This Just In! Good News! Romans 1:1-7

Watching the news for any length of time at all can prove to be a depressing and downright worrisome endeavor. It seems as though ill will, protest, propaganda, spin, and bias clouds nearly everything that we read about, watch on TV, or listen to on the radio. Not only that, but those stores that receive the most attention tend to be those stories that can deliver the best shock value, outrage, and even disgust. Throw “fake news” into the mix and it is no wonder the citizens of this world and its earthly kingdoms are anything but post-modern Pontious Pilates asking “What is truth?” In fact, we are living in a world that is in many ways what atheist Aldous Huxley predicted in his dystopia novel—A Brave New World—a world of social engineering, pervasive conditioning, and loss of truth, hope, and meaning. Perhaps this is why, at least for me, good news is so refreshing. Imagine what it would be like if instead of seeing concerned looks and hearing despondent tones, a smile was adorned and a hopeful cadence was present in those who delivered the late-breaking bulletins or “this just in” segments. Thankfully, as far as God’s Word in general and Romans in particular is concerned, there is good news to hear, know, and apply to our lives as citizens of both this world and the Kingdom of God.  So what news is there to know? What does it mean? What do I do with this information for the time being (that is while I wait for the kingdom of God to be realized in full)? Thankfully, these questions and more will be answered by Paul in his letter to the church in Rome—a church that itself existed in a brave new world. However, before we get knee-deep into the content of this epistle, let us examine the opening of this letter and enjoy four introductions that successfully introduce one of its major themes: God’s people have good news that needs to be broadcasted.

1. Introduction of the Author-1:1

Although Paul is popular enough among biblical characters, a couple of things are worth pointing out so that we might understand life-situation that Paul was in when he wrote the book of Romans. First, at this point in Paul’s ministry, the apostle had already completed three missionary journeys and was now spending the winter in Corinth. This places the date at around 57AD. Second, having already spent much time and energy in the eastern Mediterranean, Paul was now ready to explore new venues for the expansion of the gospel message—namely, the center of the Roman Empire. Third, after spending time in Jerusalem, Paul was concerned about how the Gentiles were integrating into the people of God. This issue specifically figures prominently in this lengthy letter. Finally, the apostle was probably introducing himself to the Roman church, in part, to elicit its support of his future ministry into areas like Spain. In Romans, he hopes to earn the church’s trust and present a well-reasoned theology so that they might be comfortable supporting his ministry.

Perhaps this is one reason why the apostle begins by identifying himself as “a bond-servant of Christ Jesus” (1:1a). This first title is simple and profound. First, “bond-servant” (douloV) is both humble and telling of how Paul understood his authority. Also translated “slave,” “bond-servant” helps the recipient of the letter understand how Paul viewed his ministry. However, “bond-servant” is a term used throughout the Old Testament of the likes of Joshua (see Joshua 14:7). Therefore, while humble, Paul believed that his ministry held authority and significance. This authority and significance came from the one who owned him—Christ Jesus. While Paul is the source of the letter, it is Christ Jesus and His gospel ministry that will be the focus of the letter.

Having introduced his humble and yet authoritative identity as rooted in the person and work of Jesus, Paul next adds a short resume to keep the reader reading—“called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (1:1b). No doubt at this point, the apostles were relatively well-known. While Peter, James, and John were household names by now, Paul inserts his own name into this exclusive bunch in an effort gain a hearing by those who pick up this letter to read it. God had seen to it that Paul was “set apart for the gospel of God.” In other words, the “good news” that the twelve had espoused was the same “news” that Paul was bringing.

“Gospel” has backgrounds in both the Old Testament and the Roman world. For instance, the prophets used the word to depict God’s saving intervention on behalf of his people (see Isa. 40:9). However, the word was applied by the Romans to the emperor, whose birth, life, and deeds were considered “good news” for the world. While many saw their security and joy in the success of the emperor, Paul makes it clear here that good news of a different kind provides the only true hope and joy—the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Introduction of the Gospel-1:2-5-The Message

Unlike the fiat promises that an emperor may give, the good news that preoccupies Paul’s letter was “promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures” (1:2). In other words, the fulfillments of the prophecies that Christ and his ministry accomplished lend credence to the message that Jesus espoused. It is this message that Paul determines to bring to the church at Rome. It is one thing for an emperor to speak with authority. However, consider how much more seriously Jesus’ message should be taken considering all of the prophecies He fulfilled!

Next, Paul elucidates some of the particulars of the gospel message itself. He begins first with its chief character—God’s “Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the Flesh…Jesus Christ our Lord” (1:3, 4b). These two descriptors anchor Jesus in both history and beyond. First, Jesus is a literal member of an actual family tree with special implications. In the Old Testament, God promises that a descendant of David would have eternal reign.

2 Sam. 7:12-14a-“When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his father, and he will be my son.”

 Paul is therefore identifying Jesus as the one in whom the ultimate significance of this prophecy is fulfilled.

Second, by referring to this “Son” as “Jesus Christ our Lord” Paul is ascribing divinity, sovereignty, and matchless glory to this individual. His is, in other words, historical and holy, real and royal, actual Son and glorious Savior.

Paul builds on this theme of historicity and glory when he says “who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of Holiness” (1:4a). The verb “was declared” means “to come to a definitive decision or firm resolve.” Though Christ was always the Son of God, his resurrection from the dead confirmed for the world that this was so and proclaimed it to the world! Therefore, not only can the good news that Paul shares be trusted because it fulfills prophecy, it also has been certified true by an empty tomb!

