Romans 1:1 kjv
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Romans 1:1 nkjv
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God
Romans 1:1 niv
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God?
Romans 1:1 esv
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Romans 1:1 nlt
This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.
Romans 1 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 9:15-16 | "...he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to carry My name before the Gentiles..." | Paul's divine calling to apostleship for Gentiles |
| Gal 1:15 | "But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased..." | God's sovereign, pre-ordained calling of Paul |
| 2 Cor 12:7-9 | "...my power is made perfect in weakness..." | Paul's reliance on Christ's strength in his ministry |
| Phil 2:7 | "...emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men." | Christ's supreme example of humble servanthood |
| Mt 20:26-28 | "...whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave..." | Christ's teaching on humble leadership and service |
| 1 Pet 2:16 | "...as bond-servants of God." | Believers are to live as those fully devoted to God |
| Eph 4:11 | "And He gave some as apostles..." | Christ grants apostles for the church's building |
| Acts 1:8 | "...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses..." | Apostolic commission to witness across the earth |
| 2 Cor 11:5 | "For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostles." | Paul's defense of his true apostolic standing |
| 1 Cor 15:8-10 | "...Last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me... For I am the least of the apostles..." | Paul's personal account and humility regarding his call |
| Rom 1:16 | "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation..." | Paul's profound declaration about the gospel's power |
| Mk 1:14 | "...Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God..." | Jesus himself inaugurated preaching the divine gospel |
| 1 Thes 2:9 | "...how we worked night and day...to preach to you the gospel of God." | Paul's dedication to proclaiming the divine gospel |
| Jer 1:5 | "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." | Prophetic example of being "set apart" from birth |
| Isa 49:1 | "...The LORD called Me from the womb; from the body of My mother He named Me." | The Servant of the Lord (Messiah) divinely chosen |
| Acts 13:2 | "While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'" | Holy Spirit's immediate setting apart for missionary work |
| 1 Cor 1:9 | "God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." | God's faithfulness in His divine calling to believers |
| 2 Tim 1:9 | "...who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace..." | God's purpose and grace in believers' calling |
| Heb 3:1 | "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession." | Jesus as the ultimate 'Sent One' and High Priest |
| Col 1:15-20 | "He is the image of the invisible God... and He is the head of the body, the church..." | Christ Jesus' deity, supremacy, and central role |
| Phil 2:5-11 | "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God... humbled Himself..." | Christ's divine nature and redemptive humility |
| Rom 15:15-16 | "But I have written very boldly to you... so that I might be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God..." | Paul's specific priestly service of the gospel to Gentiles |
Romans 1 verses
Romans 1 1 Meaning
Romans 1:1 introduces Paul, identifying him first and foremost as a servant of Christ Jesus. It asserts that his position is not self-appointed but divinely ordained through an effectual calling to be an apostle, specially separated and dedicated for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel, which itself originates from God. This concise verse establishes Paul's identity, his commission, and the supreme importance of the message he is about to convey throughout the epistle.
Romans 1 1 Context
Romans 1:1 serves as the opening salutation of Paul’s profound epistle to the believers in Rome. As an apostle who had not yet visited Rome, Paul uses this verse to immediately establish his divine authority and the divine origin of his message. The letter is intended to be a systematic presentation of the gospel, aiming to unify Jewish and Gentile Christians within the Roman church by addressing fundamental theological concepts such as sin, justification, the role of the law, and the universality of salvation through faith in Christ. By carefully introducing himself and his commission, Paul seeks to validate his teachings and prepare the audience for the weighty truths that follow. This initial declaration underscores the pivotal role of Christ, Paul's specific calling, and the sacred nature of the good news.
Romans 1 1 Word analysis
- Paul: (Gr. Paulos) A common Roman surname adopted by Saul of Tarsus after his conversion, especially significant as he began his ministry to Gentiles. It indicates his new identity and calling distinct from his past as a persecutor (Acts 9:4).
