THROUGH HIM AND FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE

Romans 1:1-17
Key Verse: 5

“Through him and for his name’s sake we received grace and apostleship to call people
from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

1. How does Paul introduce himself to the Romans (1a)?

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus…” Ro 1:1a

As a servant of God. The NLT translates it to “slave”.

What does it mean to be a servant of Christ Jesus (1a; Ro 1:6; 6:16; 7:14)?

“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus…” Ro 1:1a

“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Ro 1:6

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you
are slaves to the one whom you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to
death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” Ro 6:16

“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.” Ro 7:14

In these passages you see the contrast between being a slave to sin and a slave to
Christ. Although, we know that it is not as simple as stated above, the passages make it
abundantly clear that one cannot be a slave to Christ and also be a slave to sin – it is
impossible! Through Christ we are relieved of our worldly desires.

Serving Christ means obedience to God – most often we can be obedient through belief,
worship, and by serving others. Serving Christ also means overcoming the temptation of
sin – only through Christ can we overcome the temptations of the flesh.

Called to be an apostle (1b)?

“…called to be an apostle…” Ro 1:1b

I am currently reading “The Case for Christ”. In it, the author methodically picks apart
common questions associated with the bible, one being that none of the stories or words
of Jesus were written down until 30-60 years after his death. While its true that the
gospels did not appear until relatively long after Christ, Paul's letters can be dated back
to 2 years after the crucifixion.

Set apart for the gospel of God (1c; Gal 1:15)?

“…and set apart for the gospel of God…” Ro 1:1c

 “But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased…”
Gal 1:15

Paul realizes his mission. His devotion and faith are uncommon. Thank God for sending
the first missionary to us Gentiles.

2. What is the gospel that was “promised beforehand through his prophets” (2)?

“…the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures…” Ro
1:2

God promised Jesus long before his arrival through the prophets of the old testament.

Who is Jesus (3)?

“…regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David…” Ro 1:3

Jesus was human but at the same time the divine son of God Almighty.

What does his “resurrection from the dead” mean (4)?

“…and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God
by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.” Ro 1:4

Jesus rised from the dead and appeared to his disciples. Christ's resurrection is the most
powerful sign that He truly was the messiah and the son of God. It was the resurrection
that made God's intention for Jesus clear

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die. John 11:25-26a

Jesus said, “So, you believe because you've seen with your own eyes. Even better
blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29

What was Paul’s confession regarding Jesus (4b)?

”…Jesus Christ our Lord.” Ro 1:4b

3. What is the source of strength of Christians (5a; Acts 22:14-16)?

“Through him and for his name's sake…” Ro 1:5a

“Then he said: 'The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the
Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all men of
what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized
and wash your sins away, calling on his name.' ” Acts 22:14-16

Strength comes from belief in the risen Christ. Christians hearts are moved by God's
grace.

What is the purpose of Christian (5b; 1Co 15:10)?

“…we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the
obedience that comes from faith.” Ro 1:5b

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No,
I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.” 1Co
15:10

Paul regards his calling as a heavenly gift. The purpose of his apostleship is for
obedience to the faith among all nations, for His name. Paul wants to bring the nations of
the world, both Jew and Gentile, into obedience to the faith (i.e., the body of doctrine
which he teaches). among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ: The expression
the called is a favorite one of the apostle to indicate those who have trusted the Lord
Jesus as Savior

4. What is grace and apostleship (5c)?

“…we received grace and apostleship…” Ro 1:5c

Grace — favor or kindness shown without regard to the worth or merit of the one who
receives it and in spite of what that person deserves. Grace is one of the key attributes
of God. The Lord God is “merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abounding in
goodness and truth” (Ex. 34:6). Therefore, grace is almost always associated with
mercy, love, compassion, and patience.

Apostleship – spreading the gospel of Christ. An apostle is a messenger for God.

What was the mission that was given to Paul (5d)?

“…to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” Ro
1:5d

To call all people to faith in God through Jesus.

 What does grace and apostleship mean to you?

Share the peace and comfort that I only received through faith to others. To spread the
message that being good in the world's eyes is not good enough. We are all sinners and
it is only through belief in Jesus that we can be cleansed hearts and have a true
relationship with God.

5. What was God’s calling and hope for the Romans (6)?
“And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” Ro 1:6

Paul hoped that the message of Christ would be universally accepted in Rome.

What made Paul so thankful for the saints in Rome (7-10)?

“To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you
from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through
Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God,
whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how
constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by
God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you.” Ro 1:7-10

They had great faith especially in the face of harsh treatment.

6. What was the reason that Paul wanted to visit them (11)?
“I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong…”
Ro 1:11

Paul wanted to help them – give them spiritual knowledge. Like any great man of God, Paul
wanted to share what he had come to realize with as many people as possible.

What spiritual gift did he want to give them (12)?

“…that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith.” Ro 1:12

What was his obligation to them and to all people (13-15)?

“I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you
(but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest
among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. I am obligated both to Greeks
and nonGreeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach
the gospel also to you who are at Rome.” Ro 1:13-15

Paul's obligation is to spread the gospel to all people – the educated, the uneducated,
the poor, the rich, the healthy, the sick.
7. What is the attitude toward the gospel of Jesus Christ (16)?

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of
everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Ro 1:16

His attitude is one that displays Paul's love and willingness to teach all people. Paul is a deep
believer in the gospel of Christ and wants to share this joy with others.

What is the righteousness from God that is revealed in the gospel (17a)?

“For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed…” Ro 1:17a

What does “by faith from first to last” mean (17b)?

“…a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will
live by faith.’ ” Ro 1:17b

From faith to faith means faith is at the beginning of the salvation process, and it is the
goal as well. When a person first exercises faith in Christ, that person is saved from the
penalty of sin and declared righteous. As the believer lives by faith, God continues to
save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously (v. 16). the righteousness of
God: A key concept in Romans. God is righteous because He always acts in accord with
His holy character and His promises to people. Because He is righteous, He condemns
sin and judges sinners (1:18—3:20). Because of that same righteousness, He has
provided through Christ forgiveness for all who believe (justification; 3:21—5:21) and
power for living a holy life in right relationship to Himself (sanctification; 6:1—8:39).
God's righteousness shows itself in His faithful keeping of His promise to the Jews (9:1
—11:36), and in His careful instructions for the Christian's daily walk of holiness (12:1—
15:13).

* In what sense does “through him and for his name’s sake” provide a solid
foundation for a faithful and fruitful Christian life?