Introduction
‘I keep six honest serving-men (They taught me all I knew); their names are, What and Why and When and How and Where and Who’. Rudyard Kipling.
In approaching any book in the Bible, it is good to remember this little rhyme, because it will impress upon us the importance of first taking the basic questions.
Author
In the case of Romans, we need not spend much time on the question of who the writer was, because we are well enough acquainted with him, we know him as Paul the Apostle, Romans 1:1. However, Paul, the inspired author, dictated this epistle to a scribe, Tertius, Romans 16:22, which ensures accuracy in the writing.
Of course, it is always possible that someone else used the name of Paul to gain acceptance of a letter that Paul did not write, but in this case, we may dismiss such a suggestion immediately, because the letter carries internal evidence of its genuineness as a letter from the apostle.
Without spending time on this point, it is enough to say that the style of writing, the language, vocabulary, the personal references, and the doctrines it teaches.
Indeed, the very atmosphere and feel of the letter declares it to be a genuine letter from Paul himself. So much so, that there has seldom, if ever, been a serious attempt to deny the Pauline authorship.
The Recipients
The title says, ‘to the Romans’, at least, in all the versions available today. And I do not doubt that this is absolutely accurate. However, it is a curious fact that there are a few ancient manuscripts in which the word, ‘Rome’, is found in Romans 1:7 and Romans 1:15, but the word is omitted.
These are the only two places in the letter where the destination of the letter is actually named. However, there has never been any doubt that it was written by Paul, to the brethren in Rome.
Date
There is a strong indication that the letter was written in Corinth on the third missionary tour which was about 57 or 58 A.D. Paul was taking the contribution of the churches of Macedonia and Achaia to the poor saints in Jerusalem, Romans 15:25-26.
Paul and certain other brethren were in Corinth on the third missionary tour at this time and were on their way to Jerusalem with the offering for the poor saints, Acts 19:22 / Acts 20:3-4 / Acts 20:16 / Acts 24:17-18.
It was probably written at Corinth because the names of two people associated with the city are mentioned as being present with Paul at the time of writing, Romans 16:23 / 1 Corinthians 1:14 / Acts 19:22 / 2 Timothy 4:20.
Who Established The Church In Rome?
The church had existed for many years, Romans 15:23, however, it certainly wasn’t Paul himself who established the church, because he makes that clear for us in Romans 1:11-15, and Romans 15:22-24, and it is unlikely to have been any other apostle, Romans 1:11.
The Gospel was most probably carried to Rome by some of those who had been present in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost when Peter preached the Gospel to its fullness for the first time and 3000 responded to the message. Acts 2:10 records that there were present ‘visitors from Rome’.
The Church In Rome
Rome was the greatest centre of the world at this time, the capital of the Empire, and that being the case, all roads led both from and to Rome, so it is not difficult to believe that the Gospel would very quickly find its way there. This is why, when Paul eventually reached Rome, he was met by the brethren, in all probability, some of those who read this very letter.
In Romans 16, we see that many of those who were members of the church in Rome were people who had been associated with Paul, at one time or another, as he had gone about his work in other parts of the empire.
We notice, for example, his old travelling companions in Romans 16:3. Epenetus in Romans 16:5. He had been converted in Asia, in Ephesus, but, like Aquila and Priscilla, had found his way to Rome. And so had certain of Paul’s own relatives, mentioned in Romans 16:7.
Indeed, he mentions several others who had worked hard for the faith and who had been his fellow workers. And, since he has never been to Rome himself, they must have associated with him elsewhere.
The church in Rome had great faith, in fact their faith was known throughout the world, Romans 1:8. The Roman church became a strong church, Romans 1:18 / Romans 15:1, and was known for its excellent reputation, throughout the Roman world, Romans 16:19.
They were a mature church, Romans 15:14 and within it there were relatives of Paul who became Christians before he did, Romans 16:7. The church also had members who were serving in Caesar’s household, Romans 16:8 / Philippians 4:22.
In Romans 16 Paul mentions at least twenty-six friends, relatives, and co-workers. It is interesting to note that in Romans 16, no fewer than ten women are mentioned. This indicates the effect that Christianity was having on the status of women in New Testament times.
Problems In The Church
The church needed to be instructed on how to live as Christians in the pagan culture of Rome. They had also to be taught the meaning of Christian liberty, and what it meant to be ‘free in Christ’, Romans 5 / Romans 8. Because of the differing cultures of the Jews and Gentiles in the church, several doctrinal issues needed to be addressed.
