The Gospel Exalted
1 Paul, a [1]bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the [2]gospel of God [the good news of salvation],
2 which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the sacred Scriptures—
3 [the good news] regarding His Son, who, as to the flesh [His human nature], was born a descendant of David [to fulfill the covenant promises],
4 and [as to His divine nature] according to the Spirit of holiness was openly designated to be the Son of God with power [in a triumphant and miraculous way] by Hisresurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 It is through Him that we have received grace and [our] apostleship to promote obedience to the faith and make disciples for His name’s sake among all the Gentiles,
6 and you also are among those who are called of Jesus Christ to belong to Him;
7 [I am writing] to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called to be saints (God’s people) and set apart for a sanctified life, [that is, set apart for God and His purpose]: Grace to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being] from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith [your trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] is being proclaimed in all the world.
9 For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel of His Son, is my witness as to how continuously I mention you
10 in my prayers; always pleading that somehow, by God’s will, I may now at last come to you.
11 For I long to see you so that I may share with you some spiritual gift, to strengthen and establish you;
12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged andcomforted by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.
13 I do not want you to be unaware, [3]brothers and sisters, that many times I have planned to come to you, (and have been prevented so far) so that I may have some fruit [of my labors] among you, even as I have among the rest of the Gentiles.
14 I have a duty to perform and a debt to pay both to Greeks and to barbarians [the cultured and the uncultured], both to the wise and to the foolish.
15 So, for my part, I am ready and eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”
Romans 1:1-17 (AMP)
Footnotes
- Romans 1:1 I.e. a person in bondage. One who belongs to another.
- Romans 1:1 In ancient Greece the word translated as “good news” or “gospel” was used to denote, among other things, success in a battle.
- Romans 1:13 Lit brethren, includes all born-again believers: men, women, and children.
Unapologetically Marcia 