A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 1 – Chapter 1 Verses 1 – 3

1. Introduction Romans 1:1 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
1. “Paul” – Without doubt This I Paul who was Saul before his visit with Jesus in Acts Chapter 9.
2. We will not spend much time on Paul because so much I known about him here in this church.
3. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,”
1. The word “servant” comes from the Greek word “doulos” (pronounced doo'-los) and mean a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily;)
2. The Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary defines it - “bond-servant,” or one subject to the will and wholly at the disposal of another.
3. Paul was a “Servant” or “Bond Slave” of Jesus Christ. The word “of” I believe is used in a Subjective way which means it is something belonging to God and I given to man. If it were Objective it would have belonged to Paul and would have been Paul’ own choice and will and not that of Jesus Christ.
4. John Gill has a wonderful quote here: “not a servant of sin, nor of Satan, nor of man, nor of Moses and his law, nor of the traditions of the elders, but of Jesus Christ; and not by creation only, but by redemption, and by powerful efficacious grace in conversion; which is no ways contrary to true liberty; nor a disgraceful, but a most honourable character; and which chiefly regards him as a minister of the Gospel.”
5. 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 “Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. (21.) Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. (22.) For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. (23.) Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (24.) Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.” In Verse 22 The word “freeman” Does not omit the word “Slave” but rather refer to the slave being free from Sin.
4. “called to be an apostle” Paul was as all of Christ’s servants are “called” which means - an appointment. It is also used for the word “Saints” Romans 1:7 “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.”
5. “separated unto the gospel of God,” The word “separated” Has several meanings:
1. The word means - to set off by boundary.
2. It could refer to him being separated from who he was (a Pharisee) to whom he is (an Apostle).
3. Paul was one who was separated from the earth’s worst people to being a vessel used of God.
4. He was separated from the haters of the Gospel to one who proclaimed the Gospel.
2. Romans 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
1. The gospel is being spoken of here, by being “promised afore” means by the Old Testament Prophets both those who wrote the scripture but also those that preached in those days. Back as far as Genesis 3:15 “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” The Lord promised “it shall bruise thy head” It is He Christ or the seed of Woman (Mary) which was accomplished at Calvary. Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;”
2. This also refers to the mystery of the Old Testament Jews which was the salvation of the Gentiles by the same Saviour and the Same Gospel.
3. We must also mention this church (the church at Rome, no relation to Roman Catholicism) was a, or at least mostly a Gentile Church like the one at Colossae. Romans 1:13 “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.”
3. Romans 1:3 “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
1. Let’ note here that verse 2 is a deeper explanation of verse one and verse three is an actual continuation of verse one.
2. Verse one ended with “…separated unto the gospel of God,” and verse three begins “Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord,” The word “Concerning” means – through, which the gospel of God is through His Son Christ Jesus.
3. Here we must remember the Incarnation to keep the Son of God and the Son of Man separated. The Son of God was born of a woman in the Holy thing the man Christ Jesus. Two very truths; 1. God was not born and 2. God did not die; both of these were the Son of Man the (like unto flesh) Man.
4. When Paul said “which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;” He referred to the Son of Man.
5. Nor does God have a mother; The Son of Man has a mother.
6. This does not belittle Him from being the Son of God. John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
7. His linage as the Son of Man goes from Mary through David back to Seth and to Adam. I believe the title “the Son of David” has great significant to it because He was continuously recognized in the scriptures by that title. Matthew 9:27 “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.”