Romans 1:1-32

August 9 / Romans 1:1-32

Romans

This letter was obviously written before Paul finally visited Rome. He makes it clear from the outset that he wants to visit Rome in order to preach the gospel to the people there. We saw yesterday in Acts 28 that he got to do just that. It is also worth noting that he expected that he and the Romans would mutually encourage each other. This is how each visit between believers should normally be. And this is how it was. Acts 28 tells us that some of the brothers traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet Paul and his party. It also tells that that “at the sight of these men Paul thanked God and was encouraged.”

This letter is often pointed to as the closest of any document to presenting Paul’s systematic theology. Here are some points from this important first chapter to note in considering his theology.

First, Paul considered the gospel to be supreme over all other thoughts or systems. The reason for this is simple. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of all who believe. It cam first to the Jew but is by no means limited to Jews. It has the power to make us righteous by faith.

In contrast to the faith that brings righteousness we have man’s “wisdom.” This wisdom is opposed to God and intentionally does all it can to suppress the knowledge of Him. This wisdom has caused men to reject God and worship created things including other men. Furthermore, because of this God allows then to reap the fruit of their “wisdom.” This fruit is an ever more degrading spiral that ultimately brings them to the point of not only doing depraved things but applauding others for their depravity.

So far Paul is reading our mail pretty well. It’s a good thing this is only the first chapter. I think this is going somewhere good, so let’s press on.