Romans 1: Greetings and General Revelation

Romans 1: Greetings and General Revelation

Collin Leong. June 24, 2025

(v1-7) Greetings to the Saints in Rome

(v1-4) Paul called himself a servant of Jesus Christ, and called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God.  He said that the gospel is: 

a) a promised beforehand through the prophets

b) it's regarding His Son in His earthly life. He was a descendant of David. 

c) through the Spirit of holiness, Jesus was appointed the Son of God in power by His resurrection from the dead, and becomes Christ our Lord. 

Jesus was always the Son of God, but through His resurrection, that identity was publicly declared and powerfully confirmed. It’s God’s stamp of approval, showing that Jesus is not just a teacher or prophet, but the victorious, divine Son.

(v5-7) Paul received grace and apostleship through Jesus Christ, in order to call Gentiles to obedience that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. The letter recipients are the ones called to belong to Jesus Christ. The letter is to all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be His holy people. He wish them grace and piece from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.  

This is why Paul is called the Apostle to the Gentiles. 

(v8-17) Paul's Longing to Visit Rome. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)

(v8-10) Paul thanks God through Jesus Christ for them, because their faith is being reported all over the world. God is his witness how he constantly remember them in his prayers always and he is praying that a way is open for him to visit Rome, by God's will. 

When Paul used the word "world", he meant the known Roman world at that time. Paul are always praying for the churches and people he knows. Do we spend much time in praying for our family, friends, and our church? 

(v11-15) Paul wants to see them to impart spiritual gifts to make them strong, and to be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. He has planned many times to go there but was prevented from doing so until now. He wants to harvest them just as he has done for the other Gentiles. He said he is obligated to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and foolish. That's why he's eager to preach the gospel to them in Rome. 

When Paul said "to impart spiritual gifts", it means that he wants to strengthen their gifts through teaching and encouragement, or laying on of hands (as in 2 Tim 1:6). The Greek word for “impart” (metadō) suggests a sharing or giving from what one already possesses. He cannot "give gifts" to people - only Christ and the Holy Spirit can (1 Cor 12:4-11; Eph 4:11-12). 

He clarifies: “that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." (v12),  showing that “imparting” is not one-directional or hierarchical — it’s relational and edifying.

He wanted to go Rome, but was prevented by something or different things. He said the obstacles are gone now and he's eager to go to Rome. Historically, Paul hadn’t yet been to Rome when he wrote this letter (likely from Corinth around AD 57), but he was making plans. Later in Romans 15:23–24, he even outlines his travel and hopes to visit Rome on his way to Spain.

In those days, the Romans' culture is the Grecian culture, thanks to Alexander the Great's legacy. They speak and write in the Greek language and are culturally Hellenized. "Non-Greeks" are those whose language and customs are foreign.  The word "Wise" means those who are educated, and "foolish" refers to those who are not. He's not making a judgement, he is saying that everyone needs the gospel. 

(v16-17)  Paul says that he is not ashamed of the gospel, because "it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile."  The gospel reveals that God's righteousness is that righteousness is by faith from "first to last",  as it was written "The righteous will live by faith." (Habakkuk 2:4). 

When he said "first to last", he means that the path to righteousness begins in faith, grows in faith, and ends in faith. He quoted Habakkuk 2:4 to prove that this has always been God's way. 

The "power of God" is the power of love, where our lives can be changed and transformed. Christ's act of love can save us and give us eternal life. It is available for everyone, not those who are rich or smart. It is a universal invitation but exclusive to those who believe in Jesus. 

Paul said he is not ashamed of preaching the gospel. He is not afraid despite all the shame and persecution. Where is our "Rome" that God has given you to preach the gospel? If God call you today, are you avoiding it because you are ashamed or afraid? God will give you the courage and will provide you with the words to say. As a pastor said: "We are members of the Fellowship of the Unashamed."

(v18-32) God's Wrath Against Sinful Humanity (Jeremiah 6:10-21; Jeremiah 25:15-33; Jonah 1:4-10; Acts 27:13-26)

(v18-20) Paul said that the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth. God has made it plain to them that since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen. They can know God through what He has made, i.e. all the creation. They have no excuse. 

Paul is saying that the natural world isn’t just a backdrop to human life; it’s a living declaration.  This is what theologians call general revelation. The intricacies of ecosystems, the power of storms, the beauty of a sunrise, the vastness of the stars—all these testify, in their own way, to a Creator with eternal power and divine essence. When there is a design, there is a Creator, and not by chance. Psalms 19:1 says: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

(v21-25) Although they knew God, they neither glorified nor give thanks to Him. Their thinking became futile and their foolish heart were darkened. They think they were wise, but they became fools. and exchange the glory of the immortal God and made images that looks like mortal human and animals. Therefore God allowed them to follow their sinful desires of their heart, and they degrade their bodies with one another. They exchange truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator. 

