Romans 1:1 [AV]
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
ANNOTATED NOTES:
Paul: he was the writer, but God was the Author; Paul wrote by revelation (Gal 1:11-12); the whole of scripture came as holy men of God were moved by the holy spirit (2 Pet 1:20-21)
servant=doulos: bond-slave; a sold-out, branded slave by free will choice. There were 2 types of slaves in Biblical times. One was subjugated against his will, either taken captive and sold into slavery or else born the child of a slave. Slavery to sin was of this sort – all men are born into it through Adam’s transgression (Rom 5:12-16; 6:17-18, 20). A second type of slave was one who chose by his own free will decision to serve the master all the days of his life, because of the love from and for the master (See Deut 15:12-17; Ex 21:2-6). The paradox is, the more you become a slave to Jesus Christ, the more freedom you will have in your life. The more you strive to be free to run your own life, consumed with self, the more enslaved to sin you become. Freedom is never determined by where you are, but by “in whom” you are and “for whom” you are living. You could be in jail, yet totally free in Christ, as Paul had been. You could be outside jail, yet in bondage and enslavement (Rom 6:18, 20 and I Cor 7:22-23). A doulos has to first know the Lord and his love, then know what the Lord would have him to do (see Acts 9:5-6, 15). Like Paul, we are not our own master. Jesus Christ is the primary example of a doulos to every born-again believer (I Pet 2:21; Phil 2:5-8).
of Jesus Christ: the genitive case, i.e. genitive of relationship, where the emphasis is on JESUS CHRIST, the Master who bought Paul with a price, as opposed to being on Paul as a bond-slave.
called=kletos: called or invited (also in v6, 7)
to be: omitted in text; could accurately read “a called apostle”
apostle=apostolos: a sent messenger, who brings new light to his generation – it may be old light that was lost, but it is new to the generation to whom he speaks. The ministry of an apostle is not earned, where you work for it, or go to Bible school for it, or are self-appointed (Gal 1:1). It's not given because of one’s own work or one’s own will, it’s given as a gift (Eph 4:8,11), because of God's grace, mercy, and foreknowledge.
separated=aphorizo: set apart; note 3 stages of Paul’s separation: at birth (Gal 1:15-16), at new birth (Acts 9:3-15), and for the work (Acts 13:2);
gospel=euangelion: good news, glad tidings. If you were nigh unto death, and you got healed in an instant, that would be good news. The gospel Paul was separated unto tells us of what God has provided for us in Christ, what we never, ever could have provided for ourselves, taking us from spiritual death to everlasting life - as well as revealing the greatness of the Mystery which had been kept secret since before the foundation of the world (Rom 16:25; Eph 3:3-4, 9; Col 1:26-27). That’s Good News!
gospel of God: the genitive case, thus the emphasis is on GOD! This gospel is also called the “gospel of the grace of God” in Acts 20:24.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:1 [LIT]
Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Romans 1:2 [AV]
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
ANNOTATED NOTES:
(…): this verse is a parenthetical expression, adding explanation and magnification to the last associated phrase of v1, “the gospel of God".
had: omit
promised afore: the gospel of God did not originate with Paul, but was promised by God in the OT scriptures via the prophets. See Isa 52:7-15; 53:1-12, where the prophet describes events surrounding the coming Savior, his sufferings and his glory (see Rom 10:9-16). Other OT prophets foretold of what Jesus Christ would accomplish for men by his sacrifice (Lk 24:27, 44; Jn 5:46). A truth of the gospel was “preached...unto Abraham”, stating “in thee shall all nations be blessed” (Gal 3:8, 16; Gen 22:18). Also see Acts 3:24-26; 26:22-23. There are 74 references to the OT in Romans alone, notably 1:17, with 25 additional references in the remaining Church Epistles. However, an aspect of the gospel, i.e. the revelation of the mystery, was not revealed until it was first given to Paul (see I Pet 1:10-12; Eph 3:3-11; Rom 16:25)
scriptures=graphe: occurs 51 times in NT, but this is the only place it’s used with holy (hagios) as an adjective. God would have us view the Scriptures with the utmost of reverence, being holy as He is Holy (John 1:1; II Pet 1:20-21).
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:2 [NKJV]
which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
Romans 1:3 [AV]
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
ANNOTATED NOTES:
concerning: peri: Gr. preposition. The object of the preposition is God’s Son, who is the focal point. If we lose sight of Jesus Christ as the focal point of the gospel and look for other things or other people to change our lives, we will be forsaking that gospel and it’s purpose. The gospel is the power of God (Rom 1:16), able to transform lives (Rom 12:2), and to make one whole (James 1:21). The goods news concerning Jesus Christ is what brings us the deliverance we need from the slavery of sin, and brings the blessings of God into our lives. It is indeed Good News that Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead (I Cor 15:1-4). Romans declares that we died with him, and were raised with him (Rom 6:1-11).
Jesus Christ our Lord – omit in this verse; according to all Greek texts, this phrase comes at the end of v4.
which: who
seed of David: it was known that the Christ would come out of David’s lineage (Jn 7:40-42). See Acts 2:25, 29-34 where David is quoted on Pentecost as speaking specifically of his Lord’s resurrection; see Acts 13:22-23, 36-37, where to David there were promises made that could only be fulfilled in Christ; see Rom 4:6-8, where David is united with Abraham in witness to the essence of the gospel; also see II Tim 2:7-8.
flesh: refers to Jesus Christ’s lineage from David through Mary (Matt 1:1-16; Heb 2:14).
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:3 [ESV]
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh
Romans 1:4 [AV]
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
declared=horizo: marked out, branded, openly designated. You can see a brand. He was declared, branded, marked out powerfully, by the resurrection from the dead
to be: omitted in the Gr. text, hence italicized in the AV; when the translators of the Authorized Version (also called the King James Version) added English words that were not represented in the original language (Greek in the NT, Hebrew in the OT), they italicized those words to let the reader know that they were added by the translators, with the intent of added clarity.
Son of God: see Mark 1:1; John 20:30-31
spirit of holiness: accurately could read “the Spirit, Who is Holiness”, referring to God. God, who is Spirit, raised Jesus Christ, His Son, from the dead.
by the resurrection from the dead: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the great keystone to Christianity. Men killed him, God raised him. Now all, Israel and Gentiles, can receive salvation by grace, not by works, through believing the Good News concerning His Son (Rom 1:16-17; 10:8-17). While Christ's birth in Bethlehem was a relatively quiet event in terms of eyewitnesses (a small group of shepherds), his resurrection was publicly made known. He appeared in his resurrected body to hundreds of people (1 Cor 15:4-7), and the truth of the resurrection was proclaimed over and over again by the believers who had witnessed it, as well as others who, while not being eyewitnesses, had believed it (Rom 10:9) and then received the power of the gift of holy spirit into manifestation (see Acts 1:8; 2:1-4; 10:34-46; 19:4-6). In Rom 8:15-17, it is via the spirit, i.e. speaking in tongues, that we have the “witness”, the brand, an open designation with power, that we are children of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (see 1 Cor 12:3).
