Introduction
Romans 1:1–17: Paul’s letter to the Romans provides a careful summary of the good news about Jesus Christ. Paul wrote this letter about 55–56 A.D. to introduce himself to the followers of Christ in Rome, who likely included new Gentile Christians as well as Jewish Christians. In today’s reading, Paul points out that he is an apostle called to preach the good news. He offers a prayer of thanks for the Roman Christians and states his confidence in the gospel which is “God’s power to save all who believe.”
Today’s Key Verse: Romans 1:17b GNT
As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.”
Read
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and separated unto the Gospel of God,
2 which He had promised before by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
3 concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh,
4 and was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead,
5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name,
6 among whom ye also are the called of Jesus Christ.
7 To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
9 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,
10 making request that now at length and by any means I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift to the end that ye may be established:
12 that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of both you and me.
13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I have purposed to come unto you (but was prevented hitherto), that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
14 I am debtor both to the Greeks and to the barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise;
15 so, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you also who are at Rome.
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written: “The just shall live by faith.”
Reflect
Reread verses 2–7. How does Paul describe the Good News? How does he describe what he is called to do? What does the “Good News” mean to you? According to Paul, what is the power of the gospel (verses 16–17)?
Pray
Holy God, I have complete confidence in the gospel, knowing that it is your power to save all who believe and that, through faith, I am put right with you. Thank you, Lord God, for your saving love. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Romans 12:1–21: The apostle Paul describes life in God’s service.
