Romans 1 (Part1)

          Paul’s epistle to the church at Rome starts with a lengthy greeting which includes the gist of the Gospel and how Paul is connected to them by the Gospel and how Paul is commissioned by the Jesus of the Gospel to be his apostle. The main intention of Paul seems like he wants his readers to know that this letter carries apostolic authority. Paul has not been to Rome or to the churches in Rome. He is introducing himself as the apostle to the gentiles, who has been called to take the Gospel to the non – Jewish people of his times. His aim is to reach Spain, the very end of the Roman Empire and plant the Church of Jesus there. But in the meantime, he wants to fulfil his calling by writing to the Roman Church, which is on the way to Spain. He has an obligation to make clear the contents of the Gospel(chapters 1-4), it’s privileges and responsibilities (chapters 5 -8), how God has brought the Gospel into the world both to individuals and to communities (Chapter 9 – 11) and how Gospel works out in the life of those who have been called into it (11 – 16).  

            Like any other introduction, this letter has a ‘who is writing’ and a ‘who will be reading’ parts. Who is writing this letter? Paul, of course. But who is Paul? He is an Apostle, who has been set apart by God for a special cause. What is an Apostle? An apostle is a messenger. What is his message? The good news about Christ. Who is this Christ? He is according to his human genealogy, a descendent of King David and who in the spirit is the Son of God –in power, in whom God has vested all power and authority. This was declared or pointed out most explicitly by his resurrection from the dead. All these details about Jesus were declared beforehand by prophets, through whom Jesus was promised, as God's expression of love for humanity. Jesus had specifically called Paul to be his apostle. He has been called, commissioned and consecrated by God to take the good news of Jesus to the non – Jewish people. This includes the people in Rome, the church to whom this letter is addressed. God loves these Romans and is called them out to be saints. As opposed to Rome, which was filled with sinners, the members of church in Rome were called to be saints. God loves them and therefore they who have received his love were called to reflect his goodness, holiness and love.

           The conventional greeting included ‘Grace’ which means ‘unmerited favour from God’ and ‘peace’ which is the Hebrew ‘shalom’, indicating wholeness and prosperity in everything. These blessing flow from God, the benevolent loving father and his Son Jesus Christ, who is the Lord or ruler of all creation. Only those who are in right relationship with God can have these blessings. The Gospel is the call of God to that right relationship with him, the call of love from the creator to his creation to repent and be reconciled to him through Jesus.