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Romans 1:1-32
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,
separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised
afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son
Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David
according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with
power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection
from the dead: By whom we have received grace and
apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his
name: Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To
all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace
to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all,
that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God
is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his
Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my
prayers; Making request, if by any means now at length I might
have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift, to the end ye may be established; That is, that I may be
comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and
me. Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that
oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,)
that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among
other Gentiles. I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the
Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as
in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at
Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it
is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the
righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is
written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is
revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them;
for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of
him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being
understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power

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and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that,
when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither
were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their
foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise,
they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible
God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds,
and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also
gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served
the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.
Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for
even their women did change the natural use into that which is
against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural
use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men
with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in
themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And
even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God
gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which
are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness,
fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of
envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters,
haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding,
covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable,
unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which
commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same,
but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 1
Contents: Words of comfort to the church at Rome. The
universe a revelation of the power and deity of God. The
deplorable condition of a lost world.
Characters: God, Jesus, Paul.
Conclusion: God has made Himself known to all men by the
things of His creation. Though men know He exists and might

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infer that it was their duty to worship Him only, they glorify Him
not as God, but ascribe deity to the most contemptible of
creatures and give themselves over to vile affections. Those
who thus dishonor Him, will be given up eventually to dishonor
themselves.
Key Word: Carnality, Rom 1:24.
Strong Verses: Rom 1:4, Rom 1:16, Rom 1:19, Rom 1:20,
Rom 1:21.
Striking Facts: Rom 1:4. The demonstration of the deity of
Jesus Christ is His resurrection from the dead. The sign of the
prophet Jonah (Mat 12:39) was intended for the last conviction.
Those who will not be convinced by that will not be convinced by
anything.
Romans 1
Address, Introduction, and Theme
Chapter 1 contains two distinct parts: Rom 1:1-17 form the
introductory portion of the Epistle; Rom 1:18-32 give the proof
that the Gentiles need the gospel from the fact of their
sinfulness exposing them to the wrath of God. (This statement
is the first half of the first main division of the doctrinal part of
the Epistle. See Introduction §3, in the Romans Book Comments
and notes on Rom 1:16; Rom 1:18.) We divide Rom 1:1-17 into
three sections: Rom 1:1-7 contain the Address and Greeting (in
an unusually full form); Rom 1:8-15 constitute the Introduction
proper, since they give the occasion for this Apostle’s writing to
the Roman Christians; by an easy transition he then passes to
the Main Theme of the Epistle, which is stated in Rom 1:16, and
further explained in Rom 1:17.
Romans 1
INTRODUCTION
This chapter contains the inscription of the epistle, and
salutation, the preface to it, and the grand proposition of
justification by faith, so much enlarged on afterwards; and that

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this could not be by the law of nature, and the works of it
among the Gentiles, is demonstrated by a detail of their horrible
wickedness, impiety, and unrighteousness. In the inscription an
account is given of the author of the epistle, who is described in
Rom 1:1 by his name Paul: by his relation to Christ, a servant of
his; and by his office, an apostle, whose business and concern
were with the Gospel; to which he was separated. This Gospel is
commended from the author of it, who is God himself; and from
the antiquity of it, Rom 1:2, being as ancient as the writings of
the prophets; and from the subject of it, being the Lord Jesus
Christ; who is described by his relation to God, his Son, by his
dominion over the saints, their Lord, by both his natures,
human and divine; his human nature, as being of the seed of
David, his divine nature, being the Son of God, Rom 1:4, which
is declared by the power he is possessed of, by the Spirit of
holiness that is in him, by his resurrection from the dead, and
by the apostles receiving from him grace to fit them for their
office, and by the office itself: the end of which was to make
some among all nations obedient to him, Rom 1:5, among
whom were the saints at Rome, who were called by him, and
after his name, Rom 1:6, which introduces the account of the
persons to whom this epistle is written, who are described, Rom
1:7, by the place of their abode, Rome; by their interest in the
love of God; and by the effect, fruit, and evidence of it, their
effectual calling; and then follows the apostle's usual salutation,
as in all his epistles, in which he wishes grace and peace for
them, from God the Father, and from Christ. The preface begins
Rom 1:8, in which are a thanksgiving to God, through Christ, for
all the saints at Rome, particularly on account of their faith, for
which they were everywhere so famous; an appeal to God, Rom
1:9, for the truth of his incessant prayers for them, and
particularly, Rom 1:10, that this was a request he made, that if
it was the will of God, he might have a speedy and prosperous
journey to, them; an expression of strong affection to them, and
of his great desire to see them, Rom 1:11, his end in which was
partly for their sakes, to communicate spiritual things to them
for their establishment, and partly for his own comfort, and the
increase of the mutual faith of both, Rom 1:12, also a

