#3. Romans 1:14-17 - Let's Get This Thing Started

 Part II: The Conduct of Humanity

To both Greeks and barbarians, to both wise and foolish, a debtor am I.

What a statement! Begin the bulk of the letter by putting yourself beneath everyone else. There is a reason he does this, as we’ll find from reading the next couple chapters, but it must be made clear that before even making a claim, Paul has said so much through mere humility. By placing himself with the rest of humanity, he makes it clear that now is not the time for exaltation. Those in Christ are enslaved with the task of faith, remember? The reward comes later, not now.

I want to make it clear that keeping this faith is no easy task. It is a brutal suffering, recognizing many of the lies people put themselves through. What’s more is that you must remember that you’re no exception. You’re a part of the same world as unbelievers, and are susceptible to the same diseases, afflictions, and pain. Recognizing where that comes from, instead of relying on instinct, comes with keeping this faith. What’s worse? Satan recognizes those that recognize that he is currently the god of this eon (2 Cor. 4:2.) Don’t think for one moment that you are not on his radar. Paul certainly understands this notion, which is why his letter begins with “I am in your debt.” It wasn’t until he started speaking these truths that his afflictions multiplied tenfold. No longer is he dealing with food, water, taxes, lodgings, and clothing. Now it’s food, water, taxes, lodgings, clothing, and Satan. However, he relentlessly continues to clarify that the only way to combat the wicked principles of today’s world are by keeping this faith.

The scope of the letter, made abundantly clear, in case you missed it before, with his address to “Greek” and “barbarians,” in dramatic contrast to Jesus’ statement that His ministry was for Israel (Matt. 15:24,) is to clarify that we’re not focused on race, here, whereas Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are specifically for the Israelites. The superficial distinction between cultures is nothing, here, because Paul is tying us all together with one common quality: all of us are human.

I’m beating a dead horse at this point, but please allow me to grind it to dust. He goes on to call himself indebted to the whole of humanity! In calling himself a debtor to others, Paul sets the example as the first member of the Body of Christ: we are to endure this suffering now, place ourselves at the feet of others. Both our purpose and reward are revealed throughout the entirety of Paul’s letters.

Thus this eagerness of mine to bring the evangel to you also, who are in Rome.

I stated in my overview of Romans that this letter is written to the church of Rome, and this is true. But I’d like to clarify that this was not a large church, like a Sistine Chapel type of place. These people were in small groups in living rooms! They weren’t some large, organized movement. These guys were average and ordinary people gifted knowledge of something greater than all of them, and they were most certainly honored to serve.

George Rogers makes a great point in his study of Romans, pointing out that Paul was literally bringing God’s evangel to the principal power on the planet. “All roads lead to Rome” was a common phrase. Yet Paul was so confident in God’s evangel that he writes this letter to all Roman believers. As he hadn’t even gone to Rome yet, it’s amazing to consider that God’s evangel reached the ears of anyone in Rome, so much so that they would gather together to share wisdom in Christ!

For not ashamed am I of the evangel, for it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who is believing – to the Jew first, and to the Greek as well.

The evangel is… well, it’s kind of funny in the sense that it solves everything, but apart from man’s operations. It won’t progress mankind technologically or economically, it won’t build you wealth, it won’t clothe you, feed you (or water you, I guess..?) and it clearly won’t provide permanent comfort, because life is still life and Satan’s a little prick. In physical terms, it doesn’t really solve anything (and if it is, then there’s a strong probability that something’s wrong.) Yet Paul boldly says that he is not ashamed of it, in the midst of members of Rome.

Do not misconstrue this statement; Christians love to do this. Paul is saying that the evangel is perfect because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes. Salvation is of God. It does not come from some teary-eyed confession (your explanation or admittance; God already knows that stuff.) It’s not a magical switch that you turn on one day. It is God’s decision to determine who is justified, and He performs this by admitting some individuals understanding of His Son (1:3.) Those that believe you must accept this faith on your own terms implies that God can only provide an option, when the reality is that the statement above, right there before everyone’s eyes, could not be clearer! To display the idea that we are in control of our salvation is blasphemy, plain and simple.

