--- title: "Romans 1 - Study King James Bible with barnes notes on the whole bible" description: "Read Romans 1 with barnes notes on the whole bible commentary. 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy s" image: "/_app/immutable/assets/missing.C7wGMEZ6.jpg" url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/study/barnes-notes-on-the-whole-bible/romans/1" --- [ Read](/kjv/romans/1)[ Commentary](/study/romans/1)[ Interlinear](/interlinear/romans/1) Audio 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called *to be* an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared *to be* the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 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. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed *it* unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, *even* his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified *him* not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in *their* knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. [Acts 28](/study/acts/28) [Romans 2](/study/romans/2) ## Commentary To verse 1 **Paul -**The original name of the author of this Epistle was “Saul.” [Acts 7:58](/kjv/acts/7/58); [Acts 7:1](/kjv/acts/7/1); [Acts 8:1](/kjv/acts/8/1), etc. This was changed to Paul (see the note at [Acts 13:9](/kjv/acts/13/9)), and by this name he is generally known in the New Testament. The reason why he assumed this name is not certainly known. It was, however, in accordance with the custom of the times; see the note at [Acts 13:9](/kjv/acts/13/9). The name Saul was Hebrew; the name Paul was Roman. In addressing a letter to the Romans, he would naturally make use of the name to which they were accustomed, and which would excite no prejudice among them. The ancient custom was to begin an epistle with the name of the writer, as Cicero to Varro, etc. We record the name at the end. It may be remarked, however, that the placing the name of the writer at the beginning of an epistle was always done, and is still, when the letter was one of authority, or when it conferred any special privileges. Thus, in the proclamation of Cyrus [Ezra 1:2](/kjv/ezra/1/2), “Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia,” etc.; see also [Ezra 4:11](/kjv/ezra/4/11); [Ezra 7:12](/kjv/ezra/7/12). “Artaxerxes, king of kings, unto Ezra the priest,” etc. [Daniel 4:1](/kjv/daniel/4/1). The commencement of a letter by an apostle to a Christian church in this manner was especially proper as indicating authority. **A servant -**This name was what the Lord Jesus himself directed His disciples to use, as their general appellation; [Matthew 10:25](/kjv/matthew/10/25); [Matthew 20:27](/kjv/matthew/20/27); [Mark 10:44](/kjv/mark/10/44). And it was the customary name which they assumed; [Galatians 1:10](/kjv/galatians/1/10); [Col 4:12](/kjv/col/4/12); [2 Peter 1:1](/kjv/2-peter/1/1); [Jude 1:1](/kjv/jude/1/1); [Acts 4:29](/kjv/acts/4/29); [Titus 1:1](/kjv/titus/1/1); [James 1:1](/kjv/james/1/1). The proper meaning of this word servant, δοῦλος doulos, is slave, one who is not free. It expresses the condition of one who has a master, or who is at the control of another. It is often, however, applied to courtiers, or the officers that serve under a king: because in an eastern monarchy the relation of an absolute king to his courtiers corresponded nearly to that of a master and a slave. Thus, the word is expressive of dignity and honor; and the servants of a king denote officers of a high rank and station. It is applied to the prophets as those who were honored by God, or especially entrusted by him with office; [Deuteronomy 34:5](/kjv/deuteronomy/34/5); [Joshua 1:2](/kjv/joshua/1/2); [Jeremiah 25:4](/kjv/jeremiah/25/4). The name is also given to the Messiah, [Isaiah 42:1](/kjv/isaiah/42/1), “Behold my servant in whom my soul delighteth,” etc.; [Isaiah 53:11](/kjv/isaiah/53/11), “shall my righteous servant justify many.” The apostle uses it here evidently to denote his acknowledging Jesus Christ as his master; as indicating his dignity, as especially appointed by him to his great work; and as showing that in this Epistle he intended to assume no authority of his own, but simply to declare the will of his master, and theirs. **Called to be an apostle -**This word called means here not merely to be invited, but has the sense of appointed. It indicates that he had not assumed the office himself, but that he was set apart to it by the authority of Christ himself. It was important for Paul to state this, It was of consequence for him therefore, to affirm that he had not taken this high office to himself, but that he had been called to it by the authority of Jesus Christ. His appointment to this office he not infrequently takes occasion to vindicate; [1 Corinthians 9:1](/kjv/1-corinthians/9/1), etc.: [Gal 1:12-24](/kjv/gal/1/12-24); [2 Corinthians 12:12](/kjv/2-corinthians/12/12); [1 Timothy 2:7](/kjv/1-timothy/2/7); [2 Timothy 1:11](/kjv/2-timothy/1/11); [Romans 11:13](/kjv/romans/11/13). **An apostle -**One sent to execute a commission. It is applied because the apostles were sent out by Jesus Christ to preach his gospel, and to establish his church; [Matthew 10:2](/kjv/matthew/10/2) note; [Luke 6:13](/kjv/luke/6/13) note. **Separated -**The word translated “separated unto,” ἀφορίζω aphorizō, means to designate, to mark out by fixed limits, to bound as a field, etc. It denotes those who are “separated,” or called out from the common mass; [Act 19:9](/kjv/act/19/9); [2 Corinthians 6:17](/kjv/2-corinthians/6/17). The meaning here does not materially differ from the expression, “called to be an apostle,” except that perhaps this includes the notion of the purpose or designation of God to this work. Thus, Paul uses the same word respecting himself; [Galatians 1:15](/kjv/galatians/1/15), “God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,” that is, God designated me; marked me out; or designed that I should be an apostle from my infancy. In the same way Jeremiah was designated to be a prophet; [Jeremiah 1:5](/kjv/jeremiah/1/5). **Unto the gospel of God -**Designated or designed by God that I should make it “my business” to preach the gospel. Set apart to this, as the special, great work of my life; as having no other object for which I should live. For the meaning of the word “gospel,” see the note at [Matthew 1:1](/kjv/matthew/1/1). It is called the gospel of God because it is his appointment; it has been originated by him, and has his authority. The function of an apostle was to preach the gospel Paul regarded himself as separated to this work. It was not to live in splendor, wealth, and ease, but to devote himself to this great business of proclaiming good news, that God was reconciled to people in his Son. 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