Romans 1

Summary. In this first chapter, the apostle Paul, guided by the Holy Spirit, addresses the believers in Rome. He speaks of the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Through the apostle, the Holy Spirit speaks to humanity about ungodliness and unrighteousness, telling how sin can lead people away from the Lord God Almighty, making room for the dark influence in their lives. Romans 1:1-7. The apostle Paul exalts the Son of God, Jesus Christ, and presents himself as the apostle of the Lord Jesus to the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God, who was miraculously born on earth by the power of the Holy Spirit. He rose from the dead through the same Holy Spirit’s power, and the holiness of God Most High keeps alive His human body. Romans 1:8-15. The apostle Paul expresses his desire to preach the Gospel in Rome. He is earnestly praying for people, without concern for the time or effort involved. He begs the Lord to allow him to preach the Gospel in Rome as well. His heart longs to help all believers come to true faith, regardless of his own difficulties and struggles. Romans 1:16-23. The apostle Paul presents the Gospel as God’s power unto salvation to all humans. He is not ashamed of the gospel because salvation is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ. All humans, within themselves, have the knowledge of the Lord God Almighty. The righteous will live by faith in the gospel, while the unrighteous will face the wrath of God. Romans 1:24-32. The Holy Spirit, speaking through the apostle, warns humanity about the consequences of sin. When there is no room for God in the hearts of humans, their own instincts change and turn against what they were created for. The Lord does not punish them, but the sin in their lives is the consequence of their punishment. But at any moment, if they repent and return with humble hearts, He forgives them and takes them back.
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God,
Comments Romans 1:1 God the Father had called the servant of His beloved Son to serve as an apostle, who would have the duty to proclaim the Holy Word of God to all humans.
2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
Comments Romans 1:2 The Father Himself had made the promise through His prophets in the Old Testament, which links the Old and New Testaments through the birth of the beloved Son of God. His apostle will declare all the detailed message in writing, which will help humans meditate and understand the will of the Father Himself.
3 concerning His Son, who came out of the seed of David according to flesh,
Comments Romans 1:3 God the Father has given the Word to His prophets to announce the coming of the beloved Son of God in human form.
4 who was declared the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord,
Comments Romans 1:4 “Who was declared the Son of God ...” “Who was declared the Son of God with power” refers to the birth of the beloved Son of God, and it also includes how God the Father shows His power in the human world. The human egg conceived by the Holy Spirit’s dwelling gives birth to the beloved Son of God in the flesh. The birth itself is a miracle and also shows the power of God the Father, who created all humans. Who also has the plan from the beginning to send the beloved Son to come down to be human, and the Son will show the way for humans to come to worship God the Father and show the way to be saved through the beloved Son of God’s mercy.
“By the resurrection of the dead ...” The Holiness of God Most High keeps His beloved Son’s body alive, even though humans have tried to murder the beloved Son of God, but by the mighty power of the Trinity, the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, was resurrected in His human body. This miracle is proof to all humans that God in human form cannot die.
“According to the Spirit of holiness,” is the link between birth and the resurrection of the beloved Son of God.
5 through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the Gentiles, on behalf of His name,
Comments Romans 1:5 “Through whom we received grace and apostleship.” The verse clearly tells us that, through the mercy of the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, the apostle has received the gift and also the calling to a special duty. With the mercy of God the Father, the apostle will perform the great duty of spreading the good news to all humans regarding the beloved Son of God’s mercy for all humans.
“Unto obedience of faith among ...” The will of God the Father is to save His children, but also the mercy of the beloved Son of God has been extended to the Gentiles. All the Gentiles will be saved through the blood of the beloved Son of God shed on the cross.
“On behalf of His name.” The verse tells all Gentiles that through the beloved Son of God, they will be saved. Come and worship the beloved Son of God to receive His grace and mercy for your souls.
6 among whom you are also called of Jesus Christ.
Comments Romans 1:6 As the verse tells us, the Gentiles will be among the Lord’s children to enter God’s kingdom and have eternal life.
7 To all those who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First indeed, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed throughout the whole world.
Comments Romans 1:7-8 “... I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you.” The fair heart of the chosen apostle, with his own words in prayer; let all readers pay attention to the words, telling clearly. When the heart is obedient toward the Lord God Almighty, the words that come out will also proclaim peace and love to all. The faithful apostle received the words from the beloved Son of God, Jesus Christ, to proclaim to humans, and the verse is clear.
“Because your faith is proclaimed ...” When the beloved Son of God had been proclaimed to humans, all have received His mercy and guiding hearts to come and worship the Father. All receive a chance to be saved through this calling.
9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the gospel of His Son, how continually I make mention of you,
Comments Romans 1:9 “For God is my witness ...” The loving kindness of the apostle toward believers, he begged the Lord God Almighty to always keep them to be saved and prosper in faith. His concern is for their faith and their well-being, but their faith is the most important thing for their hearts.
“How continually I make mention of you.” The apostle is begging and praying for people without worrying about the length of time or the amount. But with his heart full of love and wanting them to be firm in faith, he cannot stop praying and begging for their well-being and faith.