Paul is saying that even though they know there's a creator, they never worship or give thanks to Him, but the things they made - idols - instead.

(v26-27) The above results in shameful lust. Women and men abandoned natural relations with each other, and lusted for sexual relationship with the same sex. They received in themselves the due penalty of their error.  

This means that they are internally affected by this sexual sin, resulting in further estrangement from the Creator, distorted sense of self and identity, and loss of moral clarity. 

(v28-32) As they do not think it's worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, so they do what ought not to be done. They are filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. Examples are:

a) They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They gossip, slander, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful. They invent new ways of doing evil. 

b) They disobey their parents. They have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, and no mercy. 

Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they continue to do these things and also approve of those who practice them. 

 

Paul is referring to people who lived after Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve do not need to observe the creation to know there's a God, for God was there with them and thought them about Himself. He is talking about later generations who is aware that God exist, through His creation. God has put his image into man, and because of this, man has a conscience that accuse or excuse them. They know that God is righteous and holy, and there will be consequences for their sin. 

Even ancient societies outside Israel often had a concept that the gods judged immoral behavior, and that evil brought destruction. These myths and moral systems reflect an echo of truth—fragmented, distorted, but present. Paul isn’t saying this knowledge is saving knowledge, but condemning knowledge - sufficient to show that people act against what they know to be right.  Paul will go into details about this in Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. 

Key Messages

Romans 1 lays the foundation for Paul’s entire argument in the epistle, moving from gospel proclamation to the unraveling of human rebellion. It is not just a critique of ancient paganism — it’s a mirror for every generation. It shows how rejecting God leads to moral confusion and relational breakdown. But it also sets the stage for grace: the gospel is the answer to this unraveling.

1. The Gospel Is God's Power for Salvation (vv.1–17)

• Paul introduces himself as a servant and apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.

• The gospel reveals righteousness from God — by faith, for faith.

• Salvation is offered to all who believe, Jew and Gentile alike.

Application: Anchor your life in the gospel. Share it boldly, knowing it carries divine power to save and transform.

2. God's Wrath Against Suppressed Truth (vv.18–20)

• God’s wrath is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness.

• People suppress the truth, though God’s invisible qualities are clearly seen in creation.

• Humanity is without excuse.

Application: Recognize the seriousness of suppressing truth. Let creation stir awe and accountability before God.

3. The Downward Spiral of Idolatry (vv.21–23)

• Though people knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks.

• Their thinking became futile, and their hearts darkened.

• They exchanged the glory of God for images resembling creation.

Application: Guard against idolatry in all forms. Worship the Creator, not created things — including status, success, or self.

4. God Gives Them Over to Their Desires (vv.24–32)

• God “gave them over” to impurity, dishonorable passions, and depraved minds.

• Sin escalates: sexual immorality, unnatural relations, and a host of relational and moral breakdowns.

• Though they know God’s righteous decree, they not only do such things but approve of others who do.

Application: Don’t normalize sin. Let the Spirit renew your mind and desires. Stand for truth with humility and compassion.

Appendix

1. Background About The Letter of Romans

Paul wrote the letter to the Romans around AD 56–57, likely during his three-month stay in Corinth at the end of his third missionary journey. At the time, he was preparing to travel to Jerusalem with a collection of financial aid for the believers there (Romans 15:25–27). He hadn’t yet visited Rome, but he longed to — not just to encourage the believers there, but to use Rome as a launchpad for a future mission to Spain (Romans 15:23–24).

The Roman church was already well-established, made up of both Jewish and Gentile believers, and Paul wanted to strengthen their unity in the gospel. His letter is both a theological masterpiece and a pastoral bridge — laying out the righteousness of God, the universality of sin, justification by faith, and the implications for daily life.

By the time he wrote Romans, Paul had already penned several letters, including:

• 1 and 2 Thessalonians (c. AD 50–52) — likely his earliest letters, written from Corinth to a young church facing persecution.

• Galatians (c. AD 48–55) — a fiery defense of justification by faith, possibly written from Ephesus or Corinth.

• 1 and 2 Corinthians (c. AD 55–56) — written during his time in Ephesus and Macedonia, addressing church divisions, moral issues, and spiritual gifts.

• Philippians (possibly c. AD 56 or later) — though some date it to his Roman imprisonment, others place it earlier.

So by the time Paul wrote Romans, he was a seasoned apostle and letter-writer — and Romans reflects the maturity of his thought, shaped by years of ministry, suffering, and reflection.