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vindication of himself, Rom 1:13, showing, that it was not any
fault of his, or any neglect of them by him, that he had not been
with them as yet, but some things hindered him, in the
execution of his purpose to come to them; to which he was
moved, partly by the hope of having fruit among them, as
among others, and partly through the obligation that lay upon
him by virtue of his office, to preach the Gospel to all sorts of
men, Rom 1:14, he expresses his willingness and readiness to
preach the Gospel to them at Rome, as soon as an opportunity
would offer, Rom 1:15, which was his work and office, what he
delighted in, was closely attached to, and by no means ashamed
of, Rom 1:16, partly because of the nature of it, it was the
Gospel, good news and true: and partly because of the author
and subject of it, Christ; as also because of the efficacy of it in
the salvation of Jews and Gentiles; and likewise because of a
principal doctrine revealed in it, Rom 1:17, the doctrine of
justification by faith, in the righteousness of Christ, confirmed
and illustrated by a passage out of Hab 2:4, and which he
particularly mentions, because he intended to dwell upon it in
this epistle: and in order to show that the Gentiles could not be
justified in the sight of God by their obedience to the law, and
the light of nature, he observes, that they were the objects of
the wrath of God, Rom 1:18, and that very justly, because they
sinned knowingly; they had some knowledge of the truth, but
they would not profess it: and that they had such knowledge of
it, he proves from the author of it, God, who showed it to them,
Rom 1:19, and from the means of it, by which they must, and
did arrive to some degree of it, namely, the works of creation,
Rom 1:20. The apostle goes on to expose the ingratitude of
them, the vanity of their minds, the pride and folly of their
hearts, Rom 1:21, the gross idolatry they were guilty of, Rom
1:23, for which idolatry they were given up to their own hearts'
lusts, to commit the foulest and most scandalous iniquities,
even to commit sodomitical practices, and unnatural lusts, both
men and women, Rom 1:24. And so far were they from having a
righteousness to justify them before God, that they were titled
with all unrighteousness; and a large list of the vilest sins, being
committed by them, is given; and a catalogue of the worst of

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sinners, as among them, Rom 1:29. All which are aggravated by
their knowledge of the will of God, through the light of nature,
that these things were contrary to it, and were deserving of
death; and yet they both did them, and were delighted with
those that committed them also: the inference which he leaves
to be deduced from hence, and which may easily be deduced,
is, that therefore there can be no justification of such persons in
the sight of God by their own works.
Romans 1
SUMMARY.--Paul's Salutation to the Church at Rome. His Deep
Interest in its Welfare. His Confidence in the Gospel. It the
Power of God. The Argument Begun in Verse 18. The Sins of the
Gentile World. The Gentile World under Condemnation.
Romans 1
A.M. 4064. — A.D. 60.
Here,
(1) Paul asserts his apostolic commission, and represents Christ
as the great subject of his ministry, Rom 1:1-6.
(2) He salutes the saints at Rome; thanks God for their faith;
and assures them that he constantly prayed for them,
requesting that his way might be made plain to visit them, in
order to their further establishment and his own comfort, Rom
1:7-12.
(3) He informs them that, though he had hitherto been
prevented, he had often purposed to come to them, being
desirous of having fruit of his labours among them as well as
other Gentiles, to all whom he considered himself a debtor, Rom
1:13-15.
(4) He declares, how much soever men might despise the
gospel, he was not ashamed to preach it even at Rome, for this
general reason, that it is the great and powerful means of
salvation, both to the Jews and Gentiles, through faith, Rom
1:16, Rom 1:17.

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(5) That all mankind stood in need of the salvation announced
by it, being involved in guilt, and exposed to the wrath of God
for acting contrary to the light afforded them, Rom 1:18-21.
(6) He gives a just, but awful description of the abandoned
state into which the Gentiles were fallen, Rom 1:22-32.
Romans 1
St. Paul shows the Romans his Divine call to the apostleship,
and for what end he was thus called, Rom 1:1-6. His salutation
to the Church at Rome, and his commendation of their faith,
Rom 1:7, Rom 1:8. His earnest desire to see them, that he
might impart to them some spiritual gifts, Rom 1:9-15. His
description of the Gospel of Christ, Rom 1:16, Rom 1:17. The
crimes and profligacy of the Gentile world, which called aloud for
the judgments of God, Rom 1:18-32.
Preliminary Observations
Different interpreters have divided this epistle into certain parts
or divisions, by which they suppose its subject and matter may
be the better understood. Some of these divisions have been
mentioned in the preceding preface.
The epistle contains three grand divisions.
I. The Preface, Romans 1:1-17.
II. The Tractation, or setting forth of the main subject,
including two sections:
1. Dogmatic, or what relates to doctrine.
2. Paraenetic, or what relates to the necessity and
importance of the virtues and duties of the Christian life.
The dogmatic part is included in the first eleven chapters, the
grand object of which is to show that eternal salvation cannot