- a servant: (Gr. δοῦλος, doulos) Not merely a general employee or helper, but a bond-servant or slave, implying complete ownership and absolute devotion. For Paul, it signified humble submission, loyalty, and willing servitude to his Master, Christ Jesus, paradoxically reflecting true freedom and divine authority.
- of Christ Jesus: Identifies the supreme Master to whom Paul owes absolute allegiance. "Christ" (Gr. Χριστός, Christos) signifies "Anointed One," affirming Jesus' identity as the Messiah, the promised King and Savior. "Jesus" (Gr. Ἰησοῦς, Iēsous) is His personal human name, meaning "The LORD saves."
- called: (Gr. κλητὸς, klētos) Denotes an effectual, divine summons rather than a mere invitation. It stresses God's sovereign initiative and deliberate election in Paul's life and ministry, confirming that his apostleship originated from God's unmerited favor and divine purpose (cf. Gal 1:1, 15).
- to be an apostle: (Gr. ἀπόστολος, apostolos) A specific, divinely appointed office. An apostle is a "sent one," an authoritative messenger or ambassador. Paul's direct encounter with the risen Christ uniquely qualified him, conferring unique authority for preaching and founding the early church (1 Cor 9:1, 15:8).
- and set apart: (Gr. ἀφωρισμένος, aphorismenos) A passive participle meaning "separated" or "designated for a specific purpose." It conveys the idea of divine consecration, echoing Old Testament precedents where individuals (e.g., prophets like Jeremiah 1:5) or objects were sanctified for sacred service. For Paul, it underscores his pre-ordained and dedicated purpose by God.
- for the gospel: (Gr. εὐαγγέλιον, euangelion) "Good news." It points to the message Paul is commissioned to proclaim, not as his own, but as God's. It refers to the saving message centered on the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. Paul’s very existence is directed toward this proclamation.
- of God: Explicitly attributes the origin, authority, and content of the "good news" to God Himself. This ensures its truthfulness, power, and universal relevance, as it stems from the divine source of all salvation (Rom 1:16).
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus": This establishes the sender's fundamental identity. Paul grounds his authority not in human lineage or achievement, but in his complete submission to Jesus Christ as his sovereign Master. It sets a humble yet authoritative tone.
- "called to be an apostle": This phrase articulates the specific, divinely initiated commission that empowers Paul's ministry. His apostleship is not self-claimed but a direct, powerful, and specific divine summons, which lends immense credibility to his message.
- "and set apart for the gospel of God": This emphasizes the sovereign election and exclusive dedication of Paul for a lifelong, specific task. His calling and consecration are for the divine good news, underscoring that his very purpose aligns perfectly with God’s eternal plan for human redemption.
Romans 1 1 Bonus section
- The structure of Paul's introductory statement here (identity-calling-mission) is characteristic of apostolic greetings in ancient letters, yet profoundly transformed with Christian theological depth.
- The use of doulos was a subversive act in a society that valued freedom, demonstrating that true liberty is found in willing submission to Christ, turning a socially low status into one of immense spiritual honor and authority.
- This verse establishes the absolute necessity of God's initiative in salvation and ministry, emphasizing divine grace over human effort, a theme central to the entire book of Romans.
Romans 1 1 Commentary
Romans 1:1 serves as a powerful foundational statement for Paul's most comprehensive theological letter. In just one verse, he deftly introduces his identity, divine authorization, and lifelong mission. By calling himself a "servant" (doulos) of Christ Jesus, Paul expresses not a coerced servitude but a deep, voluntary devotion and allegiance to the risen Lord, out of which his authority truly flows. His "calling" as an "apostle" underscores that his commission is neither self-appointed nor merely human, but a direct, sovereign summons from God, thereby silencing any potential doubt regarding his unique message or authority, especially to an unfamiliar Roman congregation. Furthermore, being "set apart for the gospel of God" highlights the pre-ordained, exclusive purpose of his existence—to proclaim the very good news originating from God. This single verse effectively sets the stage, ensuring that the ensuing theological exposition is understood as divinely inspired, authoritative, and profoundly centered on God's redemptive plan through Christ.