Romans 1:5 kjv

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

Romans 1:5 nkjv

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,

Romans 1:5 niv

Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake.

Romans 1:5 esv

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,

Romans 1:5 nlt

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

Romans 1 verses

Romans 1 5 Meaning

Through Jesus Christ, God extended His unmerited favor and specifically bestowed upon us, particularly Paul and the other apostles, the sacred office and commission of apostleship. The purpose of this divine empowerment and call is to invite all the non-Jewish nations across the world to a state where their faith is not merely intellectual assent but actively demonstrates itself in obedience to God. This entire mission, from its origin to its aim, is for the glorification of Jesus Christ, acknowledging His authority and divine character.

Romans 1 5 Context

Romans 1:5 follows Paul’s extended opening greeting, where he introduces himself as an apostle "set apart for the gospel of God" (v.1). Verses 3-4 establish the identity of the Gospel's subject, Jesus Christ, who was descended from David yet declared "Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead." Thus, verse 5 seamlessly transitions to explaining how Paul received his commission from this exalted Christ. The broader context of Romans sees Paul meticulously outlining the universal need for the Gospel due to sin (Jew and Gentile alike) and God's provision of salvation through faith. His personal apostleship, particularly to the Gentiles, serves as the vehicle for this overarching divine plan. Historically, the early church, especially in Rome, wrestled with the inclusion of Gentiles and their relationship to Jewish traditions and the Law. Paul's emphasis on "obedience that comes from faith" would have challenged legalistic perspectives and underscored the spiritual nature of God's new covenant.

Romans 1 5 Word Analysis

• Through him (δι᾽ οὗ - di' hou): Refers directly back to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and underscores His centrality as the ultimate source and mediator of both Paul's personal grace and his apostolic commission. All spiritual blessings and offices flow through Him.
• we received (ἐλάβομεν - elaboMEN): Acknowledges a passive reception; Paul and possibly other apostles did not earn or initiate this; it was a divine gift bestowed upon them. This emphasizes God's sovereign initiative.
• grace (χάριν - charin): Not just a general unmerited favor for salvation, but also a specific enablement or divine favor given for the purpose of ministry. It's the spiritual power and divine endowment that makes Paul’s apostleship possible and effective.
• and apostleship (καὶ ἀποστολήν - kai apostolēn): Refers to the specific divine commission and authority as an apostle. It signifies being a divinely authorized messenger with a unique calling and delegated power from Christ, sent to preach the Gospel.
• to call (εἰς - eis): Denotes the purpose or goal. It expresses the intended outcome or effect of their apostleship.
• all the Gentiles (πᾶσιν τοῖς ἔθνεσιν - pasin tois ethnesin): Signifies the universal scope of the apostolic mission. "Gentiles" refers to all nations and peoples who are not ethnically Jewish, highlighting God’s plan of salvation extending beyond Israel.
• to the obedience (ὑπακοὴν - hypakoēn): Implies hearing and heeding. This is not forced conformity but a willing response to God’s revelation. It is an active demonstration of commitment and trust in Him.
• that comes from faith (πίστεως - pisteōs): The genitive form "of faith" can be understood as:
  1. The obedience that consists of faith: faith itself is seen as an act of obedience, believing in God’s word and His Son.
  2. The obedience produced by faith: true, saving faith is not inert but necessarily leads to a life of responsive living and adherence to God’s will. This combats the idea of a dead faith without works.
  3. The obedience unto faith: meaning an obedience that leads to and deepens faith.The primary understanding is that authentic faith is an active trust in God that results in obedient living; true faith expresses itself in obedience.
• for his name’s sake (ὑπὲρ τοῦ ὀνόματος αὐτοῦ - hyper tou onomatos autou): This defines the ultimate motive and highest purpose. "Name" encapsulates the entirety of Jesus Christ’s person, character, authority, and reputation. All missionary endeavor and the conversion of the nations are ultimately for the honor, glory, and vindication of Christ as Lord, not for human praise or a worldly agenda.

Words-group Analysis

• "Through him we received grace and apostleship": Emphasizes the divine source (Christ) and divine initiation (we received) of two inseparable gifts: grace (divine empowerment) and apostleship (divine commission). It highlights that ministry flows from a personal encounter with and enablement by Christ.
• "to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith": Clearly articulates the expansive scope of the mission (all Gentiles/nations) and the transformative effect the Gospel is meant to have. It reveals that the goal is not mere belief, but a lived-out, submissive trust in God.
• "for his name's sake": This crucial phrase reveals the core motivation. It means for the glory of Christ's name, His reputation, and the universal acknowledgment of His Lordship. The success of the mission, the spread of faith and obedience, ultimately magnifies who Jesus is.

Romans 1 5 Bonus Section

• The immediate link between Christ’s resurrection (v.4) and the receiving of grace and apostleship (v.5) indicates that Paul’s commission flowed directly from the power of the resurrected Christ. It’s a post-resurrection, Spirit-empowered mission.
• The phrase "obedience that comes from faith" sets a foundational theme for the entire book, which thoroughly explores the relationship between faith, law, sin, and righteousness. It prepares the reader for the later exposition on justification by faith alone, while also ensuring that true faith is not abstract but transforming.
• This verse, found early in the book of Romans, strategically positions Paul's ministry within God's global redemptive plan. It frames the complex theological arguments that follow as purposeful actions contributing to the ultimate display of God’s glory through Christ among all peoples.

Romans 1 5 Commentary

Romans 1:5 encapsulates the essence of Paul's apostolic calling, the means by which he was equipped, the scope of his mission, and its ultimate divine purpose. It highlights that both the divine favor ("grace") and the specific office ("apostleship") were not self-attained but freely given "through Jesus Christ." This underscores Christ's mediation in bestowing the spiritual gifts and responsibilities needed for ministry.

The objective of this grace-empowered apostleship is expansive: to reach "all the Gentiles." This reveals God's universal plan of salvation, breaking down barriers between Jew and Gentile. The ultimate desired response from these Gentiles is not merely intellectual acceptance, but "the obedience that comes from faith." This critical phrase clarifies that genuine faith in Christ is dynamic; it's an active trust and surrender that naturally manifests in a life responsive to God's commands and will. It is not an obedience to earn salvation, but an obedience that flows from a saving faith, demonstrating its vitality and truth. This sets a trajectory for the entire book of Romans, where Paul unpacks righteousness by faith and its practical outworkings.

Crucially, all these efforts – the grace, the apostleship, the call to the nations, and their obedient response – are ultimately "for his name’s sake." This declares that the highest purpose of all ministry and conversion is not the growth of any organization or the acclaim of any person, but the honor, glory, and universal acknowledgment of Jesus Christ's supremacy and authority. His Name represents His very being, character, and Lordship. Thus, Paul's mission is Christ-centered and God-glorifying from its very inception to its ultimate fulfillment.