1 PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made 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 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 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.

THE GENTILES' NEED OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
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, if by any means now at length 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 ye may be established;
12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13 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.
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 in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
16 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.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

SOM WILL BE PUNISHED
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 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:
21 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.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 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.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 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.
26 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:
27 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.
28 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;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 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.

1Paul a seruant of Iesus Christ, called to bee an Apostle, separated vnto the Gospel of God,

2(Which he had promised afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures,)

3Concerning his Sonne Iesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of Dauid according to the flesh,

4And declared to be the Sonne of God, with power, according to the Spirit of holinesse, by the resurrection from the dead.

5By whom we haue receiued grace and Apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for his Name,

6Among whom are ye also the called of Iesus Christ.

7To all that be in Rome, beloued of God, called to be Saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ.

8First I thanke my God through Iesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.

9For God is my witnesse, whom I serue with my spirit in the Gospel of his Sonne, that without ceasing I make mention of you, alwayes in my prayers,

10Making request, (if by any meanes now at length I might haue a prosperous iourney by the will of God) to come vnto you.

11For I long to see you, that I may impart vnto you some spirituall gift, to the end you may be established,

12That is, that I may be comforted together with you, by the mutual faith both of you and me.

13Now I would not haue you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come vnto you, (but was let hitherto) that I might haue some fruit among you also, euen as among other Gentiles.

14I am debter both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians, both to the wise, and to the vnwise.

15So, as much as in mee is, I am ready to preach the Gospel to you that are at Rome also.

16For I am not ashamed of the Gopel of Christ: for it is the power of God vnto saluation, to euery one that beleeueth, to the Iew first, and also to the Greeke.

17For therein is the righteousnesse of God reueiled from faith to faith: as it is written, The iust shall liue by faith.

18For the wrath of God is reueiled from heauen against all vngodlinesse, and vnrighteousnesse of men, who hold the trueth in vnrighteousnesse.

19Because that which may bee knowen of God, is manifest in them, for God hath shewed it vnto them.

20For the inuisible things of him from the Creation of the world, are clearely seene, being vnderstood by the things that are made, euen his eternall Power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse:

21Because that when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankefull, but became vaine in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened:

22Professing themselues to be wise, they became fooles:

23And changed the glory of the vncorruptible God, into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birdes, and foure footed beasts, and creeping things:

24Wherefore God also gaue them vp to vncleannesse, through the lusts of their owne hearts, to dishonour their owne bodies betweene themselues:

25Who changed the trueth of God into a lye, and worshipped and serued the creature more then the Creatour, who is blessed for euer. Amen.

26For this cause God gaue them vp vnto vile affections: for euen their women did change the naturall vse into that which is against nature:

27And likewise also the men, leauing the naturall vse of the woman, burned in their lust one towards another, men with men working that which is vnseemely, and receiuing in themselues that recompense of their errour which was meet.

28And euen as they did not like to retaine God in their knowledge, God gaue them ouer to a reprobate minde, to doe those things which are not conuenient:

29Being filled with all vnrighteousnes, fornication, wickednesse, couetousnes, maliciousnes, full of enuie, murther, debate, deceit, malignitie, whisperers,

30Backbiters, haters of God, despitefull, proude, boasters, inuenters of euill things, disobedient to parents;

31Without vnderstanding, couenant breakers, without naturall affection, implacable, vnmercifull;

32Who knowing the iudgement of God, (that they which commit such things, are worthy of death) not onely do the same, but haue pleasure in them that doe them.

