With Dale Ratzlaff
Paul’s letter to Romans has probably influenced Christianity more than any other book of the Bible. Martin Luther put it like this:
This letter is truly the most important piece in the New Testament. It is purest Gospel. It is well worth a Christian’s while not only to memorize it word for word but also to occupy himself with it daily, as though it were the daily bread of the soul. It is impossible to read or to meditate on this letter too much or too well. The more one deals with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.
In one sense Romans is a very difficult book in that Paul presents truths that stretch our minds and spirit. In another sense, it is one of the most well organized, logical books of the New Testament. Romans has had a powerful influence on my life and it is my prayer that as we study through this book you, too, will discover new insights into the glorious gospel that motivated the apostle Paul and lit a fire in the early church that still burns brightly today.
Over the years I have had the opportunity to study the first eight chapters of Romans with high school students, home Bible study groups and Sunday school classes. Every time the students, whether young or old have testified that the gospel in Romans has given them a deeper understanding of God’s grace, a new assurance of salvation, a renewed joy and an overall deepening of their Christian experience. I will be using the updated New American Standard Bible. I like this translation for three reasons. First, it is one that I have used for years, second, it is a very literal translation, and third, it expresses the character of the Greek verbs very accurately.
Each week we will focus on a verse or two, seek to squeeze out all the truth these verses have and make applications where appropriate. After you read each section you will have an opportunity to ask questions about that section.
We start with Romans 1:1.
“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, setapart for the gospel of God.”
Commentary
We learn a lot from this first verse. Paul, as author, describes himself as a bond-servant of Christ Jesus. A bond servant is one who is forever resigned to the service of his master. In ancient times the servant would voluntarily allow the master to put his ear up to the door post and cut a hole in his ear with mallet and awl. From that time on, for the rest of his life, he was to serve his master. In calling himself a bond servant Paul communicates to his readers that he has made a life-long commitment to Christ Jesus. There is no turning back, no second thoughts, no walking back on his commitment. He is a servant of Christ for better or worse.
Most translations state that Paul was “called as an apostle” or “called to be an apostle”. While neither of these is incorrect, the literal reading is, Paul, “a called apostle”. He was not an apostle when he was called. Rather he was an enemy of the followers of Jesus. “Apostle” means one who is sent. Actually, it means more than that in this context; Paul was one who is sent on a specific mission. What was Paul’s mission? He was “set apart for the gospel of God.” Paul was steeped in the most legalistic sect of Judaism; he was a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. Now, however, as a bond servant of Christ Jesus, he is set apart, not for teaching the far-reaching arm of the law, but for the furtherance of the gospel, the good news of the saving grace of God.
Application
In considering this first verse let us ask ourselves some questions. What is our commitment to Christ Jesus? Could we call ourselves a “bond servant of Christ Jesus?” Are we in this for the long haul, for better or worse, in sickness and health until He comes or calls us home? Could we be called “an apostle”—one who is sent with a specific mission? And what is our mission? Is the good news of the gospel of God the motivating fire that warms our soul and lights our forward path into the future?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, make yourself real to me as you did to Paul. I want to be your bond servant. You know my weaknesses and how the pull of the world’s treasures often keep me back from that commitment. Help me make that once and for all, no turning back decision. Help me serve you as faithfully as Paul did. May the good news of God’s grace be my motivation every day this next week and forever.
In Jesus name.
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