Romans 1:3

KJV

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

KJV (with Strong's)

Concerning {G4012} his {G846} Son {G5207} Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} our {G2257} Lord {G2962}, which {G3588} was made {G1096} of {G1537} the seed {G4690} of David {G1138} according {G2596} to the flesh {G4561};

Complete Jewish Bible

It concerns his Son — he is descended from David physically;

Berean Standard Bible

regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,

American Standard Version

concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Romans 1:3 introduces the core subject of Paul's gospel: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This verse specifically highlights His authentic humanity and His historical lineage, affirming His direct descent from King David "according to the flesh," thereby establishing His credentials as the long-awaited Messiah promised in the Old Testament Scriptures. It sets the stage for a profound theological exposition of Christ's dual nature and the divine plan of salvation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Romans 1:3 is an integral part of Paul's opening salutation and introduction to his letter to the Roman believers, spanning [Romans 1:1-7](/romans/1-1-7 "Romans 1:1-7 - Paul's Salutation and Introduction"). After identifying himself as a "servant of Jesus Christ" and "called to be an apostle" in [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - Paul's Apostolic Calling"), Paul immediately defines the gospel he preaches. Verses 3 and 4 serve as a Christological summary, presenting the person of Jesus Christ as the very heart of the "gospel of God" mentioned in [Romans 1:1](/romans/1-1 "Romans 1:1 - The Gospel of God"). This concise theological statement about Jesus' identity—His humanity and divinity—precedes Paul's elaborate discussion of sin, righteousness, and salvation that forms the bulk of the epistle.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of a Messiah from the lineage of David was deeply rooted in Jewish expectation, stemming from God's covenant with David in [2 Samuel 7:12-16](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"). This covenant promised an eternal dynasty and a descendant who would reign forever. For a Jewish audience, Jesus' Davidic lineage was a crucial validation of His messianic claims. For the Roman audience, which included both Jews and Gentiles, understanding Jesus' historical grounding and fulfillment of prophecy would have been vital for establishing the credibility and universality of the Christian message. The phrase "according to the flesh" also subtly prepares the reader for the contrast with Jesus' divine nature, which would have been a significant theological point in the Greco-Roman world, where divine beings often lacked true human embodiment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several foundational themes. First, it underscores **The Person of Jesus Christ**, emphasizing His unique identity as "His Son Jesus Christ our Lord," which points to both His divine sonship and His supreme authority. Second, it highlights **Jesus' Authentic Humanity and Messianic Lineage**, affirming His genuine physical descent from King David. This is critical for connecting Jesus to the Old Testament prophecies, particularly the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"), which promised a perpetual kingdom through David's offspring. Thus, the verse also speaks to the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, demonstrating God's faithfulness in bringing His ancient promises to fruition in Jesus, the promised King of Israel, as seen in genealogies like [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **was made (Greek, _gínomai'_):** This verb signifies "to come into being," "to become," or "to be born." In this context, it emphasizes Jesus' real, historical birth and His genuine entrance into human existence. It denotes a process of becoming, not a pre-existence that then merely appeared human, but a true assumption of human nature.
* **seed (Greek, _spérma'_):** This term literally means "seed" but is used here metaphorically to denote "offspring" or "descendant." It directly refers to the physical lineage and progeny of David, establishing Jesus' biological connection to the royal house. This emphasizes the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises regarding the Messiah's ancestry.
* **David (Greek, _Dabíd'_):** Refers to the renowned Israelite king, David, from whose lineage the Messiah was prophesied to come. Paul's explicit mention of David grounds Jesus' identity firmly within the historical and prophetic framework of Israel, confirming His credentials as the legitimate heir to the Davidic throne and the promised King.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,"**: This opening phrase immediately identifies the central figure of the gospel message. "His Son" points to Jesus' unique divine relationship with God the Father. "Jesus" is His earthly name, signifying "Yahweh saves." "Christ" is His title, meaning "Anointed One" or Messiah. "Our Lord" declares His supreme authority and sovereignty over believers, acknowledging Him as Master and God. This clause encapsulates His divine identity and sovereign status.
* **"which was made of the seed of David"**: This clause asserts Jesus' authentic humanity and His specific genealogical heritage. The phrase "was made" (or "came into being") emphasizes His real birth as a human being. "Of the seed of David" unequivocally states His direct physical descent from King David, fulfilling the ancient prophecies that the Messiah would come from David's royal line. This establishes His legitimacy as the heir to the Davidic throne.
* **"according to the flesh;"**: This qualifying phrase clarifies the nature of Jesus' Davidic descent. "According to the flesh" refers to His human nature, His physical, earthly lineage, and His genuine embodiment as a man. It distinguishes this aspect of His identity from His divine nature, which is implicitly contrasted and explicitly stated in the subsequent verse ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Jesus Declared Son of God with Power")). It underscores His full participation in humanity, including its limitations and experiences, yet without sin.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective literary devices in this concise verse. There is clear **Conciseness** in how he packs profound theological truths about Jesus' identity into a single, compact statement, serving as a powerful summary of the gospel's subject. The phrase "according to the flesh" functions as a form of **Distinction** or **Antithesis**, setting up a contrast with "according to the spirit of holiness" in the following verse. This highlights the two natures of Christ—His true humanity and His true divinity—without diminishing either. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "David" serves as a powerful **Allusion** to the Old Testament prophecies and the Davidic Covenant, immediately connecting Jesus to the long-awaited Messianic hope of Israel. This alludes to the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, underscoring God's faithfulness and the historical grounding of the Christian faith.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Romans 1:3 is a cornerstone of Christian Christology, establishing the essential truth of Jesus' full humanity and His historical connection to God's covenant promises. It affirms the incarnation, where the eternal Son of God genuinely entered human history and took on human flesh, making Him relatable to humanity while also fulfilling the specific lineage requirements for the Messiah. This verse anchors the gospel in historical reality, showing that Jesus is not a mythical figure but the actual descendant of David, thereby validating His claim to be the promised King and Savior. It underscores God's meticulous faithfulness in bringing His redemptive plan to fruition precisely as prophesied.