I ==Acts 9:15 ; 13:2 ; 22:21

II == Acts 26:6 ; Rom 3:21 ; 16:26 ; Gal 3:8 ; Titus 1:2

III == Matt 1:6 , 16 ; Luke 1:32 ; John 1:14

IV == Acts 13:33 ; Heb 9:14

V == Acts 6:7

VII == Gal 1:3

VIII == Rom 16:19

IX == Rom 9:1 ; 2nd Cor 1:23 ; Phil 1:8

X == Rom 15:23 , 32 ; 1st Thess 3:10

XII == Titus 1:4 ; 2nd Peter 1:1

XIII == Rom 15:23 ; 1st Thess 2:18

XVI == Ps 40:9-10 ; Acts 3:26 ; 13:26 , 46 ; 2nd Tim 1:8

XVII == Hab 2:4 ; Heb 10:38

XVIII == Eph 5:6 ; Col 3:6

XIX == John 1:9

XX == Ps 19:14 ; Acts 14:17 ; 17:27

XXI == Jer 2:5 ; Eph 4:17-18

XXII == Jer 10:14

XXIII == Deut 4:16 ; Ps 106:20 ; Jer 2:11 ; Ezek 8:10

XXIV == Lev 18:22 ; Acts 7:42 1st Cor 6:18 ; Eph 4:18-19

XXV == Isa 44:20 ; Jer 10:14 ; 13:25

XXVI == Lev 18:22-23

XXVIII == Eph 5:4

XXXII == Ps 50:18 ; Hos 7:3

1 Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised previously through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel about his Son, descended from David according to the flesh, 4 but established as Son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness through resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we have received the grace of apostleship, to bring about the obedience of faith, for the sake of his name, among all the Gentiles, 6 among whom are you also, who are called to belong to Jesus Christ; 7 to all the beloved of God in Rome, called to be holy. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I give thanks to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is heralded throughout the world. 9 God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in proclaiming the gospel of his Son, that I remember you constantly, 10 always asking in my prayers that somehow by God's will I may at last find my way clear to come to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may share with you some spiritual gift so that you may be strengthened, 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by one another's faith, yours and mine. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I often planned to come to you, though I was prevented until now, that I might harvest some fruit among you, too, as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 To Greeks and non-Greeks alike, to the wise and the ignorant, I am under obligation; 15 that is why I am eager to preach the gospel also to you in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. 17 For in it is revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, "The one who is righteous by faith will live." 18 The wrath of God is indeed being revealed from heaven against every impiety and wickedness of those who suppress the truth by their wickedness. 19 For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. 20 Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; 21 for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. 22 While claiming to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for the likeness of an image of mortal man or of birds or of four-legged animals or of snakes. 24 Therefore, God handed them over to impurity through the lusts of their hearts for the mutual degradation of their bodies. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and revered and worshiped the creature rather than the creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 Therefore, God handed them over to degrading passions. Their females exchanged natural relations for unnatural, 27 and the males likewise gave up natural relations with females and burned with lust for one another. Males did shameful things with males and thus received in their own persons the due penalty for their perversity. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God handed them over to their undiscerning mind to do what is improper. 29 They are filled with every form of wickedness, evil, greed, and malice; full of envy, murder, rivalry, treachery, and spite. They are gossips 30 and scandalmongers and they hate God. They are insolent, haughty, boastful, ingenious in their wickedness, and rebellious toward their parents. 31 They are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know the just decree of God that all who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans was written from Corinth about 57 AD in Paul’s third missionary journey. It was not to an individual church because there were probably several there. It is to both Jews and Gentiles, but probably the majority was Gentile. The gospel was no doubt first carried by some who became believers at Pentecost, but many were also Paul’s converts from other places he had been.

v1. At time Rome is the largest city in the world, up to 4 million. Paul wrote the epistle to the Romans during his third visit to Corinth. Probably took the occasion to write so he could send it  by Phoebe, 16:1, who was on her way from Cenchrea to Rome. He considers himself first of all, a servant belonging to Christ, secondarily his call to be an apostle. In this capacity he was separated, or set apart to tell the good news of salvation which God provided.

v2. This was proclaimed in advance by prophets and others of the O.T.

v3. The good news is about God’s Son, who through David’s descendant, Mary, He was born as a man.

v4. But He was still the Son of God, as proven by His resurrection from the dead which was by the power of the Holy Spirit.

v5. In his apostleship Paul was obedient in taking the gospel to all surrounding nations, even though the Jews were like Jonah in wanting to neglect the Gentiles.

