Romans 1:1

New Living Translation

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

Parallel Translations

Easy-to-Read Version
Greetings from Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle and gave me the work of telling his Good News.

Revised Standard Version
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God

Tyndale New Testament (1525)
Paul the seruaut of Iesus Christ called to be an Apostle put a parte to preache the Gospell of God

Hebrew Names Version
Sha'ul, a servant of Yeshua the Messiah, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God,

International Standard Version
FromFrom">[fn] Paul, a servantslave">[fn] of Jesus Christ,Christ Jesus">[fn] called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God,Acts 9:15; 13:2; 22:21; 1 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians 1:1,15; 1 Timothy 1:11; 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11;">[xr]

New American Standard Bible
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

New Century Version
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God called me to be an apostle and chose me to tell the Good News.

Update Bible Version
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

Webster's Bible Translation
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called [to be] an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

English Standard Version
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

World English Bible
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Wesley's New Testament (1755)
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

Weymouth's New Testament
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, set apart to proclaim God's Good News,

Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Poul, the seruaunt of Jhesu Crist, clepid an apostle, departid in to the gospel of God;

English Revised Version
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Berean Standard Bible
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God,

Contemporary English Version
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus. God chose me to be an apostle, and he appointed me to preach the good news

Amplified Bible
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation],

American Standard Version
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Bible in Basic English
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, an Apostle by the selection of God, given authority as a preacher of the good news,

Complete Jewish Bible
From: Sha'ul, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua, an emissary because I was called and set apart for the Good News of God.

Darby Translation
Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to God's glad tidings,

Etheridge Translation
PAULOS, a servant of Jeshu Meshiha, called, and an apostle, who hath been separated unto the gospel of Aloha,

Murdock Translation
PAUL, a servant of Jesus the Messiah, called and sent; and separated unto the gospel of God,

King James Version (1611)
Paul a seruant of Iesus Christ, called to bee an Apostle, separated vnto the Gospel of God,

New Life Bible
This letter is from Paul. I am a servant owned by Jesus Christ and a missionary chosen by God to preach His Good News.

New Revised Standard
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Geneva Bible (1587)
Pavl a seruant of Iesus Christ called to be an Apostle, put apart to preache the Gospel of God,

George Lamsa Translation
PAUL, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, and chosen to proclaim the gospel of God

J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the glad-message of God -

Douay-Rheims Bible
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

Bishop's Bible (1568)
Paul the seruaunt of Iesus Christe, called [to be] an Apostle, seuered into the Gospel of God.

Good News Translation
From Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus and an apostle chosen and called by God to preach his Good News.

Christian Standard Bible®
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

King James Version
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Lexham English Bible
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Literal Translation
Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God,

Young's Literal Translation
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God --

Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Pavl the seruaunte of Iesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, put aparte to preach the Gospell of God

Mace New Testament (1729)
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, chosen to declare the gospel dispensation,

THE MESSAGE
I, Paul, am a devoted slave of Jesus Christ on assignment, authorized as an apostle to proclaim God's words and acts. I write this letter to all the believers in Rome, God's friends.

New English Translation
From Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

New King James Version
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

Simplified Cowboy Version
From Paul, a hand for Christ, picked and commanded to spread the good news of God.

New American Standard Bible (1995)
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,

Legacy Standard Bible
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, having been set apart for the gospel of God,

Contextual Overview

¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. ² God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. ³ The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, ⁴ and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. ⁵ Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name. ⁶ And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. ⁷ I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people. May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Paul: Acts 13:9, Acts 21:40, Acts 22:7, Acts 22:13, Acts 26:1, Acts 26:14

a servant: Romans 1:9, Romans 15:16, Romans 16:18, John 12:26, John 13:14-16, John 15:15, John 15:20, Acts 27:23, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Galatians 1:10, Philippians 1:1, Philippians 2:11, Philippians 3:6, Philippians 3:7, Titus 1:1, James 1:1, 2 Peter 1:1, Jude 1:1, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 22:6, Revelation 22:9

called: Romans 1:5, Romans 11:13, Acts 9:15, Acts 22:14, Acts 22:15, Acts 22:21, Acts 26:16-18, 1 Corinthians 1:1, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 1 Corinthians 9:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:8-10, 2 Corinthians 1:1, 2 Corinthians 11:5, 2 Corinthians 12:11, Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:11-17, Ephesians 1:1, Ephesians 3:5-7, Ephesians 4:11, Colossians 1:1, Colossians 1:25, 1 Timothy 1:1, 1 Timothy 1:11, 1 Timothy 1:12, 1 Timothy 2:7, 2 Timothy 1:11, Titus 1:1, Hebrews 5:4

separated: Leviticus 20:24-26, Numbers 16:9, Numbers 16:10, Deuteronomy 10:8, 1 Chronicles 23:13, Isaiah 49:1, Jeremiah 1:5, Acts 13:2-4, Galatians 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:15, 1 Timothy 1:16, Hebrews 7:26

the gospel: Romans 1:9, Romans 1:16, Romans 15:16, Romans 15:29, Romans 16:25, Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16, Luke 2:10, Luke 2:11, Acts 20:24, Ephesians 1:13, 1 Thessalonians 2:2, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Thessalonians 2:14, 1 Timothy 1:11