The first issue that needed to be addressed concerned the Jewish attitude towards Gentiles. Paul pointed out that in God’s eyes there is no difference because both were under sin and in need of God’s righteousness.
This righteousness comes only through faith, not by ‘law-keeping’ i.e., observing the Mosaic Law and that God accepts the Gentiles and has extended the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.
The obstacle to Gentile salvation was that Jewish believers insisted that Gentile converts needed to become Jewish proselytes first, before accepting the Gospel of Jesus.
Common Jewish belief was that the Mosaic Law was the expression of God’s Will, and binding on all those who desired to become righteous in His eyes, the first step involved circumcision. Because Christianity was seen by all as a Jewish religion, certain Jewish leaders were determined it should remain so.
Why Was The Letter Written?
There are several reasons which we may assign for the writing the letter. Notice that unlike other letters, such as the Corinthian letters or the letter to the Galatians, it was not written to correct doctrinal error or improper behaviour.
It was written inform the Roman Christians that Paul planned to come to Rome and to establish the fact that the Gospel of Christ is God’s saving power to all who believe, whether Jew or Gentile.
He also wanted to emphasize that the Gospel is God’s only plan for man’s salvation and to establish the fact that justification comes by grace, through faith, apart from the Mosaic Law, and that Grace is not based on the merit system, i.e. not by works.
Paul wished to fulfil a long-standing ambition of preaching in Rome, Acts 19:21. In the letter itself, he reminds his readers that he has not, as yet, been able to fulfil this ambition, Romans 1:11 / Romans 15:22-24.
He wanted to go to Rome because, at this time, there was a church in Rome, and he could see the potential of the possibilities in Rome, Romans 1:15.
He saw Rome as the gathering place of all the nations and races of the ancient world, and therefore he saw it as a prime centre for missionary activity.
He did not go off and hide himself in little villages, or in obscure places where there were few people. He sought to sow the Gospel in places where the impact would be the greatest and where it would the greatest impact.
Remember, that the Roman Christians did not know him personally, at least the majority did not know him. And they had obviously heard something about his teaching as Romans 3:7-8 reveals.
Paul’s critics were claiming they could continue sinning because God’s grace is so great, Romans 6:1, and some of them claimed that he was preaching and teaching something which was either contrary to, or opposed to the Old Testament scriptures, Romans 16:25ff.
Paul’s Main Argument
Paul’s main argument is clear throughout his letter to the church in Rome. Man’s justification before God rests solely on the merits of Christ, not on the Law of Moses, since no one ever succeeded in keeping the Law which revealed the holiness which God’s Own Nature demands.
Christ, who shares the nature of God, and is merciful and obedient to the Father, provided justification and redemption from sin, through His atoning sacrifice.
Outline
What Sin Is And Who Is A Sinner? Romans 1-4.
What Grace Is, And How It Is Received? Romans 5-6.
How To Maintain The State Of Grace. Romans 7.
How To Demonstrate And Share Grace With Others. Romans 8-15.
Conclusion. Romans 16.
The Text
‘Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.’ Romans 1:1
Notice how the letter begins, it begins in what might be called the traditional manner, at least traditional and usual in those days.
Whereas we commence a letter by addressing the one to whom we are writing, for instance, ‘Dear John’, and we sign our name at the end of the letter, for instance, ‘yours sincerely’, this was completely reversed in New Testament times.
The one receiving the letter did not read to the end of it to find the identity of the writer because it was there, in the beginning, because the writer identified himself immediately. And that is what we see here, ‘Paul’, Romans 1:1.
After naming himself, if the writer was not known to the people to whom he was writing, he might lay out his credentials, and his references. Here we have, ‘Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle’, Romans 1:1.
Of course, we all know this man, but did you realize that the name he uses, Paul or Paulus, as it would be in its original form, means ‘Little’? And some scholars have suggested that it may have referred to his physical size. Of course, 2 Corinthians 10:1 / 2 Corinthians 10:10, might lead some to think that way I suppose.
Bearing in mind that he was brought up a very orthodox and strict Jew, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he calls himself in Philippians 3:5, so we should bear in mind that Hebrews usually gave their children two names.
There would be a Jewish name and naturally along with that, there would be a Gentile name, so that, when he was associating with non-Jews, it would not be necessary for Gentiles to speak his Jewish name.
That name would be kept for use by members of his immediate family, or his close Jewish friends. The first time we find Saul of Tarsus as he was originally called, using his Gentile name Paul, is on the island of Cyprus, when he is dealing with the Roman Governor, Acts 13:4-12.
