The Gospel
Rom 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
We each have callings on our lives, Paul was called to be an Apostle, separated...Separated from Judaism and the persecution of the church by a miracle of Christ on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9) He was the Apostle, the messenger and ambassador of the gospel to the Gentiles; talk about a hard calling. He would suffer many afflictions in his calling, and was told so in the beginning. Do we fall away from afflictions or discomfort or tiredness? No, we continue in our ministry, as Jesus has spoken;
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
1 Pet 5:9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Rom 1:2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,
Gal 3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
Gal 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Rom 1:3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
Both Joseph and Mary were of the house of David, so Jesus the eternal king from the house of David.
2 Sam 7:16 And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.
2 Sam 7:17 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.
Rom 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
This is the gospel, Jesus came according to the prophets, born of a virgin in Bethlehem, a son of David who would be King forever. Declared to be the Son of God with resurrection Power, as he has risen on the third day as he predicted he would.
Rom 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Who are the "we"? Paul was considered one of the apostles, and yet he had not been with Jesus. Jesus did call him to be an apostle to the Gentiles. He was given grace, for it was not according to his works.
Eph 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;
Rom 1:6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
Jesus, by which we have received grace for salvation, grace for ministries, grace for changing into his image. Apostleship, a calling to a new work for God, some consider Paul as the 12th Apostle replacing Judas, chosen by Jesus, not by casting lots or by chance. Jesus has come, we do not look to any other place for the will of God. His Spirit and his word guides us by grace into all truth. We are the called of Jesus to bring the message of salvation by grace through faith in our Lord Jesus to all the world. There will be opposition in the spirit world, but greater is he that is in us then he that is in the world. ( 1 John 4:4 )
Rom 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul greets the Church in Rome, beloved Saints, (all children of God are Saints and we (be) loved), Grace and peace from God our Father, we are sons of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. We call God our Father, yet we seldom call Jesus our brother, though we are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:7) he is so much above this title; we call him Lord or master. For in receiving him by faith we make him master of our life. We are no longer our own but are bought by our loving master Jesus, with his blood shed on the cross for our sins.
Rom 1:8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
These Christians had to be strong; "The Christians of Rome were unpopular - reputed to be 'enemies of the human race' and credited with such vices as sexual impurity and cannibalism, (these were lies spread against them).. In large numbers, then, they became the victims of the imperial malevolence -(hatred) ( fed to the lions, burned at the stake, killed in the arenas for sport) and it is this persecution of Christians under Nero that traditionally forms the setting for Paul's martyrdom." (Bruce)
Rom 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Rom 1:10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
He remembers them in his prayers, God is his witness, and God willing he wishes to come to Rome. He would indeed come, but be kept under house arrest, chained to a guard.
1 Th 5:15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
1 Th 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
1 Th 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
1 Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
God is his witness, and God willing he wishes to come to Rome. He would indeed come, but be kept under house arrest, chained to a guard.
Rom 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Paul laid hands on them in prayer and they received the Holy Spirit and gifts, tongues, prophecy, teaching and many other gifts are available through the gifts of the Spirit.
Rom 1:12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
Also Paul would be comforted and enjoy the fellowship of others of the faith. We all benefit by meeting with other Christians. We need the fulness of the gifts that are present in the Church body. You say you don't need to go to church? Some are unable to, but for those who are able you should go.
Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Rom 1:13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Paul was eager to share the gospel to everyone. This was his calling and he was a willing servant fulfilling the great commission;
Mat 3:10 And now also the ax is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Rom 1:14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
All men should hear the gospel message, Paul owed this to all men that they should hear the good news of forgiveness of sins in Christ Jesus. Do we feel this need to share with others? Have we forgiven those who have sinned against us? It is hard to preach forgiveness if we have not forgiven others.
Rom 1:15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
I am not ashamed, no way. Maybe the message will not be received by most, but what if it is by some? Is Jesus ashamed of us?
Mark 8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy to the Jewish people of a savior King. He came first to the Jews and then to all people. Paul follows this pattern, preaching first in the Jewish synagogues then to the Gentiles. (non Jews)
The gospel:
1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1 Cor 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
The word of God is faith, believing it following it, for the just shall live by faith. We share the faith and others receive it. How glorious to see new believers being delivered from the darkness by the word of faith. The truth shall set you free. Now is the time to receive Jesus and the forgiveness of sins. Let no man or devil keep you in bondage, Jesus has come to set you free.
Worthy of Death
Rom 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: In verse 16, Paul spoke of salvation - but what are we saved from? First and foremost, we are saved from the wrath of God which we righteously deserve.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Rev 16:1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.
God will pour out His wrath on evil people in the last days, and they will be cast into hell, because God is a God of justice.
Rom 1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them.
People take grace for granted, they are used to having their own way.
Rom 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Look around at God's creation. Look at the sea, its vast life, the sand the shells. The sun, the moon the stars. There is your evidence of a creator God. The sun rises and sets, the sea moves in and out. The seasons come and go with its fruit. The children reflect God's image of innocence and purity. Science could not exist without God's order. There is no excuse for not knowing there is a God. An atheist in peril, will call out to God. When the terror passes, then arrogant pride replaces the need for God.
Rom 1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
They take God's creation for granted. They devised evolution and manmade philosophies. Man became supreme, but less then a tree or a whale.
Rom 1:22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
Psa 94:8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
Psa 94:9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
Psa 94:10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
Psa 94:11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.
Rom 1:23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Exo 20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exo 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exo 20:6 And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Idolatry...loving the creation and worshipping it, but denying God who created all. For these things God will pour out his anger. Those who are in Christ Jesus shall not receive the wrath of God, but are passed from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. The end is near, who will you serve, Jesus or self?
Rom 1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Rom 1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Rom 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Rom 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Rom 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
"reprobate mind," a mind of which God cannot approve, and which must be rejected by Him, (Vines)
"not convenient" means not fitting or proper
Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Rom 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Rom 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
An evil list of devils using the flesh to defile man. Our rebellion against God is not only displayed in our actions, but in our thinking; we are genuinely "spiritually insane" in our rebellion against God.
Rom 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Those who either practice or approve of these things are worthy of death; they are the objects of the wrath of God.
Where does all this violence, immorality, cruelty and degradation come from? Men have abandoned the true knowledge of God, and our society is a reflection of God's judgment upon them for this. They are given over, allowed to do their own thing. They may cry, me, me, me...but in the end they are rejected by God, because they have rejected Him, if they do not come to Jesus. A people given over to every dark thing for lust, will inherit eternal darkness and torment. The devil entices, but never delivers the goods, always it is a lie and disappointments. Jesus wants you, do not be discouraged, he loves you, trust in the one who came from heaven to set you free.
Mat 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!
Mat 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Mat 23:39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
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