The Epistles · Chapter 1 of 16

Romans 1

Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ set apart for the gospel, greeting the Roman believers and longing to visit. He states his theme: he is not ashamed of the gospel, which is God's power to save all who believe, revealing a righteousness by faith. He then describes how humanity suppressed the knowledge of God, exchanging his glory for idols, and how God gave them over to their desires.

What happens in Romans 1

Paul opens his letter with a rich greeting, naming himself a servant and apostle set apart for the gospel of God concerning his Son, descended from David and declared the Son of God by resurrection. He greets the believers in Rome, thanks God for their well known faith, and explains his long desire to visit them. He announces his great theme: he is not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, revealing the righteousness of God from faith to faith, so that the just shall live by faith.

God's wrath is revealed against those who suppress the truth, though his eternal power and Godhead are plainly seen in creation, leaving people without excuse. Knowing God, they did not glorify him, but exchanged his glory for images and served the creature. Three times God gives them over to the desires and disorder of hearts that refuse him.

Romans 1 in context

Romans is Paul's most systematic letter, written to a church he had not founded, to explain the gospel he preaches before visiting. Chapter one lays the foundation of a long argument running through several chapters: all people, Gentile and Jew alike, need the righteousness God provides by faith.

Here Paul begins with the Gentile world, showing that creation itself reveals God, so that idolatry is not innocent ignorance but a turning away.

Main themes of Romans 1

Romans 1 (KJV)

1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7To 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. 8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9For 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; 10Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13Now 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. 14I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16For 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. 17For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20For 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: 21Because 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. 22Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27And 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. 28And 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; 29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32Who 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.

Verses to carry from Romans 1

“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.”Romans 1:16

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”Romans 1:17

“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:”Romans 1:20

Reflection

It is tempting to read Paul's list of human failure and point outward, but the chapter's aim is to leave every mouth silent, including our own. Before that, hear the gladness in the theme: Paul is not ashamed of a gospel that saves everyone who believes.

The honest picture of sin is not meant to crush you but to make the coming good news shine.

A prayer from Romans 1