Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

Romans 1:4

Next

And declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

And declared {G3724} to be the Son {G5207} of God {G2316} with {G1722} power {G1411}, according {G2596} to the spirit {G4151} of holiness {G42}, by {G1537} the resurrection {G386} from the dead {G3498}:

he was powerfully demonstrated to be Son of God spiritually, set apart by his having been resurrected from the dead; he is Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord.

and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,

Commentary

Romans 1:4 is a powerful declaration within Paul's introduction to his letter, emphasizing the divine nature of Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse follows directly from Romans 1:3, where Paul states that Jesus was "made of the seed of David according to the flesh." Verse 4 provides the crucial counterpoint, declaring that this same Jesus, though human, was also definitively shown to be the Son of God, not just according to human lineage, but according to His divine nature, demonstrated with power.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sonship: The verse declares Jesus' status as the Son of God, a title signifying His unique relationship with God the Father and His divine essence.
  • The Power of the Resurrection: The resurrection is presented as the ultimate, powerful proof that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. It validated His claims and demonstrated His victory over death. This event is central to the Christian faith and is often referred to as the cornerstone of the gospel message.
  • The Spirit of Holiness: This phrase likely refers to either Christ's own divine nature (holy Spirit) or the role of the Holy Spirit in the resurrection, contrasting with the "flesh" mentioned in the previous verse. It points to the spiritual, divine realm from which Jesus' power and identity are derived, as opposed to earthly lineage.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word translated "declared" is horizo, which means "to define," "to determine," or "to appoint." It's not just saying Jesus was *called* the Son of God, but that He was powerfully *designated* or *proven* to be the Son of God by the resurrection. The phrase "spirit of holiness" (pneuma hagiosynes) contrasts with "flesh" (kata sarka) in verse 3, highlighting the two aspects of Christ's identity – human and divine.

Reflection and Application

Understanding Romans 1:4 reinforces the truth that Jesus is not merely a historical figure or a wise teacher, but the divine Son of God. His resurrection is the undeniable evidence of His authority and power. For believers today, this truth provides the foundation for hope, assurance of salvation, and the promise of resurrection power in our own lives. It reminds us that the gospel is rooted in the historical, powerful act of God raising Jesus from the dead.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Hebrews 9:14 (13 votes)

    How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

  • Hebrews 5:5 (11 votes)

    So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

  • Hebrews 5:6 (11 votes)

    As he saith also in another [place], Thou [art] a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

  • Ephesians 1:19 (11 votes)

    And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

  • Ephesians 1:23 (11 votes)

    Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:4 (9 votes)

    For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you.

  • Acts 13:33 (8 votes)

    God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.