Study of Romans - Rom. 1:3

Note: There is a matter of debate as to whether the “concerning” is in relation to the gospel (vs. 1) or to the promise... through the prophets (vs. 2). All of my commentaries are in agreement here and fall on the side of the gospel. I think with the connection of the gospel and the prophets already having been clearly established in the preceding verse, there is no real need to debate the matter at all, the essence is one in the same. Hodge voices the same opinion when he says, “The sense in either case is the same.”

“Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord…”
¨      This is a remarkable passage, by which we are taught that the whole gospel is included in Christ, so that if any removes on step from Christ, he withdraws himself from the gospel. For since He is the living and express image of the Father, it is no wonder, that He alone is set before us as one to whom our whole faith is to be directed and in whom it is to center… We hence learn, that he who has made a due proficiency in the knowledge of Christ, has acquired everything which can be learned from the gospel; and, on the other hand, that they who seek to be wise without Christ, are not only foolish, but even completely insane. John Calvin
¨      Paul confesses Jesus to be God’s Son. He means that the Savior was God’s Son entirely apart from and antecedently to His assumption of the human nature. Exactly how it was possible for the completely intact and glorious divine nature of the Savior to dwell in intimate union with His human nature, the latter burdened with the load of our guilt and all the unspeakable agonies this condition implied, surpasses human comprehension. William Hendriksen
¨      [This shows] the excellency of the gospel, that it does not treat of vulgar and ordinary matters as of the gods of the Gentiles, of the actions of [mere men]; but of the Son of God Himself. Matthew Poole
¨      [Jesus] is the sum and substance of the Gospel: He is here described by His relation to God, His Son, of the same nature with Him, equal to Him, and distinct from Him; by His usual names, "Jesus Christ", the one signifying a "Savior", the other "anointed", and both, that He was anointed of God to be the Savior of His people; and by His dominion over the saints our Lord, not merely by creation, but by redemption and grace, and happy is the person that can claim interest in Him, as is here done. John Gill
¨      Christ is called the Son of God because He is consubstantial with the Father, and therefore equal to Him in power and glory. The term expresses the relation of the second to the first person in the Trinity, as it exists from eternity. It is therefore, as applied to Christ, not a term of office, nor expressive of any relation assumed in time. He was and is the Eternal Son. Charles Hodge

“[…] which was made of the seed of David…”
¨      Two things must be found in Christ, in order that we may obtain salvation in Him, even divinity and humanity. His divinity possesses power, righteousness, life, which by His humanity are conveyed to us. Hence the Apostle has expressly mentioned both in the summary he gives of the gospel, that Christ was manifested in the flesh – and that in it He declared Himself to be the Son of God… That he specially notices the descent and lineage of Christ from His ancestor David, is not superfluous; for by this he calls back our attention to the promise, that we may not doubt but that He is the very person who had been formerly promised. So well known was the promise made to David, that it appears to have been a common thing among the Jews to call the Messiah the Son of David. This then – that Christ did spring from David – was said for the purpose of confirming our faith. John Calvin
¨      Had He not been a descendant of David He could not have been the Messiah, for prophecy concerning Him must be fulfilled. William Hendriksen
¨      Christ – as the seed of David and the Son of God – the grand burden of the Gospel. [This] was the predicted Messianic line, Jesus of Nazareth behooved to come of it, if He was to have any just claim to be ‘the Christ of God…’ The apostles were at pains to bring this claim of Jesus… to be their predicted Messiah under the notice of their countrymen, in their earliest dealings with them (Acts. 2:30-32; 13: 22-23; 2 Tim. 2:8). JFB, David Brown
¨      […] in regard of His divine subsistence, he was begotten and not made; in regard of His manhood, He was made and not begotten. When he says the Son of God was made, &c., it is undeniably implied, that He did exist before His incarnation, and was the Son of God before He was the Son of man. This place proves clearly these two truths: 1. That in the person of Jesus Christ there are two natures. 2. That there is betwixt these a communication of properties; here the Son of God is said to be made of the seed of David; and elsewhere the Son of man is said to have come down from heaven (Jn. 3:13). Matthew Poole

