Romans 1:1-17

If I had a chance to have dinner with any of the people God used as his instrument to write the Bible, I am not sure who I would pick.  Moses or David would be near the top of the list.  Luke would be very interesting.  It really is a tough hypothetical choice.  One thing I know though is that the prophets would probably be lower on the list - they would probably be too convicting.  And I think Paul would be right at the bottom of my list.  He seems just way too intense for me.  I cannot imagine Paul enjoying a relaxing dinner as he seems to me like a person who probably couldn’t sit still.

God used Paul’s ministry and letters to establish Christ’s church.  Paul was a man of passion and conviction.  He founded several churches in the years immediately following Christ’s resurrection and his letters have been used to reprove, instruct and inspire Christians for the last 2000 years.  He was eventually martyred for his faith.  I think a dinner with Paul would be overwhelming as I think I would be called to change a lot.

We are going to spend the next while in these blogs going through Romans.  Keep in mind that most of Paul’s letters were written to people he knew - many of them back at churches that he had already founded.  However, one letter of Paul’s, to the Romans, is unique because it was written to a group that Paul hadn’t yet met - though he desperately wanted to get there. 

Romans 1:1-17 (NIV)
¹ Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- ² the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures ³ regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, ⁴ and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. ⁶ And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

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

 ⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. ⁹ God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you ¹⁰ in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

¹¹ I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- ¹² that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. ¹³ I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

¹⁴ I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. ¹⁵ That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are at Rome. ¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Some things about Paul are clear form this intro.  1.  He is passionate for the Gospel.  The Good news of Jesus is what drives him.  2.  He is very driven.  When I think about Paul’s ministry I am amazed at how many churches he founded and then left.  Imagine how hard that would have been each time.  I am sure he was tempted to stay and nurture each of the groups he started but he knew his calling was to move on.  Here he is trying to get to yet another city for Christ’s work.

Paul’s letter to the Romans was likely written from Corinth on his 3^rd trip there.  From Corinth Paul is planning to go to Jerusalem.  The book of Acts tells us that Paul was told by a prophet that if he went back to Jerusalem that he would be arrested.  Paul goes anyway and sure enough he is arrested.   You get the sense that the book of Romans is written as a “here is what you need to know in case I don’t make it”.  For that reason it is very different from his other letters.   In the other letters Paul writes to address an issue to a congregation he already knows and has taught.  Romans is Paul’s systematic theology.  We know it was circulated to many churches. 

Paul did eventually make it to Rome - but as a prisoner.  While in jail he constantly preached to his guards.  See what I mean about an intense dinner guest?  Although, perhaps sometimes an intense dinner guest is just what I need.  As we journey through the book of Romans I am sure I will be convicted and challenged.  Even seeing Paul’s opening remarks challenges my level and passion for the Gospel. 

Mark Wallace