Romans 1:3 kjv

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

Romans 1:3 nkjv

concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

Romans 1:3 niv

regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,

Romans 1:3 esv

concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh

Romans 1:3 nlt

The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line,

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 3 Meaning

Romans 1:3 concisely defines a central aspect of the gospel concerning Jesus Christ. It declares His unique relationship as God's Son and establishes His true humanity by specifying His physical descent from King David. This verse emphasizes both Jesus' divine identity and His concrete historical fulfillment of ancient prophecies, crucial for understanding His person and work as the Messiah.

Romans 1 3 Context

Romans 1:3 is an integral part of Paul's introductory remarks in his letter to the Roman church. Following a customary Hellenistic letter opening where the writer identifies himself and the recipients, Paul immediately pivots to his central theme: "the gospel of God." This gospel, introduced in Romans 1:1-2 as divinely promised in the Old Testament Scriptures, is definitively identified and explicated in verse 3 as being "concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord." This immediately frames the letter's entire discussion on righteousness, sin, law, and salvation around the person and work of Jesus Christ. For the diverse audience in Rome, comprising both Jewish Christians steeped in Messianic expectation and Gentile converts learning about the Jewish Messiah, this verse simultaneously affirmed Jesus' prophetic fulfillment as the Son of David (resonating with Jewish hopes) and introduced His universal authority as "our Lord" (relevant to a world familiar with emperor worship and a new concept for Gentiles).

Romans 1 3 Word analysis

• concerning (περί - peri): A preposition indicating the subject matter. It highlights that Jesus Christ is the central and exclusive topic of the "gospel of God." This shows the message is entirely centered on Him.
• his Son (τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ - tou huiou autou): Points to Jesus' unique, divine origin and identity. He is not merely a son of God but the Son of God, a divine being in special relationship with the Father. This pre-existent divine nature is a fundamental truth of Christian belief.
• Jesus (Ἰησοῦ - Iesou): The proper human name of the individual, deriving from the Hebrew Yeshua, meaning "the LORD saves" or "Yahweh is salvation." This underscores His historical reality and His mission as Savior.
• Christ (Χριστοῦ - Christou): The Greek equivalent of the Hebrew "Messiah" (Mashiach), meaning "Anointed One." This title indicates His appointed role as the deliverer, king, and priest, fulfilling ancient prophecies.
• our Lord (τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν - tou Kyriou hēmon): "Lord" (Kyrios) here denotes ultimate authority, mastership, and divine sovereignty. This is a claim of Jesus' deity, commanding allegiance and worship from all who acknowledge Him. For a Roman audience, this contrasted sharply with loyalty to the emperor.
• who was born (τοῦ γενομένου - tou genomenou): A participle from ginomai, meaning "to come into being," "to become," or "to be born." This emphasizes the Incarnation—the Word becoming flesh—rather than merely His eternal existence. It indicates a real historical event of entry into human existence.
• of the seed (ἐκ σπέρματος - ek spermatos): Referring to offspring or descendant. This specifies the lineage through natural human procreation.
• of David (Δαυίδ - Dauid): Explicitly states His royal lineage. This links Jesus directly to the Davidic Covenant, confirming Him as the promised King who would reign on David's throne eternally. This was critically important for Jewish understanding of the Messiah.
• according to the flesh (κατὰ σάρκα - kata sarka): "According to" in the sense of "with respect to" or "in respect to." "Flesh" refers to human nature in its entirety—physicality, mortality, and participation in the human condition. This phrase confirms Jesus' genuine humanity, distinguishing His human nature from His divine nature, a contrast that will be elaborated in verse 4. It counteracts any notion of Jesus being merely a spirit or an apparition.

• concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: This phrase articulates the object of the gospel—it is not merely abstract concepts, but the living Person of Jesus, who embodies divine sonship, fulfills the role of the Anointed One, and possesses ultimate sovereignty. This multifaceted identity is essential for understanding salvation.
• who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh: This group of words defines Jesus' true humanity, His physical descent from a specific historical figure, King David. This detail authenticates His Messianic claims by demonstrating the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the lineage of the promised King. It asserts His genuine participation in human existence.

Romans 1 3 Bonus section

The juxtaposition of "according to the flesh" in verse 3 with "according to the Spirit of holiness" in verse 4 forms a critical parallel structure that reveals Paul's foundational Christology. This "flesh" vs. "Spirit" distinction clarifies the two spheres of Christ's being and action without implying a negative view of "flesh" here, but simply indicating His humanity. The phrase "who was born" (genomenou) does not suggest Jesus originated at birth but refers to His becoming or taking on human existence, pre-supposing His prior existence as the Son. This subtle linguistic detail reinforces His divine pre-existence and the intentional act of Incarnation, making clear He did not begin His existence as David's descendant but took that form.

Romans 1 3 Commentary

Romans 1:3 acts as a theological cornerstone, compactly encapsulating a vital truth about the person of Jesus Christ—His dual nature as both truly God's Son and truly human, specifically from David's royal lineage. This single verse serves to define the very subject of Paul's gospel. It highlights the mystery of the Incarnation, where the divine Son, "our Lord," enters human history by being "born of the seed of David according to the flesh." This physical lineage was not incidental but a precise fulfillment of centuries of prophecy given through God's covenant with David. The assertion of "his Son" speaks to His eternal divine nature and unique relationship with God, while "according to the flesh" anchors Him firmly in historical, physical humanity, essential for His role as savior and mediator. This divine-human identity means He can bridge the gap between God and humanity.