“[…] according to the flesh.”
¨      […] he adds this, that we may understand that He had something more excellent than flesh, which He brought from heaven, and did not take from David, even that which he afterwards mentions, the glory of the divine nature. Paul does further by these words not only declare that Christ had real flesh, but he also distinguishes His human from His divine nature… John Calvin
¨      […] not by transmutation of Him into flesh, but by an assumption of human nature into union with His divine person…, [this] supposes that He had another nature, otherwise there would have been no need of this limiting and restrictive clause. John Gill
¨      The limitation…, according to the flesh, obviously implies the superhuman character of Jesus Christ. Were He a mere man, it had been enough to say that He was of the seed of David; but as He is more than man, it was necessary to limit His descent from David to His human nature. Charles Hodge

Personal Summary:

What a beautiful picture we are being drawn in the beginning of this epistle. After having presented us with his qualifications to the office of Apostle and having set an example for us to have a servantile devotion to our Lord, he then joined the concerns of the Old and the New together in unity; now he begins to show us the fulfillment of what he had previously mentioned. The Old and the New are joined together by the Gospels and Christ Himself is the glorious essence found therein. What a beautiful time we live in that the types and shadows are removed and we see the true hope we have in Jesus Christ! Philip Doddridge says, “I would take every opportunity of promoting in your minds, and my own, the highest regard to this blessed and evangelical dispensation with which God has favored us; relating chiefly to His only begotten and beloved Son Jesus Christ, our great anointed Savior, our ever honored Master and Lord…"

Christ is here being well qualified as the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy, the Savior of God’s elect; both truly man and truly God as was necessary for our salvation. Charles Hodge spends quite some time discussing the Sonship of Christ in his commentary on this verse; if you have access to that I would recommend you read it. We must spend time in our lives meditating on who Christ is, who the Bible claims He is, and why that is or is not important to us. If we’re only able to recognize that salvation comes through Christ we do a good thing; if we recognize why that is and what He accomplished to bring that blessed truth to bear then we do better. (If you are interested in diving a little deeper into the study of His Sonship then I will provide this link to a study on Ps. 2:7 where it was thoroughly discussed http://dannystudyofpsalms.blogspot.com/2010/07/psalms-27.html.)

I was listening to a sermon by Herman Hoeksema one time and he said, “The beauty of salvation is not that we are forgiven our sins primarily, as important as that is, the beauty lies ultimately in Christ restoring us to communion with the Father.” The Gospel message shows us this truth, we find intimate union with our Triune God and the beauty that leads us to this reality is found in Christ Himself. To contemplate who Christ is and what He has done for His people could overwhelm a pious mind, it is beyond unfathomable that He would bear so much pain for our sakes! But oh the tender heart that our Savior displays towards His Father and towards His people. He gave his life for a bunch of wretched undeserving sinners at great cost to Him and at zero cost to us. If you have marveled at the Gospels then marvel at Christ who is the very foundation, the essence, the beauty, the hope, the life everlasting that we find therein. Without Christ being truly God and truly man, without Christ being the very focus of that good news we would have nothing more than a vain mythology just as the wicked accuse us. But, if true, and we know by faith and the clear testimony of Scripture, which appeals to sanctified reason, that He was and is the Eternal Son, then we have a certain unshakable hope that we have been saved and that we will be glorified with our God in heaven for eternity. What a blessing it is to serve our Lord! To imagine the gospel apart form Christ is to abandon Christianity altogether, to descend into the abyss of insanity, it is to relinquish our salvation entirely. To abandon the two natures of Christ is to equally descend into those pits of insanity and any exercise of religion at that point would be the fruitless exercise of false religion. Christ is our everything and without Him there is no hope; only justifiable condemnation. Because of Christ we are true children of the true God and we may come running with all our cares and desires before Him crying, Abba Father!

With convicted hearts may we behave towards our Lord even as Matthew Henry describes Paul, he says, “Observe, when Paul mentions Christ, how he heaps up His name and titles, His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, as one that took a pleasure in speaking of Him; and having mentioned Him, he cannot go on in his discourse without some expression of love and honor…” Overwhelmed by His love may we embrace Him in our hearts and share Him with the world as men that take pleasure in speaking of Him and as those compelled to give some expression of love and honor. Praise be to our Lord and Savior!