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be procured by any observance of the Jewish law, and can be
hoped for only on the Christian scheme; for by the works of
the law no man can be justified; but what the law could not
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God has
accomplished by sending his Son into the world, who,
becoming an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. The
paraenetic part commences with Rom 12:1 : I beseech you,
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service, etc.; and extends to Rom
15:14.
III. The peroration or epilogue, which contains the author’s
apology for writing; his commendation of his apostolical
office; his promise to visit them; his request of an interest in
their prayers; his commendations of certain persons, and his
salutations to others. These points are contained in the
succeeding parts of the epistle, from Rom 15:14 to Rom
16:24. The 25th, 26th, and 27th verses (Rom 16:25-27) of
this chapter evidently belong to another part of the epistle,
and should come in, as they do in a vast majority of the best
MSS., after Rom 14:23.
For every thing necessary to a general knowledge of the epistle
itself, see the preceding preface.
The inscriptions to this epistle are various in the different MSS.
and versions. The following are the principal: - To the Romans -
The Epistle of Paul to the Romans - The Epistle of Paul the
Apostle to the Romans - The Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to
the Romans. The word αγιος, holy, we have translated saint;
and thus, instead of saying the holy Paul, etc., we say Saint
Paul, etc.; and this is now brought into general use. The older
the MSS. are, the more simple the appellatives given to apostles
and apostolic men.
Romans 1
Chapter summary. Paul identifies himself as an apostle, set
apart to spread a Gospel which brings grace and peace from

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God (1:1–7). Paul shares his desire to visit Rome and defines
the theme on which he is writing: a Gospel which brings
salvation and righteousness to everyone who believes (vv. 8–
17).
Salvation is desperately needed by a race which rightly lies
under divine wrath (v. 18). For humanity has reacted against
God, rejecting the knowledge all men have of Him (vv. 19–20),
preferring to create their own gods and follow a pathway which
leads inexorably to ever greater depravities (vv. 21–32).
Cast against the dark background of lost man’s corrupt
society, what “good news” the Gospel is! Humanity has not
chosen to know God. But God has chosen to reveal His love and
grace to man anew.
Key verse. 1:17: Faith is the beginning and the end.
Personal application. Without Christ, this could be you!
Key concepts. Apostle Mark 3. Holy Spirit Exodus 35-38,
Romans 8. Peace Philippians 1. Faith Genesis 15, Romans 4.
Righteousness Romans. Wrath Exodus 21-22, Exodus 32-34.
Idolatry Isaiah 44-45. Homosexuality Genesis 18-19.
INSIGHT
Self-identity (1:1). Paul sees himself as a servant of Christ on
a mission. What a positive way for us to see ourselves too.
Jesus’ nature (1:3–4). These verses clearly affirm both the
humanity and deity of Jesus. As a descendant of David, His
human nature qualifies Him to be Israel’s Messiah (Isa. 11:1).
Jesus’ resurrection (1:4). The literal, physical resurrection of
Jesus didn’t make Him God’s Son, but demonstrated
conclusively that He is the Son of God. Recognizing this reality,
Paul gives Jesus His appropriate title as deity: Jesus (personal
name) Christ (O.T. identity as Israel’s promised Messiah) our
Lord (identification with Yahweh, the personal name of God in
the O.T., Exodus 2-3).

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Paul’s attitude (1:12). Servants live among God’s people as
one of them. They do not use their position to lift themselves
above others.
“The Gospel” (1:16). The word means “good news.” The
Christian Gospel is about Jesus (its content) and reveals God’s
gift of righteousness (its significance). It brings salvation (its
outcome) to all who believe (its invitation).
“Faith from first to last” (1:17). Salvation has past
(forgiveness), present (power to live a godly life), and future
(resurrection transformation) aspects. Faith in Christ is the key
to experience every aspect of salvation—from first to last.
The wrath of God revealed from heaven (1:18). The sin
and injustice that mar society and make life so painful is a
divine judgment on humanity for rejecting Him and choosing
immorality. Crime and injustice both express man’s sinful nature
and constitute a present divine judgment on sin.
“Suppress the truth” (1:18). It’s not that people cannot
know the truth about God. The problem is that they actually
stifle the truth they do know.
Creation’s witness (1:19–20). Creation is God’s “radio
station,” sending the message that God exists to all. Paul
implies more. Human beings are created with an internal radio
receiver. People see this truth and understand it—but suppress
rather than respond to God’s self-revelation.
“Although they knew God” (1:21). Man’s sinfulness is not
seen just in wicked acts but in the way people respond to God.
A couple on a date hold hands because they feel close and want
to become closer. But when men “knew God,” rather than
worship Him they quickly jerked their hands away—to worship
creatures rather than the Creator.
The consequences of rejecting God (1:26–32). Paul lists as
consequences the ultimate depravities: in morals,
homosexuality (vv. 26–27); in character, wickedness and greed
(vv. 28–29); in relationships, envy, murder, deceit, and malice
(vv. 30–31); in polity, publicly approving those things they
know God condemns (v. 32).1
1
Larry Richards, The Bible Reader's Companion, Includes Index. (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1991), 737.