[, Jesus Christ our Lord.]: see note in v3 concerning the placement of this phrase in the Gr. text at the end of v4. Jesus Christ, who was raised from the dead, IS our Lord – we don’t take orders from an individual, or a denomination, or a society. We take orders from our living Lord, Jesus Christ, whom God powerfully marked out for all to see by the resurrection from the dead.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:Romans 1:4 [LIT]
who was marked out as the Son of God with power according to the Spirit, Who is Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead - Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 1:5 [AV]
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
By whom: referring to "Jesus Christ our Lord" from the end of v4
we: refers to Paul, as well as those whom he ministered to as an apostle; some sources see the “we” as the Figure of Speech heterosis, where the plural is put for the singular, to emphasize that the grace accorded Paul as an apostle was not for himself alone, but also for those to whom he ministered, which is certainly true. His life of service as an apostle was a gift to them (see Rom 1:11; I Cor 15:9-10; Eph 3:7-9).
grace and apostleship: more than just two separate words linked by the conjunction “and”; "grace and apostleship" are intricately connected, so that various readings can accurately convey the connection, such as "the grace accorded an apostle”, or “the undeserved privilege of apostleship”. Paul knew his apostleship was a gift of God’s grace to and for the benefit of the body of Christ, the church (1 Cor 3:10; Gal 2:9; Eph 4:8,11-12)
faith=pistis: believing, faith; this noun form of believing, pistis, occurs 40x in Romans; the verb form, pisteuo, occurs 21x
obedience to the faith: could read “obedience of believing”. Romans is not for the obedience to religious good works, which man often exalts, issuing in profitless disciplining of the flesh (Col 2:20-23). Jesus Christ declared “This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom He sent” (John 6:28-29). The obedience of believing rightly regarding Jesus Christ is a declared purpose of Paul’s apostleship, and a central theme in Romans, indicated here at the opening, as well as at the closing (Rom 16:26).
nations=ethnos: referring to Gentiles, which is how ethnos is translated elsewhere in the AV 93 times
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:Romans 1:5 [LIT]
By whom we have received the grace accorded an apostle, for the obedience of believing among all the Gentiles, for his name’s sake.
Romans 1:6 [AV]
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
called=kletos: called, summoned, invited (as to a banquet); in the context, v7 will add that we are “called saints”, so it’s not just that we were called, we answered the call, the invitation, by believing rightly regarding Jesus Christ; later in 8:28 it states we are "the called according to his purpose”, and 8:30 further declares “whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified”; Romans makes it clear that, having answered the call, believing rightly concerning Jesus Christ has extremely broad benefits, both immediate and eternal
of Jesus Christ: genitive case, putting the emphasis on Jesus Christ, not on us who were called. Could read “called to be Jesus Christ’s”, or “called to belong to Jesus Christ.” We belong to him, and he is not ashamed to call us brethren (Heb 2:11; Rom 8:29).
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:6 [AMP]
And this includes you, called of Jesus Christ and invited [as you are] to belong to him.
Romans 1:6 [WUEST]
among whom you also are divinely summoned ones belonging to Jesus Christ,
Romans 1:7 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
Rome: per God’s direction, that was the first place it was sent, but ALL the Church Epistles were encyclicals, where they would be copied by scribes at the initial location, and then passed along to the next city, where they would be copied and sent to the next city, etc. Romans is written TO all those called of Jesus Christ, called saints, beloved of God, born again of God’s spirit, no matter where on the face of the earth they live (see 1 Cor 1:2).
beloved: indicates strong endearment; same word is used by God in vocally expressing tender love to and for His only begotten Son (see Mtt 3:17; 17:5; Mk 1:1; 9:7; Lk 3:22; 9:35)
to be: not in the Greek text
saints=hagios: saints, holy ones (translated “holy” 161x in the AV); the verb form of this word, hagiazo, is often translated “sanctify”, meaning to “set apart”; we are set apart by and for God, Who is Holy, when we receive His gift of holy spirit by believing (not by works). Another Church Epistle, 1 Corinthians, states in 1:2 that it is TO “the church…them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord”. Biblically, being a “saint” isn't based on what one does on the outside, but on what one has on the inside: the gift of holy spirit (see 1 Cor 6:11; Rom 15:16; Eph 5:25-27).
grace….peace: without exception, this combination is found in the salutation of each of the Church Epistles. God is the Giver of grace and peace, and they come to us through Jesus Christ as the mediator. Grace was a typical Greek/Gentile greeting, and peace (shalom) was a traditional Jewish greeting – certainly a doubly appropriate greeting for all saints, whether Jew or Gentile, whether then or now
grace=charis: unmerited, undeserved divine favor, from God to man. Grace is God, Who is love, at work on our behalf, not because of us but in spite of us
peace: an inner state of undisturbed well-being.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:7 [NASB]
to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:8 [AV]
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
First: simply means "before I go any further”, or “I want to begin by saying". It’s not referring to first in importance, but first in order before speaking of other things.
my God: Paul refers not just to thanking “God", but with a personal affection, thanking “my God”, expressing his deep personal interest in their welfare to his God, Who was intimately aware of every detail and need in their lives (see Phil 4:19). Also see Gen 28:21 (Jacob); Deut 4:5 (Moses); 2 Sam 22:7,22,30 (David); John 20:17 (Jesus Christ).
through Jesus Christ: through what Jesus Christ made available; it is what Jesus Christ accomplished that made their believing faith and thus his thankfulness possible
for: concerning
your faith: within the context, referring to their believing regarding the Lord Jesus Christ
throughout the whole world: FOS Hyperbole, or exaggeration, where overstatement is used to emphasize how widespread the news had become (see Rom 16:19a)
world: FOS Synecdoche, “world” is figuratively used for the people (see John 3:16). The saints at Rome who had believed the gospel concerning Jesus Christ were being talked about in many and varied locations throughout the vast Roman Empire. As Paul travelled and preached throughout the empire, think of how the witness of those believers at the heart of the empire, Rome, would have opened doors of utterance for Paul and others!
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:8 [LIT]
Before I go any further, let me first say that I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your believing concerning Jesus Christ is being talked about all over the world.
Romans 1:9 [AV]
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;
ANNOTATED NOTES:
God is my witness: only God and the individual knows what goes on within the secrecy of an individual's heart (1 Cor 2:11). So while enemies of Paul (and of Christ) were trying to defame and slander Paul and the gospel of God he preached, God has Paul boldly declare that HE is his witness (see Rom 9:1; Phil 1:8; I Thes 2:5; I Tim 2:7).
serve=latreuo: to perform sacred service; involves worshipful service (in 21 occurrences, it’s translated a form of “worship” 4x in the AV); an irreplaceable aspect of how Paul worshipfully served God was by praying for those who believed the gospel (see Luke 2:37)
spirit=pneuma: this usage of “spirit" refers to the entirety of his soul life; thus “with my spirit” here could accurately be understood as “with my whole heart and life”.
gospel of his Son: “gospel concerning his Son”, with the emphasis in this phrase on “Son”; it’s the good news from God concerning His Son
without ceasing: does not mean continuously, 24/7; it means daily, time and time again, he remembers to pray for them. In I Thes 5:17, we are exhorted to have the same consistency and faithfulness. See Eph 1:15-16; Phil 1:3-4; Col 1:3-4; I Thes 1:2-3 and I Thes 2:13 for Paul’s habit patterns in prayer.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:9 [CEV]
God has seen how I never stop praying for you, while I serve him with all my heart and tell the good news about his Son.
