Part V
Paul continues his introduction by explaining his mission as an apostle. He tells the Romans that he and others have received grace and apostleship to bring about the “obedience of faith.”
The term “grace” is translated from the Greek charis, often understood as “unmerited favor.” While it is true that grace is undeserved, focusing solely on the “unmerited” aspect risks missing the glory of the gift itself. According to Thayer’s Lexicon, grace is “that which affords joy, pleasure, and delight.” God’s grace isn’t merely about what we don’t deserve—it’s about his desire to bless us with joy, satisfaction, and delight in relationship with him. This understanding of grace aligns with Kinship Theology’s emphasis on God’s love as self-giving for the benefit of relationship. Paul sees his apostleship as a grace-filled gift, giving him the joy of participating in God’s mission to bring others into the obedience of faith.
The Obedience of Faith
The phrase “obedience of faith” deserves careful attention. Paul intentionally pairs obedience with faith, elevating the concept beyond mere duty. Obedience, by itself, can be reduced to an obligation—a slave to a master, a citizen to a government, or a student to a teacher. Duty alone does not reflect one’s heart or desire.
Faith, however, transforms obedience into something greater. Faith involves belief and buy-in to purpose. When we obey God because we trust in his purpose and find joy and satisfaction in his plan, duty becomes joyful pursuit. Paul is not calling for begrudging compliance but for the eager, faith-filled obedience that flows from relationship with God. It’s the difference between a dog obeying a command to fetch out of excitement and love for the game versus one that mechanically follows orders. True obedience of faith reflects shared joy and purpose in relationship with God.
Paul’s mission is to bring the nations into this covenant faithfulness—an obedience born of faith in God’s love and provision. He assures the Roman Christians that they are part of this family of joy, a family that began with God’s calling of the Jews and now embraces the Gentiles through the fullness of Jesus’ work.
Saints and the Family of Faith
In verse 7, Paul calls the Romans “saints,” a term he typically uses for Jewish Christians. For example, in Ephesians, Paul distinguishes between “the saints” (Jewish Christians) and “the faithful in Christ” (Gentile Christians). New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III highlights this distinction, noting that Paul often refers to Jewish Christians as saints while addressing Gentile believers separately. This practice is evident here in Romans as well, reflecting Paul’s effort to maintain the continuity of God’s covenant plan, which began with the Jews.
Paul’s Eagerness to Preach
In verses 8–15, Paul expresses his eagerness to preach the gospel to the Romans. His purpose is not to convert them—they are already Christians—but to deepen their understanding of the gospel in which they live. For Paul, salvation is not merely the moment of reconciliation with God but an ongoing process. Salvation begins with reconciliation, continues through sanctification, and culminates with Christ’s return and the renewal (or redemption) of all creation.
Paul uses this broader understanding of salvation throughout his letters:
In Romans 13:11, he says, “Our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed,” indicating a future culmination.
In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul calls the present moment “the day of salvation,” emphasizing the ongoing work of God in the lives of believers.
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul describes repentance as leading to salvation, highlighting its role in the believer’s growth away from sin and toward God.
In Philippians 1:18-19, Paul speaks of his own deliverance (translated as salvation) as tied to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan.
Paul’s eagerness to preach to the Romans reflects this holistic view of salvation, rooted in the gospel of Jesus as Lord. He wants the Roman Christians to grow in their understanding of God’s faithfulness and their role in the covenant family, living out their salvation in community with one another.
Mutual Encouragement in Faith
Paul’s approach to the Roman church reflects humility and respect. Unlike other churches, the Roman church began and grew without Paul’s influence—an unusual occurrence in a major Gentile city during the apostolic age. Paul acknowledges that the Spirit has already been working among them and expresses his desire for mutual encouragement. In verse 12, he writes, “to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
This statement reflects Paul’s belief in the Spirit’s work in all believers, regardless of their background or status. He doesn’t consider himself the supreme authority but recognizes that Jesus is Lord and the Spirit leads all believers in truth, goodness, and beauty. This mutual encouragement demonstrates the communal nature of sanctification, as the Spirit works through believers for one another’s growth.
The Gospel and God’s Righteousness
Paul concludes his introduction by reiterating the theme of Romans in verses 16 and 17: the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. This salvation is not merely about individual reconciliation but about lives transformed toward God’s ultimate purpose. In the gospel, God’s righteousness—his faithfulness to his covenant—is revealed. This faithfulness begins with God’s own faith, or trustworthiness, and extends to humanity’s faith, rooted in the faithfulness of Jesus.
As Paul transitions into the first major section of Romans (1:18–3:20), he begins to explain how the gospel reveals God’s righteousness in judging truth, goodness, and beauty against evil. God’s covenantal faithfulness ensures both the judgment of sin and the fulfillment of his redemptive purpose, leading creation back into everlasting love relationship with him.