Reflections on Romans 1

Why is Paul eager to preach the gospel to those who are in Rome (1:15)?

Well, there is a group of people who knew God’s decree and didn’t do it (1:32). This group knew God, but did not honor him as God (1:21). This group knew God, but did not give thanks to him (1:21). What can be known about God is plain to this group because God has shown it to them. (1:19). 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 (1:20). So, this group is without excuse (1:20).

But, this group did not see fit to acknowledge God (1:28) or honor him or thank him (1:21). This group exchanged the truth about God for a lie (1:25). This group worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever (1:25). They became futile in their thinking (1:21). Their foolish hearts became darkened (1:21). In doing the things they did, they claimed to become wise but instead became fools (1:22). In doing the things they did, they claimed to be wise but instead exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles (1:23).

So God GAVE THEM UP (it is bad news when you hear God giving you up!) to a debased mind to do what ought not be done (1:28). God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity (1:24). God gave them up to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves (1:24). God gave them up to dishonorable passions (1:26) where they exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error (1:26-27).

Consequently, they were filled with all manner of unrighteousness (1:29-31). This group of people heartily approved of others that followed in such practice of unrighteousness (1:32).

It is to this group of people that Paul is eager to preach the gospel because it is the POWER OF GOD to save this VERY SAME GROUP!

Paul was under obligation to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish (1:14). Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, for the gospel is the POWER OF GOD for SALVATION to EVERYONE who believes.

That is GOOD NEWS! If the gospel of God is able to save that type of person it gives me assurance that he can save someone like me. Thank you God!