Romans 1:9 [WUEST]
for my witness is God, to whom I render sacred service in my spirit in the good news concerning His Son, how unceasingly I am making mention of you always at my prayers,
Romans 1:10 [AV]
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
Making request=deomai: beseeching, lovingly imploring, making known one’s strong desire, asking with urgency; Paul really, really wanted to go to Rome, to be with the believers, to bless the beloved of God - so he brought that request before God; a similar beseeching in 1 Thes 3:10 reads: “Night and day praying [deomai] exceedingly that we might see your face…”; that’s the heart of a doulos - he wants to give, to serve, to impart all that he has, just like the Master did for him (see note on doulos from Romans 1:1 emailing)
by the will of God: it’s one thing to take a journey, it’s quite another to have it prosper because it is according to God’s will, God’s timing, God’s full blessing (see Rom 15:29) (also 15:32: “That I may come unto you with joy by the will of God…”); Paul desired for such a journey to be according to God's plan, not his own (see Prov 19:20-21; 16:9; Ps 37:23; 119:133). Man can think things through and make grandiose plans, but if he is listening to God, oftentimes vital changes are made “by the will of God” (even if he isn’t listening, those plans oftentimes get changed). Paul was not wanting to be pridefully self-willed in fulfilling his own desires his own way - that’s not fitting for a doulos of Jesus Christ. A pertinent question is posed in II Cor 1:17: “…what I plan, do I plan according to the flesh [like a worldly man]…?”; Any workman has to labor, not with a trust in his own fleshly abilities, but with a trust in the Lord to guide, direct, and bless. Psalm 127:1: "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:10 [YLT]
always in my prayers beseeching, if by any means now at length I shall have a prosperous journey, by the will of God, to come unto you,
Romans 1:11 [AV]
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
ANNOTATED NOTES:
long=epipotheo: desire earnestly; This longing in his heart, this impassioned desire to see the believers in Rome, is expressed again in 15:23 “…having a great desire these many years to come unto you.” (see Phil 1:8; 1 Thes 3:6; and 2 Tim 1:4 for his expressed epipotheo for other believers)
that: in order that; indicating purpose
impart unto you: he’s deeply desirous, not just to be with them physically, but to give of his whole life - body, soul and spirit - especially the fullness of the gospel and the greatness of the revelation of the mystery that he had in his heart and life by God’s grace (see I Thes 2:8-11 for more on Paul’s affectionate desire to give of his whole being, as a parent does to beloved children)
spiritual=pneumatikos: spiritual, related to the spirit
gift=charisma: gift of God’s grace without merit. Not every charisma is in the category of pneumatikos, but this reference is to the spiritual. This occurrence could refer to the general category of knowledge and understanding of spiritual matters that Paul has in his heart, and because he has it he wants to pour out his heart to the people so they can be uplifted and blessed. It could also be referring to a ministry that Paul wants to impart. Whether either or both, the gift is spiritual in nature, and it is because of God’s grace.
established=sterizo: established, proved, strengthened; in the essence of no longer wandering or wondering; One who is established is one who is not just standing, but has withstood the efforts of the enemy and is proven in his steadfastness to simply stand, being mentally fixed and set firmly in the Truth. God’s desire that the believers be “established", expressed via Paul, is again made known in 16:25 (also see 1 Thes 3:2, 13; 2 Thes 2:17).
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:11 [AMP]
For I am yearning to see you, that I may impart and share with you some spiritual gift to strengthen and establish you;
Romans 1:12 [AV]
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
comforted together=sumparakaleo: comforted, strengthened, helped, encouraged together at the same time; only occurrence in NT; Paul will strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage them, and they will strengthen, help, comfort, and encourage Paul - all for one and one for all
mutual=allelon: one another, reciprocal, mutual; this word occurs 100x in the Greek NT, and in the AV it is translated “one another” 76x
faith=pistis: believing, faith
mutual faith: literally “in one another believing”; God wants us to not just believe the gospel, which is requisite - He wants us to believe together in that gospel, and believe in one another according to that gospel, where we stand firmly together on the Word of God, sharing with one another and being comforted together, with all walking in harmony as one. It’s a “one another” walk of believing in Romans: 12:10 “be kindly affectionate one to another”; 13:8 “love one another”; 14:13 “let us not judge one another”; 15:7 “receive one another, just as Christ also received us”, 15:14 “admonish one another”, 16:16 “salute one another” (also see Eph 4:2, 32; Col 3:13, 16; I Thes 4:9, 18; 5:11)
both of you and me: There is an inherent humility within this phrase befitting a doulos, with no implication of Paul being the strong one and them being the weak ones. The repetitive reference to both parties in this verse makes it clear that Paul was needful of help, strength, comfort, and encouragement through “in one another believing” just like every other believer. A leader of men must lead, but it’s done by serving with humility, absent of condescension or self-exaltation (see Deut 17:18-20; Acts 20:19; 1 Thes 2:6; 1 Pet 5:5)
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:12 [ASV]
that is, that I with you may be comforted in you, each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.
Romans 1:12 (GNB)
What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours.
Romans 1:13 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
would not have you ignorant: the “not” is emphatic - absolutely not; Paul is expressing his strong desire, via a double negative in the Greek, that the believers NOT be unaware or ignorant of the fact he is about to state (see Rom 11:25; 1 Cor 10:1-10; 12:1; 2 Cor 1:8; 1 Thes 4:13)
I purposed=protithemai: this verb is in the middle voice, meaning “I set within myself” or “I proposed to myself” or “I planned"
let: an obsolete English word; accurately “hindered” or “prevented"; There were times when Paul was hindered by the work of Satan (I Thes 2:17-18); at other times prevented by the work of the Lord (Rom 15:20-22; Acts 16:6-10)
hitherto: "until this time", or "up until now". He had really wanted to go see the brethren at Rome for quite some time, setting that plan or purpose in his heart, but had been hindered or prevented from doing so up until now. So he writes, by revelation, how very much he has wanted and planned to see them (see Rom 15:20-24, 30, 32).
that I might have some fruit: figurative reference to the results he is expecting from his visit; part of the desired results were already stated in v11, i.e. “that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established”; other results could certainly include new converts to Christ from public preaching, as was his manner (see Acts 17:2,10,17; 18:4,19; 19:8). In agriculture, fruit comes after seed has been planted, watered, and cultivated (see Luke 8:11, 4-15; 1 Cor 3:6-8).
Gentiles: referring to those who were not of Israel; Paul reached out to both Jews and Gentiles during his travels, but his mention here of “other Gentiles” reflects specific directions (see Acts 22:21; Gal 2:7)
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:13 [NASB]
I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that often I have planned to come to you (and have been prevented so far) so that I may obtain some fruit among you also, even as among the rest of the Gentiles.
