Romans 1:1-4

¹ “Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as 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 born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, ⁴ who was declared the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,”

Verse 1: In this verse, Paul introduces himself as a servant of Christ Jesus. This highlights his humble position and his willingness to submit to the authority of Jesus. He also mentions that he has been called to be an apostle, indicating that he has been chosen and commissioned by God for a specific purpose. Paul further states that he has been set apart for the gospel of God, emphasizing his dedication to proclaiming the good news of salvation.

Verse 2: Here, Paul emphasizes that the gospel he proclaims is not a new concept, but rather something that had been promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. This highlights the continuity between the Old Testament prophecies and the fulfillment of those prophecies in Jesus Christ. It shows that the gospel is rooted in God’s eternal plan and is not a mere human invention.

Verse 3: In this verse, Paul shifts his focus to Jesus, the central figure of the gospel. He highlights that Jesus, in terms of his earthly life, was a descendant of David. This is significant because it fulfills the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah coming from the line of David. By establishing Jesus’ genealogy, Paul affirms his authority and legitimacy as the promised Savior.

Verse 4: Here, Paul emphasizes the divine nature of Jesus and the power of his resurrection. He states that Jesus, through the Spirit of holiness, was declared the Son of God. This highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in affirming Jesus’ identity and authority. Paul further emphasizes that Jesus was declared as the Son of God in power through his resurrection from the dead. This resurrection is a pivotal event in the gospel message, as it demonstrates Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and affirms his identity as the Son of God. Paul concludes by acknowledging Jesus as our Lord, emphasizing his lordship and authority over our lives.