Key Verse:
Romans 1:16 NASB
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Where to begin?
Psalm 71:15a NASB
15 My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness, and of Your salvation all day long;
I would that we all would communicate the Gospel with the same fervor as Paul. Relentlessly and fearlessly, he spread the Gospel of the Kingdom to the very edge of civilization. Rome represented, both the very edge of civilization and the crown jewel of civilization in that day. All roads led to Rome. For Paul, Rome was a ready field of souls awaiting harvest. All he had to do was speak.
The Lesson
Romans 1:8 NASB
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ [a]for you all, because your faith is being proclaimed throughout the world.
The Book of Romans was written around 58 AD. I find it remarkable that Paul had the opportunity to make this statement. The church in Rome, in the past, had been under severe distress from within and without. From within, there had been real contention between the Jews and the Romans over the issue of Judaism and its place in the Church. From without, the officials in Rome tired of the constant upheaval surrounding the contention between these factions. The Emperor, Claudius eventually expelled all of the Jews from Rome. After Claudias died, around 54 AD, Jews returned to Rome. And some of them returned to the Church of Rome. Imagine the humility that accompanied their return. That humility inspired acceptance by the Roman Church and unity of purpose for the entire Body. That allowed growth and influence that Paul lauded them for.
Romans 1:9 NASB
9 For God, whom I serve in my spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how unceasingly I make mention of you,
So great was their example of Christian love, Paul could not help but draw attention to their unity of purpose in the building up of the believers in Rome in the faith and in love. In all likelihood, the Church at Rome was started by Paul’s good friends, Priscilla and Aquila. It stands to reason then that this body of believers held a special place in Paul’s heart.
Romans 1:10 NASB
10 always in my prayers requesting if perhaps now, at last by the will of God, I will succeed in coming to you.
Paul’s friendship with the couple would have allowed him to develop many other vital friendships within the Church at Rome, even though, he had never actually been there. This would have fueled his desire to travel to Rome, to actually meet some of the believers with whom he had become acquainted by reputation; his and theirs.
Note that Paul sought permission from God to visit Rome. He would not go unless he was led by the Holy Spirit. In that, the Holy Spirit would not permit a trip to Rome, what may we conclude? Here’s a thought: the Holy Spirit did inspire Paul to write a letter to Rome. By His great Providence, God inspired the writing of the letter to Rome, whereby some of the greatest lessons on faith, hope, love, and of course, grace.
Romans 1:11-12 NASB
11 For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be [b]established; 12 that is, that I may be encouraged together with you while among you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Paul longed to share any of the many spiritual gifts endowed upon believers by the Holy Spirit. He longed both to give and to receive what fruit the Holy Spirit had to offer. A psalm, or a hymn perhaps? A word of knowledge, or a word of wisdom? Miracles? Healings? Giftings of tongues? Prophecies? Any and all were possible where believers were gathered together in love. In an environment driven by love, God, who is Love, will meet every need. Nothing is too hard for Him. Paul desired to impart some gift of grace upon this fellowship under the unction of the Holy Spirit. He also understood that in the impartation, the emptying of his heart to those he so desired to fellowship, that he would also receive revelation from the Holy Spirit. An old saying among Preachers goes, “The Word hits the Preacher first.”
Romans 1:13 NASB
13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also just as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Romans 15:25-29 NASB
25 but now, I am going to Jerusalem, serving the [m]saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the [n]saints in Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to do them a service also in material things. 28 Therefore, when I have finished this, and have [o]put my seal on this fruit of theirs, I will go on by way of you to Spain. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
Acts 11:27-30 NASB
27 Now [y]at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and [z]indicated [aa]by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the [ab]world. [ac]And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And to the extent that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the [ad]relief of the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 And they did this, sending it [ae]with Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Matthew 24:7-8 NASB
7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pains.
Paul also had another reason for visiting Rome. He wanted to gather a monetary offering or material offering of some kind from them for the continuation of his ministry abroad. We can see the evidence of that by his writing in chapter fifteen that the churches at Macedonia and Achaia had collected an offering for the church at Jerusalem. A ‘Great Famine’ occurred in the region from 45 AD to 63 AD. The outer regions of the Roman Empire, including the region of Judea, were greatly affected. The gentile churches understood that they would have to make some effort to support believers in the poorer regions during this time of duress. In all reported cases, they cheerfully contributed to the effort. Paul wanted to encourage the Church at Rome in the grace of giving as well.
Romans 1:14-15 NASB
14 I am [c]under obligation both to Greeks and to the [d]uncultured, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
As Paul closes his greeting to the Church of Rome, he reaffirms his calling to the Gentiles. Paul was called by God to preach the Gospel to the gentiles. So inspired was he to his calling, that it didn’t matter his audience. The Romans and the Greeks deemed themselves to be intellectually superior to the peoples of the surrounding nations including the Jews. Likewise, the Jews thought themselves to be superior in stature to all surrounding nations (including Romans and Greeks) due to their knowledge of the One True and Living God. Paul considered no one to be above or beneath the promise of grace. He would leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of winning souls for the Kingdom.
Romans 1:16 NASB
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
So whether it was the Jews, the Greeks or, the barbarians, none were excluded from the great gift of salvation afforded to all who received the Gospel of Christ. Though the preaching of the Gospel seemed foolish to those who considered themselves wise, Paul was undeterred. He would admonish Timothy to preach the Gospel, in season and out. He most certainly set that same example in his enthusiasm for spreading the Good News.
Romans 1:17 NASB
17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed [e]from faith to faith; as it is written: “[f]But the righteous one will live by faith.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and [l]this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Habakkuk 2:4b NASB
4 ...But the righteous one will live by his [a]faith.
Finally, Paul begins to reveal the great mystery of grace. By grace, we were saved. By grace, we live. By grace, we are nourished. By grace, we will mature. From faith to faith, precept upon precept, we are justified by faith. That same faith that saved us, saves us. The same faith that healed us, heals us. We crossed from death to life by faith. Now we who were born of faith, live our lives in faith. Faith in He who is able to keep us from falling. May His Name, Jesus, be praised! Amen!
Selah
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Jude 1:24-25 KJV
24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
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