
Romans 1:1-17 ESV
1Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,
7To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Longing to Go to Rome
8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. 13I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. 15So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Paul’s position and prayer to go to Rome (Romans 1:1-12)
Paul’s three motivations (Romans 1:11-17)
Talk It Over
How have you experienced God this week?
Who is on your B.L.E.S.S card this week?
Begin in prayer
Listen
Eat
Serve
Share
1) What is missing from the gospel you believe in if you forget or downplay the truth that God’s Son is “Jesus” … or “Christ” … or “Lord”? Do you ever downplay one or other of these in how you think and live?
2) Where can you see the “obedience that comes from faith” in your own life?
3) What difference would it make if you went to church next Sunday consciously seeking to encourage others? Do you allow the faith and words of others to encourage you?
4) In what situations do you find yourself being ashamed of the gospel? How could verses 16–17 turn that to eagerness next time?
5) Think about a sin you struggle with. How are you rejecting the gospel when you sin in that way? How will believing the gospel transform the next struggle you face?