“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to 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.”
Romans 1:1-7 KJV
In these opening lines of Paul's letter to the Romans, we find a rich tapestry of themes that lay the foundation for understanding the Christian faith. Paul introduces himself not just as a messenger, but as a "servant of Christ Jesus," emphasizing his total commitment and submission to Jesus. This language might sound strong, but it reflects Paul's deep dedication to serving Christ above all else.
Paul then mentions his role as an apostle. An apostle is someone chosen and sent by God with a specific mission – in Paul’s case, to preach the Good News. The Good News, or the Gospel, is the central message of Christianity: it's about God's plan to rescue humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ. This message wasn't a new idea; it was promised long ago through the prophets in the Scriptures. The prophets were people in the Old Testament who were given messages from God about what was going to happen in the future, including the coming of Jesus.
The focus then shifts to Jesus. Paul highlights two crucial aspects of Jesus' identity: his human nature and his divine nature. First, in his earthly life, Jesus was a descendant of King David, fulfilling the Old Testament prophecies that the Messiah would come from David's line. This human lineage is important because it connects Jesus with Jewish history and prophecy.
Second, Jesus' divine nature is affirmed through His resurrection – He was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit, which shows that He is the Son of God. This is central to the Christian belief: Jesus is both fully human and fully divine.
Paul also talks about the role of the apostles in spreading this Good News to the Gentiles. Gentiles are people who aren't Jewish; this shows that the message of Jesus is for everyone, not just for the Jewish people. It's a message that brings people to faith and obedience, leading to the glory of God.
Lastly, Paul addresses the recipients of the letter – the Christians in Rome. He calls them loved by God and chosen to be holy, which means set apart for God’s purposes. He greets them with a wish for grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace is the unearned favor and love from God, and peace is the deep well-being and reconciliation that comes from being in a right relationship with God through Jesus.
So, in these verses, Paul is setting up the whole letter with some key ideas: his role as an apostle, the dual nature of Jesus as human and divine, the fulfillment of prophecy, the universal scope of the Gospel, and the calling and blessing of the Christian believers in Rome.
Heavenly Father,
We approach Your throne of grace with reverence and awe, mindful of the profound truths revealed in the opening lines of Paul's letter to the Romans. We are humbled by the depth and richness of Your Word, which continues to speak into our lives with clarity and power.
Father, we are struck by Paul’s self-identification as a "slave of Christ Jesus," a term that speaks volumes of his unwavering dedication and submission to You. It is a powerful reminder of our own calling to serve You wholeheartedly, to lay aside our own desires, and to embrace the path You have set before us with joy and commitment.
We thank You for the apostolic mission, particularly for Paul’s role in spreading the Good News. This Gospel, promised through the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus Christ, is the story of Your incredible plan to rescue humanity. It binds the tapestry of Scripture together, from the prophecies of old to the reality of the Gospel age.
Lord, we are deeply grateful for Jesus Christ – the center of our faith. In His earthly life as a descendant of David, He fulfilled the ancient prophecies and connected Himself to our human story. Yet, in His resurrection, powered by Your Spirit, He declared His divinity, affirming that He is indeed Your Son. This truth forms the cornerstone of our faith, that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine, our Savior and Redeemer.
We are amazed, Father, by the inclusivity of Your salvation. Through Jesus, You have extended Your grace not just to the Jews but to the Gentiles as well – to all of humanity. This universal scope of the Gospel is a testament to Your boundless love and mercy, inviting everyone to be a part of Your family through faith and obedience.
For the believers in Rome, as for us, You have called them loved and chosen to be holy. Your greeting of grace and peace was not just for them but extends to us today. We bask in Your unearned favor and love, and we cherish the peace that surpasses all understanding, which guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
In these foundational verses, we see the essence of our faith: the apostolic mission, the dual nature of Christ, the fulfillment of prophecy, the universal call of the Gospel, and the sanctifying work You are doing in our lives. Help us, Lord, to live in the light of these truths, to embody the grace and peace You offer, and to be diligent in spreading the Good News to the world around us.
In the majestic and saving name of Jesus Christ, we pray,
Amen.