The word is servant in Greek is ‘doulos’, Romans 1:1. It was used by the Greeks to indicate the lowest kind of servant, a slave, a bondslave. Of course, we know what the word slave means, but it is important to realise that the word ‘doulos’ indicates someone who has been born into slavery and who is bound to his master, his owner, as long as he lives.
In other words, it indicates a condition of bondage that can only be broken by death. The doulos was completely submissive to his master’s will, and the interests of his master had to be placed first in his life. Indeed, the interests of his master were paramount, they were the only concerns that mattered to him.
If we go back to the Old Testament to Joshua 1:1, we are told that Joshua was Moses’ minister. Of course, the word in Hebrew is the word ‘sharath’.
Then, in the last chapter of the book, Joshua 24:29, Joshua is called the servant of the Lord. The same word is used, and they both mean slave. It was the greatest joy of the life of Joshua to be the minister, or servant, or slave of Moses, and to be the minister, servant, slave of God.
In the same way, then, it was the joy of the life of Paul, to be able to say that he was the slave of Jesus Christ, Romans 1:1. We need to emphasize this slave of Jesus Christ because he states that proudly. He wants everyone to know that he belongs to Jesus.
History records that during the time of the Roman Empire, there were people who were known as slaves of the emperor and, although they were still slaves, there was an honour and a distinction attached to that title that made them proud to wear it.
This quite clearly is how Paul felt about his bondage to the Lord Jesus. The thing that leads me to think this, is the fact that it is the first thing that he mentions.
He does not say, ‘Paul, an apostle and servant of Jesus Christ’, but rather, ‘Paul a slave of Jesus Christ, and a called apostle,’ Romans 1:1. He places his slavery before his apostleship and that is a fact which tells us a great deal about the man himself.
Many people placed in positions of authority or responsibility, insist on others giving recognition to which they think they are entitled because of that position. They wear their honours proudly and become vain.
With Paul, it was not so, he accepted his position with thankfulness and gratitude, and he exercised his authority as an apostle only when it was absolutely necessary, Philemon 8-9.
One of my complaints against the R.S.V. is that the translators have abandoned the use of italics. You may be using a version that still has italics, and I think that is good because when the translators used italics, they did so to indicate that those words italicised are not in the original Greek, but have been supplied to give what the translator thinks is the sense of the passage.
But, if you have the R.S.V., there is nothing there to tell you that those two words ‘to be’, Romans 1:1, are not in the original text. The Greek text says ‘kletos apostolos’, which means called apostle. You could say a called apostle because ‘kletos’, is an adjective and ‘apostolos’ is a noun.
For instance, take the phrase ‘an elected representative’. The word ‘representative’ is a noun, and the word ‘elected’ is an adjective. And so, Paul is not saying that he is ‘called an apostle’, but rather he is a called apostle, Romans 1:1.
This emphasises that he did not decide to become an apostle, but rather that he was summoned, called to take up this position, this responsibility, this office.
Paul was called, and he responded to that call. You might even say that he was elected to this task, set apart, chosen, Romans 1:1 / Galatians 1:15. Now that is predestination because God had already predetermined what this man should be even before he was born. But, do not make this say more than it does.
All that this tells us is that, when Paul, of his own free will, accepted Jesus as the Christ and obeyed the Gospel, God had already planned the work that he should do.
This is one of the big mistakes made by those people who hold Calvin’s doctrine of predestination. The words predestination, election and foreordination, in the true Biblical sense, relate to work, tasks, and not to salvation.
God has predestined, not the salvation of Paul, but the work that he should undertake once he had chosen to be saved, Romans 1:1. This again underlines the way that Paul felt about his apostleship. He did not regard it so much as a position to occupy proudly, as a task, but a work to be undertaken with gratitude and humility.
In other words, he felt he had been given a task, not a title! This is something that every Christian should think about, especially those of us who are either involved in or contemplating becoming involved in what we often call full-time work for the Lord.
Notice that Paul tells us that he had been set apart for the Gospel of God, Romans 1:1. We cannot make any mistake about what he considered to be the Gospel of God.
Remember there were all sorts of rumours going around about what Paul was preaching, they thought he was preaching law-keeping and so, Paul is going to tell them exactly what it is he preaches in Romans 1-3.
The word ‘Gospel’, Romans 1:1, is evangelical, the reward for giving the message, and it is used seventy-five times in the New Testament. Apart from the four Gospels, Paul is the only one who uses this word.