Romans 1:14 [AV]
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
debtor: not in the traditional sense, where they had done something for him, so he owed something to them. It was from God’s magnanimous grace that Paul drew his sense of responsibility and obligation. Paul did not use the grace bestowed upon him to eliminate or lighten the responsibilities entrusted to him (1 Cor 15:10: “…his grace that was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all.”). Paul knew that to whom much is given, much is required (see Luke 12:48; 1 Cor 9:17; 1 Tim 1:11; Matt 25:14-29).
both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians: “Greeks” is sometimes used to refer to all Gentiles, but in this use it refers to those who spoke the Greek language, as opposed to those who did not speak Greek (“barbarians”: a term used by Greeks to refer to anyone who didn’t speak their language) – so this phrase covers them all. The same all inclusive coverage is made with “both to the wise, and to the unwise” - that phrase covers everybody. Paul saw himself as owing the preaching of the gospel concerning Jesus Christ to ALL he encountered, regardless of their background (see 1 Cor 9:19-22). Christ died for ALL and was raised from the dead (2 Cor 5:14-15), so Paul was committed to making the risen Christ known to ALL (2 Cor 5:18-20).
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:14 [HCSB]
I am obligated both to Greeks and barbarians, both to the wise and the foolish.
Romans 1:14 [TLB]
For I owe a great debt to you and to everyone else, both to civilized people and uncivilized alike; yes, to the educated and uneducated alike.
Romans 1:15 [AV]
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
as much as in me is: fitting of a faithful doulos, this is a phrase that includes all his energies, all his natural abilities from his first birth, and all his God-given abilities from the new birth; with all that he had and all that he was he was ready to give, to serve
ready=prothumos: willing, eager; similar to an athlete, when it comes time for the championship game, you have to be ready to play, with eagerness at a peak; the preparation is one thing (hours of pre-game practice, body tuned up and warmed up, game plan in mind) – but this word prothumos is talking about the readiness, the eagerness to compete with all your heart at game time, mentally and spiritually psyched up to give all that it takes to win. With as much as in him was, Paul was willing to give his all to those who already believed, as well as give his all to win souls to the Lord by preaching the gospel to anyone and everyone, whether they were wise or unwise, whether Greek speaking or non-Greek speaking, whether in Rome or anywhere else in the world. Paul was “ready”!
preach the gospel=euangelizo: the Greek word from which we get our English word evangelize; it means to announce the glad tidings, to publicly pronounce the gospel.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:15 [TLB]
So, to the fullest extent of my ability, I am ready to come also to you in Rome to preach God’s Good News.
Romans 1:16 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
I am not ashamed: the FOS (figure of speech) Antenantiosis is used with this phrase, where the emphasis is made by the use of the negative in order to express the positive in a very high degree. The literal sense here is that Paul counted it his highest honor and glory to proclaim the gospel – far from being ashamed of it. Note the declaration in the last 3 verses of where Paul is coming from: I am debtor (v14), I am ready (v15), I am not ashamed (v16). And yet, Paul is not central - the gospel of God concerning Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of all that he has to declare. As debtor, he owed them the gospel, so with all that he was he was ready to preach the gospel, for he counted it his highest honor to preach the gospel of God, to anyone, anywhere.
of Christ: all critical Greek texts omit these words; the gospel, as laid out in v1-3, is the gospel of God concerning His Son, Jesus Christ.
power of God: it is the gospel, the Word of God, that is alive and powerful (Heb 4:12); it is the Word of God, heard and believed, that brings the power of God into manifestation, both in new birth salvation (Rom 10:8-17; 1 Pet 1:23) and in the walk of victory in the spiritual warfare following the new birth (1 Cor 1:18; 2 Cor 10:3-5). Also see 1 Thes 2:13; Ps 119:50; John 6:63.
salvation=soteria: salvation or deliverance; in the context of Romans 1, it is talking about the deliverance from spiritual death unto spiritual life, from sin unto right standing with God, available through right believing concerning the Lord Jesus Christ
believeth=pisteuo: to believe (the verb form of the noun pistis, which can be translated believing or faith)
to the Jew first: only those of Jewish background had first received on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5,14,22; 3:25-26); then years later the Gentiles began to receive that same salvation (Acts 10-11); yet the fullness of the salvation and deliverance from God through His Son was available to both groups equally (Rom 2:9-10; Acts 2:39).
Greek: here the category “Greek” represents all non-Jews, or Gentiles; so with the Jew first, and then the non-Jew as well, it’s all inclusive; once again, ALL have God’s provision of salvation in Christ made available to them through believing – for it is “to every one that believeth”.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:16 [WNT]
For I am not ashamed of the good news. For God’s power it is, resulting in salvation to everyone who believes, to Jew first and also to Gentile,
Romans 1:16 [MSG]
It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else!
Romans 1:17 [AV]
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
This verse is the nucleus, the very essence of the entire Epistle.
For therein: referring back to what v1,3,9,15 and 16 speak of, i.e. the gospel (good news) of God concerning His Son, Jesus Christ
righteousness=dikaiosune: justice or righteousness that measures up to God’s standard of being just or righteous; this Greek word, or various forms of it, appears 64x in Romans = KEY concept! The OT Hebrew equivalent is used when it talks about "just balances” or “just weights”, where you use instruments that are according to a right standard, so you are able to give a man in the marketplace what he rightly and justly has coming if he buys from you. Also used in OT in a "just measure”, where you measure out that which is "just" or “right” according to the price they are paying. Romans is announcing the Good News that God is the One Who imputes or reckons righteousness to every one who believes, according to the price paid by His Son Jesus Christ. If that standard is met, then that makes the believer able to stand acceptable before God on perfectly just and legal grounds.
righteousness of God: this is not referring to God’s own righteous character, but rather how He puts men right with Himself - the right standing with God whereby one is able to enter into His presence without any sense of sin, guilt, or condemnation. This is righteousness from God, God’s provision of salvation for man. God has made it available for man to obtain His standard of righteousness through Jesus Christ’s redemptive work (2 Cor 5:21; Rom 5:12-21). Attempting to enter into God’s presence any other way other than God’s way (John 14:6), or attempting to attain unto the righteousness of God any other way other than through God’s provision, will result in failure and futility. Rom 10:3-4: “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” This truth points out man’s basic nature, which is to repudiate grace by trying to do for himself what only God can do. Man tries to do things to show how righteous he is, which is a counterfeit of God’s provision for man by grace. God has already done for us through Christ what we could never do for ourselves. Yet man tries to do the works of the law so he can boast, even though it’s proven he can never do all that the law requires for right standing before God (Eph 2:8-9; Phil 3:9; Gal 2:16).
revealed=apokalupto: unveiled and visible to the eye
faith=pistis: believing, faith; used 3x in this focal verse; pistis or it’s verb form, pisteuo, appears 61x in Romans = KEY concept!
