Romans 1:1

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Romans 1:1–7 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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Romans 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Romans 1:1-7
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ALMIGHTY God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that we might perfectly love Thee, and worthily magnify Thy holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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Hughes, R. Kent. The Pastor's Book: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide to Pastoral Ministry (p. 268). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
PRAY
S.T.A.R.T.
Solemnly praise and recognize the greatness of our God and Savior connected to the Biblical text being preached
Touch upon the subject of corporate sin and confess any shortcomings the body has committed related to the Biblical text to be preached
Ask God to help the body/local church to hear and apply the truths of the Biblical text to be preached
Review and remind the audience of the key related passages to the Biblical text being preached
Transition to the opening of the sermon and the Biblical text to be preached
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BACKGROUND
written by Paul
the people in Rome
from Corinth
between A.D. 54-58 / [55-56]

D. G. Miller finds three general groups in the church at Rome: the legalists, who thought that righteousness was a human achievement; the libertines, who abandoned the law even as a guide for the response of faith; and the spiritualists, whose pride destroyed the true sense of community and made them indifferent to the demands of civic order

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The New American Commentary: Romans 6. A Thematic Overview of Romans

Paul’s purpose was to set forth in a systematic fashion the doctrine of justification by faith and its implications for Christian living. The gospel had to be kept free from legalism; equally important was that it did not fall into the opposite error of antinomianism

antinomianism?
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A general name for the view that Christians are by grace set free from the need of observing any moral law

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WEIGHT OF ROMANS
Augustine of Hippo
Martin Luther
John & Charles Wesley
Karl Barth
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John Piper - Message on - The Author of the Greatest Letter Ever Written
For almost 18 years of preaching here at Bethlehem, I have waited and waited for the time when it would seem most fitting to preach through Paul’s letter to the have considered it again and again, and backed off from the task — like a mountain climber gazing up into the clouds around the peak of Mount Everest and then turning to lower heights. It has felt very daunting.
“For almost 18 years of preaching… I have considered it again and again, and backed off from the task — like a mountain climber gazing up into the clouds around the peak of Mount Everest and then turning to lower heights. It has felt very daunting.”
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Samuel Coleridge - Table Talk, 232
“I think that the Epistle to the Romans is the most profound work in existence.”
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John Knox - The Interpreter’s Bible, Vol 9, 355
“Unquestionably the most important theological work ever written.”
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John Piper - Message on - The Author of the Greatest Letter Ever Written
“For almost 18 years of preaching… I have considered it again and again, and backed off from the task — like a mountain climber gazing up into the clouds around the peak of Mount Everest and then turning to lower heights. It has felt very daunting.”
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But Romans is not for great minds only. The humble believer also finds inspiration and direction in these pages. Romans is not an easy book. But it has always yielded rich dividends to anyone who has taken the time to study it seriously, and it does so still

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Who am I?

These first seven verses are one complicated sentence in Greek (Paul often uses such long, complicated sentences

But Romans is not for great minds only. The humble believer also finds inspiration and direction in these pages. Romans is not an easy book. But it has always yielded rich dividends to anyone who has taken the time to study it seriously, and it does so still

This is easily the longest and most theologically complex of all the Pauline openings.

Who am I to preach and teach this book?
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Contains

Two major themes dominate this section. First, Paul stresses his apostolic authority and mission. Second, Paul sketches in briefly but pregnantly the gospel that he preaches.

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Who is Paul?
Paul = paulus = little
2 Corinthians 10:1 ESV
1 I, Paul, myself entreat you, by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble when face to face with you, but bold toward you when I am away!—
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2 Corinthians 10:10 ESV
10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.”

TEXT

Romans 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
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a servant of Christ Jesus

doulos = slave
bought / owned
Galatians 1:10 ESV
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
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used in similar fashion in Gal. 1:10; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:1; Jas. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1

Slave of a dead man!?
complete and utter devotion
Abraham =
Moses =
Prophets = ;
Christ / God = equal?

The focus of the term, though, is not on possessing a privileged office but on service to a greater authority

doctrine of deity of Jesus
servant = slave = most high God

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Acts 16:17 ESV
17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.”
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Christ Jesus = title

By using the word δοῦλος before mentioning his apostleship Paul emphasizes that the authority he exercises is a derived authority. He is a humble servant of Christ, whose will he endeavors to fulfill.

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Romans 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Abraham =
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Moses =
Prophets = ;
Christ / God = equal?
doctrine of deity of Jesus

called to be an apostle

Called = summoned
not self appointed
not chosen by men
Galatians 1:10 ESV
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
calling = types
call sinners to repentance
invitation / commandment
Romans 8:30 ESV
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Rom 8.30
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internal or effectual call
beyond the ears to the heart and soul
regeneration = spirit / word
Rom 1.6
Romans 1:6 ESV
6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
vocational calling
what are your gifts and callings?
1 Corinthians 12:27–31 ESV
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
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what you do with your days?
Colossians 3:23 ESV
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
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calling = response
to hear and obey!
Abraham -
Moses -
Jeremiah -
Amos -
Isaiah
Romans 1:6 ESV
6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
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Romans 8:30 ESV
30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Rom 8.
Romans 9:11 ESV
11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—
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Romans 1:5 ESV
5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
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Apostle = special office
someone who is sent, a messenger