The Gospel begins in Genesis 3:15, and Abraham was first to hear the Gospel, Genesis 18:18 / Genesis 22:18 / Galatians 3:7-8.
‘The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.’ Romans 1:2-4
In the book of Romans alone there are sixty references to the Old Testament. This was an important point to the Jews to remind them that the Gospel was divinely promised in their own Scriptures, Romans 1:2 / Psalm 2:7.
This is the first time the text eludes to Jesus being the Son, Romans 1:3 / Psalm 110:1.
Lineage of David
The human side of the seed of David was fulfilled in Jesus, Romans 1:3. The words, ‘according to the flesh,’ is contrasted with ‘according to the Spirit of holiness,’ Romans 1:3-4, the spirit or inner part of Christ, the divine side of Christ. The miracles Jesus performed were performed through the Holy Spirit to reveal that Jesus was the Son of God, John 20:30-31.
The Messiah, the Christ was the Son of God, Romans 1:4. Note what the following footnote for Romans 1:4, says, ‘0r was declared with power to be the Son of God’.
The word, ‘appointed’ or declared, Romans 1:3, means revealed. Not how Jesus became such, but how He is shown to us to be such with power.
The ‘resurrection of the dead’, Romans 1:4, is very important because there would be no Christianity if He didn’t rise from the grave, John 2:19 / 1 Corinthians 15. Rome didn’t know Jesus existed until after His resurrection.
In the Book of Acts, the early preachers didn’t emphasise Jesus’ miracles but Jesus’ resurrection, Acts 13:29-33. The priesthood was Sadduceean, they didn’t believe in the resurrection, Acts 23:8.
The words, ‘our Lord’, Romans 1:4, implies He is the owner and ruler of Paul’s life and ours.
Morris, in his commentary, says the following, concerning the word ‘Lord’.
‘This term could be no more than a polite form of address like our ‘Sir.’ But it could also be used of the deity one worships. The really significant background, though, is its use in the Greek translation of the Old Testament to render the divine name, Yahweh. Christians who used this as their Bible would be familiar with the term as equivalent to deity.’
‘Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.’ Romans 1:5-6
The apostle’s authority, both his favour and office were not from any man or the church, Romans 1:5 / Galatians 1:10-11.
The words, ‘obedience that comes from, faith,’ tells us that obedience is based on faith or springs from faith. The words, ‘for His name’, means for His glory and honour.
Paul begins the book by emphasising the importance of believing and obeying, Romans 1:5, and Paul ends the book with its importance, Romans 16:26. Those who do not obey the truth will receive indignation and wrath, Romans 2:8.
And so to avoid God’s wrath and anger we must walk in the steps of our father Abraham, Romans 4:12. Obedience comes through faith, in other words, faith shows itself. You cannot believe without obedience.
The terms, ‘called,’ ‘chosen,’ and ‘elect,’ Romans 1:6, are similar and are brought about by the same means, 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14. By virtue of being called of Christ, we belong to Christ.
‘To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Romans 1:7
Here we see the people to whom Paul is writing, the Roman Christians, Acts 2:10. And he reminds them of God’s love for them, 1 John 3:1, and their calling, 1 Peter 2:9.
Spurgeon, in his commentary, says the following.
‘You notice that the words ‘to be’ are put in by the translators; but though they are supplied, they are not really necessary to the sense. These believers in Rome were ‘called saints.’ They were not called because they were saints; but they became saints through that calling.’
And what is our calling? To be His holy people, Romans 1:7. To be holy ones, people set apart to God. We shouldn’t be ashamed to let the world know this as we live this out every day of our lives.
There can be no greater blessing to be prayed for or granted to the faithful, than ‘grace and peace,’ Romans 1:7.
Clarke, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Without the GRACE, favour, and peculiar help of God, he could not have been an apostle.’
Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
‘First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.’ Romans 1:8-10
Notice how Paul always wants to thank God for his brethren, Romans 1:8. How often do we thank God for our spiritual family, not just here but throughout the world? Ephesians 6:18.
Notice also how personal his relationship is, ‘my God’, Romans 1:8. Their reputation was excellent, their strong faith was making itself known around the world, Romans 1:8 / 1 Thessalonians 1:8. I wonder what people say about us?
The words, ‘with my spirit’, Romans 1:9, means with all my heart, in all sincerity. The words, ‘in the gospel of His Son,’ Romans 1:9, includes all the things of Christianity.
Paul tells them he ‘constantly’ remembers them in his prayers, Luke 18:1 / Thessalonians 5:17-18. He earnestly wanted them to know of his gratitude and prayers for them.
