Romans 1
Chapter indexThe Gospel of God—From the Seed of David to the Power of Salvation Amidst Human Depravity
This chapter unveils the Gospel of God as a proclamation concerning His Son, who was designated the Son of God with power through the resurrection to uplift humanity into divinity. It contrasts the righteousness of God, revealed from faith to faith, with the wrath of God revealed against the suppression of truth by a humanity that has exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for idols and been given up to a reprobate mind.
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The Gospel of God: Concerning His Son (1:1-4)
- Separated unto the Gospel promised beforehand through the prophets in the holy scriptures.
- Concerning the Son: Made of the seed of David according to the flesh (His humanity).
- Designated the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead (His divinity expressed in glorified humanity).
The Apostolic Commission and the Thirst for Fellowship (1:5-15)
- Receiving grace and apostleship for the obedience of faith among all the nations.
- Serving God in the spirit in the Gospel of His Son.
- Longing to impart spiritual gifts for mutual establishment and comfort through mutual faith.
- The debt to preach the Gospel to the Greeks and Barbarians, the wise and the foolish.
The Power of the Gospel and the Righteousness of God (1:16-17)
- The Gospel as the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
- The righteousness of God revealed in the Gospel from faith to faith.
- The just living by faith in the Person of Christ, not by the works of the Law.
The Condemnation of Mankind: The Wrath of God and the Abandonment of Truth (1:18-32)
- The wrath of God revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.
- The suppression of the truth and the rejection of God's general revelation through creation.
- Becoming vain in reasonings and darkened in heart by refusing to glorify or thank God.
- Exchanging the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of corruptible images.
- God giving them up to uncleanness, vile affections, and a reprobate mind as a consequence of their refusal to retain God in their knowledge.
The Gospel of God: Concerning His Son (1:1-4)
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Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
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(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
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Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
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And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
The Apostolic Commission and the Thirst for Fellowship (1:5-15)
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By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
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Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
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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.
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First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
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For 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;
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Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
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For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
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That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
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Now 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.
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I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
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So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
The Power of the Gospel and the Righteousness of God (1:16-17)
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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.
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For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
The Condemnation of Mankind: The Wrath of God and the Abandonment of Truth (1:18-32)
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For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
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Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
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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:
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Because 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.
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Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
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And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
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Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
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Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
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For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
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And 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.
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And 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;
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Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
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Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
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Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
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Who 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.