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The opening salutation
Romans 1:7-16
Verse 7 starts the salutation to the people when the letter was first sent. This is a continuation of the salutation begun in the first verse. From the second through the sixth verse the subject shifts from the salutation and digresses to reveal necessary details about Gods gospel that were always accessible to mankind from the time of Adam. These are the parts of the good news never hidden but readily known to believing people. Now in verse 7 the subject matter returns to the style of a personal letter, a salutation from the sender opens the letter.
Romans 1:7-15
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.
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.
Between verse 7 and verse 15 are some historical details about Paul and the congregation at Rome. Also expressed are some eye opening facts about the workings between a minister of God and the people who are working with him (or her) to manifest spiritual fruit. An undeniable fact of history is
stated in verse 8 Romans 1:8
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you
all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole
world.
Whatever people think of Christianity, be it good or bad, still today Christianity is spoken of throughout the whole world. This was also true of the educated world who had any ability to comprehend Paul’s teachings, in about 58 AD when this letter was sent from Corinth
The impact of the believing extending from the body who were acting on Gods word was spoken about because acting on the gospel changes lives. The first lives to be changed must by need have followed God by way of Paul and the other apostles. It produces positive results that proclaim the glory of our loving God.
The Church at Rome like the Church in general had not fully developed. None the less as these people were using the knowledge they did have about Jesus Christ. World wide recognition was growing. Paul understood his common Godly goal with this new forming body of believers in Rome and is told by God to tell them of his efforts in prayer for them all.
Romans 1:9
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;
Paul desires to extend his efforts with a personal visit so that he could teach them in person what he was sending to them in written form.
Romans 1:10-13
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.
In these short 4 verses we can learn a lot about the kind of person Paul had become because of his decision to be a true servant of Jesus Christ. Look at the motivation underlying his actions !
1) The desire for a prosperous journey.
2) To act by the will of God.
3) To Give
4) To help his brethren be established
5) For all to be comforted
6) For fruit to be produced
Paul’s Godly point of view continues to be expressed up into verse 16
Romans 1:13-16
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.