He says, ‘God is my witness,’ Romans 1:9, in other words, God will give testimony and will bear it out. This is not a formal, judicial oath. Paul could only do what God’s will permitted him to do, Romans 1:10 / James 4:13-15.
God often answers our prayers in ways we don’t expect. Paul finally arrived in Rome, but after being slapped in the face, Acts 23:2, shipwrecked, Acts 27:27-28:5 / 2 Corinthians 11:25, and bitten by a poisonous snake, Acts 23:8. He went to Rome at the government’s expense, Romans 1:10. God will answer our prayers although at times with timing and ways we might not expect.
‘I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.’ Romans 1:11-13
Here we read of one of the reasons why Paul wanted to visit Rome. He wanted to impart some ‘spiritual gift’, but the miraculous is not inherent in the phrase. Some say this refers to any of the virtues resulting from Paul’s ministry as shown by the ‘that is’ in Romans 1:12.
However, it probably refers to those gifts given only by the laying on of the apostle’s hands, Acts 8:14-20 / Acts 19:6 / 2 Timothy 1:6. This would increase Paul’s purpose for going to Rome, to make them strong. The virtues are not something bestowed but developed. If he meant only to refer to the virtues, it seems he would have used the normal words for them.
He is showing us that he was not coming to Rome only for their benefit but for his as well, Romans 1:12. A person misses the comfort and encouragement afforded by assembling and associating with fellow saints.
He had planned many times to come to see them, not just once or twice but many, his interest and love for them were not born yesterday, Romans 1:13. But he was ‘prevented’, which shows that he was not guided by the Holy Spirit in making plans.
He wanted to come to reap a harvest, Romans 1:13, in other words, he not only wanted to convert people, but he wanted to help them grow spiritually. Remember that most of the Roman church was made up of Gentiles.
‘I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.’ Romans 1:14
Paul was under divine obligation. He was called for that purpose, Acts 26:16-17. Paul had the responsibility, 1 Corinthians 9:16, a special duty to the Gentiles, Romans 1:14 / Galatians 1:16 / Galatians 2:9 / Romans 15:16.
The word, ‘Greeks’, means Greek-speaking people and the ‘Barbarians’, were non-Greek speaking people. The ‘wise and unwise’, means he was speaking to both to the learned and unlearned, educated and uneducated. None were exempted, regardless of their nationality or status in life.
‘That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ Romans 1:15-17
Paul was ready and willing to go the distance, pay the price, and make whatever sacrifices necessary to preach to them, Romans 1:15. And he was not ashamed because his message was God’s power to save, Romans 1:16.
When we are tempted to be ashamed regarding our teaching, remember to focus on what God is doing through His Gospel, rather than on our own inadequacy. Perhaps this way, we will never be ashamed or embarrassed.
Just as God has put His power into a seed to reproduce after its kind, He has put His power in the Gospel, Romans 1:16. It is God’s power to root out the love, practice, guilt, and penalty of sin.
It is not God’s power to save politically, socially, financially, physically, or mentally, though all are influenced by it. It is God’s power to salvation, both now and in eternity.
Morris, in his commentary, says the following.
‘The gospel is certainly news, but it is more than information; it has an inherent power. “The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up. Paul does not say that the gospel brings power, but that it is power, and God’s power at that.’
‘To the Jew first,’ Romans 1:16, was God’s plan, Acts 3:25-26. They should have been the first to accept it, Acts 13:46, then to the Gentiles, Acts 13:44-14:7. The KJV uses the word Greek.
Barclay, in his commentary, says the following.
‘At this time the word Greek had lost its racial sense altogether. It did not mean a native of the country of Greece, (a Greek), was one who knew the culture and the mind of Greece.’
In the Gospel we find, ‘the righteousness of God,’ Romans 1:17, refers to the righteous acts which God ordained, Acts 10:34-35. The plan of salvation by which men are made righteous before God, 1 John 3:6.
Because of sin, man’s right relationship with God was broken, Isaiah 59:1-2. To restore that broken relationship is justification, righteousness and justification are from the same root word. It is called ‘the righteousness of God’ because it is made possible by Him without any help or merit of man.
It is ‘revealed’ in the Gospel, Romans 1:17, means that the Gospel reveals God’s plan to make man righteous, to restore the sinner back to a proper relationship with God.
It is God’s system by which He could be just and still justify the sinner. Most translation have the words, ‘first to last’ but the footnote has the words, ‘from faith to faith’, Romans 1:17. Perhaps it means, ‘from the beginning of faith to the end of faith.’