There are actually three different tenses of “salvation” that must be covered, here. I have to quote George Rogers again on his commentary on the term “salvation,” as he says it best:

“There is a past salvation from the penalty of sin dating from the time we first believed. Then there is the present deliverance from the power of sin by which we are saved from sinning and attain maturity. Finally, we shall be saved from the presence of sin at the advent of a Saviour Whom we await out of heaven (Rom. 13:11, Phil. 3:20, 21.)”

We’re going to cover all three of these various forms that embody “salvation” as we study the book of Romans.

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Salvation being the focus here is the cause, and “all who are believing” is the effect. This is another idea (the “cause” and “effect,” that is,) that we’re going to be seeing throughout God’s evangel. Belief is second to salvation, because, if you’re honestly seeking truth, you cannot believe something unless it is first shown to be true. With this understanding, faith becomes a relative term. You see billions of people regarding faith in <insert thing here> today. A person, a religion, a community, Cookie Monster, etc. Yet here, Paul points out that God’s power is the Object of the faith within him, and throughout this study I will implore you to rest in this understanding of God’s authority and superiority, as opposed to relying on your faith in something to save you, as faith itself is revealed here not to be a savior.

It was necessary for Paul to explain this to the Jews first, because they are still God’s chosen people, but upon their rejection, of both their Messiah and God’s power, Paul turns to the Greek (Acts 13:46.) This was planned by God from the start (Eph. 1:4.) Paul will, again, have more to say on Israel’s current state of affairs upon their complete rejection of their own God, in due time.        

For not ashamed am I of the evangel, For in it God’s righteousness is being revealed, out of faith for faith, according as it is written: “Now the just one by faith shall be living.”

God’s righteousness is indeed revealed in this evangel, and it is indeed out of faith, for faith. Righteousness is why God’s power matters, here, as man’s power in comparison is nothing. When we create things, there are a multitude of issues (good luck getting your freaking dishwasher to get that stain off your dish, or your “smart” TV to actually function efficiently, or the government to do its job.) Yet when God creates, it is with purpose and order, and I plan on showing you what little I understand of it throughout this study.

God’s grace is His power, and His righteousness is explained, here. I would, again, implore you to explore God’s righteousness, which is perfect, as opposed to simply accepting that man is imperfect, because it’s out of the faith being laid out here that righteousness is received by believers, in God’s sight (Rom. 8:1-4.)

The faith here is, as I said before, not concerned with the simple belief that God is righteous – any person, at this point in time, can understand this idea and many implications that can derive from it. I’m not concerned with various implications, however, but Christ and how Paul asserts this faith, which is in God’s Son and the manner in which God saves, not the manner in which man seeks to save itself from the current eon of sin.

Then we have Paul’s first quote in the entire evangel, found in Habakkuk 2:4 – “Yet the just one by his faith shall live.” I’ve made the mistake in the past of using this passage as a “hidden” example from God in the Old Testament of justification by faith (that is, the idea that our actions are justified by the faith which we are obedient towards,) but this is a complete logical fallacy on my part, because it’s not what that verse says, and it’s not what Paul says, here. This is a preparatory statement, because we’re not yet in the doctrinal (or, teaching) part of Romans yet. Right now we’re only being given a buttload of information on how and why Paul is writing what he is.

Paul is really saying, here, that the righteous man, by faith of this power of God (being salvation – not miracles or fancy speaking in tongues or the proper prayer circles, but salvation, on His terms,) will be living. That’s funny, Paul – I’m already alive! If you’re reading these words, I imagine you’re living, too, so… what the heck is Paul talking about, here? What does it mean to be living by faith, and what does this get us, in a practical sense?

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I would assume by this point you’re growing a little more accustomed to Paul’s… well, let’s say “unique” writing style, and some of these passages are becoming clearer to interpret (and hopefully, I’m of some relatively positive assistance.) What he says is what he means – Romans is all about explanation. Answers for the tough questions in life for those in Christ!

A.E. Knoch briefly mentions in his Commentary on the Concordant Literal New Testament that this evangel, in imparting God’s righteousness, gives a great deal more than the other apostles and their whole forgiveness at Pentecost, and I appreciate this observation. To be given the secrets to God’s righteousness? This is both a punishment to the Israelites for their disservice to God’s Son, and a blessing and revelation that God truly does love the gentile as well, and we are designated for an even better revelation than the chosen people of God.

- GerudoKing