Romans 1

Paul, A Servant of Christ Jesus

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [i]

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Romans 1:1 (ESV): 1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

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Name V1 Paul

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Paul was:

1 From the tribe of Benjamin (1 Sam 9:21, Phil 3:5-6, Rom 11) which is the smallest tribe.

2 A Man who was small in stature (1 Cor 10)

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Paul’s Name is the Greek version of Saul (Hebrew)

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Romans 1:1 Saul is from a Hebrew word with a meaning liked “asked” (1 Sam 1:20)

(My notes: on the greetings)

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The Greeting

“Yesteryears Modern Day Greeting “

Dear Rome

With an ending

Sincerely, Paul

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Today’s Modern-Day Greeting

WYD?

What’s up?

With and Ending

“See you later”

“Ok Bye”

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Ancient Greetings were Announcements.

“Paul, a Slave of Christ, called to be an Apostle.”

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In the Greeting Paul gives a much more elaborate description of Himself

(He had not visited Rome in Person)

A. Eph, 1 and 2 Cor, Gal, Col, 1 and 2 Tim (An Apostle)

B. Phil, Titus (A Servant)

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Romans 1 has a longer set of titles.

Paul

1 a Servant of Christ Jesus

2 called to be an Apostle.

Followed by God’s Purpose

3 Set Apart for the gospel of God.

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Paul’s First Title

A Servant’ is Doulos and should really be translated ‘slave’.

A Slave to Messiah Jesus

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Teaching Points

1 Paul was affirming that he belongs to Christ without reservation.

2 Paul, was stating that he is part of the succession of servants that carry out God’s message.

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Teaching Point

Servant was used in the Old Testament, as an honorable succession of individual Israelites, beginning with Moses and Joshua, who called themselves Yahweh’s ‘servants’ or ‘slaves’

(my note bought and set free, and attached as a child/inheritor to serve the One who set them free!

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Examples

Abraham is the "servant" of the Lord (Psalm 105:42)

Moses is called "the servant of the LORD," Ex 14:31

King David is called God’s Servant 2 Samuel 7:5-8

The Prophets are called God’s Servants Jeremiah 7:25

Teaching Point

Yahweh also designated Israel collectively ‘my servant’.

Isaiah 41:8–10 (ESV): 8 But you, Israel, my servant,

Jacob, whom I have chosen,

the offspring of Abraham, my friend;

9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

and called from its farthest corners,

saying to you, “You are my servant,

I have chosen you and not cast you off”;

10 fear not, for I am with you;

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

My note:

If he took you, if he called you, if you are His friend, He won’t cast you off, if your are fearful, you should not be for He is with you, He will strengthen, He will help you, he will hold you with His power.

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Teaching Point

The Lord’s ‘servants’ is no longer Israel, but all of God’s chosen people, who have been rescued by Jesus, irrespective of whether they are Jews or Gentiles.

(1 Peter 2:16, 2 Timothy 2:24)

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Teaching Point

God’s people now carry out God’s message and plan.

My notes

1 Peter 2:16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.[ii]

2 Tim 2:24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,[iii]

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Application 1

We may be small and insignificant to the world, but we are known and loved by God.

Romans 1:7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints[iv]

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Application 2

As Slaves to Christ, our Affiliation is now to Christ.

Being God’s “Doulos” is good!

1 We have received an inheritance (Salvation in Jesus)

Ephesians 1:11

2 We have been transferred from a kingdom of darkness and the slavery of sin to the Kingdom of His Son whom we are now attached to. Col 1:13

3 Our attachment to Him is changing us (by the Holy Spirit), according to His will Philippians 2:13

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Application 3

As Servants, we now carry out God’s message and plan, redemption. (Gal 3:22)

**Tell Yourself

Tell your family.

Tell your friends.

Tell your work/school.

Tell your neighborhood.

Tell your church.

[i] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 1:1–7.

[ii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Pe 2:16.

[iii] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 2 Ti 2:24.

[iv] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 1:7.