Study of Romans - Rom. 1:2

Note: All my commentaries are agreed here that the word “before” or perhaps “afore” is important because it erases all doubt of novelty. I have only included Calvin’s commentary on the subject but the impact of that one word is felt by all and commented on by all.

“Which He promised before…”
¨      As the suspicion of being new subtracts much from the authority of a doctrine, he confirms the faith of the Gospel by antiquity; as though he had said, “Christ came not on earth unexpectedly, nor did He introduce a doctrine of a new kind and not heard of before, inasmuch as He, and His Gospel too, had been promised and expected from the beginning of the world.” John Calvin
¨      The meaning is not, that the history of the Gospel was promised by the prophets, but that Jesus Christ, with all His benefits, (which is the direct subject of the Gospel history and revelation,) was promised or foreshown by them. Matthew Poole
¨      […] let me beg you to look and see what a very long time ago these things were foretold. For when God is about to do openly some great things, He announces them of a long time before, to practice men’s hearing for the reception of them when they come. Chrysostom
¨      […] that Gospel which… was thus expressly committed to the Christian apostles, was in a more obscure manner promised, and in some manner declared and exhibited, by His prophets, in the records of the Holy Scriptures, on which such bright luster is now thrown by comparing the predictions with the events. Philip Doddridge
¨      That is the Gospel which Paul was sent to preach, was the same system of grace and truth, which from the beginning had been predicted and partially unfolded in the writings of the Old Testament. Charles Hodge
¨      The Gospel is… what God had conceived in His own breast from eternity. This mystery was hid in Him from the beginning of the world, and was ordained before the world was; in time God was pleased to make it known to the sons of men. John Gill

Note: There is some minor discussion as to who the term prophet may be applied to as you can see Hendriksen refer to below. I simply don’t think there is any legitimate reason to get sidetracked addressing that though and have included his comment exclusively. Anyone else who addressed it among my commentaries agrees with Hendriksen but some have taken the time to refute others that may make claims that are otherwise. But no matter what else others will debate about we can use it in a general sense of the Old Testament prophets without fear of finding ourselves in error.

“[…] through His prophets…”
¨      […] as antiquity is often fabulous, he brings witnesses, and those approved, even the Prophets of God, that he might remove every suspicion. John Calvin
¨      When Paul says, “His prophets” he has reference, of course, not only to such holy men of God as Isaiah, Jeremiah, etc., but also to Moses, Samuel, David, etc. William Hendriksen
¨      Though the Roman church… [is] here reminded that in embracing the Gospel they had not cast off Moses and the prophets, but only yielded themselves the more intelligently and profoundly to the testimony of God in that earlier revelation. JFB, David Brown

“[…] in the Holy Scriptures.”
¨      He in the third place adds, that their testimonies were duly recorded, that is, in the Holy Scriptures. John Calvin
¨      […] one of the strongest proofs of the divine origin of the Gospel is found in the prophecies of the Old Testament. The advent, the character, the work, the kingdom of the Messiah, are there predicted, and it was therefore out of the Scriptures that the apostles reasoned, to convince the people that Jesus is the Christ; and to this connection between the two dispensations they constantly refer, in proof of their doctrines. Charles Hodge

Personal Summary:

You ever watch a show or movie where someone is speaking a foreign language and as they show the subtitle at the bottom of the screen, which in English is a few words making up a sentence, the person on the screen seems to talk forever? It takes them a minute to say what we could have said in a matter of seconds. While I have heard it said that English is a very difficult language to learn I must say that we at least seem to have a very efficient language as opposed to many others. But in relation to this verse we see, as with many others in the word of God, that it is amazing how our efficient language can only portray the barest glimpse of the deepest meaning included in a given passage. I wonder how often the brevity of a verse can lead us to naturally dismiss it without contemplating all that it entails?

Here we have an example of a verse we may have been prone to read and move along from without giving it much thought. After all, in our minds which have been conditioned on the reality and truth of the New Testaments we were raised with we don’t doubt the things that Paul is testifying to here. But more than Paul establishing his bona fide, there is actual application here for us as well as for those Paul was writing to in his own day.