Reciprocal: Numbers 6:2 - When Numbers 8:14 - separate Joshua 1:1 - the death Nehemiah 10:28 - unto the law Proverbs 18:1 - Through Mark 1:1 - Christ Acts 20:19 - Serving 1 Corinthians 7:22 - is Christ's Colossians 3:24 - for 1 Thessalonians 2:9 - the gospel 1 John 4:6 - We are

Cross-References

Genesis 1:4
And God saw that the light was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness.

Genesis 1:5
God called the light "day" and the darkness "night." And evening passed and morning came, marking the first day.

Genesis 1:11
Then God said, "Let the land sprout with vegetation—every sort of seed-bearing plant, and trees that grow seed-bearing fruit. These seeds will then produce the kinds of plants and trees from which they came." And that is what happened.

Genesis 1:12
The land produced vegetation—all sorts of seed-bearing plants, and trees with seed-bearing fruit. Their seeds produced plants and trees of the same kind. And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:16
God made two great lights—the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night. He also made the stars.

Genesis 1:17
God set these lights in the sky to light the earth,

Genesis 1:19
And evening passed and morning came, marking the fourth day.

Genesis 1:20
Then God said, "Let the waters swarm with fish and other life. Let the skies be filled with birds of every kind."

Genesis 1:22
Then God blessed them, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth."

Genesis 1:30
And I have given every green plant as food for all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, and the small animals that scurry along the ground—everything that has life." And that is what happened.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,.... The name of the author of this epistle is Paul, who formerly was called Saul. Some think his name was changed upon his own conversion; others, upon the conversion of the Roman deputy Sergius Paulus, Acts 13:7; others, that he was so called from the littleness of his stature; but rather it should seem that he had two names, which was usual with the Jews; one by which they went among the Gentiles, and another by they were called in their own land; Acts 13:7- :. "A servant of Jesus Christ"; not a servant of sin, nor of Satan, nor of man, nor of Moses and his law, nor of the traditions of the elders, but of Jesus Christ; and not by creation only, but by redemption, and by powerful efficacious grace in conversion; which is no ways contrary to true liberty; nor a disgraceful, but a most honourable character; and which chiefly regards him as a minister of the Gospel:

called to be an apostle: an apostle was one that was immediately sent by Christ, and had his authority and doctrine directly from him, and had a power of working miracles from him, in confirmation of the truth of his mission, authority, and doctrine; all which were to be found in the author of this epistle, who did not thrust himself into this office, or take this honour to himself, of which he always judged himself unworthy, but was "called" to it according to the will, and by the grace of God:

separated unto the Gospel of God. This may regard either God's eternal purpose concerning him, his preordination of him from eternity to be a preacher of the Gospel, to which he was separated from his mother's womb, Galatians 1:15; or the separation of him to that work made by the order of the Spirit of God, Acts 13:2. The phrase used is either in allusion to the priests and Levites, who were separated from their brethren the children of Israel, to their sacred employments; or rather to the apostle's having been פרוש, "a Pharisee", which signifies "one separated", as he was now; only with this difference, before he was separated to the law, but now "to the Gospel", to preach and defend it, which he did with all faithfulness and integrity; the excellency of which Gospel is signified by its being called "the Gospel of God": he is the author of it; his grace is the subject of it; and he it is who commits it to men, qualifies them for the preaching of it, and succeeds them in it.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Paul - The original name of the author of this Epistle was “Saul.” Acts 7:58; Acts 7:1; Acts 8:1, etc. This was changed to Paul (see the note at Acts 13:9), and by this name he is generally known in the New Testament. The reason why he assumed this name is not certainly known. It was, however, in accordance with the custom of the times; see the note at Acts 13:9. The name Saul was Hebrew; the name Paul was Roman. In addressing a letter to the Romans, he would naturally make use of the name to which they were accustomed, and which would excite no prejudice among them. The ancient custom was to begin an epistle with the name of the writer, as Cicero to Varro, etc. We record the name at the end. It may be remarked, however, that the placing the name of the writer at the beginning of an epistle was always done, and is still, when the letter was one of authority, or when it conferred any special privileges. Thus, in the proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 1:2, “Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia,” etc.; see also Ezra 4:11; Ezra 7:12. “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest,” etc. Daniel 4:1. The commencement of a letter by an apostle to a Christian church in this manner was especially proper as indicating authority.