from faith to faith: the meaning of this phrase has been argued for centuries. Some have held that the first "faith" refers to God's faithfulness, while the second "faith" deals with man's believing. Another way it has been handled is that the first "faith" is a FOS, Metonymy, referring to the foundation upon which believing rests (i.e. the truth of God's Word), and the words "to faith" should be rendered "with the intent of producing believing." Others have declared "from faith to faith" is intensive and means "entirely by faith" apart from any human works, while still others have written that it refers to a process begun in "faith" and continuing in "faith” (the NIV translates it “by faith from first to last”. Each of these renderings offers insight. Certainly God's faithfulness to the truth of His Word is the basis for our believing, and indeed His Word does produce believing. Furthermore, God's righteousness is revealed and received entirely by believing, beginning with believing, and continuing with believing. The essential action God would have us to take is simple: BELIEVE the gospel of God concerning His Son (see Mark 16:15-16; John 3:15-18)
it is written: the same foundation upon which Jesus Christ stood when tempted of the Devil in the wilderness (Matt 1:1-10). "The just shall live by faith” is quoted from Habakkuk 2:4 (it’s also quoted in Gal 3:11 and Heb 10:38), and is in direct contrast with the quote of Moses in Rom 10:5: “For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.” Hab 2:4 is the first of 74 OT references used in Romans (see note in Rom 1:2).
just=dikaios: righteous one, the one who is put right with God, a quality of being just based on God’s established standard of justice or rightness; dikaios is the root form of the Greek word for “righteousness” (see above); occurs 81x in NT; in the AV it’s translated “righteous” 41x, and “just” 33x.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:17 [NLT]
This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”*
Romans 1:17 [GNB]
For the gospel reveals how God puts people right with himself: it is through faith from beginning to end. As the scripture says, “The person who is put right with God through faith shall live.”
Romans 1:18 [AV]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
ANNOTATED NOTES:
This verse sets the wrath of God as the subject matter from 1:18 to 3:20. For anyone asking the question, “Why do men even need this gospel?”, this section will provide the answer, with man’s utter depravity as the dark backdrop for the brilliant light of the gospel of grace that reveals God’s righteousness to those who believe. The sub-section of Romans 1:18-32 summarizes the idolatry of a satanic system in all its naked horror. It addresses those who by their deeds are “worthy of death” (1:32).
wrath=orge: anger with a desire for due and just punishment - not an emotional outburst of anger but an abiding, settled frame of mind found in divine judgment; a God who loves good, hates evil.
wrath of God: the wrath of God refers to that which will be brought upon unjust men at a future time (called “the day of wrath” in Rom 2:5), when God will punish unjust men for their rebellion (that future time is also called “the day of the Lord” – see Isa 13:6-13; Joel 1:15; 2:1ff; Zeph 1:14-18). God’s wrath is never spoken of as being upon Adam for his transgression - neither is it spoken of as being upon born-again children of God via the second Adam, Jesus Christ (see “saved from wrath” in Rom 5:9!; in contrast, see Eph 5:6; Col 3:6). The wrath of God is brought upon people when they will not accept the “gift of righteousness” by grace (Rom 5:15,17), which is the deliverance God provides for them through Jesus Christ. See John 3:36, where believing regarding Jesus Christ is the standard God uses to divide those who have everlasting life from those who do not believe and therefore will experience His wrath. See II Thes 1:6-8 concerning the revealing of our Lord in a day to come. Of paramount importance is the Truth that God has already “delivered [past tense] us from the wrath to come” (I Thes 1:9-10!!)
revealed=apokalupto: unveiled, revealed, visible to see; same word used in v17 concerning the “righteousness of God”; within the gospel of God concerning Jesus Christ, God’s action of putting men right with Him when they believe is revealed (v17), as well as His future action of bringing wrath upon man’s ungodliness and unrighteousness when they don’t believe (v18). In either case, God is not keeping secrets - the Truth is in clear sight.
ungodliness: lack of reverence for God (directionally, more man toward God)
unrighteousness: wrong-doing and wickedness (directionally, more man toward man); this latter naturally follows the former, as one’s reverence or irreverence toward God affects how one conducts oneself toward others
hold: hold down, suppress; speaking of when a person knows the truth, but deliberately acts contrary to it in order to live their own life as they willfully desire
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:18 [NKJV]
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
Romans 1:19 [AV]
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
manifest=phaneros: apparent, evident, clearly seen; able to be plainly recognized or known; this is the adjective form of the Gr word translated “shewed"
shewed=phaneroo: to make known, make manifest, make plainly visible; this is the verb form of the Gr word translated "manifest”; If man wants to know about God, God would be the One to go to, not man. God wants to make plain to man Who He is, and He has done just that.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:19 [LIT]
For that which can be known about God is plainly evident to them, because God has made it plain to them.
Romans 1:19 [ESV]
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
Romans 1:20 [AV]
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:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
invisible things…clearly seen: In Greek the words translated "invisible things" and "clearly seen” share a common Greek root. Could accurately read, “the invisible things are clearly visible," or "the things that cannot be seen are clearly seen." The phrase appears to be a foolish and contradictory statement, but it is the FOS Oxymoron, from a Greek word meaning "pointedly foolish." In this FOS the seeming self-contradiction is made for effect, with the explanation following, "...being understood by the things that are made." The things of God that cannot be seen are clearly seen, being perceived with the mind by the things that are made. We can't see God or His divine nature, but we can see His handiwork (Ps 19:1).
Creation demands a Creator. Design demands a Designer. When you look at a watch, even if you've never seen the designer of the watch, you can realize things such as the designer's intelligence and his sense of beauty through his handiwork. Likewise man, even without the spirit from God, is able to logically know certain things about God from what He has made. Job 12:7-9: “But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee. Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the LORD hath wrought this?”
from: since
the things that are made=poiema: workmanship; it’s translated as such in the only other NT occurrence in Eph 2:10; denotes the result of God’s action as Creator (see Ps 143:5; Isa 29:16)
even: not in text
Godhead=theiotes: divine nature
without excuse: God's power, majesty, wisdom and goodness are all demonstrated in the material creation (Ps 33:5; Acts 14:15-17). Man can know by means of that material creation that there is a Creator deserving of his worship and thanks. Man does not need any special revelation to understand this. The witness to God in nature is so clear and so constant that ignoring it is indefensible. Man therefore has no excuse for turning from God. With all that God has shown to man in His creation, ignorance of the true God’s power and nature is willful blindness. There just are NO excuses. See Psalm 8:1-4; 19:1-6; Job 38-41.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:20 [ESV]
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
Romans 1:21 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
glorified=doxazo: to set in a position of highest honor, to exalt to an honorable position with esteem and praise, to render glorious (see Rom 15:6)
neither were thankful: they quit being thankful for God’s goodness toward them and for all that He had provided for them in His creation. Instead of remembering the greatness of God’s goodness, they began to think highly of themselves as the good ones, the doers of good, as the ones to be exalted (note the serpent’s appeal in Gen 3:5 “…ye shall be as gods…”, in contrast to Jesus Christ’s claim of Matt 19:17 “…Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God:”) Also see Deut 8:7-17, where Moses solemnly warned the children of Israel to not forget God’s goodness in His provision for all they had, specifically detailing the default alternative of believing that the blessings in their lives had come through their own intelligence, resourcefulness and hard work. David, a man after God’s heart, is a notable example of glorifying God and giving Him due thanks: 1 Chron 29:11-13 “Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.” An imperative given to us as God’s born-again children is: “In everything give thanks…” (1 Thes 5:18).
