Romans 1:1

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Romans 1:1 (NIV)

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God
 
The Book of Romans has life-changing truth but it must be approached with effort and determination to understand what the Holy Spirit said through the Apostle Paul. – David Guzik
 
Quick Facts
Author: Paul
Date: ~57 AD
Place of Origin: Corinth (Acts 18:1-2)-Had 3 months during his winter stay
Destination: Rome (Acts 2:10)
Theme: Righteousness of God
Key Verses: Romans 1:16-17
 
Fun Facts

• In the AV, verses 1-7 are one long sentence.
• There are at least 61 quotes from the Old Testament from 14 books.
• Most common word in Romans: God; mentioned 153 times
  • 1 Corinthians 2:2: For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
  • Written to a church he did not start and had not visited… So he didn’t need to focus on leadership, problems, or challenges. He could focus on God.
  • Had been following the Lord for twenty years before writing this.
• Has been called the Constitution and the Bill of Rights for Christianity

• Some see this as part one in a trilogy of Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith.” The other two volumes include Galatians (live) and Hebrews (faith).

 
Verse 1: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 

Paul: small, or little.

• 1 Timothy 1:15: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
• How does this description of Paul give us hope?

A servant [slave; bondservant] of… (Greek: doulos)
Old Testament prophets called themselves “slaves to God.”
A person who is legally owned by someone else and whose entire livelihood and purpose was determined by their master.
Devoted to another the disregard of one’s own interest.

• Who or what are you a slave to?

Complete and utter devotion. A Roman slave was only answerable to his master.
A slave was 1) owned; 2) bought for a price; 3) received no wages; 4) couldn’t quit

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
• John 12:26: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
• Galatians 1:10: Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

God doesn’t force us to be slaves; volunteer and willingly submit
A person’s only way to freedom is to become a slave to Jesus!

• What does it mean to be a slave of Christ Jesus?
• Where are you resisting the absolute rule of God in your life? Where are you master of your life?

Christ Jesus: Messiah
            See “Who is Jesus” Handout
 
Called to be…
Officially requested; invited (as to a banquet)
Called from the womb, on the road to Damascus, and/or at his commissioning

• What is Paul’s life calling? What is yours?
• When did you first feel the call of Jesus in your life? 

An apostle…
            Envoy of Jesus; commissioned directly; authority to speak on His behalf
            Messenger; sent forth with orders
            Sent with delegated authority
            Special ambassador
 
And set apart [separated unto]…
            Selected or assigned for a specific purpose 
Paul thought of life not in terms of what he wanted to do, but in terms of what God meant him to do [and be]
Separated to something, not from something. Acts 13:2

• What are you “set apart” for?

For the gospel of God…
            Good News!
The gospel is singular. This is important considering the polytheism that was popular in those days.

• What is the gospel?
• When you hear good news (“I’m engaged!” “We are having a baby!” “I got a promotion!”), what is your initial response? Why is it so difficult to keep good news to ourselves?

 
The gospel is of God. It is not of man, it originates with God.

Romans 1:1 Study Guide
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Who Is Jesus
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