v6,7. God loves everyone but only believers are beloved. Since this is not addressed to an individual church, it is to both Jewish and Gentile believers in all of Rome. They were not called to become saints but are saints by belief in Christ. This is a common Christian greeting with Grace meaning greeting, and peace (Jewish shalom), or wishes of prosperity, health and success. Peace through Christ.

v8. Paul follows his advice to in all things give thanks. Here it is because these people at the crossroads of the Roman world have a faith that is recognized every where in the known world.

v9. We sometimes promise to pray for someone and we do - for a few days or weeks. But Paul has them constantly in his prayerful concern.

v10-12. Even from Corinth he is praying that it may be God’s will for him to go there,not expecting to go as a prisoner at that time. This group started, possibly from travelers who had been saved at Pentecost. They had great faith but needed someone to get them established in all the doctrines. This fellowship would be a mutual blessing to them as well as Paul.

v13. So far God had not opened the door for Paul to go there in spite of his great desire to see the fruit of his missionary work there as in so many Gentile cities.

v14,15. Any one not a Greek was considered barbarian, not crude and primitive, but simply foreigners. He was not concerned about cultural or intelligence levels, he just felt he was a obligated and ready to preach the gospel wherever there was opportunity. He wanted to give, not see how much he could get out of life. He was a debtor, ready and unashamed.

v16. If we are any place where we are ashamed of the gospel, we should either be telling it or we shouldn’t be there. Here we might consider the three tenses of salvation. 1, We are saved from the guilt and penalty of sin. 2, We are being saved from the habit and dominion of sin. 3, We will be saved at Christ’s return from the presence and results of sin. The Jews were called to evangelize the world but they rejected salvation, so God is now using Gentiles. In the Tribulation this responsibility goes back to the Jews to reach the Gentiles.

v17. This stand by Martin Luther first came from Hab. 2:4, and is vital yet today. We are saved by faith and must live by faith.  This shows (1) the righteousness of God

v18. (2)The wrath of God is not personal anger but His judicial attitude toward sin. Ex 34:14 tells us He is a jealous God, and 20:5 places it right in the midst of warning about other gods, and to break this commandment breaks His heart. To look around is to see there is a supreme creator. It is revealed in our consciences (till they are seared) and in the Word, which tells of the sacrifice of Christ, judged in our place. The down and out and the apparent upright are both unrighteous. These men and those in v 23 know the truth but try t0 smother it by changing it to evolution etc.

v19,20. God is and His power is shown in nature and His Word. Gen. 1:1; Ps. 14:1; 19:1; Jn. 1:1. Everyone is without excuse, if heathen truly call upon God He sends a missionary to tell the Word.

v21-23. Men must have an object of worship, so if they glorify not God, their hearts become darkened and they foolishly turn to idols of a. corruptible man b. birds c. four footed beasts d. creeping things.

v24. The Holy Spirit can help believers to resist sin, but those who love sin, God gives them up to live in their corruption. This verse begins the subject of sexual evil.

v25. By exchanging the truth for  a lie, people begin to worship the things created instead of the God who created them.

v26,27. This is one of many Scriptural condemnations of homosexuality and is fitting for the culture of today where people flaunt that which is shameful.

v28-31. As in v 24, God turns this corrupt list over to their depraved minds. Notice that envy, gossip, pride and disobedience to parents are listed right along with murderers and the sexually immoral - that’s scary. One without natural affection  may put their new baby in a garbage bag and throw in the dumpster, where does the abortionist fit in here? 

v32. Some commit evil while others enjoy their filthy talk, their pornography and R rated movies. Believers need to be careful not to enjoy these things either. What about believers voting for gay rights, gambling, abortion etc.? At the end of World War 2 there was plenty of immorality over seas but not too many perverted types. I would never have supposed I would see the day when our president would be a sexual pervert while in office. I would much less have supposed that the American people would support him in his corrupt morals and condemn the man who exposed them.
Man’s downward plunge in this chapter could be illustrated by stair steps:
Rejects Revelation v 18-20
Becomes Foolish v 21-23
Body Debased v 24-27
Mind Depraved v 28-32