Introducing Romans (Romans 1:1-7)
Big Idea: Romans is from a gospel-transformed apostle who wrote to a gospel-created church about the gospel that changes everything.
Today, we’re embarking on a study of the most important letter ever written. The book of Romans stands as the theological masterpiece of the New Testament, a profound articulation of Christian doctrine that has shaped both individual faith and church history for centuries.
Martin Luther, whose own life was changed by this book, said that it is “the chief part of the New Testament,” and encouraged believers to "know it word for word, by heart, and occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul." John Calvin said, “If we have gained an understanding of this Epistle, we have an open door to all the most profound treasures of Scripture.”
According to two more contemporary theologians, “No other book of the Bible has so shaped and renewed the church and its thinking” (N.T. Wright and Michael Bird).
And so we’re in for a treat. This journey through Romans will challenge us, yet richly reward our effort. Bring your Bible for cross-referencing, and commit to regular attendance to build understanding. The text requires careful attention and persistence in understanding complex sections. Your personal meditation, memorization, and study between Sundays will help deepen your grasp of these truths. Though demanding, this investment promises genuine transformation. The payback will be more than worth it.
Why Study Romans?
Why should we study Romans? Romans is vital for any church, but especially for a Canadian church today. Let me give you four reasons why.
- Because it grounds us in the gospel—the very heart of our faith—in a time when so many are untethered from biblical truth. Paul wrote Romans to a divided church in a diverse, pluralistic city, not unlike the cultural landscape we face in Canada. His letter addressed tensions between Jewish and Gentile believers, offering a theological foundation to unify them. In the same way, Romans equips us to navigate the challenges of multiculturalism, secularism, and division in our own context.
- Romans doesn’t just teach theology; it transforms lives. It answers the deepest questions people are asking today: How can we be right with God? Where do we find identity and hope? What does it mean to live a meaningful life? Paul’s explanation of salvation through faith in Christ cuts through the noise of self-help and moralism, offering the only message that truly saves and transforms.
- For a Canadian church, Romans also reminds us of the power of the gospel to create a countercultural community. Chapters 12-16 show us how the gospel shapes relationships, fosters humility, and calls us to love and serve one another. In a society that often prioritizes individualism and consumerism, Romans calls us to live as a unified, sacrificial, and mission-driven body of Christ.
- Finally, Romans equips us for mission. Canada is increasingly post-Christian, and many people lack even a basic understanding of the gospel. Romans gives us the tools to articulate the good news clearly and compellingly, showing how it addresses both personal sin and the brokenness of the world. It’s a book that not only strengthens the church but also sends us out with confidence in the power of the gospel to save.
Romans is a theological anchor, a relational guide, and a missional charge. We need gospel clarity in a world characterized by confusion, anxiety, and spiritual disorientation. For a Canadian church navigating the complexities of our time, it’s not just helpful; it’s essential.
Introducing Romans
Today we’re going to dive into the first seven verses of this book, because these early verses set us up to understand the main theme of the book of Romans. If you understand these early verses, you will begin to have a grasp on the main themes that Paul is going to develop in this letter.
I want you to notice three things that this passage tells us.
It’s written by a man who was changed by the gospel (1:1).
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…”
We learn three key things about Paul in this verse:
He’s a slave. Paul identifies not merely as a servant but as a slave—owned, not hired. This word conveys absolute ownership of his master, Christ Jesus. Paul surrendered all autonomy; he had become Christ's possession entirely.
This same reality applies to all believers. "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christ purchased us with his precious blood. We belong wholly to him—yet paradoxically, in this surrender we discover genuine freedom. Becoming a Christian means acknowledging Christ's ownership. We receive our direction from him as Lord, relinquishing self-rule and independence. Our service springs not from obligation but from complete devotion and allegiance, recognizing we belong entirely to him.
He’s called to be an apostle. God himself appointed Paul as an apostle. It was a divine selection, not self-designation. Jesus applied this term to the twelve disciples (Luke 6:12), with Paul later added to their ranks. Having encountered the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-8) and received direct commission to reach the Gentiles, Paul speaks with heaven's authorization.
The apostolic office was limited to those who had personal encounters with Jesus. It was foundational for establishing the early church, and completed with the apostolic generation, so it no longer exists today.
This apostolic authority was significant for the Roman believers who had never met him, just as it is for us today. His words come not merely as personal opinion but as authoritative divine instruction that commands our attention.
He’s set apart for the gospel of God. Paul had been set apart for a specific task. Jesus said of Paul in Acts 9:15: “He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” In Galatians 1:15, Paul says that God set him apart for this purpose from his mother’s womb. This was always God’s intent for Paul’s life. God designated Paul as his gospel messenger—a role that perfectly positions him for the theological exposition he now begins.
That’s Paul. He’s the author of the greatest letter ever written. Understanding who Paul is—his identity, calling, and mission—helps us grasp the weight and purpose of this letter. Romans is not just a theological document; it's a message from a man fully committed to Christ, divinely chosen, and dedicated to spreading the gospel.
