Romans 1:2 kjv

(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Romans 1:2 nkjv

which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,

Romans 1:2 niv

the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures

Romans 1:2 esv

which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,

Romans 1:2 nlt

God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 2 Meaning

This verse proclaims that the gospel Paul is set apart for (mentioned in Romans 1:1) is not a new or novel human invention but rather a divinely promised revelation. It signifies that God Himself foretold this "good news" concerning His Son through His appointed prophets in the ancient, sacred writings, thereby grounding the New Covenant message firmly within the prophetic heritage and divine plan outlined in the Old Testament Scriptures. It establishes continuity and divine authorship for the Christian faith.

Romans 1 2 Context

This verse serves as an immediate clarification and foundation for the "gospel of God" introduced in Romans 1:1. Paul, having established his divine calling as an apostle for this gospel, immediately grounds it in a rich theological heritage. For the mixed audience in Rome (Jewish and Gentile Christians), this connection to the "prophets" and "holy scriptures" was crucial. It authenticated the message for Jewish believers, showing that Jesus was the Messiah promised in their sacred texts. For Gentiles, it demonstrated that Christianity was not a new cult or merely a human philosophy, but the fulfillment of God's ancient, meticulously laid plan, recorded in authoritative writings. It effectively positions the gospel as God's consistent redemptive action, bridging the gap between Old Testament expectation and New Testament revelation, and thus disarming any potential accusations of novelty or inconsistency with the divine character.

Romans 1 2 Word analysis

• which (οὗ, hou): This relative pronoun links the "gospel of God" from the previous verse to its divine origins and prior announcement. It signals that the gospel is intrinsically tied to what was promised.
• he (implicit): Refers to God, the active agent behind the promise. This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative, eternal purpose, and faithfulness in orchestrating salvation history from beginning to end.
• promised (προεπηγγείλατο, proepēngeilato): A compound verb combining pro (beforehand) and epangellō (to promise, announce). This is key; it signifies a deliberate, prior announcement by divine decree. The gospel is not an afterthought, but pre-ordained. It conveys a strong sense of reliability and fulfillment because God Himself promised it.
• afore (προ- prefix): Reinforces the pre-existent nature of God's plan concerning the gospel. It highlights that God's salvation scheme was established "before" and was revealed progressively.
• by (διὰ, dia): Denotes the instrument or channel. It specifies that the transmission of this divine promise occurred through human agency.
• his (αὐτοῦ, autou): Possessive pronoun, attributing ownership of the prophets to God. They were not independent voices but divinely appointed spokespersons, ensuring the message's origin in God Himself.
• prophets (προφητῶν, prophētōn): Refers to those individuals inspired by God to proclaim His message, specifically the Old Testament prophets whose messages looked forward to the coming Messiah and His kingdom. Their utterances were God's authoritative Word.
• in (ἐν, en): Indicating the location or sphere where these promises were preserved and accessible.
• the holy (ἁγίαις, hagiais): From hagios, meaning "set apart," "consecrated," "sacred." It emphasizes the divine origin, purity, and spiritual distinctiveness of these writings. They are sanctified, thus trustworthy and authoritative.
• scriptures (γραφαῖς, graphais): Plural for "writings," specifically the canonical texts of the Old Testament. This firmly roots the gospel in the authoritative, inspired written word, underscoring its historical continuity and divine authority for Paul's audience.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "which he promised afore": This phrase underlines God's intentionality and foresight. The gospel's content was not improvised but pre-conceived and deliberately announced by God long ago. It demonstrates God's perfect plan unfolds over history according to His divine timetable.
• "by his prophets": This highlights the divinely ordained instruments through whom God chose to reveal His saving purposes. It emphasizes that these were God's spokesmen, carrying His authentic message, giving legitimacy and authority to the content of their prophecies.
• "in the holy scriptures": This vital phrase grounds the gospel in the immutable, inspired, and authoritative written revelation. It conveys that the foretelling was not merely oral tradition but formally preserved and accessible in the revered Old Testament. It signifies the infallibility and divine origin of the ancient texts as the reliable witness to God's redemptive plan.

Romans 1 2 Bonus section

• This verse firmly establishes Paul's argument throughout Romans that the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel is "attested by the Law and the Prophets" (Rom 3:21).
• It reinforces the concept of progressive revelation within Scripture, where God incrementally unfolded His redemptive plan leading to its fullness in Christ.
• By starting with this connection, Paul ensures his Roman audience, both Jewish and Gentile, understands that Christianity is the authentic continuation and culmination of biblical history, not a radical departure.
• The emphasis on God's initiative in "promising afore" highlights His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute sovereignty over all history.

Romans 1 2 Commentary

Romans 1:2 serves as Paul's declaration that the "gospel of God" he preaches is neither new nor of human origin but deeply rooted in God's eternal redemptive plan, foreshadowed across centuries. This verse establishes continuity between the Old and New Testaments, presenting the gospel about Jesus Christ not as an unexpected development but as the climactic fulfillment of everything God had consistently spoken and revealed through His prophets. It asserts the divine inspiration and authority of the Old Testament Scriptures as the prophetic roadmap to Christ, underscoring that God is faithful to His word. This provides a theological cornerstone for the entire letter, demonstrating that God's righteousness, fully revealed in Christ, aligns perfectly with His established character and His ancient promises. It is God's enduring plan, patiently unveiled, designed to bring salvation.