Reflections on Romans (4)

Common ground with the Romans (1:6-7a).

Paul uses his unique call and commission to denote common ground with himself and the Roman saints. Many classify these verses as parenthetical.[1] The emphasis is on the Roman saints. The church is clearly connected to Gentiles (1:5). The question is if this only refers to the ethnic gentiles? There are two prominent views:

·         The church is made of mainly Gentiles (Schreiner). This could include the idea that Paul was speaking only to the Gentile portion of the church, not the Jewish side.

·         The reference to Gentiles points to the geographical location, thus the Gentile world (Cranfield). This seems to be the prominent view among scholars. This would account for the references to Jews who are living in Gentile territory (Rom. 2:17).[2]

These believers had three things in common with Paul, brought out by the words “you also” were—

·         “Called of Jesus Christ” (1:6). The phrase is commonly identified as a possessive genitive indicating called to belong to Jesus Christ.[3] The Romans would understand that they, like Paul, were called to belong to Christ. Some would translate the word of as by. We are called by God to belong to Jesus Christ, which makes us a part of Jesus Christ. It is the choice of God the Father. The Christian is a called person.  The choice of God is in power, not according to the flesh, but in Christ who is our wisdom, righteousness, redemption, and sanctification (1 Cor. 1:24-30). This implies dependence on God’s call and will. Theologians refer to this as the effectual call. It is defined as:

“The work of God’s Spirit, whereby, convincing us of our sin and misery, enlightening our minds to the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills, He doth persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ, freely offered to us in the Gospel.”[4]

·         “Beloved by God” (1:7). Like Paul, the Romans were beloved by God. We are the object of God’s love. Paul uses it a number of times for a characteristic of believers (cf. Rom. 12:19; 16:8-9. 12; 1 Cor. 10:14; Col. 3:12). While God loves the world (John 3:16), but this is on deeper and personal level (1 John 3:1). This dative substantival participle is used in the connection with “your loved.” designate: “(1) the people of faith who are loved by God, (2) Unbelieving Jews, whom God loves ‘because of the patriarchs,’ and (3) those whom Paul himself loves as believers in Christ and his coworkers”[5] (cf. Romans 9:25; Col. 3:12; Rom. 11:28; Rom. 16:5, 8, 9, 12). We are beloved not because of our merit and goodness, we are beloved because of the effectual work of Christ for us. The reason is because of our identification of being accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6). 

·         “Called [as][6] saints” (1:7). The word saint means separated or holy one. The words saints and holy is from a common root word (hagios) meaning separated from a common condition. The temple is called holy because it is separate and different from other buildings. Barclay declares, “it is to have a different standard, a different peace and beauty from the stained, frustrate, defeated life of the world—God.”[7] Believers are called saints meaning separated ones. Being separated to God makes us saints. The phrase, “called saints,” has two vital aspects: First, believers are holy people according to God. Second, they are called to a new status and responsibility to God.[8] It is not something we do but is done to us by God. He separated us for His purpose to work through us.

We have the same common ground today as well. We are called; beloved; and saints through Christ our Lord.

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[1] Douglas J. Moo, NICNT: ROMANS, 53. C.E.B. Cranfield, ICC; ROMANS, 67. Also Richard N. Longenecker, NIGTC: ROMANS, 83.

[2] See Introduction about the Roman church, especially on the audience of the epistle. 

[3] Richard N Longenecker, NIGTC: ROMANS, 83; However, it is not without debate, F. Godet, ROMANS, 83. says it is a genitive of cause—the   calling that comes from Jesus Christ. I take it as Christ being the agent of the call, not the source of the call. 

[4] James Oliver Buswell Jr., A SYSTEMATIC THEOLOG OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION [Grand Rapids, Zondervan, 1962], 2:157-158.

[5]  Richard N. Longenecker, NIGTC: ROMANS, 84-85.

[6] The word “as” / “to be” (KJV) are words added by the translators as it is in italics in the translation. The words are not in the Greek text.

[7] William Barclay, THE MIND OF PAUL, [London, Collins / Fontana Books, 1965], 38.

[8]  Richard N. Longenecker, NIGTC: ROMANS, 86.