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Paul Greets the Saints in Rome
Romans opens with a rich greeting. In seven verses, Paul introduces himself, summarises the good news about God’s Son, and tells the believers in Rome who they are in relation to Jesus Christ.
Understanding the passage
The setting of these words
This passage begins Paul’s letter to believers in Rome. It reads as a greeting, yet it is full of teaching. Paul speaks about the good news of God, God’s earlier promise in the holy Scriptures, Jesus Christ, Paul’s apostleship, and the believers’ calling.
Romans 1:1–7Main takeaway
These opening verses show that the good news centres on God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and that both Paul and the believers in Rome are called to belong to him.
Follow the letter’s teaching
01Paul’s opening description of himselfPaul begins by naming himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the good news of God.
Explanation
Paul begins by naming himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the good news of God. Each phrase explains his role. He belongs to Jesus Christ, he has a calling, and his work is tied to God’s good news rather than his own message.
02The good news was promised beforehandPaul says this good news was promised before through God’s prophets in the holy Scriptures.
Explanation
Paul says this good news was promised before through God’s prophets in the holy Scriptures. So the message is not presented as something sudden or disconnected. Paul links it to what God had already spoken. He then turns to God’s Son as the subject of that good news.
03God’s Son: David’s offspring and declared with powerPaul describes Jesus Christ in two connected ways. He was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, and he was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead.
Explanation
Paul describes Jesus Christ in two connected ways. He was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh, and he was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead. Paul then names him clearly as Jesus Christ our Lord.
04Grace, apostleship, and people called to belongThrough Jesus Christ, Paul says, “we received grace and apostleship” for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake.
Explanation
Through Jesus Christ, Paul says, “we received grace and apostleship” for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake. The Roman believers are included in this reach, because they also are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Paul’s ministry and their identity both centre on him.
05Beloved of God, called to be saints, given grace and peacePaul addresses the believers in Rome as beloved of God and called to be saints. In this verse, “saints” are the people Paul is addressing, those called by God.
Explanation
Paul addresses the believers in Rome as beloved of God and called to be saints. In this verse, “saints” are the people Paul is addressing, those called by God. He closes the greeting with “Grace to you and peace” and says this grace and peace are from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Questions to explore
01What words does Paul use to describe his own role at the start of the letter?
Look closely at the three descriptions in the first verse and notice how each one connects Paul to Jesus Christ and the good news.
02How does Paul connect the good news to what God had already said before?
Notice where Paul says this message was promised and through whom it was made known beforehand.
03How does Paul describe the believers in Rome, and what does he say to them in his greeting?
Read Romans 1:7 carefully and gather each phrase Paul uses, including beloved of God, called to be saints, and his words of grace and peace.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Romans 1:1–7
1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,
2which he promised before through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
3concerning his Son, who was born of the offspring of David according to the flesh,
4who was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
5through whom we received grace and apostleship for obedience of faith among all the nations for his name’s sake;
6among whom you are also called to belong to Jesus Christ;
7to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.