From the Gospel system of faith to faith in the hearts of men. The Gospel meets all of the people’s needs from faith’s inception to faith’s fruition, Galatians 3:1-3.
Paul says, ‘the righteous shall live by faith,’ Romans 1:17, which is a quote from Habakkuk 2:4. He is telling them that faith is the motivating force in every endeavour in the Christian’s life, 2 Corinthians 5:7.
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
‘The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.’ Romans 1:18-20
Notice Paul speaks about the ‘wrath of God,’ but what is the wrath of God?
It’s a subject that a lot of preachers stay clear of and a lot of Christians don’t want to even think about. But whatever our views are concerning the subject, we can’t escape the fact that it’s mentioned throughout the Bible.
It all has to do with evil and sin and God’s reaction towards it, Leviticus 26:14-21 / God cannot pretend He doesn’t see sin, He must move against evil and this Holy reaction is called ‘His wrath’.
But we must never avoid or water down the subject of the wrath of God because it’s serious business to God and therefore, should be taken seriously by us, Romans 2:5 / Ephesians 5:6.
I don’t know about you, but many people today will be offended if we preach or teach on Scriptures like that, but the reality is that God will be even more offended if we don’t, 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
God’s wrath is coming and because God is holy He must give full vent to His anger against sin and against evil. If He didn’t, He wouldn’t be the one the Seraphs call ‘Holy, Holy, Holy,’ Isaiah 6:3.
That’s why we have the cross, when God searched for a way to save sinners, He couldn’t pretend He couldn’t see sin. He can’t say, ‘It doesn’t matter; I’m just going to forget about it!’
He’s got to react in His holiness against sin and that’s called wrath. On the cross, God poured out His wrath, His just wrath against all of our sins, by placing them on His sinless Son, our substitute.
But the truth is this, God really is that holy and sin really is that big of a problem, and we cannot mute that truth to find favour with unregenerate sinners. God’s wrath is His way of moving and acting against evil and sin.
How can one be spared from the wrath of God at the judgment?
In one word, the answer is Jesus, Romans 5:9. Through Jesus, Christians have the best life in this world, John 10:10. Through Him we can escape the horrors of hell, and, yes, it’s through our Lord that we live in hope of heaven.
While we recognise God’s wrath, we don’t live our lives in trembling fear. Why? Because Christ paid the ransom that sets us free from sin and delivers us from the wrath to come.
Morris, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Unless there is something to be saved from, there is no point in talking about salvation.’
God’s wrath is being ‘revealed from heaven,’ Romans 1:18. This means it has been revealed through His providence and His revealed Word by the prophets and inspired writings, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 / Hebrews 1:1-2 / 2 Peter 1:21.
The words, ‘against all ungodliness and unrighteousness,’ Romans 1:18, means the wickedness and injustice of men. The men ‘suppress the truth in unrighteousness’, Romans 1:18.
In other words, they hold down, suppress, or hinder the spread of truth by their opposition to truth and by the wicked lives they live, even though God has made it plain to them, Romans 1:19.
Notice the words, ‘invisible things…are clearly seen’, Romans 1:20. This almost sounds like a paradox but it means ‘are clearly understood.’ In what way? ‘By the things that are made’, Romans 1:20. Man understands that there is a God by looking at the things which He created, Romans 1:20.
Experience and observation clearly tell us that every made thing has a maker. Every effect demands a cause. The thing made demands a maker. Design demands a designer. Every law demands a lawgiver. Writings demand an author. Life comes from life.
Lenski, in his commentary, says the following.
‘Men cannot charge God with hiding himself from them and thus excuse their irreligion and their immorality.’
The words, ‘eternal power’, Romans 1:20, mean that mankind is coming to know more and more of the power of God. In the old days, he could look at what a seed can do. Now, with modern research tools, he looks at the genetic code of which all living things are made.
The words, ‘divine nature’ or ‘Godhead’ means divinity, deity, Acts 17:29 / Colossians 2:9. There are three different words in the original Greek, but all are from the root word, ‘Theous.’
Paul says that they were ‘without excuse’, Romans 1:20. God can declare they are without excuse because they don’t accept the evidence. Their rejection of the evidence is inexcusable in God’s sight.
In these verses, Paul answers a common objection, ‘how could a loving God send anyone to hell, especially someone who has never heard about Christ?’ God has revealed Himself plainly in the creation to all people, Romans 1:20.