1 Cor. 9:1; Heb. 5:4

called & sent!
neither self appointed nor chosen by men!
Galatians 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
Gal 1.1
apostolic stipulations
disciple of Jesus during earthly ministry
eye witness of resurrected Christ
a personal call from Jesus himself
How then Paul?
Paul sees Jesus bodily
1 Corinthians 9:1 ESV
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
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Paul is commissioned by Christ
Galatians 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
Gal 1.1
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2 Cor 11.
2 Corinthians 11:5 ESV
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
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Galatians 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
= Paul sent off by the church set aside for God’s work
refers to this authority
Galatians 2:7–9 ESV
7 On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised 8 (for he who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry to the circumcised worked also through me for mine to the Gentiles), 9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Gal 2.7-9
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Hebrews 5:4 ESV
4 And no one takes this honor for himself, but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
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2 Corinthians 11:5 ESV
5 Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles.
2 Cor 11.5
1 Corinthians 9:1 ESV
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?
2 Corinthians 12:12 ESV
12 The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works.
1 Cor
Galatians 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
Romans 11:13 ESV
13 Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry
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neither self appointed or chosen by men!
What about a new apostle?
Mormonism - Joseph Smith
Jehovah’s Witness - Charles Taze Russell
Future false teachers
impossible to authenticate by other apostles
preaching another gospel
Romans 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
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set apart for the gospel of God

Set Apart = appointed / assigned (state of being)
aphorismenos = verbal root = Pharisee - pharisaios
Philippians 3:5 ESV
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
Phil 3.5
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Some understand this to mean “set apart to preach the gospel”. It certainly includes this, but it is surely more. It means to be a gospel man, to live the gospel. Preaching is important, but then so is living. Paul’s call was to a way of life as well as to a task of preaching.

Gal 1.5
Galatians 1:5 ESV
5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Gal
Galatians 1:15 ESV
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
exclude / separate - negative connotation
included!?
Galatians 1:3–5 ESV
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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Galatians 1:5 ESV
5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
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Galatians 1:15 ESV
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
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The Gospel
the good news
no more separation
Of God
From, through, and to Him!
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from, through, and to
Romans 11:36 ESV
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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God is the most important word in this epistle. Romans is a book about God. No topic is treated with anything like the frequency of God. Everything Paul touches in this letter he relates to God. In our concern to understand what the apostle is saying about righteousness, justification, and the like we ought not to overlook his tremendous concentration on God. There is nothing like it elsewhere.

God is the most important word in this epistle. Romans is a book about God. No topic is treated with anything like the frequency of God. Everything Paul touches in this letter he relates to God. In our concern to understand what the apostle is saying about righteousness, justification, and the like we ought not to overlook his tremendous concentration on God. There is nothing like it elsewhere
162 times God is mentioned

ultimate aim of the gospel was to proclaim the name of Christ, so here it should be noted that the gospel is first and last about God, and particularly, as the subsequent verses show, how God has revealed himself in his Son.

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Acts 13:2 ESV
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Act 13.2
R.C. Sproll, says
Galatians 1:15 ESV
15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
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Jeremiah 1:5 ESV
5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
The Gospel of God: Romans The Gospel of God (1:1c–6)

I used to think when I read this text that the gospel of God meant a message about God. But that is not what Paul is saying here. By using the genitive of possession, he shows that the gospel belongs to God.

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Philippians 3:5 ESV
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee;
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appointed / assigned
aphorismenos = verbal root = Pharisee - pharisaios
Romans 11:33–36 ESV
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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the gospel
good news
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Some understand this to mean “set apart to preach the gospel”. It certainly includes this, but it is surely more. It means to be a gospel man, to live the gospel. Preaching is important, but then so is living. Paul’s call was to a way of life as well as to a task of preaching.

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of God = ultimate source
Jesus preached this way
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Mark 1:14–15 ESV
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”
Paul uses several phrases...
of Christ
my gospel
Romans 15:19 ESV
19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
Jesus & God are one
One name we must be saved
My gospel… ?
Romans 2:16 ESV
16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.
Rom 15.
Rom
Romans 16:25 ESV
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
So who’s gospel is it?

God is the most important word in this epistle. Romans is a book about God. No topic is treated with anything like the frequency of God. Everything Paul touches in this letter he relates to God. In our concern to understand what the apostle is saying about righteousness, justification, and the like we ought not to overlook his tremendous concentration on God. There is nothing like it elsewhere.

162 times God is mentioned
Thomas R. Schreiner

Just as I observed earlier that the ultimate aim of the gospel was to proclaim the name of Christ, so here it should be noted that the gospel is first and last about God, and particularly, as the subsequent verses show, how God has revealed himself in his Son.

ultimate aim of the gospel was to proclaim the name of Christ, so here it should be noted that the gospel is first and last about God, and particularly, as the subsequent verses show, how God has revealed himself in his Son.

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we must make THIS Gospel, GOD’S Gospel, CHRIST’S Gospel, PAUL’S Gospel our own!
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God is the most important word in this epistle. Romans is a book about God. No topic is treated with anything like the frequency of God. Everything Paul touches in this letter he relates to God. In our concern to understand what the apostle is saying about righteousness, justification, and the like we ought not to overlook his tremendous concentration on God. There is nothing like it elsewhere

Close

Who is Paul?
Romans 1:1 ESV
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Who am I?
Who are you?
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The Gospel of God: Romans Paul, a Servant of Christ Jesus (Verse 1)

Christians are those who belong to Christ. He is our Lord, he is our kyrios, he is our Master

Jon Gruss exists to: Magnify the glory of God through the outpouring of His grace in me.
Who are you?
Gods Call
Repentance and Faith
invitation / command
Internal regeneration
His Spirit / His Word
Vocation - what you do for Him
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1 Corinthians 12:27–31 ESV
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
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Communion

Psalm 19:12–13 ESV
12 Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.
Let us confess our transgressions.
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Benediction

Romans 1:7 ESV
7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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