10 always upon my prayers begging, if by any means now at length I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you.
Comments Romans 1:10 With the heart seeking to have peace, the apostle wants to go and talk with them to strengthen their faith. Talking and praying with them will strengthen their faith and make it grow.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, that you may be established;
Comments Romans 1:11 The verse clearly tells all readers that the apostle’s heart yearns to help all believers come to true faith without worrying about his own troubles or hardships. He wants to bring all to come and be firm in their faith in the Lord God Almighty. His prayer and actions always lead people to faith.
Q: How can the apostle impart some spiritual gifts? A: When the apostle gives the Holy Word, the truth about faith in the Lord God Almighty, the listeners, after meditating, will receive the gift of understanding and will pray and ask for understanding, and use the knowledge to live life as an example. The Word of God that the listeners received from the apostle, after meditation, will bring faith to the soul.
12 moreover, that is, that I may be comforted together among you, through the faith in one another, both yours and mine.
Comments Romans 1:12 “Moreover, that is, that I may be comforted ...” After giving the Holy Word to the listeners, the apostle himself hopes to be part of worshiping together with all believers. To glorify the Lord God Almighty among believers is considered the payment for the work the apostle has done.
“Through the faith in one another ...” When the receivers develop faith, the apostle’s faith will be strengthened, and the worship together will strengthen the apostle and the believers at the same time.
13 Now, I do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, that many times I purposed to come to you--and was hindered until the present time--that I might have some fruit in you also, even as among the other Gentiles.
Comments Romans 1:13 “Now, I do not wish you to be ignorant ...” The Lord God Almighty worked in the apostle’s heart, creating the wish to visit the new believers and Gentiles, to spread the good news among them in order to guide their hearts to be sensitive to the voice of the Lord.
“And was hindered until the present time.” But the dark also does not want the good news to spread and tries to change the apostle’s mind, creating situations to slow the progress in spreading the good news.
“That I might have some fruit in you ...” The apostle’s heart wants to confirm the faith in the new believers, but the salvation also needs to be proclaimed to the Gentiles in order to bring them into faith, because the Lord God Almighty is for all humans, not only His children alone.
14 I am debtor both to Greeks and to Barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
Comments Romans 1:14 The apostle’s heart and mind were filled with deep feelings of guilt toward all humans for delaying the spreading of the good news. And now, when the opportunity came, he did not delay, even though hardship awaited him, but every soul needs a chance to be saved.
15 Thus, according to me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you also in Rome.
Comments Romans 1:15 The apostle received guidance straight from the Lord God Almighty on where he should be first to spread the good news.
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes; both to Jewish first, and to Greek.
Comments Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel.” Let all readers pay attention to what the verse tells us; for being an apostle, he has no shame in spreading the good news. You, as believers, when you read this verse, think of yourself as well. Will you do everything you can to proclaim the good news to the people you meet?
“For it is the power of God unto salvation ...” By the power of the Lord God Almighty, salvation for humankind comes only from the Lord God Almighty. There is only one way for humans to be saved, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ.
17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith to faith, as it is written, And the righteous will live by faith.
Comments Romans 1:17 “For therein is revealed a righteousness of God ...” Remember, the gospel has been proclaimed to humans; the righteousness of God has been proclaimed in the gospel. The righteousness of the Lord God Almighty has been shown when humans have true faith and come down to worship and beg for His mercy. The mercy will be shown to that heart, and that heart can feel and realize the mighty power that has come down. And their hearts can feel that righteousness.
“And the righteous will live by faith.” When the heart has been touched by the mercy of God Almighty, that heart will lead the person to follow the teaching and meditate on the Holy Word. When a person meditates on the Holy Word, their behavior will follow the teaching, making them become righteous for following and doing the work.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth by unrighteousness;
19 for the manifest known of God is among them; for God has revealed it to them.
Comments Romans 1:19 “For the manifest known of God ...” All humans, within themselves, have the knowledge of the Lord God Almighty. Human eyes, ears, and feelings can notice the Creator of all. When they look at themselves, the first thing that comes to mind is who created them. And when their eyes see the things around them, the same question will come to their minds. Also, the ears can hear the sounds that make the mind think about who created all these sounds. The heart of every human will have a whispering voice that reminds them to think about creation.
“For God has revealed it to them.” When the Lord God Almighty created all humans, He also gave them the intelligence to understand that everything happens for a reason. Nothing is by accident; all in humans points to the same thing, and no one can ignore the mighty power that created all things.
20 For the invisible things of Him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both His eternal power and divinity, for them to be without excuse.
Comments Romans 1:20 “For the invisible things of Him ...” The blind can feel because the Lord God Almighty can be felt, not just seen. His mighty power can be felt in the soul itself. Even if the physical body is not complete, His eternal power can still be felt through the soul.
“Both His eternal power and divinity ...” The holy power and magnificent mercy have been shown all around all human beings by the Creator who created them all. Therefore, all humans have no excuse.
