Romans 1:1-7 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,… I. WHAT. Set apart to a special purpose, sanctified (Jeremiah 1:5). II. HOW. 1. In God's purpose from the womb (Galatians 1:15). 2. Actually and generally at his conversion (Acts 9:15). 3. Specially as apostle of the Gentiles at Antioch (Acts 13:2). The first separation preceded the call; the others followed it. Before his conversion Paul separated himself and became a Pharisee; after it he was separated by God and became a Christian and an apostle. The first separation by human pride; the second by Divine grace. III. WHAT TO. 1. The gospel. (1) Good news (Luke 2:10) concerning Christ and His salvation. (2) Foretold by Isaiah under this term (Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:15). (3) Called gospel — (a) Of the kingdom (Matthew 4:2). (b) Of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). (c) Of salvation (Ephesians 1:13). (d) Of peace (Ephesians 6:15). (e) Glorious of the blessed God (1 Timothy 1:11). (f) Everlasting (Revelation 14:6). (4) It is good news in respect to past, present, and future. 2. Of God. God is its Author and subject matter (John 3:16). It is the product of His wisdom and love (Ephesians 3:10; Titus 3:4). Hence — (1) Its excellence, preciousness, and authority; for the gospel of God must be — (a) True; (b) Important; (c) Full of authority. (2) The guilt and danger of neglecting it (Hebrews 12:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:8; Luke 10:16). (3) God speaks in the gospel, therefore it must be heard with — (a) Earnestness; (b) Reverence; (c) Thankfulness. (d) Obedience. (T. Robinson, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,WEB: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Good News of God, |