A Study of The Book of Romans

Lesson 3 Chapter 1:7 – 9

 

  1. 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.”
    1. Paul now address to whom he is writing, it is the church at Rome. “To all that be in Rome,”

a.       Some try to make more of this than what it is; Paul is not writing to all in Rome but rather to the church. This was not unusual for Paul’s address to churches let’s remember his address to the church at Colossae, Colossians 1:2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse…”

b.      Paul went on to recognize them as “…beloved of God…” The word “beloved” here is the Greek word agapētos (pronounced ag-ap-ay-tos) which comes from the Greek word agapaō (pronounced ag-ap-ah'-o). This word means To be loved of God, not for what we have done, not because we loved Him, but because He simply loved us.

c.       We see this same word and same love from the Father to the Son. Matthew 3:17 “And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

d.      This is also the same love used for believers, 1 Corinthians 4:14 “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” When Paul said “my beloved sons” the reference is to them either to them being saved under his ministry or they were taught of him, he used this same term for the young preacher Timothy.

    1. “…called to be saints…” This can be looked at two ways.

a.       The words “to be” are in italics which mean the translators added them so they are not in the original text. So the original text would read “called Saints” However both do work because they were called Saints and called to be saints.

b.      Called to be Saints would mean God though the Holy Spirit called you to be His Saint, or called Saints is what any church member would be. I believe the “to be” even though added should be there.  

c.       “…Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Is a usual salutation from Paul and should be for us also in any communication between churches of between saints of the Lord.     

  1. Verse 8 “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.” There are two wonderful points here.
    1. “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all…”

a.       I thank my God whenever I find saints of God but mostly when I find a church still believing truth.

b.      We thank God because He is the author and finisher of faith and without election, grace, and mercy none of us would ever be a saint of God.

c.       Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”

    1. Second “…that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

a.       Any church or believer that their faith is spoken of by others has reason to smile and praise the Lord.

b.      A churches faith and stand on the truth at any cost is not just heard of in one town, but rather throughout the whole world.

c.       So many know Pastors that stand on truth and their churches for standing with them.

d.      Beloved never think your faith is not known because it is. Your former Pastors left you a good name and I truly pray I also leave this church with as good of a name.

  1. Verse 9 “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;”
    1. “For God is my witness…” – The word “witness” means - record which means God is my foundation and what I say is from Him.

a.       I was called by Him, saved by Him, taught by Him, and sent to you by Him.

b.      As Pastor God is my witness also. As a church God is our witness.

c.       This is why our faith is heard of around the world.

d.      Paul’s witness was not about him, just as ours in not about ours it is about our Sovereign God.

    1. “…whom I serve with my spirit…” Remember God is a Spirit and must be worshiped in a spiritual way and in truth, any other form of worship is wrong.

a.       Only a real, sincere form of worship does God get praise in.

b.      Worship is a service to the Lord and not to any man or group of people. If a person goes to worship and does not leave spiritually satisfied then either the church, pastor, or you were wrong.

c.       Also this is a testimony that I serve the Lord our God.

    1. “…in the gospel of his Son,” This is our witness! So many today make the mistake of forgetting Jesus Christ and His gospel and make it about them.

a.       Salvation belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ, He bought it at Calvary, man needs to stop acting as though it belongs to them or their churches or denomination.

b.       Hebrews 12:2 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

c.       Paul understood this and so do we here in this church. This is why “choosing Christ”, “make your decision for Christ”, or any begging and pleading is not preached here.

    1. “…that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;” another typical salutation from Paul, he had an extensive prayer list and so should we, and he prayed often for these folks and others and so should we.