1Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called apostle, set apart for the good news of God — [1:2] which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures — [1:3] concerning His Son, who having come to be from the seed of David according to the flesh, [1:4] who having been marked out Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection of dead ones, Jesus Christ our Lord — [1:5] through whom we have received grace and apostleship unto obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of His name, [1:6] among whom are also you yourselves, called ones of Jesus Christ — [1:7] to all those being in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
ROM 1:1-7
Paul Greets the Saints in Rome
In the world it was spoken into
In the Roman world, the term (slave) carried significant social and legal weight, denoting complete ownership and subservience. For Paul to identify himself as a of Christ Jesus would have been striking, as it positioned him under the authority of a Lord rather than the Roman emperor. The (good news) Paul proclaims was not merely a religious message but a public announcement with political implications, contrasting the imperial propaganda of Caesar’s 'good news' with the resurrection of Jesus as the true Son of God. The phrase 'according to the flesh' would have resonated with Jewish listeners, emphasizing Jesus’ lineage from David, while 'declared Son of God in power' affirmed His divine authority through resurrection. The Roman audience, familiar with patronage and honorific titles, would have understood Paul’s claim to apostleship as a divinely appointed role, extending grace and calling Gentiles to obedience of faith. This greeting subtly reorients allegiance from Rome to Christ.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
ROM 1:1
- KJV
- Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
- BSB
- Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
- Koinōnos
- Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called apostle, set apart for the good news of God —
ROM 1:2
- KJV
- (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
- BSB
- the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures,
- Koinōnos
- which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures —
ROM 1:3
- KJV
- Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
- BSB
- regarding His Son, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh,
- Koinōnos
- concerning His Son, who having come to be from the seed of David according to the flesh,
ROM 1:4
- KJV
- And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
- BSB
- and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
- Koinōnos
- who having been marked out Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by resurrection of dead ones, Jesus Christ our Lord —
ROM 1:5
- KJV
- By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
- BSB
- Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.
- Koinōnos
- through whom we have received grace and apostleship unto obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of His name,
ROM 1:6
- KJV
- Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
- BSB
- And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- among whom are also you yourselves, called ones of Jesus Christ —
ROM 1:7
- KJV
- To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- to all those being in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Where the historical framing draws from
- Josephus, WarsWars 2.9.2
›Josephus, Wars Wars 2.9.2
“Now Pilate, who was sent as procurator into Judea by Tiberius, sent by night those images of Caesar that are called ensigns into Jerusalem.”
Cited to ground: Pilate was procurator under Tiberius
Translator's notes
ROM 1:1
- a servant:The word translated 'a servant' here refers to a slave, someone who was legally owned by another and whose life was entirely subject to their master's will, not merely an employee.
- a called:The term used here for 'a called' implies a divine summons or invitation, indicating a special selection or appointment by God for a particular purpose.
- [the] gospel:The word translated 'gospel' originally referred to a reward given for bringing good news, or the good news itself, often associated with a significant, joyous announcement like a military victory or the birth of an heir.
ROM 1:4
- having been declared:The word translated 'having been declared' carries the sense of being definitively marked out, appointed, or determined, often with a clear boundary or definition.