Truly, the church to which Paul was writing this was familiar with the Old Testament prophets and the events in Jerusalem. Paul provides this reminder in an effort to reaffirm the faith that this church already held in a brave new world that challenged anything that appeared to replace Caesar with a more powerful sovereign or stirred up controversy.  

It was from this Jesus—the prophesied and risen Messiah—that Paul received the grace that saved him and named him as an apostle—“through whom we have received grace and apostleship” (1:5a). In other words, the authority with which Paul writes this letter has been granted him by the greatest of all authorities—Jesus Himself! This lends further credibility to Paul’s authority. Not only does Paul equate his identity with the likes of other “bond-servants” before him (1:1), he also says that he is “set apart” (1:1b) and here claims that he received special grace that afforded him an exclusive position among the apostles.

A reminder of how great the grace of God was in Paul’s life is in order here. Paul was “Saul” and a persecutor of the church. He hated Christians and conspired to kill many of them in an effort to annihilate the infant movement. He even held the coats of those who stoned the first Christian martyr—Stephen. On his way to Damascus, Saul was blindsided (literally) by the glory of Jesus, saved, and then commissioned out of a life of darkness and into a life of gospel ministry. Saul became Paul, and in the most radical conversion story ever recorded, this “greatest of all sinners” became a prolific church planter, New Testament writer, and early church leader. Few knew how sweet the grace of God tasted more than Paul did.

The grace of God in Paul’s life was not only for his benefit, it was also bestowed on him “to bring about obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake” (1:5b). In other words, the grace in Paul’s life galvanized Paul’s ministry to Asia minor and to those he was writing to in this letter—the church in Rome. This ministry involved several important pursuits. First, his ministry sought obedience of faith in those who received it. In other words, a successful ministry yielded faithful obedience to the Lord. For Paul, it wasn’t about how big any one of his church-plants was, the size of its campus, or even the current flavor of its programs. The ultimate test of whether or his ministry was successful was whether or not those involved were faithful and obedient to the Lord. Second, Paul’s ministry extended to “all the Gentiles.” This ministry was for, all people inasmuch as the grace of God extends to the world. Third, Paul’s ministry existed for the glory of God—“for His name’s sake” (1:5b). Paul was not concerned about personal prestige or impressing the world. His ministry was preoccupied with glorifying the Lord. 

As the introduction of the gospel is made here, several things have become clear. The gospel is predicted in the Old Testament, centered in the person of Jesus, confirmed by means of the resurrection, received by and applied to Paul in a special way, and results in a ministry of faithful obedience for all people for the glory of God.

Next, Paul introduces his recipients—“”among whom you also are called of Jesus Christ” (1:6). What an encouragement for those reading this letter! They too, like Paul, had been visited by God’s grace and called of Jesus Christ. So, just who was the church in Rome?

Truth be told, there is no direct evidence about the origins of Christianity in Rome. Though some have suggested that Peter founded the first Christian church in Rome, it is difficult to place Peter in Rome at an early date and even more difficult to imagine that Paul would write as he does to a church founded by another apostle. Luke mentions that “visitors from Rome” were present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10). It is very possible that some of them were probably converted as a result of Peter’s powerful speech. They would have no doubt returned to their home city and begun preaching and teaching that Jesus was the Messiah. The resulting Christian church in Rome is the direct audience for Paul’s letter—a church in a brave new world. This church, though passionate, was a small group of individuals who appeared markedly different from those around them—including traditional Jews. Conspicuous and Christ-centered, this church would eventually receive much persecution. In fact, riots that broke out among the Jewish people because of the introduction of Christ into their belief system by the small Christian community. As a result, Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from Rome—leaving behind many god-fearing gentiles who were under the emperor’s radar and now despised by their Jewish brothers and sisters. Consequently, the church in Rome had become less and less Jewish in orientation. As we will soon see, Paul writes this letter in part to show the relationship the Jews and Gentiles have with the gospel message respectively, highlighting the changing times and future hope for both people groups.

4. Introduction of the Letter-1:7

 Finally, Paul introduces the letter with the kind of traditional greeting that is found in many ancient epistles—“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:7). Inasmuch as grace figures prominently in the gospel message in general and the book of Romans in particular, it is fitting for Paul to highlight it here. Not only does Paul call for grace for the church in Rome, he also calls for peace. After all, the church in Rome was a church dealing with pressure from all sides. The empire, at this point was not sympathetic to the Christian movement and many measures were being taken to discredit, undermine, and silence those who belonged to this worldview (sounds familiar). It is in this environment that Paul prays that grace and peace be given to the church as it stands for the kingdom in its brave new world.

In Paul’s greeting, he also identifies the source of these blessings—“from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:7). The church had to understand that any grace they enjoyed and any peace they could hope for would come only from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, these two titles, imply that these two members of the Trinity that are equal in divinity and glory.

So What?

The introductions made in this passage: the author, gospel, recipients, and letter successfully describe the bulletin that is being broadcast before the church in Rome. Thankfully, this bulletin comes as an encouragement to the young and struggling church as it is concerned with Jesus Christ and the grace that He has provided them and his servant Paul. The coming information enscripturated in this letter can be trusted as it comes from a credible authority—Paul, is life-changing as it involves the gospel, is relevant as it was addressed to this church, and can be enjoyed inasmuch as it is being delivered with “grace and peace.” These same characteristics potentially apply to all who read it today. Take heart church, there is good news to be had and the best part is, this news can be trusted, is transforming, is for US, and is given with grace and peace. This just in, GOOD NEWS! A great way to kick off our series in Romans—a letter for a church in a Brave New World.