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 1:6 mean?

Explanation

Romans 1:6 speaks directly to the recipients of Paul’s letter, which extends to all believers in Jesus Christ, highlighting their inclusion in the call to belong to Jesus Christ.

The verse emphasizes the communal and universal aspect of the Christian faith, which transcends geographical and ethnic boundaries.

It signifies that those being addressed are part of a larger group of individuals who are called to live according to the teachings and person of Jesus Christ.

This calling is not just a general invitation; it implies a divine selection and a purposeful designation to live as followers of Christ, reflecting His character and participating in His mission.

Top Rated Romans Books

Historical Context

The Book of Romans is an epistle written by the Apostle Paul to the Christian community in Rome around A.D. 57.

At that time, Rome was the capital of the Roman Empire and a melting pot of cultures and religions.

The Christian community there was diverse, composed of both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Paul wrote this letter to address theological issues, to unify the believers, and to prepare the ground for his planned visit to Rome.

Paul’s message is rooted in the early Christian understanding that the Gospel was for all people, Jew and Gentile alike.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Romans 1:6 touches on several important doctrines:

The Doctrine of Calling: This verse underscores that believers are called by God to belong to Jesus Christ. This calling is an act of God's grace and is central to the Christian doctrine of salvation.
The Universal Church: The phrase "among whom are ye also" points to the idea of the universal church, a body of believers that spans the entire globe, crossing cultural and ethnic lines.
Divine Election: The verse could also be seen through the lens of divine election, suggesting that there is a specific divine intention behind the calling of each believer.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse reminds Christians that:

They are part of a global community and should strive for unity and understanding across cultural divides.
Their faith is not just personal but communal; they are to support and encourage one another as fellow call recipients.
They should live with a sense of purpose, reflecting that they have been called by God for a specific reason, which includes witnessing to others and living a life that honors God.

Cross-References

Ephesians 1:18 - "The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,"
1 Corinthians 1:9 - "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."

Language Study

The key word in Romans 1:6 is "called" (Greek: κλητοὶ, klētoi).

This term is used throughout the New Testament to describe those who are invited or summoned by God to experience the benefits of the Gospel and to fulfill His purposes.

The sense of being "called" conveys not only an invitation but also a selection and inclusion into a special role or relationship.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient religions and myths, the concept of being "called" or chosen by the gods was not uncommon. Divine election was the basis for leadership roles in societies like ancient Israel and for the hero's journey in many mythological narratives.

However, the Christian concept, as presented by Paul, is unique in that the called are not just heroes or kings but every believer, making the divine invitation a much more inclusive and personal matter.

Scientific Perspectives

Science may not directly speak to the concept of a divine calling, as this is a spiritual and theological matter.

However, the sense of purpose and belonging that comes with feeling "called" can have positive psychological effects, such as increased life satisfaction and community engagement, which coincide with studies on well-being.

Commentaries

Contemporary Bible scholars and theologians offer various interpretations of Romans 1:6:

Some emphasize the ecumenical message, pointing out that the 'called' are from varied backgrounds yet united in Christ.
Others focus on the notion of divine calling as it relates to individual purpose and the shaping of one's identity in relation to God's will.
Still, others might delve into the implications of being called for the way Christians engage with the world and society, highlighting a life of service and testimony.

Romans 1

Romans 1

What does Romans 1:6 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 1:6 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?