Calvin says, “We may learn from this passage what the Gospel is: he teaches us, not that it was promulgated by the Prophets, but only promised. If then the Prophets promised the Gospel, it follows, that it was revealed, when our Lord was at length manifested in the flesh. They are then mistaken, who confound the promises with the Gospel, since the Gospel is properly the appointed preaching of Christ as manifested, in whom the promises themselves are exhibited.”

Hendriksen agrees with this verse’s impact when he says, “This passage is indeed very important. It shows us how Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wants us to regard the Old Testament. He clearly views the old and the new dispensation as belonging together. He regards (a) the Old Testament and (b) the good news of salvation as proclaimed by Jesus and His messengers, as being a unit. Speaking by and large we can say that the Old Testament contains the promises; the New Testament shows how these promises had been, were being, and were going to be fulfilled.”

Matthew Poole adds, “He hereby intimates, that there is a great harmony and consent betwixt the prophets and apostles, the doctrine of the Old Testament and the New.”

We live in a time, perhaps not unique to us alone, where many are inclined to one of two errors: either a) they disregard the Old Testament altogether; or, b) they overestimate the Old which by default abrogates the clear testimony of the New. Both are error and both stand staunchly opposed to the testimony of Scripture. We are seeing in our day legitimate assaults on our faith as a result of these two errors.  The errors of Sacramentalism and an abandonment of Justification by Faith, even within Reformed churches, are symptomatic of this error. The Federal Vision, New Perspectives on Paul, and Emergent crowds find themselves in this category.

It is just as dangerous now as it was in Paul’s day. It inevitably leads either to ramped legalism or aggressively moves towards antinomianism. We have Christians running around today refusing to say or write the name of God, as if Christ had said “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our YHWH who art in heaven…” There are Christians running around panicking because they ate this food or that food and even worse did it on the Passover! Then there are those who seem to be chasing after the thought that Paul refutes in Rom. 6:1 and seeking to abandon the Moral Law entirely, or at least whatever part they no longer wish to adhere to. In Paul’s own day the Jews refused to acknowledge the harmony of the Old and the New and they were lost as unbelievers. They too thought they were earning their way into God’s favor and eternal rest, they denied Christ by refusing to acknowledge that He was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and they were broken off from the tree. They had what they had been waiting for and they rejected it.

Paul here tells them clearly that the Old looked forward to the New and was fulfilled in it. The Old Testament ultimately fails if not paired with the New and the New Testament stands on similar ground. They need each other; they are not disconnected themes that stand opposed to one another but beautiful harmonious revelations of God’s will for all of mankind. Nothing on earth can be found that is more beautiful than the Gospels. They are the revealing, the grand unveiling, of God’s plan for redeeming the elect; it is the much anticipated fulfillment of the entire Old Testament. With bated breath all of history looked forward to the moment when the Christ would appear on the scene and Paul here says, “The time has come, it is here! I have been sent to share this good news with you!” But alas, those in Paul’s own time, like those in our day, made the error that cost them so much: they refused to see how the two work together in harmony and as a result rejected, in sin, much that was there for the good of their souls.

Let us understand the simple rhyme Hendriksen leaves for us, “The New is in the Old concealed, the Old is by the New revealed.” Or perhaps it is sufficient to hear Paul tell us as plainly in 2 Tim. 3:16-17, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” So then let us dedicate ourselves to the study of the entire canon of Scripture that we indeed may be ready for every good work to the glory of our Father in heaven. What an act of love that He has left us His word and oh how foolish we would be if we were not to use it in its entirety. May the Lord give us wisdom to understand and apply the clear testimony of his Word, Amen.

Study of Romans - Introduction and Rom. 1:1

This is the kick off for a study that will work its way through the book of Romans. I don't claim that it will be quick, but I do intend that it should be throrough and will be conducted in the same manner as the Study on Psalms for those of you that follow it. Please pray the Lord use this to His glory, as I have, and that if I am imparted with any wisdom at all I will use it to the edification of my family in the least and to any others the Lord sees fit to lead to participate in this study.

