Romans Chapter 1: The Gospel’s Power and Humanity’s Sin


Summary
Romans 1 introduces Paul’s letter, emphasizing the gospel’s power for salvation and humanity’s universal guilt before God. Paul presents his apostolic mission, the gospel’s foundation in Christ, and the consequences of rejecting God’s truth. The chapter unfolds in several key sections:
Paul’s Greeting and Mission (1:1–7): Paul, an apostle called by Christ, greets the Roman church, affirming the gospel’s roots in the Old Testament and Jesus’ resurrection. He addresses believers, called as saints, wishing them grace and peace.
Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome (1:8–15): Paul thanks God for the Romans’ faith, prays for them, and longs to visit to strengthen them and share mutual encouragement. He is eager to preach the gospel to all, Jew and Gentile.
The Gospel’s Power for Salvation (1:16–17): Paul is unashamed of the gospel, the power of God for salvation to all who believe, revealing God’s righteousness by faith, as Habakkuk 2:4 states, “The righteous will live by faith.”
God’s Wrath Against Sin (1:18–32): God’s wrath is revealed against humanity’s suppression of His truth, evident in creation. Rejecting God, people worship idols, leading to moral decay. God “gave them over” to sinful desires, shameful lusts, and depraved minds, listing sins like greed, envy, and disobedience.
Cross-References
Paul’s Apostolic Mission:
  • Acts 9:15: Paul chosen for Gentiles.
  • Galatians 1:1: Apostle by Christ’s call.
  • 2 Timothy 1:11: Paul as preacher and teacher.
  • Isaiah 42:6–7: Servant as a light to nations.
Gospel and Faith:
  • 1 Corinthians 1:18: Gospel as God’s power.
  • Habakkuk 2:4: Righteous live by faith.
  • Philippians 1:27: Live worthy of the gospel.
  • Mark 16:15: Preach to all creation.
God’s Wrath and Sin:
  • Psalm 19:1–4: Creation declares God’s glory.
  • Isaiah 44:9–20: Folly of idolatry.
  • Ephesians 5:6: Wrath on disobedience.
  • Colossians 3:5–6: Sins under God’s judgment.
Human Depravity:
  • Genesis 6:5: Human heart’s wickedness.
  • Jeremiah 17:9: Heart is deceitful.
  • 2 Timothy 3:2–5: Last days’ sins.
  • Acts 17:30: God calls all to repent.
General Theme:
  • John 3:36: Believe for life, reject for wrath.
  • Acts 4:12: Salvation in Christ alone.
  • Psalm 96:3–5: Declare God’s glory, reject idols.
Theological Meaning
Romans 1 is rich with theological themes that lay the foundation for the gospel:
Gospel’s Divine Power: The gospel reveals God’s righteousness, saving all who believe, fulfilling His promises (1:16–17; Romans 3:21; 1 Corinthians 1:18).
Universal Guilt: Humanity’s rejection of God’s truth, seen in creation, incurs His righteous wrath, as all choose sin (1:18–20; Romans 3:23).
God’s Revelation: Creation displays God’s power and nature, leaving people without excuse for rejecting Him (1:20; Psalm 19:1; Acts 14:17).
Consequences of Idolatry: Rejecting God leads to futile thinking and moral decay, as God allows sinners to face sin’s consequences (1:24–28; Isaiah 44:20).
Apostolic Mission: Paul’s call to preach to all nations reflects God’s plan to save Jews and Gentiles through faith (1:5; Galatians 1:16).
Faith’s Centrality: Salvation comes by faith, as God’s righteousness is received, not earned (1:17; Habakkuk 2:4; Ephesians 2:8).
Questions and Answers
What is the gospel Paul preaches (1:1–5)?
The good news of Jesus, the Son of God, promised in Scripture, crucified and risen, offering salvation through faith to all nations (1:3–5; 1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
Why is Paul unashamed of the gospel (1:16)?
It is God’s power for salvation, effective for all who believe, revealing His righteousness (1:16; 2 Timothy 1:8; Acts 13:38–39).
How is God’s righteousness revealed (1:17)?
Through the gospel, by faith, as believers receive God’s righteousness, fulfilling Habakkuk 2:4 (1:17; Romans 3:22; Philippians 3:9).
Why is God’s wrath revealed (1:18)?
Humanity suppresses God’s truth, rejecting Him despite His clear revelation in creation, choosing sin (1:18–20; John 3:36; Ephesians 5:6).
What does “gave them over” mean (1:24, 26, 28)?
God allowed sinners to pursue their sinful desires, facing the natural consequences of rejecting Him (1:24; Psalm 81:12; Acts 7:42).
Why list specific sins (1:29–31)?
To show the extent of human depravity—greed, murder, deceit, etc.—resulting from rejecting God, applicable to all (1:29; Galatians 5:19–21).
How is creation evidence for God (1:20)?
Nature reveals God’s power and divine nature, leaving people without excuse for denying Him (1:20; Psalm 19:1–4; Acts 17:27).
How does this apply today?
Believers should boldly share the gospel, live by faith, and recognize all need God’s grace, avoiding idolatry and sin (1:16; Colossians 3: Bourdieu: 1.6.1–2).
Additional Notes for Readers
Historical Context: Written around AD 57 from Corinth, Romans 1 addresses a mixed Roman church of Jews and Gentiles (Romans 2:17; Acts 18:2). Paul’s apostolic call (1:1) reflects his mission to Gentiles (Acts 9:15). The gospel’s Old Testament roots (1:2) appealed to Jewish believers (Isaiah 53:5). Idolatry (1:23) was rampant in Roman culture, with emperor worship and pagan temples (Acts 17:16). The sins listed (1:29–31) mirror Greco-Roman moral decay (Ephesians 4:17–19). God’s wrath (1:18) counters Roman views of capricious gods (Acts 17:22–23).
Cultural Questions: Readers may ask about Paul’s eagerness (1:15). He saw Rome as a mission hub (Acts 19:21). “Greeks and barbarians” (1:14) reflects Roman social classes (1 Corinthians 1:22–24). Creation’s witness (1:20) aligns with Jewish theology (Psalm 97:6). “Exchanged natural relations” (1:26–27) addresses specific sins but reflects broader rebellion (Jude 1:7). The sin list (1:29–31) includes social sins, showing universal guilt (Romans 3:10). The gospel’s power (1:16) challenged Roman skepticism (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Application: Romans 1 urges believers to proclaim the gospel boldly, trust God’s righteousness, and turn from idolatry to worship Him. It calls for humility in recognizing universal sin and gratitude for salvation (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Timothy 1:15).
Back to blog