Romans 1:5

 

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.
Romans 1:5 Berean Standard Bible (BSB)
 
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Romans 1:5 King James Bible (KJV)
 
Through him we have received grace and our apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles on behalf of his name.
Romans 1:5 New English Translation (NET)
 
Through Him
This phrase emphasizes the centrality of Jesus Christ in the Christian faith. The Greek word "δι’ οὗ" (di' hou) indicates that it is through Jesus that believers receive grace and apostleship. This underscores the belief that all spiritual blessings and authority come through Christ, affirming His role as the mediator between God and humanity. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding of Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the one through whom God's promises are realized.
 
we received grace
The term "grace" (Greek: χάρις, charis) refers to the unmerited favor of God. In the context of Romans, it highlights the transformative power of God's love and mercy, which is not earned by human effort but given freely. This grace is foundational to the Christian experience, enabling believers to live in a way that reflects God's character. Theologically, it is a reminder of the new covenant established through Christ's sacrifice, which offers redemption and reconciliation with God.
 
and apostleship
"Apostleship" (Greek: ἀποστολή, apostolē) refers to the commission and authority given to Paul and others to spread the Gospel. This term is rooted in the concept of being sent with a purpose, akin to an ambassador. Historically, apostles were foundational to the early Church, tasked with establishing communities of faith and teaching the doctrines of Christ. This highlights the responsibility and privilege of being a messenger of the Gospel, entrusted with the mission to share the good news with the world.
 
to call all the Gentiles
The phrase "to call all the Gentiles" signifies the inclusive nature of the Gospel. The Greek word for "Gentiles" (ἔθνη, ethnē) refers to all nations or peoples outside of Israel. This reflects the radical shift in the early Church, where the message of salvation was extended beyond the Jewish community to include all humanity. It underscores the universal scope of God's plan, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers to create a diverse and unified body of believers.
 
to the obedience that comes from faith
This phrase connects faith with obedience, indicating that true faith results in a life that aligns with God's will. The Greek word for "obedience" (ὑπακοή, hypakoē) implies a listening and responding to God's call. This obedience is not about legalistic adherence to rules but a heartfelt response to God's grace. It reflects the transformative power of faith, which leads to a life of righteousness and holiness, demonstrating the reality of one's relationship with God.
 
for His name’s sake
The phrase "for His name’s sake" emphasizes the ultimate purpose of the Gospel mission: to glorify God. In biblical terms, a name represents character and reputation. Thus, this mission is about making known the character and glory of God through Jesus Christ. Historically, this reflects the early Church's understanding that their work was not for personal gain but to honor and exalt God. It serves as a reminder that all Christian endeavors should aim to reflect God's glory and advance His kingdom.
 
Berean Study Bible
 
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Through him: Refers to Jesus Christ. Paul attributes the grace he has received and his role as an apostle to Jesus.
 
We received grace and apostleship:
 
Grace here means the unmerited favor or divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification.
 
Apostleship refers to the role or office of an apostle, someone sent to spread the gospel, in this case, Paul's mission to preach the Christian faith.
 
To call all the Gentiles: This signifies Paul's mission was specifically directed towards the Gentiles (non-Jews), expanding the Christian message beyond the Jewish community. This is significant because at the time, Christianity was initially seen as a sect within Judaism.
 
To the obedience that comes from faith: This phrase indicates that the purpose of Paul's calling is to lead people to a life of obedience that stems from faith in Jesus Christ. It implies that true obedience to God is not just about following laws but is a response to believing in and trusting Jesus.
 
For his name's sake: This suggests that all of Paul's efforts in his apostolic work are for the glory and honor of Jesus Christ. It emphasizes the motivation behind the mission; it's not for personal gain or recognition but for the sake of Christ's name.
 
In the context of the entire letter to the Romans, this verse sets the stage for Paul's theological arguments about salvation through faith, the universal sinfulness of humanity, and the inclusivity of God's plan for salvation which extends to all humanity, not just the Jews. This verse helps to establish Paul's authority and the purpose of his message, which is central to understanding the overall theme of Romans, where Paul elaborates on justification by faith, the role of the law, and the unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ.
 