Romans

Introduction:

¨      […] it [appears] beyond all controversy, that besides other excellencies, and those remarkable, this can with truth be said of [Romans], and it is what can never be sufficiently appreciated – that when anyone gains a knowledge of this Epistle, he has an entrance opened to him to all the most hidden treasures of Scripture. John Calvin

¨      […] I grieve and am pained, that all people do not know [the apostle Paul], as much as they ought to know him; but some are so far ignorant of him, as not even to know for certainty the number of his Epistles. And this comes not of incapacity, but of their not having the wish to be continually conversing with this blessed man. For it is not through any natural readiness and sharpness of wit that even I am acquainted with as much as I do know, if I do know anything, but owing to a continual cleaving to the man, and an earnest affection towards him. For, what belongs to men beloved, they who love them know above all others; because they are interested in them… And so ye also, if ye be willing to apply to the reading of him with a ready mind, will need no other aid. For the word of Christ is true which saith, “Seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt. vii. 7.)… For from this it is that our countless evils have arisen—from ignorance of the Scriptures; from this it is that the plague of heresies has broken out; from this that there are negligent lives; from this labors without advantage. For as men deprived of this daylight would not walk aright, so they that look not to the gleaming of the Holy Scriptures must needs be frequently and constantly sinning, in that they are walking in the worst darkness. And that this fall not out, let us hold our eyes open to the bright shining of the Apostle’s words; for this man’s tongue shone forth above the sun, and he abounded more than all the rest in the word of doctrine; for since he labored more abundantly than they, he also drew upon himself a large measure of the Spirit’s grace. (1 Cor. xv. 10.)… [We] may see specially in the soul of Paul, who having as it were become winged through love, went continually round to all, abiding nowhere nor standing still… Let us too then, in imitation of him, each one bring into order, if not the world, or not entire cities and nations, yet at all events his own house, his wife, his children, his friends, his neighbors. And let no one say to me, “I am unskilled and unlearned:” nothing were less instructed than Peter, nothing more rude than Paul, and this himself confessed, and was not ashamed to say, “though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge.” (2 Cor. xi. 6.) Yet nevertheless this rude one, and that unlearned man, overcame countless philosophers, stopped the mouths of countless orators, and did all by their own ready mind and the grace of God. What excuse then shall we have, if we are not equal to twenty names, and are not even of service to them that live with us? This is but a pretence and an excuse—for it is not want of learning or of instruction which hindereth our teaching, but drowsiness and sleep. (Acts i. 15; ii. 41.) Let us then having shaken off this sleep with all diligence cleave to our own members, that we may even here enjoy much calm, by ordering in the fear of God them that are akin to us, and hereafter may partake of countless blessings through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ towards man, through Whom, and with Whom, be glory to the Father, with the Holy Ghost, now, and evermore, and to all ages. Amen. Chrysostom
¨      The chief design of this epistle is to set in a clear light the doctrine of justification: showing against the Gentiles, that it is not by the light of nature, and works done in obedience to that, and against the Jews, that it was not by the law of Moses, and the deeds of that; which he clearly evinces, by observing the sinful and wretched estate both of Jews and Gentiles: but that it is by the righteousness of Christ imputed through the grace of God, and received by faith; the effects of which are peace and joy in the soul, and holiness in the life and conversation: he gives an account of the justified ones, as that they are not without sin, which he illustrates by his own experience and case; and yet are possessed of various privileges, as freedom from condemnation, the blessing of adoption, and a right to the heavenly inheritance; he treats in it concerning predestination, the calling of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews; and exhorts to the various duties incumbent on the saints, with respect to one another, and to the world, to duties of a moral and civil nature, and the use of things indifferent. John Gill
¨      The epistle consists of three parts. The first, which includes the first eight chapters, is occupied in the discussion of the doctrine of justification and its consequences. The second, embracing chapters 9 – 11, treats of the calling of the Gentiles, the rejection and future conversion of the Jews. The third consists of practical exhortations and salutations to the Christians at Rome. Charles Hodge
¨      […] I think it must be evident to every reader of common discernment and attention, that Paul is laboring through all this epistle, “to fix on the minds of the Christians to whom he addresses himself, a deep sense of the excellency of the Gospel, and to engage them to act in a manner agreeable to their profession of it.” Philip Doddridge

I will not add much to the already well covered introduction to this book. What I will say is that the reason behind this study is that, as Calvin pointed out, we may have a deeper understanding of the word of God, and as Chrysostom said, we may have a deeper heart for God and for His people. Everything we do as Christians should be geared towards growing in grace and piety to the glory of God. We should be striving to learn the doctrines left to us in the Bible and we should be striving to be more mature Christians. To that end, just as the book of Psalms has been an integral part of any explosion of true piety, I trust that this book will act in like manner and lead us all to live more pious lives.