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Romans 1
SECTION OUTLINE ONE
Paul opens his letter to the Roman church by talking about
God’s anger with sin. The opening chapter may be thought of as
a trial, where God is the judge and sinful humans are the
accused.
I. THE COURT RECORDER (1:1–17): Here Paul, author of
Romans, provides his readers with some pretrial introductory
material.
A. His credentials (1:1, 5): Paul relates four facts about
himself.
1. He is a servant of Jesus (1:1a).
2. He is an apostle (1:1b).
3. He has been set apart to preach the gospel (1:1c).
4. He is a missionary to the Gentiles (1:5).
B. His Christ (1:2–4)
1. The Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament (1:2).
2. The Messiah is now proclaimed in the New Testament
(1:3–4).
a. In regard to his human nature (1:3): He is a descendant of
David.
b. In regard to his divine nature (1:4): His resurrection
proves his deity.
C. His congregation (1:6–15): Paul writes this epistle to a
local church assembly.
1. The identity of this church (1:6–7): It is the congregation
in Rome.
2. The intercession for this church (1:8–10)
a. His praise of them (1:8): Paul praises them for their
universally known faith.
b. His prayers for them (1:9–10): He prays for the church
and asks God that he be allowed to visit them.

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3. The interest in this church (1:11–13)
a. Paul desires to see them (1:11–12).
b. Paul desires to serve them (1:13): He desires to sow seed
among them.
4. The indebtedness to the church (1:14–15): Paul feels an
obligation to minister to them.
D. His confidence (1:16–17): Paul expresses his full
assurance in the power of the gospel to accomplish two things.
1. To bring about saving faith for sinners (1:16): Through
faith a sinner may be saved.
2. To bring about sanctifying faith for saints (1:17): Through
faith a righteous person may have life.
II. THE COURT RECORD (1:18–32): Paul records the evidence
presented at this trial.
A. The general charge (1:18–19): “God shows his anger
from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who push the truth
away from themselves. For the truth about God is known to
them instinctively.”
B. The specific charges (1:20–32)
1. First indictment—inexcusable ignorance (1:20): God has
always revealed his existence and power to mankind.
2. Second indictment—ingratitude (1:21): People are
thankless, refusing to worship their Creator.
3. Third indictment—insolence (1:22): Claiming themselves
to be wise without God, they become fools instead.
4. Fourth indictment—idolatry (1:23): They exchange God’s
glory for idols resembling mere people, birds, animals, and
snakes.

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5. Fifth indictment—immorality (1:24–27): They are guilty of
lesbianism and homosexuality.
6. Sixth indictment—incorrigibility (1:28–32)
a. They embrace their wicked deeds (1:28–31).
b. They endorse their wicked deeds (1:32).2
Romans 1
THE PREACHER OF THE GOOD NEWS
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle,
set apart for the gospel of God, (1:1)
God called a unique man to be the major spokesman for His
glorious good news. Paul was God’s keynote speaker, as it
were, for heralding the gospel. A singularly gifted man, he was
given divine “insight into the mystery of Christ” (Eph. 3:4), “the
mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and
generations; but has now been manifested to His saints” (Col.
1:26). That remarkable Jew with Greek education and Roman
citizenship, with incredible leadership ability, high motivation,
and articulate expression, was specially and directly called,
converted, and gifted by God.
Paul crisscrossed much of the Roman Empire as God’s
ambassador of the good news of Christ. He performed many
healing miracles, yet was not relieved of his own thorn in the
flesh. He raised Eutychus from the dead but was at least once
left for dead himself. He preached freedom in Christ but was
imprisoned by men during many years of his ministry.
In the first verse Paul discloses three important things about
himself in regard to his ministry: his position as a servant of
Christ, his authority as an apostle of Christ, and his power in
being set apart for the gospel of Christ.3
2
H. L. Willmington, The Outline Bible (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999), Ro 1:32.
3
John MacArthur, Romans (Chicago: Moody Press, 1996, c1991, c1994), 4.

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