‘For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.’ Romans 1:21-23
Paul writes, ‘when they knew God’, Romans 1:21, but how did they know God? God revealed Himself by the things which He made, Romans 1:20. They ‘did not glorify Him as God’, Romans 1:21, means they didn’t like to retain God in their knowledge, Malachi 1:6 / Romans 1:8.
‘Nor were thankful’ Romans 1:20, means they did not acknowledge God as the giver of all blessings. The words, ‘futile in their thoughts’ means they chose their own vain imaginations instead of sound reasoning.
Notice their ‘foolish hearts were darkened’, this means they cut themselves off from the source of light. God will send strong delusion to those who do not love the truth, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.
To claim superior wisdom is the characteristic of modern Evolutionists and Atheists, yet, they are the ones truly void of understanding. They are fools for turning away from the true source of wisdom and knowledge, Romans 1:22. And so they lost the true conception of God.
They were committing idolatry, Romans 1:23 / Isaiah 41:21-24. It’s easy to see how turning from God, can lead to people inventing their own ‘gods’ that are convenient projections of their own selfish plans and desires, Isaiah 44:9-20.
For example, the ‘gods’ people serve today, the four ‘s’ words are, science, sports, sex, and silver. Does God take first place, or do we worship the gods of our own choosing?
To be ‘created in the image of God,’ Romans 1:23, means we are moral beings, .Genesis 1:26. If we are the same as animals where do we get our sense of moral awareness? Right or wrong? A dog doesn’t feel guilty after it’s stolen and eaten your dinner.
‘Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.’ Romans 1:24-25
‘Therefore God gave them over’, Romans 1:24, means He abandoned them to reap the rewards of their own evil actions. This was their punishment for abandoning God, Hosea 4:17.
Why did God abandon them to the ‘sinful desires of their hearts’? Romans 1:24. Simply put, to let them learn what lust would plunge them into, Romans 1:26-27.
Notice also that they ‘exchanged the truth about God for a lie,’ Romans 1:25 / Genesis 3:5. To exchange the truth of God for a lie reaches the depths of foolishness. This is true anytime the truth is exchanged for the human, whether in faith or practice, Romans 3:4.
‘Humanism’ is worshipping and serving the creature (man) rather than the Creator, Romans 1:25. Modern man is wrapped up in serving himself rather than God, Romans 16:18 / Philippians 2:21 / Philippians 3:18-19.
God is to be forever praised and the word, ‘Amen’, means so be it, Romans 1:25.
‘Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.’ Romans 1:26-27
Paul says that ‘God gave them over to shameful lusts’, Romans 1:26. God giving them over tells us that people have free-will to do whatever they want and as we see in society today, people often use their free-will to reject God.
However, when someone rejects God, they engage in all kinds of degrading and shameful lusts. They turned from the God-ordained relationship between husband and wife to lesbianism or female homosexuality, Romans 1:27. The Lesbian vice is so-called because of a band of women homosexuals in Lesbos, a Greek Island in the Aegean Sea.
We see from these verses that God detests the practice of homosexuality. The men are also abandoned God’s sexual design and turned to homosexuality, Romans 1:27. Our society seems to be wanting more and more to condone these sins.
However, as shown here and elsewhere, God utterly hates those sins. ‘The penalty of the error which was due’, Romans 1:27, means the physical consequences of their sin. The immorality, disease, and early death brought on those who practice such things, Galatians 6:7-8.
‘Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, Godhaters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.’ Romans 1:28-32
They chose to suppress God in their minds. They refused to retain Him in their knowledge. As they refused to retain God in their knowledge, He gave them over to a depraved mind, Romans 1:28.
Paulk says, ‘they do what ought not to be done,’ Romans 1:28, which means their depraved minds led them to do many shameful and disgraceful things as shown in the text. Man is not born totally depraved, but they become that way themselves.
Let me give you the list of sins mentioned in Romans 1:29-31, with their meanings. I’m going to use the KJV.
1. ‘Unrighteousness’ the Greek word is ‘adikia’ this means injustice, unfair and dishonest dealings, Romans 1:29.
2. ‘Fornication’ the Greek word is ‘porneia’ this means illicit sex relations and prostitution, Romans 1:29.
3. ‘Wickedness’ the Greek word is ‘poneria’ this means vicious disposition with evil habits. Depravity, Romans 1:29.
4. ‘Covetousness’ the Greek word is ‘pleonexia’ this means a greedy desire and using evil means to get it, Romans 1:29.
5. ‘Maliciousness’ the Greek word is ‘kakia’ this means hatred and ill-will, a disposition to do harm, Romans 1:29.
