Romans 1:5

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

By {G1223} whom {G3739} we have received {G2983} grace {G5485} and {G2532} apostleship {G651}, for {G1519} obedience {G5218} to the faith {G4102} among {G1722} all {G3956} nations {G1484}, for {G5228} his {G846} name {G3686}:

Through him we received grace and were given the work of being an emissary on his behalf promoting trust-grounded obedience among all the Gentiles,

Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;

Commentary on Romans 1:5 (KJV)

"By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"

Context

This verse is part of the opening salutation and introduction of Paul's letter to the church in Rome. Following his identification as a servant and apostle set apart for the gospel (Romans 1:1), and mentioning the gospel's divine origin and subject (Jesus Christ, verses 2-4), Paul transitions here to explain the basis and purpose of his own ministry and that of his fellow apostles. He emphasizes that their authority and calling come directly from Christ.

Key Themes

  • Source of Ministry: Paul highlights that both his "grace" and his "apostleship" were received "by whom," referring back to Jesus Christ mentioned in the preceding verses. This underscores the divine origin of his authority, not from human appointment.
  • Grace and Apostleship: The verse links God's unmerited favor (grace) with the specific calling and authority of an apostle. It suggests that apostleship is not earned but is a gift of grace, enabling the ministry of spreading the gospel.
  • Purpose: Obedience to the Faith: The ultimate goal of their ministry is to bring about "obedience to the faith." This phrase can mean obedience that springs from faith or the act of obeying the tenets of the Christian faith. It implies a response of trust and submission to God's message.
  • Scope: Among All Nations: The mission is explicitly global, intended for "all nations" (ethnos in Greek, referring to Gentiles). This foundational concept of the gospel's reach beyond Israel is central to Romans and Paul's ministry.
  • Ultimate Aim: For His Name: All the work of ministry, grace, apostleship, and calling people to faith and obedience is ultimately "for his name," meaning for the glory, honor, and recognition of Jesus Christ.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "obedience to the faith" translates the Greek hypakoe pisteos. This can be understood as subjective genitive ("obedience which consists of faith") or objective genitive ("obedience rendered to the faith/gospel"). Both senses are likely intended: the required response to the gospel is believing submission, and this faith itself is an act of obedience to God's command to believe. The term ethnos for "nations" specifically points to non-Jewish peoples, emphasizing the universal scope of the apostolic mission driven by God's grace.

Reflection

Romans 1:5 reminds us that all true Christian ministry flows from God's grace through Jesus Christ. Our calling, whatever it may be, is a gift, not something we earn. The purpose of this calling is to see lives transformed through faith, leading to obedience, not just for a select few, but for people from "all nations." This verse serves as a powerful reminder that the mission of the church is global and centered on bringing glory to Christ's name. It challenges believers today to live lives of faith that are characterized by obedience and to participate in God's global purpose of making His name known.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 9:15

    But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

  • 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:

  • Acts 6:7

    And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith.

  • Malachi 1:11

    For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name [shall be] great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense [shall be] offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name [shall be] great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:10

    But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

  • Romans 12:3

    For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

  • Hebrews 5:9

    And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

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