A servant - This name was what the Lord Jesus himself directed His disciples to use, as their general appellation; Matthew 10:25; Matthew 20:27; Mark 10:44. And it was the customary name which they assumed; Galatians 1:10; Col 4:12; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; Acts 4:29; Titus 1:1; James 1:1. The proper meaning of this word servant, δοῦλος doulos, is slave, one who is not free. It expresses the condition of one who has a master, or who is at the control of another. It is often, however, applied to courtiers, or the officers that serve under a king: because in an eastern monarchy the relation of an absolute king to his courtiers corresponded nearly to that of a master and a slave. Thus, the word is expressive of dignity and honor; and the servants of a king denote officers of a high rank and station. It is applied to the prophets as those who were honored by God, or especially entrusted by him with office; Deuteronomy 34:5; Joshua 1:2; Jeremiah 25:4. The name is also given to the Messiah, Isaiah 42:1, “Behold my servant in whom my soul delighteth,” etc.; Isaiah 53:11, “shall my righteous servant justify many.” The apostle uses it here evidently to denote his acknowledging Jesus Christ as his master; as indicating his dignity, as especially appointed by him to his great work; and as showing that in this Epistle he intended to assume no authority of his own, but simply to declare the will of his master, and theirs.

Called to be an apostle - This word called means here not merely to be invited, but has the sense of appointed. It indicates that he had not assumed the office himself, but that he was set apart to it by the authority of Christ himself. It was important for Paul to state this,

1. Because the other apostles had been called or chosen to this work John 15:16, John 15:19; Matthew 10:1; Luke 6:13; and,
2. Because Paul was not one of those originally appointed.

It was of consequence for him therefore, to affirm that he had not taken this high office to himself, but that he had been called to it by the authority of Jesus Christ. His appointment to this office he not infrequently takes occasion to vindicate; 1 Corinthians 9:1, etc.: Gal 1:12-24; 2 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; Romans 11:13.

An apostle - One sent to execute a commission. It is applied because the apostles were sent out by Jesus Christ to preach his gospel, and to establish his church; Matthew 10:2 note; Luke 6:13 note.

Separated - The word translated “separated unto,” ἀφορίζω aphorizō, means to designate, to mark out by fixed limits, to bound as a field, etc. It denotes those who are “separated,” or called out from the common mass; Act 19:9; 2 Corinthians 6:17. The meaning here does not materially differ from the expression, “called to be an apostle,” except that perhaps this includes the notion of the purpose or designation of God to this work. Thus, Paul uses the same word respecting himself; Galatians 1:15, “God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,” that is, God designated me; marked me out; or designed that I should be an apostle from my infancy. In the same way Jeremiah was designated to be a prophet; Jeremiah 1:5.

Unto the gospel of God - Designated or designed by God that I should make it “my business” to preach the gospel. Set apart to this, as the special, great work of my life; as having no other object for which I should live. For the meaning of the word “gospel,” see the note at Matthew 1:1. It is called the gospel of God because it is his appointment; it has been originated by him, and has his authority. The function of an apostle was to preach the gospel Paul regarded himself as separated to this work. It was not to live in splendor, wealth, and ease, but to devote himself to this great business of proclaiming good news, that God was reconciled to people in his Son. This is the sole business of all ministers of “religion.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS.

-Year of the Constantinopolitan AEra of the World, 5566.

-Year of the Alexandrian AEra of the World; 5560.

-Year of the Antiochian AEra of the World, 5550.

-Year of the Julian Period, 4768.

-Year of the Usherian AEra of the World, 4062.

-Year of the two hundred and ninth Olympiad, 2.

-Year from the building of Rome, according to the Roman account, 811.

-Year of the AEra of the Seleucidae, 370.

-Year of the Caesarean AEra of Antioch, 106.

-Year of the Julian AEra, 103.

-Year of the Spanish AEra, 96.

-Year from the birth of Christ, 62.

-Year of the vulgar AEra of Christ's nativity, 58.

-Year of the Dionysian Period, or Easter Cycle, 59.

-Year of the Grecian Cycle of nineteen years, 2, or the first embolismic.

-Year of the Jewish Cycle of nineteen years, 18.

-Year of the Solar Cycle, 11.

-Dominical Letter, A.

-Epact, or the Moon's age at the commencement of the year, 11.

-Jewish Passover, Saturday, March 25.

-Easter Sunday, March 26.

-Year after Bissextile, or Leap-year, 2.

-Year of the reign of the Emperor Nero Caesar, 5.