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By whom we have received grace and apostleship,.... That is, either by the Holy Spirit, from whom all grace and gifts come, qualifying for the discharge of any office; or by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is full of grace and truth, has received gifts for, and gives them to men to fit them for whatsoever service he is pleased to call them to. By "grace and apostleship" may be meant, either one and the same thing, the favour and honour of being the apostles of Christ; or different things, and the one in order to the other. Grace may design special saving grace in calling, justification, pardon, and adoption, and sanctification, which was received in common with other saints, and is absolutely necessary to an apostle, and to any ordinary minister of the word; or the doctrine of grace, which they received from Christ, and dispensed to others; or rather the gifts of grace, and the various measures thereof, which they received from their ascended Lord and King, by which they were furnished for apostleship, that is, the work and office of apostles; to which they were called by Christ, and from whom they received a commission to execute it. The apostle takes in others sides himself, and says, "we have received"; partly for the sake of modesty, and partly to keep up his equal title with others to this office; and since this is had in a way of receiving, which supposes giving, and excludes boasting, it obliges to make use of all grace and gifts to the glory of Christ, by whom they are received. The end for which they received such an office, and grace to fit them for it, was, "for obedience to the faith"; that men might be brought by the ministry of the word to obey the faith, Christ the object of faith; to submit to his righteousness, and the way of salvation by him, and to be subject to his ordinances or to obey the doctrine of faith, which is not barely to hear it, and notionally receive it, but to embrace it heartily by faith, and retain it, in opposition to a disbelief and contempt of it; and which is the end and design of the Gospel ministration to bring persons to, Moreover, by
 
obedience to the faith, or "obedience of faith", as it may be rendered, may be meant the grace of faith, attended with evangelical obedience; for obedience, rightly performed, is only that which is by faith, and springs from it. Now grace and apostleship were received, in order to be exercised
 
among all nations; not in Judea only, to which the first commission of apostleship was limited, but in all the nations of the world, as the commission renewed by Christ after his resurrection ordered; and that some among all nations of the earth might, by the power of divine grace accompanying the word, be brought to faith and obedience: and all this, the qualifications for the office, the due exercise of it in all the world, and the success that attended it, were
 
for his name; for the honour and glory of Christ, in whose name they went, and which they bore and carried among the Gentiles, out of whom he was pleased "to take a people for his name", Act_15:14.
 
John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible
 
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As has already been said, Paul was a Pharisee. In fact, Paul, in speaking of himself, claimed to be a Pharisee among Pharisees; strict, devoted and fanatical, as we’re familiar with from the Book of Acts. It could be true that familiarity breeds contempt, but I don’t think many of us truly realize the life-changing experience Paul had on the road to Damascus. To say it had a profound impact on him would be the least we could say. And it is here that we run into some difficulties. Bear with me on this because it is important to our understanding of what Paul is saying.
 
For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it, and progressed in Judaism above many of my equals in my own heritage, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who set me apart since I was in my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the nations, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me. But I went into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
 
After three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Galatians 1:13-20, Modern English Version (MEV)
 
Then Ananias went his way and entered the house. Putting his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized. When he had eaten, he was strengthened.
 
For several days Saul was with the disciples in Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached in the synagogues that the Christ is the Son of God. All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this he who killed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here with that intent, to bring them bound to the chief priests?” Yet Saul increased all the more with power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.
 
After many days had passed, the Jews arranged to kill him. But their scheme was known by Saul. They watched the gates day and night to kill him. But the disciples took him by night, and lowered him in a basket through the wall.
 
When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But they all feared him, not believing he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and led him to the apostles, and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had boldly preached in Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he stayed with them while coming in and going out of Jerusalem. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists. But they tried to kill him. When the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:17-30, Modern English Version (MEV)
 
As can be readily seen from the above Scripture references, the effort to establish an exact timeline of what happened to Paul after his Damascus Road experience is difficult, if not impossible. However, the key here isn’t so much on getting the exact timing correct as it is that his life took a drastic turn, and he appears to have had a wilderness experience much as Israel had after escaping their slavery in Egypt and as Jesus had after his baptism in the Jordan. This is something his Jewish readers would understand, and I think most of us, even if we haven’t experienced something as drastic in our lives, can appreciate it none the less. Paul is asking his Jewish readers to undertake a drastic change in their own lives, and he is perfectly capable of understanding what they are going through when doing so.