21 For having known God, they glorified Him not as God, nor gave thanks; but they became futile in their reasonings, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Comments Romans 1:21 “For having known God ...” Humans have knowledge about the Lord God Almighty because they all have received intelligence. However, when humans notice their intelligence, the rebellious heart arises in their minds, and instead of giving thanks to the Lord God Almighty, they give thanks to humans. The knowledge from the Lord God Almighty becomes not true knowledge for humans; instead, humans choose to worship humans.
“But they became futile ...” When the dark influences human minds that dark mind itself makes humans reject the Lord God Almighty as God.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and they changed the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man, and of birds, and four-footed, and creeping things.
Comments Romans 1:23 “And they changed the glory of the immortal God.” When humans let the dark guide their minds, they cannot hear the voice of the Lord in their own hearts anymore. But the dark gave them the idea, and their hearts accepted it and believed that the Lord God Almighty had become nothing to them. With their own hearts, the dark convinces them that the Lord God Almighty had no power to save them.
“For the likeness of an image ...” After the mind lets the dark control the heart, they turn to darkness and imagine the Lord God Almighty to be all sorts of things, even putting the Lord God Almighty on the same level as animals and creeping things of the earth.
24 Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to dishonor their bodies between themselves;
Comments Romans 1:24 “Therefore, God gave them up in the lusts ...” When the heart has turned against the Lord God Almighty, the Lord Himself also leaves them to their own ways. But at any moment, if they repent and return with humble hearts, He forgives them and takes them back.
“To dishonor their bodies ...” When there is no room for God in their hearts, it makes their own instincts change and turn against what they were created for. The heart gets controlled by the lust of the body, making humans act abominably towards one another.
25 who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed to the ages! Amen.
Comments Romans 1:25 “Who changed the truth of God into a lie ...” When humans let the dark mind control their thoughts, the Lord God Almighty in their hearts turns to be as the things that have been created.
“Rather than the Creator ...” When the dark takes control of the human mind, the Lord God Almighty becomes nothing for that mind, and it makes humans blaspheme without fear, even deep in the human heart knows that it is a true God in this universe. When the dark mind controls a person’s mind, the Lord God Almighty becomes nothing to that mind.
26 Because of this God gave them up to passions of dishonor; for even their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature;
Comments Romans 1:26 When humans give themselves to the dark mind control, it makes them have no sense or feeling of what is right or wrong. Even their women change their passions and interests, and take the abomination instead of being one with the man God created for them.
27 then likewise also the males, having left the natural use of the female, were kindled in their lust toward one another, males with males working out disgrace, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error, which was necessary.
Comments Romans 1:27 “Then likewise also the males ...” When the dark mind controls humans, because humans themselves have turned away from obeying the Lord God Almighty, their minds become dark, their hearts become dull, the craziness of the mind occurs, and they behave in a wicked abomination against the Creator. When they have turned their back on the Lord God Almighty’s teachings, their dark instinct mind occurs and controls them, and makes them act abnormally, bringing great punishment upon themselves.
“And receiving in themselves the recompense ...” The Lord created male and female to multiply; when humans turned against the nature and purpose of life, the due punishment happened. The Lord did not punish them, but the sin in their lives is the consequence of their punishment.
28 And even as they did not approve of having knowledge of God, God gave them up to a worthless mind, to do things not fitting;
Comments Romans 1:28 “And even as they did not approve ...” When the human mind refuses to accept the Lord God Almighty’s teachings, fear will overcome the human mind. When the Lord departs from that soul, the fear of the dark will occupy the space.
“God gave them up to a worthless mind ...” When the hand of the Lord is removed from that soul, the mind of humans wanders in the dark. The dark will try to destroy that person. The Lord lifts up His hand, but His mercy is still waiting; just repent, turn back, and beg for mercy, and the Lord will deliver that soul.
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; gossips,
30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, arrogant, boastful; inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents;
31 foolish, covenant-breakers, unloving, unmerciful;
32 who, having known the ordinance of God, that those who are doing such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those practicing.
Comments Romans 1:29-32 Give attention, all humans, read and think carefully. When the human mind lets the dark mind control them, many abominable actions and thoughts can occur not only in the mind but also in behavior as well. When the heart has no fear and disbelieves in the Lord God Almighty, its soul becomes weak to the dark influence itself. Humans do not think about what they are doing right or wrong. Even if, in their hearts, they notice the action is not right, the dark in their hearts will convince the soul to accept. And give an excuse for themselves that the Lord God Almighty has created them to be that way. The Lord God Almighty created humans in His own likeness, which also tells all humans that He loves them more than they can understand.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) The Lord Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was born in the flesh by the power of the Holy Spirit. He rose from the dead by the same Holy Spirit power, and the holiness of God Most High keeps alive His human body. 2) As followers of the Lord Jesus, we should all yearn to spread the good news to others. 3) There is only one way for humans to be saved, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. 4) All humans, within themselves, have the knowledge of the Lord God Almighty. Human eyes, ears, and feelings can notice the Creator of all. All humans are responsible for offering praise and worship to the Lord God Almighty. 5) There are great consequences of sin for those who do not worship the Lord God Almighty. The Lord does not punish them, but the sin in their lives is the consequence of their punishment. The dark mind takes control over them, and they find themselves committing many abominable sins.