Romans 1:1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Paul has many titles, and he delights to mention them in writing to these Christians at Rome. He puts first his highest title: «A servant of Jesus Christ.» He glories in being a servant of the crucified Christ, a servant of him who was despised and rejected of men; so do we. Paul was called out from among men, effectually «called» of God «to be an apostle, separated» set apart «unto the gospel of God.» He believed that he was separated for that purpose at his birth; but he was specially «separated unto the gospel of God» on the road to Damascus. It is a happy thing when a minister feels that he has nothing to do with anything else but the gospel; that commands all his thought, all his talent, all his time.
Romans 1:2. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures),
All the gospel is in the Old Testament as well as in the New, for the gospel which Paul was called to preach was promised afore by the prophets in the Holy Scriptures.
Romans 1:3-4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
He is as much the Son of God as he was the Son of man. The humanity is as true as the divinity, the divinity as true as the humanity.
Romans 1:5. BY whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Paul felt that he was sent to preach among all the, Gentiles. He had a large bishopric; James might keep to the Jews, but Paul's diocese included every land, he was to preach «among all nations.»
Romans 1:6-7. Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The gospel is good news; and the man who has to preach it is full of good wishes. He wishes the best possible things to everybody with whom he comes in contact: «Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.»
Romans 1:8. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Oh, I would it were so with us, that we had faith that could be spoken of throughout the whole world! I am afraid that some have none to speak of; these saints in Rome had such faith that the noise thereof went abroad everywhere, and all people wondered at them.
Romans 1:9. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
No wonder that they prospered so well when Paul always made mention of them in his prayers. Some churches would prosper better if some of you remembered them more in prayer. Of course, you all pray for the church of which you are members; could you not set aside in your heart a little space for some poor church that is dwindling down to nothing? Could you not pray it up again? Who knows what blessing would come upon pastor and people if you bore them on your hearts?
Romans 1:10. Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
Paul prayed about that matter, and we may pray about our journeys. I like to hear the old-fashioned expression, «Be pleased, O Lord, to grant journeying mercies,» for there are such things; and when the servants of God are going about, with a view to spread the gospel, we ought to pray that they may travel in safety.
Romans 1:11. For I long to see, you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
He wanted to go to Rome because he felt that he would take something with him. He was a poor man, so he could not take any golden or silvern gifts; but he was a chosen mail, so he believed that he could impart unto them some spiritual gift. Oh, what a largess does a man of God distribute when his Lord is with him! I do pray tonight that, feeble as I am, and unqualified as I am to bless you, yet even this night all of you who are the people of God may get some spiritual gift. I do not know what you want; but our heavenly Father does. May every one of you get, distinctly from his right hand, some spiritual gift to the end that you may be established, that you may get good root-hold, that you may be firmly fixed on the sure foundation!
Romans 1:12-13. That is, that I may he comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Rome was a sink of iniquity; it was the den of the lions, where Nero was, who would speedily devour, like a lion, the minister of Christ. Paul wanted somehow to get into that old city on the seven bills, and to pluck some fruit for God even from the vine that was planted there; but he was hindered.
Romans 1:14-15. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
I do not suppose that Paul guessed that he would be sent there at the government expense, but he was. The Roman Empire had to find a ship for him, and a fit escort for him, too; and he entered the city as an ambassador in bonds. When our hearts are set on a thing, and we pray for it, God may grant us the blessing; but, it may be, in a way that we never looked for. You shall go to Rome, Paul; but you shall go in chains. He had not thought of that plan; still, it was the best way in which he could go. I do not know how he could have preached to the Emperor except as a prisoner; but when he was brought before him to be tried, then he had an opportunity of speaking even to the brutal creature who was called the Emperor of Rome.
Romans 1:16-17. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
That is the sum and substance of the gospel: «The just shall live by faith.» The law is, «He that doeth these things shall live by them;» but the gospel is, «The just shall live by faith.» «Wherefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God.» The Lord give to us all that saving faith, for Christ's sake! Amen.