-Year of Claudius Felix, the Jewish Governor, 6.

-Year of the reign of Vologesus, king of the Parthians, 9.

-Year of Caius Numidius Quadratus, Governor of Syria, 8.

-High Priest of the Jews, Joseph.

-Consuls, Nero Augustus the third time, and Valerius Messala.

CHAPTER I.

St. Paul shows the Romans his Divine call to the apostleship,

and for what end he was thus called, 1-6.

His salutation to the Church at Rome, and his commendation of

their faith, 7, 8.

His earnest desire to see them, that he might impart to them

some spiritual gifts, 9-15.

His description of the Gospel of Christ, 16, 17.

The crimes and profligacy of the Gentile world, which called

aloud for the judgments of God, 18-32.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

DIFFERENT interpreters have divided this epistle into certain parts or divisions, by which they suppose its subject and matter may be the better understood. Some of these divisions have been mentioned in the preceding preface.

The epistle contains three grand divisions.

I. The PREFACE, Romans 1:1-17.

II. The TRACTATION, or setting forth of the main subject, including two sections:

1. Dogmatic, or what relates to doctrine.

2. Paraenetic, or what relates to the necessity and importance of the virtues and duties of the Christian life.

The dogmatic part is included in the first eleven chapters, the grand object of which is to show that eternal salvation cannot be procured by any observance of the Jewish law, and can be hoped for only on the Christian scheme; for by the works of the law no man can be justified; but what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God has accomplished by sending his Son into the world, who, becoming an offering for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. The paraenetic part commences with Romans 12:1: I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, c. and extends to Romans 15:14.

III. The peroration or epilogue, which contains the author's apology for writing; his commendation of his apostolical office; his promise to visit them; his request of an interest in their prayers; his commendations of certain persons, and his salutations to others. These points are contained in the succeeding parts of the epistle, from Romans 15:14 to Romans 16:24. The 25th, 26th, and 27th verses Romans 16:25-27 of this chapter evidently belong to another part of the epistle, and should come in, as they do in a vast majority of the best MSS., after Romans 14:23.

For every thing necessary to a general knowledge of the epistle itself, see the preceding preface.

The inscriptions to this epistle are various in the different MSS. and versions. The following are the principal: - To the Romans - The Epistle of Paul to the Romans - The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans - The Epistle of the Holy Apostle Paul to the Romans. The word αγιος, holy, we have translated saint; and thus, instead of saying the holy Paul, c., we say Saint Paul, c. and this is now brought into general use. The older the MSS. are, the more simple the appellatives given to apostles and apostolic men.

NOTES ON CHAP. I.

Verse Romans 1:1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ — The word δουλος, which we translate servant, properly means a slave, one who is the entire property of his master and is used here by the apostle with great propriety. He felt he was not his own, and that his life and powers belonged to his heavenly owner, and that he had no right to dispose of or employ them but in the strictest subserviency to the will of his Lord. In this sense, and in this spirit, he is the willing slave of Jesus Christ; and this is, perhaps, the highest character which any soul of man can attain on this side eternity. "I am wholly the Lord's; and wholly devoted in the spirit of sacrificial obedience, to the constant, complete, and energetic performance of the Divine will." A friend of God is high; a son of God is higher; but the servant, or, in the above sense, the slave of God, is higher than all; - in a word, he is a person who feels he has no property in himself, and that God is all and in all.

Called to be an apostle — The word αποστολος, apostle, from αποστελλειν, to send, signifies simply a messenger or envoy; one sent on a confidential errand: but here it means an extraordinary messenger; one sent by God himself to deliver the most important message on behalf of his Maker; - in a word, one sent by the Divine authority to preach the Gospel to the nations. The word κλητος, called, signifies here the same as constituted, and should be joined with αποστολος, as it is in the Greek, and translated thus: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, constituted an apostle, c. This sense the word called has in many places of the sacred writings e. g. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed on us, that we should be called, κληθωμεν, CONSTITUTED, or made the sons of God. As it is likely that no apostle had been employed in founding the Church of Rome, and there was need of much authority to settle the matters that were there in dispute, it was necessary he should show them that he derived his authority from God, and was immediately delegated by him to preach and write as he was now doing.

Separated unto the Gospel — Set apart and appointed to this work, and to this only; as the Israelites were separate from all the people of the earth, to be the servants of God: see Leviticus 20:26. St. Paul may here refer to his former state as a Pharisee, which literally signifies a separatist, or one separated. Before he was separated unto the service of his own sect; now he is separated unto the Gospel of God. On the word GOSPEL, and its meaning, see the preface to the notes on St. Matthew; and for the meaning of the word Pharisee, see the same Gospel, Matthew 3:7.