became vain=mataioomai: to make empty or worthless; in essence, they became useless to God and themselves; it’s talking about a level of conceit where they believe they are so right, but in reality they are dead wrong – so they charge ahead blindly in their error, undeterred by truth. In the Septuagint (the Greek version of the OT) this word is used frequently of idolatry (see Jer 2:5-8; 2 Kings 17:15-17; Ps 14:1-7). Also see Eph 4:17-18.
imaginations: the thinking of a man deliberating within himself, empty reasonings, speculations; it’s talking about the constant dialogue, disputations, or chatter that goes on in an individual’s head as he deliberates within himself, thinking and reasoning things through while devoid of praise and thankfulness to God
foolish: without understanding, undiscerning; in the reasoning within their hearts they were no longer able to make proper discernment between right and wrong, truth and lies, light and darkness (see Isa 5:20)
darkened: speaking of a spiritual darkness; their hearts were darkened, but they thought they were enlightened. The only source of light that man has is God’s Word (see Ps 36:9; 119:105; Isa 8:20, in contrast to Ps 106:19-24). Also see Eph 1:17-21.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:21 [HCSB]
For though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became nonsense, and their senseless minds were darkened.
Romans 1:21 [CEV]
They know about God, but they don’t honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark.
Romans 1:22 [AV]
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
ANNOTATED NOTES:
professing=phasko: claiming, alleging; (same Gr word used in Acts 24:9 - context is v5-9 - just because someone says it’s so doesn’t make it so); a man devoid of God’s wisdom is filled with unfounded assertions.
fools=moraino: senseless, silly, drivel, stupefied (we get our English word “moron” from the Gr root); When man claims to be wise, he becomes a fool of the first order, ignorant and blinded by his own perverted mind (see Rom 11:25). The only basis upon which man can make right decisions and judgments is the light of God’s Word. Turning from the light of the One True God is a plunge into darkness and self-deification. God is the wise One, who then can impart wisdom to those who seek it from Him (Prov 2:6 “For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding”; also see James 1:5, 16-17; 3:14-17). The ability of man to reason logically and truthfully becomes impaired when the Word of God is ignored. According to Prov 1:7 and 9:10, the "fear [reverence] of the Lord is the beginning" of knowledge and wisdom - if one doesn’t have it, one hasn’t begun (also see Psalm 14:1-3; 111:10). An educational system that refuses to acknowledge and exalt the true God ignores the first principle of wisdom, and can thus only produce those who claim to be wise but are in reality fools - the very opposite of what they think themselves to be, no matter what their IQ, educational degree, or self-labeled level of intellect. See 1 Cor 1:18-21; 3:19.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:22 [AMP]
Claiming to be wise, they became fools [professing to be smart, they made simpletons of themselves].
Romans 1:23 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
changed=allasso: does not mean “change” - it means to substitute, to exchange one for another; the word was used in Gr literature of bartering one thing for another. They took the glory of God, our Creator, who is incorruptible, and exchanged it for a corruptible worthless substitute.
uncorruptible God: see I Tim 1:17, in direct contrast to man or birds or beasts that die daily and corrupt into dust; God and the truth of His Word lives and abides forever, and it is only by the Word of God that corruptible man can be born again of incorruptible seed (1 Pet 1:23-25)
image made: see Ex 20:1-4 for God’s clear prohibition on such senseless idolatry; In the Greek culture, pagan gods in human form prevailed, while in Egypt pagan gods in bestial form were most prevalent. See Ps 97:7; 115:4-8; 135:15-18; Isa 30:22; 1 Cor 10:7,14; 1 John 5:21.
fourfooted beasts: the bull and the cow were held sacred in Egypt (hence a golden calf taken up by the Israelites); cattle are still worshipped today in certain countries
creeping things=herpeton: the worship of the serpent plays a prominent part in most forms of paganism. After reading Gen 3 and Rev 12:9; 20;2, that should come as no surprise. A worshipper generally considers himself inferior to the object of his worship. Man was created in the image and likeness of God (Gen 1:26-27), given dominion over the fish of the sea, the foul of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth (Gen 1:28), and was made just a little lower than God his Creator (see Ps 8:5-8, where the word translated “angels” is Elohim, which is translated “God” 2346x in the AV, and only once as “angels”, erroneously). For man to bow down and worship some man-made image of a corruptible animal is the epitome of insanity. In reality, when man worships and sacrifices to an idol, he worships and sacrifices to a devil spirit (I Cor 10:20 “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.”) (also see Lev 17:7; Deut 32:16-17; Ps 106:37-39)
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:23 [GW]
They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for statues that looked like mortal humans, birds, animals, and snakes.
Romans 1:23 [TLB]
And then, instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they took wood and stone and made idols for themselves, carving them to look like mere birds and animals and snakes and puny men.
Romans 1:24 [AV]
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
also: not in Gr text
gave them up=paradidomi: to hand over a right or authority to another, to permit someone to exercise a right or authority; same word/phrase is used in v26 and 28 (also see Eph 4:18-19; Ps 81:11-12; Hosea 4:17; Acts 14:16). God allows man free will choice to walk astray and go his own way (Isa 53:6). From the beginning, man was handed the power and authority to willfully desert God if he so chose, and God allowed them to do so, leaving them to their own self-determination and self-destruction. However, God provides a way up and out (Jn 14:6) So the consequential conditions described here and in surrounding verses are not irreversible conditions. Deliverance can be received as declared in 1:16-17 and 3:21ff. Reconciliation is available through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. If a person can exchange the Truth of God for the lie of idolatry (v25), they can also exchange the lie for the Truth. I Thes 1:9: “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God”. Also see Acts 26:18.
dishonour: to degrade or abuse, treat with contempt; they did not treat their bodies with the honor, love and respect due them - in contrast to Rom 12:1 and 1 Thes 4:4.
between: among
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:24 [CEV]
So God let these people go their own way. They did what they wanted to do, and their filthy thoughts made them do shameful things with their bodies.
Romans 1:25 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
changed: exchanged (see note on same word in v23)
the truth of God into a lie: accurately reads “the truth of God for the lie”. The "truth of God”, in this context, is that there is only one true God Who is deserving of man's worship. The lie is explained in the last part of the verse - they worshipped (reverenced, venerated) and served the creation instead of the Creator. The truth is, God is the only One worthy of our worship. This verse, in essense, repeats the “exchange" of v23, referencing those who worshipped and served the things of God's creation rather than the Creator Himself (see Isa 40:18-26; Jer 10:1-16). Idols are frequently called lies or falsehoods in the OT (see Jer 13:25; Isa 28:15; Jer 10:14; Ps 40:4). THE lie of Romans 1:25 is idolatry, and it was the Devil who originated the lie (Jn 8:44). The Devil wants to be exalted to the heights of the Most High God (Isa 14:13-14). He uttered the lie to man in Gen 3:4-5: “you will be like God”. Jesus Christ spoke “the Truth of God” instead of falling for the lie (Matt 4:8-10!!). Also see 2 Thes 2:9-11 and 1 Cor 10:19-21.
the creature: the creation, the created thing; that would include any created spirit being (Lucifer/the Devil), or man, or a lower level animal, or the sun, moon or stars, etc. - they are all part of the creation, as opposed to God the Creator.
more than: instead of, rather than; It’s not a matter of comparative degree - the ones being spoken of passed by the Creator entirely and altogether, and chose to worship and serve His creation rather than Him.
