TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The opening chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans could be considered one of the most significant passages in all of Scripture. Written to a church the apostle had never visited, this letter would become the most systematic presentation of the gospel message in the New Testament, and its first chapter lays the essential groundwork for everything that follows.

Paul clarifies the continuity between the Old and New Testaments. He tells us God’s Son, Jesus Christ, was descended from David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead. This dual nature of Christ, fully human and fully divine, forms the bedrock of Christian theology and the foundation upon which the entire epistle rests.

Within this gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” This concept of God’s righteousness being revealed and received through faith rather than human effort represents a revolutionary truth that transformed the ancient world and continues to transform lives today. The righteousness that God requires, He also provides through Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Paul explains that what can be known about God has been clearly revealed to all people through creation itself. God’s invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived in the things that have been made.

The chapter concludes with a chilling observation about the depth of human depravity. Though people know God’s righteous decree that those who practise evil things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practise them. They don’t just commit sin but celebrate it and encouraging others to join in rebellion against God.

The first chapter of Romans is a foundation for understanding the gospel’s power. Until we grasp the severity of humanity’s condition, the depth of our rebellion, and the reality of divine wrath against sin, we cannot fully appreciate the magnitude of God’s grace in providing salvation through Jesus Christ.