1:1

Note: The book starts with Paul declaring his name and there is some controversy over how this name came into being. One theory is that it happened when he converted Sergius in Acts 13:7, 9; for this is where we see it first mentioned. Others think that it had reference to stature; Paulus meaning little in Latin. Others think that it took place at his conversion, much like Abram became Abraham. But with the exception of Chrysostom, who favors the last of those possibilities, every one of the other eight commentaries I have favor that Paul had two names as was common in the time. Saul then was his Jewish name and Paul would’ve been his name as a Roman citizen. Calvin opines that the most likely reason that Paul used the Roman version was “because in the churches to which he wrote, it was more known and more common, more acceptable in the Roman empire, and less known among his own nation. It was indeed his duty to avoid foolish suspicion and hatred under which the name of a Jew then labored among the Romans and in their provinces, and to abstain from inflaming the rage of his own countrymen, and to take care of himself.” This seems the most likely explanation of why he is known to us as Paul rather than Saul.

Another brief consideration here is the word which then immediately follows his name: “a servant.” Some translations have this in English as “bondservant’ rather than simply servant which makes it akin to “slave.” Now the Greek word used here is doulos which can be translated into English as slave, this much is true. William Hendriksen explains the problem with that when he says, “[…] with the concept of slave we generally associate such ideas as involuntary service, forced subjection, and (frequently) harsh treatment, many have, probably correctly, concluded that “slave” is not the best English equivalent in this context.” David Brown well covers this topic and shows very well that the word left on its own is indeed identified with slavery, there is no way around it. But he then goes on to explain how it was a willing privilege that the first Christians would’ve identified themselves as such. He says, “Among the earliest Christians, indeed, so great was felt to be the honor and privilege of standing in such a relation to Christ, that it absorbed every repulsive association attaching to the word that expressed it…” In the end Hendriksen summarizes the meaning and context which tells us that Paul is willingly surrendering himself completely to his Master Christ.

“[…] a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle…”
¨      He signalizes himself with these distinctions for the purpose of securing more authority to his doctrine…; first, by asserting his call to Apostleship; and secondly, by showing that his call was not connected with the Church of Rome: for it was of great importance that he should be deemed an apostle through God’s call… The meaning is this,– that Paul was a servant of Christ, not any kind of servant, but an apostle, and that by the call of God, and not by presumptuous intrusion. John Calvin
¨      Paul… was an apostle in the richest sense of the term. His apostleship was the same as that of the Twelve… Paul even stresses the fact that the risen Savior had appeared to him just as truly as He had appeared to Cephas. That same Savior had assigned to him a task so broad and universal that his entire life was henceforth to be occupied with it… The characteristics of full apostleship… were as follows: In the first place, the apostles have been chosen, called, sent forth by Christ Himself. They have received their commission directly from Him. Secondly, they are qualified for their tasks by Jesus, and have been ear-and-eye witnesses of His words and deeds; specifically they are witnesses of His resurrection… Thirdly, they have been endowed in a special measure with the Holy Spirit, and it is the Holy Spirit who leads them into all truth… Fourthly, God blesses their work, confirming its value by means of signs and miracles, and giving them much fruit upon their labors… Fifthly, their office is not restricted to a local church, neither does it extend over a short period of time; on the contrary, it is for the entire church and for life. William Hendriksen
¨      It has… been properly remarked, that as the expression, servant of Christ, implies implicit obedience and subjection, it supposes the Divine authority of the Redeemer. That is, we find the apostle denying that he was the servant of men, rejecting all human authority as it regards matters of faith and duty, and yet professing the most absolute subjection of conscience and reason to the authority of Christ. Charles Hodge
¨      […] Paul, who, though once a bitter persecutor, hath now the honor to style himself a servant of Jesus Christ; whose property he humbly professes himself to be, and glories in it, as his highest happiness, to be absolutely at the command and disposal of such a Master. Philip Doddridge