Amen: truly, surely, so be it, this is surely so, indeed this is true. “Amen" is a remarkably meaningful word, transliterated directly from the Hebrew into the Greek, into Latin, into English and many other languages, so that it is practically a universal word. It has been called the best known word in human speech. The word is directly related, almost identical, to the Hebrew word for “believe” (aman), or faithful. It is an expression of certainty, of absolute trust and confidence. Amen!!
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:25 [NKJV]
who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
Romans 1:25 [LIT]
Because they exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creation instead of the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen - this is surely so!
Romans 1:26 [AV]
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:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
For this cause: "For this reason”, or "Because of this” (i.e. because they worshipped and served the creation instead of the Creator, from v25); the NEB renders it “In consequence”; v26-32 lays out the devastating consequences of the idolatrous decisions they had made by free will
gave them up=paradidomi: to hand over a right or authority to another, to permit someone to exercise a right or authority; same word/phrase is used in v23 and 28 (also see Eph 4:18-19; Ps 81:11-12; Hosea 4:17; Acts 14:16). It’s worth repeating the note from v23, that God allows man free will choice to walk astray and go his own way (Isa 53:6). From the beginning, man was handed the power and authority to willfully desert God if he so chose, and God allowed them to do so, leaving them to their own self-determination and self-destruction. However, God provides a way up and out (Jn 14:6).
vile affections: passions of dishonor, passions of infamy driven by lust; passionate desires that are disgraceful, shameful, and degrading; For the only other 2 uses of the Gr word for “affections” in the NT, see 1 Thes 4:4-5 (“lust” in AV) and Col 3:5 (“vile passions” in DAR).
changed: should read “exchanged" (see note on same root word used in v23); this is the 3rd “exchange” spoken of in 4 verses - all representing an idolatrous direction, all a rejection of God Who created man.
natural use: in some languages the equivalent of “natural use” is simply “being as it should be”; Sexually, a woman being with a man is the way God designed sexual relations - it’s as it should be. Even from a purely physiological standpoint, it’s undeniably obvious that the natural use of their respective sexual organs is for a woman to be with a man. For a woman to lie with a woman sexually is the opposite of natural, against nature, and at it’s root it is idolatrous, as the context of v21-26 makes clear.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:26 [NCV]
Because people did those things, God left them and let them do the shameful things they wanted to do. Women stopped having natural sex and started having sex with other women.
Romans 1:27 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
likewise: could read “in the same way”
leaving: having left, having deserted, forsaken
natural use: v26 implied that the natural sexual activity of a woman is with a man, by stating that a woman with a woman amounted to “vile affections...against nature”; here in v27 it states it explicitly that sexual activity is natural between a man and a woman, not a man and a man. With v26 and 27 covering both sexes, it is unequivocally clear that a man with a man, or a woman with a woman, is a shameful lust that is against nature. In the whole of Scripture, there is not a single verse that refutes this truth, implicitly or explicitly.
woman=thelus: more accurately translated “female”; same Gr word is used in v26 for “women"; the word “men” in this verse is the Gr arsen, which is more accurately translated “male”; “female” and “male” are sexual terms, as opposed to generic terms for men and women (see Matt 19:4-6 for what Jesus Christ taught on the subject)
burned=ekkaio: were inflamed, burned furiously, consumed; the males spoken of here abandoned the natural sexual activity with females and were inflamed in their sexual lust one for another
unseemly: indecent, shameful
receiving=apolambano: receiving back in full what one is due
recompense: retribution, repayment based on what one deserves
error=ho plane: the wandering, delusional straying, wicked error; With the definite article, ho, it’s bigger than merely some minor error. It’s both a forsaking of what God provided as natural, and a lusting for that which is categorically unnatural, against the God of nature, against God’s design and will (see Jer 2:13). At its root, the vile affections and shameful sexual activities spoken of in v26-27 are idolatrous, an exalting and serving the creation instead of the Creator.
was meet: was due, was fitting, was what they logically deserved
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:27 [AMP]
And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.
Romans 1:27 [NIV]
In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
Romans 1:28 [AV]
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;
ANNOTATED NOTES:
did not like to retain: did not approve, did not find to their liking, refused, rejected; The Greek verbs in this phrase indicate that they were rejecting something that they had put to the test - upon their examination they did not consider God’s truth as fit to be retained. It’s not speaking of someone who has never known about God. They did indeed have knowledge of Him, but refused to acknowledge Him as God. He didn’t pass their personal test as someone they wanted to keep in mind or think about, so they rejected Him (see Job 21:14). And with God willfully out of their way, they have no self-restraint from filling their minds and lives with those things they want to do, as detailed in v29-32.
knowledge=epignosis: acknowledgment of the thing known; literally, "full knowledge"; practically, a living knowledge
gave them up: gave them over, handed them over to the power of another, in this case to the corruptness of their own god-rejecting thoughts. This is the 3rd of 3 uses of “gave them up/over” in 5 verses (see v24, 26). God let them do what they pleased, let them go in the direction they had chosen, that those who had refused to honor God might dishonor themselves.
reprobate=adokimos: depraved, degenerate, distorted to such a degree as to be incapable of making true or right judgments; see Eph 4:17-19; 2 Tim 3:8; Titus 1:16). Also see Isa 44:12-20 for an example of how twisted man’s mind becomes when he knows of but chooses to refuse God’s truth, refuses to truly acknowledge Him as God.
not: absolutely not
convenient=katheko: fit, right (see Acts 22:22 for only other occurrence in NT)
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:28 [AMP]
And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome,
Romans 1:28 [WUE]
And even as after putting God to the test for the purpose of approving Him should He meet their specifications, and finding that He did not, they disapproved of holding Him in their full and precise knowledge, God gave them up to a mind that would not meet the test for that which a mind was meant, to practice those things which were not becoming or fitting;
Romans 1:29 [AV]
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
ANNOTATED NOTES:
Being filled=pleroo: being filled to full capacity (AMP: "permeated and saturated”)
fornication: omitted in Gr texts
wickedness=poneria: destructive badness; the desire of doing harm; utter depravity in the thoughts of the mind; In Greek, a common title of Satan was ho poneros, meaning "the evil one", or "the wicked one".
covetousness=pleonexia: greediness, a lust to get, a strong desire to acquire more and more irrespective of need (Eph 5:5 and Col 3:5 declare it as idolatry)(also see 1 Tim 6:10).
