Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God, (2) which He promised before, through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, (3) concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, (4) and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.  (5) Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, (6) among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;

(7) To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul identifies himself as the author of the letter to the Romans.  He establishes his credentials and states his mission in the very first verse of today’s reading. The intended readers are located at Rome and Paul writes to them a rather complete exposition of the gospel he had been preaching for almost 20 years.

First Paul calls himself a bondservant to Jesus Christ – he is no longer a servant of sin, of man or the law of Moses (the tradition of man).  He was called to be an apostle and this call was divinely initiated according to the will of God –  Paul was set apart by God “from his mother’s womb”.  This God given authority implied that he (Paul) was the authorative representative of Christ Jesus – to witness to the resurrection of Christ Jesus – and to be the messenger of the gospel for salvation of lost sinners, Jew or Gentile.  In these verses we are studying Paul’s gospel as historical fact.   If there was no resurrection there was no forgiveness.  Jesus is the conduit of grace to humanity – it is a free gift from the Father but comes through the Son.  Paul stresses the obedience of faith – in Romans Paul is setting aside religious duties and a faith in the living Christ is substituted.  All are invited to believe that Christ died for sinners – the whole world – it is a message for all nations.

The Letter to the Romans is called the theology of the Old Testament.  (Paul was certainly himself a Rabbi and studied at the feet of Gameliel, the most revered  biblical scholar of Paul’s time.)  Salvation in both the Old Testament and the New Testament teach that man is declared justified – right with God – thru personal faith.   All biblical history leads to the Messiah who died for salvation of man.  Faith in Christ Jesus is all.

Romans is appropriate to study at Christmas, as it is Christ centered.    The reason Christ was born into this world is told in the gospel of Matthew:   The angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph, telling him that Mary is with child by the Holy Spirit and he is to take her for his wife.  And, by the way, Joseph should call his name Jesus “for he will save people from their sins”.  The prophets of the Old Testament also testify that the Messiah,  true man according to the flesh, and also declared to be son of God will come to bring salvation to sinful man.   Isaiah (9:6) prophesied:

“For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given;

And the government will be upon His shoulder.

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Merry and blessed Christmas to all my readers.  amen