Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:1 servant. See note on the first-century institution of "bondservant" (Gk. doulos, "servant, slave, bondservant") at 1 Cor. 7:21. This designation indicates that Paul is a slave of Christ, but at the same time the title recalls the honored servants of God in the OT, such as Moses, Joshua, David, and the prophets (Josh. 14:7; 24:29; 2 Kings 17:23; Ps. 89:3). Apostle emphasizes that Paul's authority is equal to that of the 12 apostles chosen by Christ. The apostles were specifically called by Christ (Matt. 10:1-7; Acts 1:24-26; Gal. 1:1) and had seen the risen Lord Jesus (Acts 1:22; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:7-9). They established and governed the whole church, under Jesus Christ, and they had authority to speak and write the words of God, equal in authority to the OT Scriptures (1 Cor. 14:37; 2 Cor. 13:3; Gal. 1:8-9; 1 Thess. 2:13; 4:15; 2 Pet. 3:2, 15-16). Paul was called to be an apostle when Jesus appeared to him on the Damascus road (Acts 9; 22; 26; 1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8-9; Gal. 1:13-17), and the unusual timing of his call led Paul to conclude that no more apostles would be chosen after him (1 Cor. 15:8). Gospel (Gk. euangelion) means "good news." This included not just a call to initial saving faith but Paul's entire message about Jesus Christ and how Christ's saving activity transforms all of life and all of history.

1:2-3 Jesus fulfilled the OT prophecy that a descendant of David would rule forever, and hence he is the Messiah (see 2 Sam. 7:12-16; Psalm 89; 132; Isa. 11:1-5; Jer. 23:5-6; Ezek. 34:23-24). The eternal Son of God assumed humanity to become the messianic King.

1:4 Jesus was declared by God the Father to be the Son of God in power when he was raised from the dead (see Matt. 28:6) and installed at God's right hand as the messianic King. As the eternal Son of God, he has reigned forever with the Father and the Holy Spirit. But this verse refers to Jesus as the God-man reigning in messianic power ("Son of God" was a Jewish title for the Messiah), and this reign began (i.e., was declared or initiated) at a certain point in salvation history, i.e., when Jesus was raised from the dead through the Holy Spirit. according to the Spirit of holiness. Christ's great power is always connected to the holiness of the Holy Spirit as he works in the new covenant age.

1:5 Paul's mission is to all people groups. His goal is to bring about the obedience of faith (cf. 16:26). Obedience is required, but it is an obedience that flows from saving faith and is always connected to ongoing faith. Although Paul can speak of people's initial response as obeying the gospel (10:16), it is unlikely that "obedience of faith" here refers only to initial saving faith, because the purpose of Paul's apostleship was not merely to bring people to conversion but also to bring about transformed lives that were consistently obedient to God. Paul's ultimate goal in preaching to the Gentiles is for the sake of his name, that is, that Jesus Christ will be glorified. "Name" here means reputation or honor.

1:7 Rome. See Introduction: The Ancient City of Rome. loved by God and called. God shows his love by effectually calling his people to himself. Saints refers to all Christians; all believers stand before God as his "holy ones." Grace means God's unmerited favor. Peace is not just the absence of conflict but echoes the OT concept of shalom, where a person's life with God and with everything else is in ordered harmony, both physically and spiritually, and "all is well."