maliciousness=kakia: viciousness, evil which is vicious in all forms
envy, murder: envy is talking about a mind stored full with envy, filled to the brim, and that level of envy is the great instigator of strife and bloodshed. Just like in Gal 5:21, envy is closely tied with murder. See Mark 15:9-13. Murder often follows envy as it did with the first murderer, Cain, who was envious because his brother's offering was accepted and his was not - therefore, he killed Abel. In the Greek, the words for envy and murder in this verse are the FOS Paronomasia, where they are similar in appearance and in rhyming sound, and occur juxtaposed to give emphasis to their close association (murder=phonos and envy=phthonos).
debate=eris: strife, discord, wordy wrangling and contentious rivalry
deceit=dolos: used in Greek literature regarding the bait that’s used to catch an animal; used here relative to the adulteration of the truth, to deceive and catch men with falsehoods. The verb form, doloun, was used to describe the debasing of precious metals, as well as the adulterating of wine - in both cases, the pawning off as something that it wasn’t.
malignity: mischief, malice with an intensity, a deliberate evil intent by always supposing the worst about others
whisperers=psithuristes: one who secretly conveys detrimental information about the character and welfare of others; privately delivering defamatory accusations against others, whether true or false, in a sly manner, even by hints or innuendoes that excite suspicion.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:29 [AMP]
Until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. [They were] full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. [They were] secret backbiters and gossipers,
Romans 1:29 [WUE]
being filled with every unrighteousness, pernicious evil, avarice, malice, full of envy, murder, wrangling, guile, malicious craftiness; secret slanderers,
Romans 1:30 [AV]
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
ANNOTATED NOTES:
backbiters=katalalos: evil speakers; they publicly speak evil and accuse, being openly slanderous of others, whereas the “whisperers" of v29 speak evil secretively, in a sly seductive fashion
haters of God=theostuges: haters of God, which will include the hating of His Word and those who stand for it and speak it. This Gr word describes the man who hates God because God is the barrier between him and his pleasures, keeping him from doing all exactly as he pleases. He would gladly eliminate God altogether if he could, for to him a Godless world would be one where he would have not just liberty to sin, but unrestricted license to sin.
despiteful=hubristes: insolent, injurious by word or deed; being outrageously insulting, abusive and injurious to others (see “injurious” in 1 Tim 1:13). This Gr word covers not just the cruelty carried out for the sake of revenge, but also that which is simply for the sheer pleasure of hurting another. In the physical realm, its infancy can be seen in senseless cruelty to animals, which often progresses toward people.
proud=huperephanos: haughty, arrogant, closely associated with conspicuous boasting (see 2 Tim 3:2); marked by exalting and magnifying themselves in their own minds at the expense of others (see James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5; Prov 3:34)
boasters=alazon: loud mouths, false pretenders; this behavior is closely connected to the juxtaposed “proud”, with the essential meaning of “in their hearts they think they are great [proud] and they are always telling people that they are great [boasters]”.
inventors of evil things=epheuretes kakos: inventors of evil things of every form, seeking new ways to practice evil, new devices to gratify their lusts and passions. When passions ceased to be gratified with old forms of indulgence, they were obliged to resort to new devices to pamper their appetites and rekindle their dying passions to a flame. This was eminently true of ancient Rome, where their splendid entertainments, their games, their theaters, their blood-spilling sports were little else than new and ever-varying inventions of evil things to gratify their lust and pride.
disobedient to parents: they will not be persuaded by the parents, will not listen to true parental guidance, refusing to show the respect and honor due them. (see 1 Tim 1:9; 2 Tim 3:2)
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATION:
Romans 1:30 [AMP]
Slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, [and] boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents.
Romans 1:31 [AV]
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
ANNOTATED NOTES:
without understanding=asunetos: senseless, stupid, foolish, without understanding; same Gr word is rendered “foolish” in v21
covenantbreakers=asunthetos: trustless, faithless, breakers of agreements and promises. This is the 2nd use of the FOS Paronomasia in this list, where in the Greek the words for “without understanding” (asunetos) and “covenantbreakers” (asunthetos) rhyme with similar endings, emphasizing their close alignment. A fool makes promises to God and men and then doesn’t follow through. He’s full of words, but they mean nothing (see Eccl 5:1-5).
without natural affection=astorgos: without love for children or family; it can refer to a child's lack of affection for parents, especially when they are infirm or helpless, or a parent's lack of affection for children. Among the ancient Persians it was a common custom to bury children alive. In most of the Grecian states, infanticide was not merely permitted, but actually enforced by law. But among all the nations of antiquity, the Romans were the most unrelenting in their treatment of infants. Even among the Israelites, such actions were not absent (see Ps 106:37-38; 2 Chron 33:6a).
implacable=aspondos: omitted in most Greek texts
unmerciful=aneleemon: pitiless, cruel, destitute of compassion; not desirous of relieving pain of others.
Verses 29-31 give a list of characteristics that men and women with reprobate minds were filled to the full with. Taken as a whole, this list is staggering, yet true. It details the level of depravity man will fall to when God is rejected and emptied out from his thinking, leaving the vacuum of his mind to be "filled with all unrighteousness". The absence of light is darkness. Take note that within the long list of characteristics, there are no conjunctions, which is the FOS Asyndeton. This is by divine design. The absence of conjunctions prompts us to read through the list quickly, to arrive at a great concluding statement which receives the emphasis, in this case, verse 32! (see the same FOS in Gal 5:19-21; Gal 5:22-23; Mark 7:21-23; Phil 3:5-7). It should also be noted that all four of these Gr words in v31, which close out the list, begin with the letter “a” (alpha) as a negative particle. Some translators reflect that repetition in the English.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:31 [NKJV]
undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving...unmerciful;
Romans 1:31 [NIV]
they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
Romans 1:32 [AV]
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.
ANNOTATED NOTES:
knowing=epiginosko: to know thoroughly, to know fully
judgment=dikaioma: a standard that establishes what is considered to be just or righteous; the "dikaioma of God" is the righteous judgment of God based on His righteous requirements, His standard for what is just or righteous
commit=prasso: continue to practice
have pleasure=suneudokeo: to openly consent, to express a hearty approval, to applaud
They fully knew what God thought of the things listed in v29-31, and yet deliberately chose to do them. Not only that, they found delight in encouraging others to do them, finding a camaraderie with their new partners-in-sin. That is a reprobate mind, a mind that refuses to acknowledge God, refuses to retain God in their thoughts, and thus moves toward the extremity of human rebellion against God. See 1 Tim 4:2. If the true God is not honored and worshipped by man, with thanksgiving for all that the Creator has provided, man starts down a descending path which leads to utter evil and destruction (see Gen 6:5-6). That path is the one the first man took, the path the serpent led the woman down in Genesis 3 - where they actually thought that if they would just put something else ahead of the true God, contrary to His stated Word and will, then they shall be as gods. Man is still repeating that first sin, trying to make himself God. Isaiah 1:3-4 indicates that even an ox or an ass is smarter than that. See 2 Tim 3:1-8 and 2 Thes 2:3-4, 10-12.
ALTERNATIVE TRANSLATIONS:
Romans 1:32 [AMP]
Though they are fully aware of God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them.
Romans 1:32 [NLT]
They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