6. ‘Full of envy’ the Greek word is ‘phthonos’ this means begrudging the good fortune of others, Romans 1:29.
7. ‘Murder’ the Greek word is ‘phonos’ this means taking human life by premeditated malice, Romans 1:29.
8. ‘Debate’ the Greek word is ‘eris’ this means strife and contention with anger, Romans 1:29.
9. ‘Deceit’ the Greek word is ‘dolos’ this means to get an advantage by trickery and craftiness, Romans 1:29.
10. ‘Malignity’ the Greek word is ‘kakoetheia’ this means bad manner of life or character, evil, malignant, Romans 1:29.
11. ‘Whisperers’ the Greek word is ‘psithuristes’ this means secretly peddling slander by insinuations, Romans 1:29.
12. ‘Backbiters’ the Greek word is ‘katalalos’ this means one who slanders another when he is not present, Romans 1:30.
13. ‘Haters of God’ the Greek word is ‘theostuges’ this means God-haters who defy God and His laws, Romans 1:30.
14. ‘Despiteful’ the Greek word is ‘hubristes’ which means insolent, contemptuous and grossly disrespectful, Romans 1:30.
15. ‘Proud’ the Greek word is ‘huperephanos’ this means haughty, arrogant, thinking too highly of themselves, Romans 1:30.
16. ‘Boastful’ the Greek word is ‘alazon’ this means an empty pretender, vainglorious esteem verbalized, Romans 1:30.
17. ‘Inventors of evil things’ the Greek words are ‘epheuretes kakos’ this means old ways become dull, seek new ways to sin, Romans 1:30.
18. ‘Disobedient to parents’ the Greek words are ‘apeithes goneus’ this means a lack of basic respect for authority from youth up, Romans 1:30.
19. ‘Without understanding’ the Greek word is ‘asunetos’ this means without good sense, foolish, Romans 1:31.
20. ‘Covenant breakers’ the Greek word is ‘asunthetos’ this means will not honour or stand up to their agreements, Romans 1:31.
21. ‘Without natural affection’ the Greek word is ‘astorgos’ this means without love for kindred, parents, or children, Romans 1:31.
22. ‘Implacable’ the Greek word is ‘aspondos’ this means an unforgiving temperament, too stubborn to accept reconciliation, Romans 1:31.
23. ‘Unmerciful’ the Greek word is ‘aneleemon’ this means having no sympathy or pity, without kindness or mercy, Romans 1:31.
That’s a long list and we would think that this letter was written for today’s society. Today, more than ever, we need to be careful about the input of knowledge.
With TV, music, movies, and the rest of the media often presenting sinful lifestyles and what is falsely called knowledge, we find ourselves constantly bombarded by attitudes and beliefs that are totally opposed to the Bible.
We need to be careful about what we allow to form our opinions. The Bible is the only standard of truth. We need to evaluate all knowledge and beliefs in light of its teachings.
According to Romans 1:32, they knew that God punishes the low level of morality to which they had plunged. They knew that these crimes should be punishable by death. They would know this not only from the limited revelation they had, but also from the guilt, suffering, sorrow, pain, and anguish their sins brought upon them.
They took pleasure in, and endorsed others who did such things. It gives a sense of comfort to the evil to see others practice evil, Isaiah 5:23 / Micah 7:3.
And so, although they know the judgment of God, that God punishes such things by death, they not only continue to do them but endorse those who did them, Romans 1:32.
Paul starts in Romans 1:18-32, by saying the Gentiles were sinners and the Jews would gladly agree with this. The Gentiles worshipped the creation rather than the Creator. The Gentiles wandered away from worshipping the One true God. God gave them over means God allowed them to pay the consequences of their actions.
Three times Paul mentions God’s rejection of them.
1. God gave them over to uncleanness to dishonour their own bodies, Romans 1:24.
2. God gave them over to vile passions wherein they abandoned God’s sexual design, Romans 1:26.
3. God gave them over to a debased mind to do those things which were not proper, Romans 1:28.
He’s telling these Roman Christians that the Gentiles were great sinners because they had turned from God, the source of Light, Luke 2:42 / John 8:12, to their own futile reasoning.
Their rejection of the knowledge of God leads them into the lowest state of immorality and vice. No darker picture can be drawn of sinful man, and no better proof can be given to show his need for salvation.
In a nutshell, he says in Romans 1:18-32, that ‘the Gentiles are scum’, but as we enter Romans 2, Paul is going to write, ‘so are the Jews’.
