Romans 1-2 (Commentary)

Paul’s writings to the Romans has changed the world. It’s importance to the church is probably the most influential of all the epistles. The teachings of Romans is needful for every person to grasp and understand as it deals especially salvation by faith, but also the relation between old and new covenants.

Paul first greets the Roman church and explains his long held intention of coming to see them (1:10). From this we know Paul did not start the Roman church. Paul shares his reason for not being able to come sooner. This reason he gives is also a philosophy of ministry in itself, he says “I am debtor to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians…”(1:14). Paul’s obligation to world outside of Rome is anyone who hasn’t heard of Christ. This is to say that Paul wants to preach Christ in places where He has yet to be named, therefore excluding any necessity to visit Rome right away because they have already heard. (15:20-24) Paul greatly desires to see them and plans to visit, but only on the way to Spain where the people there have yet to hear about Christ. The philosophy of ministry is this, “find people who’ve never heard and go preach there!”

Paul isn’t ashamed of the Gospel, though many shame Paul for the Gospel sake. (1:16). Paul’s statement here is profound for the Gospel is the very reason of the shame he endures by others, but yet he isn’t ashamed of the Gospel. It’s the power of God of salvation for all men. Paul explains this salvation presented by the gospel is by faith alone. (1:17). This is the first mention of salvation by faith in Romans and will be repeated a great deal as Paul develops the “faith alone” concept of salvation.

Paul explains that the evidence of God’s anger and wrath against sin is clearly seen in creation, so that men are without an excuse. (1:18-20). But our ancestors all at one time knew God, but their ideas of God were corrupted by their own desires. Paganism arose when their unthankful hearts turn God’s glory into something that can be domesticated, kissed, fondled, and controlled. They indeed no longer held the truth about God and made idols of their own to represent their own versions of God that resemble beasts and men, created things like unto themselves. For this rebellion, God allowed them to follow their hearts and forbad not the corruption that followed as result (1:26-30).  The most terrifying of God’s judgements is to let the sinner have his or her own way.  Ask someone who does not know God, either by rejection or by ignorance, to describe for you what heaven must be like, and they, listing out their heart’s desires, will almost certainly describe for you what hell is like.

Paul is on his way to describe a righteousness by faith, but first he must first logically condemn all of Adam under sin as prerequisite to salvation by faith. Regardless whether or not people live in ignorance to God’s laws, the wrath of God falls on each on without favoritism (2:1-16).

But what about the Jews?  Aren’t they God’s people?  How is it they too are also condemned?  Paul explains being in mere possession of the law does not excuse your sin.  If the law’s standards are not held up, then one cannot trust in their own power to keep the law to be qualified for eternal life, righteousness (2:17-25).

Paul explains that not all Israel is of Israel, meaning, that not everyone born an Israelite belongs to God’s community of people.  God’s people live in reconciled relationship God, rather than merely attempting to keep rules of the law.  A person who seeks God’s pleasure rather than mans, indeed shows a faith that is acceptable in God’s eyes (2:28-29).