OUR FATHER WHOSE GOSPEL IS GIVEN INTO THE CHARGE OF APOSTLES TO CARRY TO THE WORLD

Starting an examination of the book of Romans, we look at the introduction that the Apostle Paul gives of himself to the saints in the city of Rome who were to be the recipients of his letter.

Paul first gives his volutarily chosen title which was a bondservant of Jesus Christ. A bondservant is one who has given the whole of his life to the service of his master. 

He then gives the title of his calling of an apostle which was an appointment from God that separated him for the work of serving the gospel.

Paul describes this work of the gospoel, though he was a pioneering its spread in the gentile world, to be something that was promised through the ancient prophets in the scriptures.

What was prophecied was that the one named Jesus Christ would be born in the lineage of King David and that this Jesus would be identified as the Son of God by the Spirit of Holiness in which He walked and by His ressurection from the dead when he was slain of a cross.

Paul wrote that he first received grace and  then the calling of apostleship to take the faith in Jesus to all nations among whom were the recipients of his letter.

He then blessed those called to be saints in Rome by pronouncing over them grace and peace from the Father and the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God 2 which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, 3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. 5 Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, 6 among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

And so begins this monumental letter.

Amen.

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