* [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - Gabriel's Annunciation to Mary")
* [Acts 2:30](/acts/2-30 "Acts 2:30 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Messiah")
* [2 Timothy 2:8](/2_timothy/2-8 "2 Timothy 2:8 - Remember Jesus Christ, of the seed of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Romans 1:3 is far more than a genealogical detail; it is a foundational truth that grounds our faith in the historical reality of Jesus Christ. Understanding that Jesus was truly "made of the seed of David according to the flesh" means that He is fully human, capable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, having experienced life as we do. This truth assures us that God's promises are reliable and meticulously fulfilled, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness across generations. For believers, this verse reinforces the historical and theological integrity of the gospel, inviting us to trust in a Savior who is both truly God and truly man, uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between humanity and divinity. It calls us to marvel at the divine condescension and the precision of God's redemptive plan, reminding us that our salvation is rooted in a real person, a real history, and a real fulfillment of prophecy.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Jesus' genuine humanity, as emphasized by His Davidic lineage, deepen your understanding of His ability to relate to your struggles and temptations?**
* **What does the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant in Jesus tell you about God's faithfulness to His promises, both in the past and for the future?**
* **In what ways does knowing Jesus' historical and prophetic credentials strengthen your confidence in the truth and reliability of the gospel message?**

### FAQ
**Why is Jesus' Davidic lineage so important to Paul's message?**

Answer: Jesus' Davidic lineage is crucial because it directly fulfills Old Testament prophecies, particularly the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12-16 "2 Samuel 7:12-16 - The Davidic Covenant"), which promised that the Messiah would come from King David's descendants and establish an eternal kingdom. By stressing this, Paul validates Jesus' claim to be the long-awaited Messiah of Israel, not just a spiritual figure but a historical person who meets the specific qualifications foretold by God, thereby appealing to both Jewish and Gentile audiences about the authenticity and divine origin of the gospel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Romans 1:3 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the intersection of divine promise and human history. As the one "made of the seed of David according to the flesh," Jesus is revealed as the true heir to the Davidic throne, the promised King whose kingdom would have no end, as foretold by the angel Gabriel to Mary in [Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32-33 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Messiah's Davidic Throne"). His genuine humanity, affirmed by His Davidic lineage, was essential for Him to become the atoning sacrifice for humanity's sins, as only a true human could represent fallen humanity and offer a perfect, sinless life. This truth underpins the entire New Testament narrative, from the genealogies in [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1-17 "Matthew 1:1-17 - Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23-38 "Luke 3:23-38 - Genealogy of Jesus") that trace His Davidic roots, to the apostolic preaching that consistently proclaims Him as the "Son of David" who was raised from the dead ([Acts 2:30-31](/acts/2-30-31 "Acts 2:30-31 - Peter's Sermon on David and the Resurrection")). Thus, Jesus' Davidic humanity is not merely a historical footnote but a theological necessity, demonstrating God's faithfulness to His covenant and providing the perfect, incarnate Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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

Matthew 1:1

¶ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Galatians 4:4

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

Jeremiah 23:5

Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

Jeremiah 23:6

In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

John 1:14

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

Luke 1:31

And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

Luke 1:33

And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.