Romans 1:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

NIV: the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

NASB: which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures,

CSB: which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures—

NLT: God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

KJV: Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

NKJV: which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

Paul has identified himself as both a servant and authorized representative of Jesus set apart for the gospel of God. Now he begins to explain, in the middle of his introduction, what the gospel of God is.

First, Paul writes, the gospel of God is not a new thing that has popped up since Jesus' death and resurrection. Instead, the gospel had been promised by God long ago through what his prophets wrote in the "holy Scriptures." Paul's readers would have understood the holy Scriptures to include the books we refer to as the Old Testament.

Paul does not give examples of the promise of the gospel in this brief verse, but he is consistent throughout his writing in insisting that the Scriptures were always pointing forward to the coming of the Messiah and salvation through Him for both Jewish people and Gentiles (Galatians 3:7–9). New Testament books such as Hebrews go to great lengths showing how the Scriptures of the Old Testament were filled with predictions and descriptions of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:1–7 begins Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome with an introduction of himself as a servant and apostle of Jesus. He has been set apart to preach the gospel, or good news, about Jesus. Paul interrupts his own introduction by immediately beginning to teach the gospel, that Jesus Christ our Lord is the Son of God who was resurrected from the dead. He addresses his letter to those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints. This would include all the believers in Jesus.

Romans 1 introduces Paul and his purpose in writing this letter to the Christians in Rome. As servant and apostle of Jesus, Paul's mission in life is to preach the gospel of Jesus to all people groups, both Jews and Gentiles. He hopes to do so in Rome soon. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel. It is God's power for the salvation of all people by faith in Christ. We need to be saved because God is angry with us. Because of our sin, humanity has rejected Him as creator and provider. We worship created things, instead. In response, God has given us over to indulge in all kinds of sinful practices that lead to misery now and His angry judgment later.

Romans 1 begins with Paul's introduction of himself and his mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. After telling the Christians in Rome that he is eager to come see them and preach the gospel there, Paul declares that the gospel is God's power to save everyone who believes in Jesus. We need to be saved, because our sin has earned God's wrath. As a whole, humanity has rejected God as creator and provider. We worship creation instead of Him. In response, He has given us over to the full indulgence of our sinful desires. We are guilty and deserve His judgment.

The book of Romans is the New Testament's longest, most structured, and most detailed description of Christian theology. Paul lays out the core of the gospel message: salvation by grace alone through faith alone. His intent is to explain the good news of Jesus Christ in accurate and clear terms. As part of this effort, Paul addresses the conflicts between law and grace, between Jews and Gentiles, and between sin and righteousness. As is common in his writing, Paul closes out his letter with a series of practical applications.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:51:00 AM