Romans was written by a man who was changed by the gospel. Here’s the second thing we learn:
It was written to deepen our understanding of the gospel (1:1c-5).
…set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 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, 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…
Here’s the subject of the book of Romans: the gospel. Already, in verses 2 to 4, Paul defines his gospel. He tells us two main things about the gospel.
The gospel is rooted in Old Testament promises. The good news of Jesus grows from ancient biblical soil. The gospel didn't suddenly appear. It has deep historical roots.
Hundreds of direct Messianic prophecies fill the Old Testament pages. Thousands more allusions, metaphors, and analogies point toward Christ. Jesus himself revealed his presence throughout these ancient Scriptures (Luke 24:27).
The New Testament cannot stand alone. You cannot properly grasp its message without its Old Testament foundation.
The gospel is rooted in Old Testament promises. He also tells us:
The gospel centers on Jesus Christ. Luther observed: "Here the door is thrown open wide for the understanding of Holy Scripture, that is, that everything must be understood in relation to Christ." Calvin adds that "the whole gospel is contained in Christ," and "to move even a step from Christ means to withdraw oneself from the gospel." The gospel isn't merely an idea—it's a person. God's own Son stands at its heart.
Notice the symmetry in Paul's description:
- He was “descended from David according to the flesh”
- He was “declared the Son of God in power according to the Spirit"
These phrases capture the bookends of Jesus' earthly journey. God the Son became human to fulfill God's promise to David and the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah.
In his resurrection, Jesus was publicly declared to be what he always was. His dead body coming to life served as God's announcement to the world of Jesus' divine sonship. As R.C. Sproul explains: "By what evidence do we believe that Jesus is the Son of God? By the testimony of God, who has declared Him to be His Son through the power of the resurrection."
This opening passage reveals the book's central focus. In seven verses, Jesus is mentioned eight times using his name, pronouns, titles, or descriptions, including Son of God, descendant of David, Messiah, and Lord. It’s all about Jesus. He fulfills Old Testament prophecy and is divinely declared through resurrection.
The gospel revolves entirely around Jesus—not Paul's invention, but the reality of God the Son becoming fully human while remaining fully divine. He lived perfectly, died substitutionally, and rose triumphantly. Through him we receive grace. This news transforms lives. Through him, Paul received his mission: announce this news to all nations so people might know these truths, accept them as fact, and trust Jesus personally.
This passage calls us to respond to the gospel with our whole lives. If the gospel is rooted in God’s promises and centers entirely on Jesus, then it demands our trust, allegiance, and action. It means we must immerse ourselves in Scripture, seeing how all of it points to Christ and deepens our confidence in God’s faithfulness. It means making Jesus the center of everything: our decisions, relationships, and priorities, living as those who belong to him. It means proclaiming this good news boldly, sharing the hope of Christ with those around us. And it means living in the power of his resurrection, walking in newness of life with joy and purpose.
The gospel isn’t just a message to believe, it’s a reality that transforms every part of who we are and how we live. Let it shape you, guide you, and send you out for his glory.
We’ve seen that Romans was written by a man who was changed by the gospel. It was written to deepen our understanding of the gospel. There’s one more thing these verses tell us:
It was written to a church that was created through the gospel (1:7).
…including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
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.
The Roman church emerged from the gospel Paul just described. This established congregation likely began with Jewish believers present at Pentecost. Acts 2:10 lists "visitors from Rome" among those who heard Peter's sermon and believed. These converts would have carried the gospel home, with Gentiles gradually joining to form a diverse community.
That explains the human origins. The divine explanation runs deeper: they were "called to belong to Jesus Christ," "loved by God," and "called to be saints." The church's true foundation wasn't human effort but God's supernatural work—calling sinners to himself, loving them, and giving them grace and peace. We are Christians because God has set his love on us.
What is Romans about? It’s about a gospel-transformed apostle who wrote to a gospel-created church about the gospel that changes everything.
What does this passage mean for us?
If the good news of Jesus was central to Paul, the centerpiece of Scripture, and powerful enough to transform Romans living in a godless world two thousand years ago, then it remains just as vital for us today. The gospel isn't merely a collection of ideas—it's about a person. It's about Jesus, who turns persecutors into apostles, sinners into saints, and enemies into beloved children of God.
Love the gospel: Reflect deeply on all God has done for you. Let your heart be captivated by the beauty of his grace and the power of his salvation.
Live in the gospel: Preach it to yourself daily. Remember its truths—your election, justification, sanctification, and glorification. Let it shape your identity and renew your mind.
Live out the gospel: Adorn it with your life as God's child. Let your actions commend its truth to others. Live so your life reflects the gospel's beauty rather than discrediting it.
Let loose the gospel: Share it boldly and widely. Proclaim its message to the lost with urgency and joy, trusting its power to save.
Believe the gospel: Above all, embrace it as God's message for you. Trust its promises and rest in Christ's finished work.
Never underestimate the gospel's power to transform lives and build churches. It's as unstoppable today as it was then. Build your life on it.
