Romans 1

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 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.

What does Romans 1:10 mean?

Explanation

Romans 1:10 is a passage where the apostle Paul expresses his heartfelt desire to visit the believers in Rome.

He reveals a deep longing to have a prosperous journey, meaning he hopes for success and safety, as he travels to meet them.

Notably, he qualifies his wish by acknowledging that this journey should unfold "by the will of God," indicating his submission to God's divine plan over his own wishes.

The verse emphasizes Paul's dependence on God's guidance and providence for his mission and his recognition that his own plans are secondary to God's purpose.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

The Epistle to the Romans is generally agreed to have been written by Paul around A.D. 57, from Corinth, during his third missionary journey.

At this point, Paul had not yet visited Rome, but the church there was already established.

Rome was the center of the vast Roman Empire, a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and religions.

It is likely that the Roman church was composed of both Gentile and Jewish Christians. Paul's longing to visit stems from both his pastoral desire to meet and encourage the Roman believers and his strategic mission to preach the gospel in the heart of the empire.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse reveals several key themes:

Prayer: Paul's request indicates that he regularly prays for the opportunity to visit Rome, showing the importance he places on prayer in his ministry.
Providence: Paul's understanding of a prosperous journey "by the will of God" reflects a deep trust in God's sovereignty and providence.
Mission: The Apostle's mission is driven by the desire to share the gospel, and his travels are a significant part of this calling.

Practical Applications

Romans 1:10 can be applied in daily life by:

Emphasizing the importance of including God's will in our plans and decisions. 2.

Encouraging believers to pray regularly for the success of their endeavors, always within the context of God's sovereignty. 3.

Reminding us to trust in God's timing and to be patient for answers to prayer, understanding that delays may also be part of His will.

Cross-References

James 4:15: "For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
Proverbs 3:6: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Acts 18:21: "But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will.

And he sailed from Ephesus."

Language Study

Key words in Romans 1:10 in the original Greek include:

"Making request" (deomenos): This word carries the notion of pleading or beseeching, which implies intensity in Paul's prayer.
"Prosperous" (euodousthai): Derived from eu (well) and hodos (way), this suggests a journey with favorable outcomes.
"By the will of" (en thelēmati): Signifying 'in the desire or determination' of, it refers to the divine will or intention of God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea of travel being subject to divine will is not unique to Christianity and can be seen in other cultures and religions.

For instance, in ancient Roman and Greek mythology, the favor of the gods was often invoked for a successful journey.

In Islam, the phrase "Insha'Allah" (if God wills) is commonly used to denote the same submission to God's will in planning future events.

Scientific Perspectives

Although the verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, contemporary scientific actions such as planning space travel or medical missions might parallel Paul's journey planning in Romans 1:10.

Such endeavors can be seen in the context of meticulous human planning while recognizing the unpredictability and vast complexity of nature, an acknowledgment that even with the best plans, outcomes can be influenced by factors beyond human control.

Commentaries

Commentators offer various perspectives on this verse:

John Stott notes the importance of Paul's acknowledgment of God's will in his plans, reflecting the balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. 2.

Douglas Moo comments on Paul's intense desire for fellowship with the Roman Christians and how it illustrates the priority of Christian unity and mutual edification. 3.

William Barclay highlights how, for Paul, the advancement of the gospel always took precedence over personal ambition, seen in his readiness to adjust his plans according to God's will.

Romans 1

Romans 1

What does Romans 1:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Romans 1:10 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?