of God's long-unfolding redemptive plan, with Christ as its central figure and ultimate goal, confirming that "all the promises of God in Him are Yes" ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Titus 1:2

In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

Luke 1:70

As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

Romans 16:26

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

Romans 3:21

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;

Romans 3:2

Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Luke 24:26

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?