Pastor Rick’s Study Notes:

1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

7To 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.

Paul points backward to the OT and the prophets who carried the consistent promise to God’s people that the Messiah was coming. It wasn’t an “unexpected” thing that Jesus came. It was declared through the generations, really since Genesis was recorded.

Jesus’ resurrection is the stamp of approval that He is Son of God. It could be no other way. But not just Son of God, Son of David; also our, our, Lord.

This letter to the Romans is the appeal to the Gentiles.

“and you also” – Paul knew these beloved followers of Jesus. He addressed nearly 30 by name in the final chapter and commended workers he know that were joining the Roman movement toward Jesus.

Pivotal: to you, who were far, who were not accepted, who lived for paganism, you are called to belong, to be God’s holy people. Belong before you believe.

Servant, bound to Jesus, is Paul’s favorite title. Not just messenger, missionary, but servant or slave. In a day when people crave titles and positions that indicate accomplishments and leverage, saying “let’s just call me slave” is a powerful antidote. The Good News of the Kingdom is clearly in the OT and he connects the two books based on this clarity. “Holy Scriptures” may be the first time in the NT the OT is called this. V. 3 qualifies Jesus in his humanity; v. 4 in his divinity.

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10in 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.

Remember, Paul knows these guys. People talk. News travels. What you do is not done in secret. He gets reports every time someone visits him or comes from Rome. And it’s mostly good news that the nations who go through Rome are coming to Jesus through faith and His grace.

That’s why he is praying for them. More, Lord. Keep it coming. And let me in on it.

11I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13I 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.

14I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

I don’t think Paul thought he was the container of a special “gift of the Spirit” – like he was to take the gift of tongues or prophecy or helps to Rome so they could “exercise” it.  Paul knew that the Father had deposited in him good stuff from the Kingdom that, when allowed, he could impart. People were blessed by Paul’s wisdom, teaching, compassion, example, etc. They needed these things like a “gift” that the Spirit sending him to them would receive. And they would be stronger because of him being with them.

But more than that; he would be blessed and encouraged and strengthened because of the interactions and exchange. He needed them. His faith needed the faith of others. That’s why he had been so eager, every time he heard these stories, he wanted to buy a ticket and pack his bags for Rome. Only his sensitivity to what the Spirit was up to prevented him.

But wait, there’s more! Not only is Paul’s faith strengthened. Not only are the people in Rome stronger. But there are people on the fringe, people who have heard and haven’t heard, that have not stepped across the line and joined the family of the redeemed. The harvest almost always symbolizes souls saved from the fire and sown into the world as people of faith.

This harvest metaphor should not be taken lightly since Paul and Jesus lean into it so much. There are parallels that need to be internalized as a part of our theology. The world is full of souls, many of them are ripening toward the end of life. They will have fruit, that is, they are people of faith; or they will be spiritually barren, or not people who have their faith in Jesus. When they die, they will become fruit for the Kingdom or they will be burned in the fire. Also, those who are people of faith are sown into the world to multiply. Harvest is important. And it incorporated all people; not just Jews.

16For 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. 17For 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.”

This seminal passage has been the message to turn many to understand it is not by our religious activity that we enter into a relationship with Jesus; rather, it is the message of salvation – the cross and the empty tomb – that has the power to turn a life from self-righteousness to God-righteousness. We are redeemed, restored, made righteous because we have faith that Jesus finished the work and offered the gift. We grasp hold of this gift as a drowning man will a raft or a thirsty one will a cold water.