Romans 1:1- 7 - Paul’s Epistle to the Romans
Called, Separated, and Established in the Gospel
Introduction
The Epistle to the Romans is one of the most comprehensive explanations of the gospel in the New Testament. Paul addresses humanity's sin, God's righteousness, justification by faith, grace, the believer's new life in Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, God's dealings with Israel, and the practical life of those who have been transformed by the gospel.
Before Paul begins explaining these great doctrines, however, he introduces himself and immediately establishes the subject of his letter:
the gospel of God concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans does not begin with humanity.
It begins with God, His gospel, His promises, and His Son.
Historical and Biblical Context
Paul wrote to believers in Rome even though he had not yet personally ministered among them in the same way he had in many other churches.
The Roman congregation included believers from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. This helps explain why Romans repeatedly addresses subjects such as the law, circumcision, Abraham, Israel, Gentiles, justification, faith, and the unity of believers in Christ.
Paul's purpose was greater than simply introducing himself.
He wanted the believers to understand the gospel in which they stood.
Romans 1:16 KJV
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...”
This becomes one of the great themes of Romans.
Romans 1:1 — Paul, a Servant of Jesus Christ
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,”
Paul gives us three important descriptions of his identity.
A Servant
Before Paul identifies himself as an apostle, he calls himself:
“a servant of Jesus Christ.”
The Greek word doulos carries the idea of one who belongs to another as a servant or bondservant.
Paul understood that his life belonged to Christ.
His ministry was not primarily about position, recognition, or personal ambition.
He belonged to Jesus.
Christian ministry begins with servanthood.
Before titles, offices, gifts, platforms, or assignments, we must understand:
We belong to Christ.
Called to Be an Apostle
Paul continues:
“called to be an apostle.”
Paul did not appoint himself.
His apostleship came through the calling of Jesus Christ.
The word apostolos carries the idea of one who is sent—a commissioned messenger.
Paul's ministry therefore rested upon divine calling rather than personal ambition.
Galatians 1:1 KJV
“Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father...)”
Calling originates with God.
Separated Unto the Gospel of God
Paul was:
“separated unto the gospel of God.”
This is significant.
Paul had once been separated as a Pharisee according to strict Jewish religious tradition.
But after encountering Christ, his life was separated for another purpose:
the gospel of God.
To be separated unto something means that Paul's life had been set apart for God's purpose.
The gospel became the central mission of his ministry.
Personal Application
Being separated unto God is not merely about what we separate from.
We must also understand what God has separated us unto.
God calls His people away from sin, but He also calls us into obedience, holiness, service, discipleship, and His purposes.
Romans 1:2 — The Gospel Was Promised Beforehand
“(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)”
The gospel was not God's emergency response after humanity sinned.
God had already spoken concerning His redemptive purpose through the prophets.
Throughout the Old Testament, God progressively revealed His promise of redemption.
We see the promise beginning as early as Genesis.
Genesis 3:15 KJV
“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed...”
The prophetic Scriptures pointed forward to God's redemptive work.
The New Testament gospel therefore stands in continuity with what God had already promised.
Romans 1:3 — Concerning His Son
“Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
Here we reach the center of the gospel.
The gospel is:
“concerning his Son.”
Christianity is not merely a system of moral improvement.
The gospel centers upon a Person:
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Paul identifies Jesus as descended from David according to the flesh.
This connects Christ with God's covenant promises concerning David.
2 Samuel 7:12 KJV
God promised David that his seed would come after him.
Isaiah 9:7 KJV
The promised ruler would sit:
“upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom...”
Jesus' Davidic descent identifies Him with the promised Messianic King.
Romans 1:4 — Declared to Be the Son of God With Power
“And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”
Jesus did not become the Son of God at the resurrection.
Rather, the resurrection powerfully demonstrated and vindicated His identity.
Death could not hold Him.
The grave could not keep Him.
He arose from the dead.
The resurrection stands at the heart of apostolic preaching.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 KJV
**“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”**
Christian faith rests upon the crucified and risen Christ.
Romans 1:5 — Grace and Apostleship
“By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”
Paul understood both his salvation and ministry as things he had received.
He received grace.
He received apostleship.
Neither originated with himself.
God's grace did not merely save Paul from his past; grace empowered him for his calling.
Paul then gives the purpose:
“for obedience to the faith among all nations.”
