Hello there friends across the internet. I've recently been inspired to begin studying the Word of God deeper than I ever have before. I mean, sure, I've studied the Bible before. But until recently, actually last week, I was in a Bible study with three other individuals. The one individual who actually asked about having a study was Will. He asked that we study out John 6:26-36. So Matthew (another individual) and I, took these things to heart and went home and began to study. We are all working at UPS and were in training this week, so when we came back the next day our hearts were ready to share the Word with each other. So of course, we sat in class learning the different characteristics about UPS and what UPS requires for you to be a package handler. Then finally came the time to take our 10 minute break, which was definitely hoped for. Will, Matthew, Ashley (another individual), and I were ready to study and break open the Word.
All that can be said is wow! It was definitely an awesome time of fellowship and encouraging. But seeing the way Matthew had studied the Word of God and knowing that I myself desired to study and go deeper like Matthew had. It inspired me to dig deeper into the Word. So aside all the things I've gone through. Were going to take a look at the first ten verses in the letter to Rome, written by the Apostle Paul (Sha"ul-Hebrew name).
Romans 1:1-10
1) "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, "
Paul's opening statements here in verse one provide evidence for his letter's authenticity. During Paul's time of ministry, and even today, men and women have tried to play the role of a minister of the Gospel, but in reality are not. This opening statement of the Apostle Paul certifies to those of the church in Rome, that this is indeed Paul.
2) "which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, "
Paul also goes in-depth as to how God had preserved His salvation message and plan for all of humanity. How does God preserve His planned salvation? Through His prophets, like: Samuel, David, Zadok, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi, etc.
3) "concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh"
While also dealing with skeptics at this time in the church, Paul explains here for certain that Jesus, son of God, was a direct descendant of King David. These statements of Paul here and through the rest of his letters are heretical to the Pharisees (who are a zealous law obeying Jewish sect, who Paul was also apart of before Jesus appeared to him). You can also find the genealogies of Jesus' mother (Mary) and His step-father (Joseph) in, Matthew 1:1-17 and Luke 3:23-38.
4) "and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, "
The Apostle Paul's assertions here again are outstanding and almost impossible to conceive. Paul, previously being part of the Pharisee sect, and actually by his own word, "...a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees." (Acts 23:6) Pharisees were also regarded for hating and persecuting the Way. The Way being those who followed Jesus and His teachings. Yet now, Paul is regarding Jesus Christ as Lord and the Son of God? Very powerful and interesting!
Holiness
The Greek word for holiness here in Romans 1:4 is hagiōsunē (Strongs G42). Which means sacredness, but is derived from it's root word, hagios (Strongs G40). Which means to be physically pure, in which Jesus was completely. The cool thing that is hard for me to fathom about Jesus, is that He being a Jew was circumcised under the 613 Jewish commandments, yet Jesus wasn't guilty of breaking any. The character of God working through Jesus, shows us truly what the spirit of Holiness is all about. Not being defiled by sin, but being pure in all His ways to God.
5-6) "through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,"
Paul goes on to explain that it was Jesus (who was resurrected) that gave him (being Paul) his apostleship and grace that he was going to need to share with the nations and church of Jesus Christ the plan of salvation that God had established through Jesus Christ (His death and shedding of blood for the remission of sin, as well His resurrection from sin and death).
Grace
Strong's Greek word here for grace is the word charis (Strongs 5485). Which actually is God's influence upon a man's heart, then man's reflection of the influence given to him by God. So Paul, including all who say they are Christians, need God's influence to be more like Him. To figure out what the Apostle Paul was saying is, "God has give us His influence, so that we can reflect it to the nations and to you (you being the Christians in Rome)."
7) "To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
Paul's official greeting here is actually recognizing those who are of the church in Rome. Oddly enough he greets here those who are Messianic Jews and Gentiles believers. As Paul says, "Grace to you and peace from..." To the Gentile, they receive the word grace. Then to Jew, it was probably read aloud in Hebrew as shalom. Shalom is the Hebrew word which means peace, rest, completeness, etc. Then and now, Jew's use the word shalom as a greeting, as we here in America might say, "Hello."
8) "First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world."
By boasting and encouraging the church that's in Rome, Paul comforts the people of God in Rome by showing his thankfulness to God. Paul again is thankful that God's people are standing strong under the banner of Christ in the midst of the false idols, tyranny, perversion, and gossip through the city of Rome.
9-10) "For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you."
Paul reaches out to his fellow brethren, explaining that not only does he love them in word, but he loves them in action (prayer). He cares for them so much, that all he can do is but intercede for them in prayer. Though Rome was out of the way for Paul, he still desired to go and see the people of God in Rome. Though at this time of writing the letter to Rome (written probably AD 57), Paul had never seen the Roman church. Little did he know, God was going to send him there to preach freedom from sin to the captives of sin in Rome.
Shalom Alek'ham (Peace be with you)