“[…] separated to the gospel of God.”
¨      […] the choosing for the gospel…, expresses the end as well as the use of the Apostleship; for he intended briefly to show for what purpose he was called to that function. John Calvin
¨      As the testimony which the apostles were to bear related to all that Jesus had taught them, it was by preaching the gospel that they discharged their duty as witnesses… it is an explanation of his apostolic office, and in the further assertion of his divine commission that Paul adds, separated unto the gospel of God… It is obvious, therefore, that the apostle here refers to his appointment by God to his office… Paul’s designation to office was neither of man, nor by man. The words, unto the gospel, expresses the object to which he was devoted when thus separated from the mass of his brethren; it was to preach the gospel. Charles Hodge
¨      He calls it ‘the gospel of God” here, because in the next two verses he was going to speak more immediately of what God had to do with it. David Brown

Personal Summary:

If we are to give a cursory read to this first verse in the book of Romans it would appear to have little or no meaning. But as we look a little deeper into it quite a bit stands out to us. There are two things I would like to specifically talk about, 1) the office of Apostle, and 2) being a servant of Christ.

For the first consideration I think it important to understand what the office is and to whom it was assigned. I won’t spend any time reiterating what was previously said, but if you had missed it above then please go back and read what William Hendriksen says and what all of the other commentaries agree with. Sufficient for what I wish to say, though, is that this was a special office where these men received their commission, or ordination, directly from Christ Himself. This is important to us today because they are a plethora of men (and even women) running around calling themselves apostles, with the approval of their denominations and local churches, and they do so with zero merit. I am not even talking about false religions such as the Mormons who apply whatever sounds good to them with no biblical authority at all. Within the scope of what calls itself evangelical Christianity there are many that are running around trying to apply this title either to themselves or to others within their ranks. It is a false title, one that cannot be biblically justified, and will never carry the authority or weight of those that were ordained to fill this office by Christ Himself. They are not able to even fulfill the minimum qualifications for the office. Whether this is done through woeful ignorance or through deliberate deception I cannot say. But I think, and this is merely my opinion for what it’s worth, they are trying to accomplish the exact same thing Paul was when he stated his legitimate claim to the office. They are trying to elevate themselves to a special position where Paul was merely qualifying that our Lord had actually placed him in that special position. One was blessed abundantly and one leads souls to ruin. We must be on our guard for these men that would desire that we think more highly of them than we should and understand that the office of apostle will never be fulfilled again.

For the latter consideration we see the heart of the apostle Paul. He had a servant’s heart. First and foremost he was a servant to our Lord and second to those he was called to serve. We must have this same heart. We must follow the lead of Paul and of the first Christians. Remember David Brown said of them, “Among the earliest Christians, indeed, so great was felt to be the honor and privilege of standing in such a relation to Christ, that it absorbed every repulsive association attaching to the word that expressed it…” They happily and willingly identified themselves as servants, slaves, of Jesus Christ. It was an honor for them to do so. But in this age where men spend more time seeking autonomy from God than submitting to Him, this is a brutal concept that is an affront to many of us. Submission in any form is ultimately frowned upon, yet alone slavery which requires complete submission; yet, this is exactly what we are called to. Christ said in Jn. 14:15 if you love me, keep my commandments. That doesn’t leave a lot of room for interpretation. We are to submit ourselves to Him entirely. Furthermore, it is not the burden our sinful hearts have imagined it to be. Christ who demands utter and complete submission also said in Matt. 11:30 my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. It is a beautiful relationship we share with our Lord and when we submit to Him we are free to let go of the many struggles and worries that plague us in this life. We are free to put them at His feet knowing that He who demands our complete devotion will not suffer us to be unnecessarily burdened. Paul had spent his life as a Pharisee, wholly dedicated to working his way into heaven and was more disciplined in their foolish rituals then we could ever hope to be; but this same Paul only flourished and found true freedom when he became a slave to Christ. It is no different for us today, the offense to our sinful hearts is the same now as it was then, but the expectation of the saints is also no different and the rewards are just as real today as they have ever been. Our Master is a loving kind Master who will take care of us. It is in Him that we can trust all we have and are both now and always. With that in mind may we all learn to serve and submit to our holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Amen.