The gospel calls people not merely to intellectual agreement but to a life characterized by believing obedience.
Faith that receives Christ begins transforming how we live.
And notice the scope:
“among all nations.”
The gospel was never intended for only one ethnic group or nation.
Christ commanded that the gospel go into all the world.
Romans 1:6 — Called of Jesus Christ
“Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:”
Paul now turns from his calling to theirs.
He was called.
But the believers were also called.
Every believer may not share Paul's apostolic office, but every believer belongs to Jesus Christ.
Our identity begins with whose we are.
We are called to belong to Christ.
Romans 1:7 — Beloved of God and Called to Be Saints
“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.”
Notice how Paul describes the believers:
Beloved of God.
Called to be saints.
The word translated saints speaks of those who are holy or set apart.
Biblically, saints are not merely a special category of exceptionally religious people recognized after death.
Paul addresses living believers in Rome as saints.
They belonged to God and were set apart for Him.
Grace and Peace
Paul closes his introduction with:
“Grace to you and peace...”
Grace comes before peace.
Through God's grace in Christ, sinners are reconciled to God.
Romans 5:1 KJV
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:”
The gospel produces what humanity could never accomplish for itself.
The Great Message of Romans
Romans develops the gospel systematically.
Humanity is under sin.
God is righteous.
Human works cannot justify the sinner.
Justification comes through faith.
Christ died for sinners.
Those who are in Christ receive new life.
Sin no longer has rightful dominion over the believer.
The Holy Spirit indwells God's people.
Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ.
Jew and Gentile stand before God upon the same necessity of faith.
And those who have received God's mercies are called to present their lives to Him.
Romans moves from:
Sin → Justification → Grace → New Life → Spirit → God's Purpose → Transformed Living.
Romans Is About the Righteousness of God
One of the central statements comes shortly after Paul's introduction.
Romans 1:16–17 KJV
**“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”**
The gospel reveals God's righteousness.
Romans teaches us that salvation is not humanity climbing upward toward God through personal righteousness.
It is God providing righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Key Themes in Romans
The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Romans 1:16
Human Sinfulness
Romans 3:23
Justification by Faith
Romans 5:1
Grace
Romans 5:20–21
Freedom From Sin's Dominion
Romans 6:14
Life in the Spirit
Romans 8:1–14
Adoption
Romans 8:15
God's Love in Christ
Romans 8:35–39
Israel and God's Redemptive Purpose
Romans 9–11
Presenting Our Bodies to God
Romans 12:1–2
Christian Love and Conduct
Romans 12–15
Observation
Paul's introduction teaches us several truths before we even reach the main body of Romans.
Paul knew whose servant he was.
Paul knew who called him.
Paul knew what he had been separated unto.
Paul knew what message he had been given.
Paul knew who that message was about.
And Paul knew why he had been sent.
His identity, calling, message, and mission all centered upon Jesus Christ.
Personal Application
Romans 1:1 causes me to examine my own identity.
Before I think about what I do for God, I must remember that I belong to Him.
My calling is not about building my own name.
My gifts are not about drawing attention to myself.
My ministry is not my possession.
Everything must point back to Jesus Christ.
Like Paul, I should be able to understand:
Whom do I serve?
Jesus Christ.
Who called me?
God.
What am I separated unto?
God's purposes.
What message do I proclaim?
The gospel.
Who is at the center of that gospel?
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reflection Questions
Why does Paul call himself a servant before mentioning his apostleship?
What does it mean to be separated unto the gospel of God?
How does Romans 1:2 connect the gospel with the Old Testament prophets?
Why is Jesus' descent from David important?
What does the resurrection declare concerning Jesus Christ?
What is the relationship between grace, calling, and obedience?
What does it mean to be “called of Jesus Christ”?
What does Paul mean when he calls believers saints?
Is my identity rooted more deeply in Christ or in what I accomplish?
What has God called me to be separated unto?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank You that salvation is not founded upon my own righteousness, but upon Thy grace and the finished work of Thy Son.
Teach me to understand that I belong to Jesus Christ. Help me to walk faithfully in whatever calling Thou hast given me. Separate my heart from everything that would hinder obedience to Thee, and consecrate my life unto Thy purposes.
Give me boldness never to be ashamed of the gospel of Christ. Help me to live according to the faith I profess and to remember that everything I am and everything I do should ultimately bring glory to the name of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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