Romans 1:4 kjv

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Romans 1:4 nkjv

and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Romans 1:4 niv

and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 1:4 esv

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,

Romans 1:4 nlt

and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 4 Meaning

Romans 1:4 declares that Jesus Christ, in His divine nature, was powerfully and definitively designated as the Son of God by God Himself, authenticated by His resurrection from the dead. This declaration occurred in accordance with the Spirit of holiness, showcasing His true divine essence and authority. While Jesus was always God's Son, His resurrection served as the supreme public vindication and demonstration of this eternal reality and His divine power.

Romans 1 4 Context

Romans 1:4 is a pivotal part of Paul's extended salutation and theological thesis that introduces his letter to the church in Rome. Following his statement in Romans 1:3 that Jesus was "descended from David according to the flesh," verse 4 presents the complementary truth: Jesus' divine nature and identity as the Son of God. These two verses establish the dual nature of Christ—fully human and fully divine—essential to the Gospel message Paul proclaims. The passage lays the Christological foundation for understanding the gospel as God's power for salvation (Rom 1:16). In a Roman world that often deified emperors (such as Augustus, whose adopted name Octavian implied "son of the divine"), Paul emphatically declares Jesus, not Caesar, to be the true "Son of God," the one with ultimate divine power and authority, powerfully affirmed by God's own act of resurrection.

Romans 1 4 Word analysis

• and declared: (Greek: horizo - ὁρίζω) This term means "to mark out, determine, appoint, designate, define." It does not mean Jesus became the Son of God at the resurrection, but rather that He was publicly revealed, powerfully demonstrated, and definitively marked out as who He always inherently was: the divine Son. The resurrection served as the undeniable divine act of public attestation of His Sonship.
• to be the Son of God: This is a key Christological title, signifying Jesus' unique and inherent divine relationship with God the Father. It points to His deity, co-eternality, and equal nature with God, going beyond a mere prophetic or human kingship title. The title distinguishes Jesus' unique nature from other 'sons' mentioned in the Old Testament.
• with power: (Greek: en dynamei - ἐν δυνάμει) This indicates that His designation as the Son of God was not a weak or ordinary declaration, but one accompanied by immense divine might and authority. It speaks to the inherent strength and inherent divine essence that was manifested in His resurrection, not just a demonstration of power but the very attribute of power.
• according to the Spirit of holiness: (Greek: kata Pneuma Hagiōsynēs - κατὰ Πνεῦμα Ἁγιωσύνης) This phrase is widely understood by scholars to refer to the Holy Spirit, often seen as a description emphasizing the Holy Spirit's character or mode of operation, specifically His holy nature. It might also differentiate the divine Spirit from the "flesh" mentioned in Rom 1:3. The Spirit is the divine agent who orchestrates and effects the resurrection, and whose very being is characterized by absolute holiness. This links Jesus' resurrection and divine status to the activity of God's holy divine essence.
• by the resurrection from the dead: (Greek: ex anastaseōs nekrōn - ἐξ ἀναστάσεōs νεκρῶν) This is the definitive act that publicly, historically, and unequivocally affirmed Jesus' divine Sonship. The resurrection is God's seal of approval, validating all of Jesus' claims about Himself, His relationship with the Father, and His authority. It demonstrates victory over sin and death, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and ushering in a new age.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• declared to be the Son of God: This phrase highlights God's definitive proclamation. Jesus did not become God's Son at the resurrection, but His divine identity was authoritatively established and revealed to all through this event. It settles the truth of His unique, divine nature.
• with power according to the Spirit of holiness: This emphasizes the supernatural nature of Jesus' designation. It was not a mere human declaration but a mighty act stemming from divine power and executed by the Holy Spirit. The "Spirit of holiness" signifies the divine, pure, and distinct nature through which this power operated, separating Christ's divine power from any earthly or unholy force.
• by the resurrection from the dead: This pinpoints the precise event that served as the irrefutable evidence for Jesus' divine Sonship and authority. It is the core proof that validates His deity, the victory that defeats sin and death, and the foundation of Christian faith and hope. The resurrection is the ultimate divine intervention.

Romans 1 4 Bonus section

The structure of Romans 1:3-4 forms a concise creedal statement common in early Christianity, reflecting fundamental beliefs about Jesus' dual nature. The "Spirit of holiness" as an attribute is consistent with descriptions of God in the Old Testament, where His holiness defines His essential nature (e.g., Isa 6:3). This highlights that the Spirit operates from God's perfectly holy nature. The designation of Jesus as "Son of God" was especially potent in the Roman world, where emperors often claimed divine lineage or "son of god" status (e.g., "Divi filius" for Caesar Augustus). Paul's statement directly confronts and usurps such imperial claims, identifying Jesus as the one true Son of the ultimate God, whose divine appointment is demonstrated by a divine act (resurrection), not by political decree or human acclamation. This was a subversive truth presented boldly.

Romans 1 4 Commentary

Romans 1:4 completes Paul's introductory statement about Jesus Christ, presenting His divine reality after His human lineage. The verse establishes that while Jesus was truly human (descended from David, 1:3), He was simultaneously declared to be the very Son of God through a powerful, divine act. This "declaration" (horizo) isn't about Jesus becoming divine, but about His inherent deity being unequivocally unveiled and authoritatively validated by God the Father. The power (dynamis) of this declaration speaks to the supernatural might inherent in God and exerted in Christ's resurrection. The "Spirit of holiness" points to the Holy Spirit's essential role in this divine validation, underscoring the divine purity and absolute distinction from sin that characterize the Triune God's work. Ultimately, the resurrection from the dead is the defining event, serving as the historical, public, and decisive evidence of Jesus' divine Sonship, power, and authority over life and death. This truth serves as the cornerstone for the entire message of Romans, establishing Christ's authority to save all who believe.

For practical usage, this verse reassures believers of Christ's true divine nature, reinforcing the power and authority inherent in His sacrifice and resurrection. It empowers faith by showing that the Christian's hope is based on a God-declared reality, not human invention. It emphasizes the foundational importance of the resurrection in Christian theology and salvation.