Behold, the Son of God: The Epistle to the Romans

By William H. Wetmore

Christians in every age have acknowledged the importance of Pauls Epistle to the Romans. Martin Luther called it really the chief part of the New Testament, and truly the purest gospel. In addition, Samuel Taylor Coleridge regarded Romans as the most profound book in existence: others have described it as the cathedral of the Christian faith. The epistle is a Christian manifesto of freedom through Jesus Christ. It is the fullest, plainest, and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. Throughout the centuries, this epistle has been recognized as perhaps the most complete theological statement regarding the Gospel of God. Paul is the great theologian who presented the gospel in theological terms which remain unmatched and which elevate the gospel message to a greater level of understanding. This epistle has five main themes: the first is the redefinition of the basis of salvation which is not based on the Law, but by grace alone and faith alone in Christ Jesus; the second is the redefinition of the people of God not according to physical birth but by spiritual birth and by faith; the third is the righteousness that is based on faith in God; the fourth is the doctrine of election; the fifth is the explanation of Christian behavior as based on Christian belief.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 19, 2017
• ISBN: 9781512789331

William H. Wetmore

William H. Wetmore graduated from Duke University and Lehigh University and had a successful career in engineering science, primarily in teaching and in basic research. He was a member of the faculty of Lehigh University and UCLA before becoming a division director in basic research at the National Science Foundation (NSF). After retiring from NSF, he served as associate dean of engineering at West Virginia University. He is the author of eight books: Him We Proclaim; God’s Hidden Treasures; The Parables of Jesus; You Must Be Born Again; Our Father, Who Art in Heaven; Freedom: The Epistles to the Galatians; Because of Love, He Came….; The Gospel: Love Divine; and The Cross of Christ. He teaches Bible studies on a broad range of theological subjects.

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Chapter 1. Behold, The Son of God: Introduction

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. (Rom 5:1-5)

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I [Paul] am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:35-39)

Christianity in every age has acknowledged the importance of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Martin Luther called it "really the chief part of the New Testament, and … truly the purest gospel." He added: "it is worthy not only that every Christian should know word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day."

The theology in this epistle will equip Christians to live a life pleasing to God. The theology in this epistle may be the most powerful and effective message for evangelism. The theology in this epistle might well contain the essential truths for the spiritual life of the Christian Church.

All of Paul’s thirteen epistles deserve our utmost attention and respect, but the Epistle to the Romans may well dominate his writings and the theological understanding of Christianity. It is important also to understand that all of Paul’s thirteen epistles precede all of the other fourteen books of the New Testament.

While many of the books in the Bible describe many noble and divine events, Paul is pure theology, with applications to enrich the Christian life. Paul explained every facet of the truths revealed, through the Spirit, regarding what he believed was on the heart and mind of God. Paul is the great explainer of the great theology and doctrines of Christianity. Paul is also the purest and most complete theologian when it comes to understanding and defining the Gospel of God.

God had trained and equipped Paul so that he would be God’s chosen instrument (Acts 9:15). There is no question that God had fully directed Paul’s life from the moment of his birth.

The Epistle to the Romans is the sixth of his thirteen epistles and it followed the Epistle to the Galatians, the two epistles to the Thessalonians, and the two epistles to the Corinthians. Eight years had elapsed between the writing of Galatians and the writing of Romans. As a result, Paul had deepened and broadened his understanding and explanations of many divine truths, particularly the Person of Christ and the Gospel of God.

In a historical sense, The Epistle to the Galatians is the first recorded book of the New Testament (49 AD). As with Galatians, the Epistle to the Romans is an equally important message of freedom in Christ through the Cross of Christ. It is the message that, by freedom in Christ, we have been transformed and become a new creation.

It is, by freedom in Christ, that we are to offer and present ourselves as a living sacrifice; we are to grow in faith and righteousness by the renewal of our minds (Rom 12:1-3).

The epistle is a Christian manifesto of freedom through Jesus Christ. It is the fullest, plainest, and grandest statement of the gospel in the New Testament. Throughout the centuries, this epistle has been recognized as perhaps the most complete theological statement regarding the Gospel of God.

Several notable Christian leaders have testified to the impact that this epistle has had on Christianity, in general, and, specifically, on their lives. Augustine (386), Martin Luther (1515), John Wesley (1738), Karl Barth (1918)—all wrote of a "new and joyful sense of discovery" of the impact this epistle had on their previously well-ordered lives.

This epistle was written to transform and change lives for the glory of the Kingdom of God. It has been doing that through the centuries: it can do that today.

Its message is eternal; its promises are being fulfilled, even today.

Its message is that human beings are born in sin and slavery, but that Jesus Christ came to set us free. For here is unfolded the good news, the gospel of freedom; freedom from the holy and righteous wrath of God upon all unrighteousness; freedom from alienation into reconciliation; freedom from the condemnation of God’s law; freedom from the fear of death; freedom one day from the decay of the groaning creation into the glorious liberty of God’s children; freedom from ethnic conflicts in the family of God; and freedom to give ourselves to the loving service of God and others.

Paul rightly argues that these themes lead to our justification by faith through grace alone.

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. (Rom 3:22-24)

The truth is this: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. But, to all who believe, this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ Jesus leads to justification: justification is a legal term which is to be on trial for our sins, forgiven of our sins, redeemed, declared innocent, and set free. Such a declaration of innocence leads to redemption and reconciliation with God.

Now, as containing the gospel truths, the Epistle to the Romans stands in conjunction with the other versions of the Gospel contained in Scripture. Christianity, as a whole, has generally accepted four versions of the one true gospel: The Gospel according to Matthew, The Gospel according to Mark, The Gospel according to Luke, and The Gospel according to John.

However, a close reading of Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians would convince the reader of the powerful message of the gospel in that document. In fact, Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians is accepted as the first recorded New Testament document (49 AD), and it was written to defend the gospel (chapters 1-2), to explain the gospel (chapters 3-4) and to apply the gospel (chapters 5-6). It is clearly a gospel-oriented document. In addition, the first eight chapters of The Epistle to the Romans present a resounding gospel message.

Therefore, all six documents might rightfully be considered as presenting the gospel message in its entirety. All six versions present the events surrounding His words, His works, His life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. However, Paul treats more fully the theological significance of His birth, death, resurrection, and ascension. In addition, the theology of Romans is balanced by practical exhortations, because Paul sees the believer’s faith as the basis for his behavior. The eternal truth is this: belief leads to behavior.

Although this commentary will address more directly The Epistle to the Romans, theology contained in the other five gospel documents will be introduced from time to time.

Paul is the great theologian who presented the gospel in theological terms which remain unmatched and which elevate the gospel message to a greater level of understanding.

The best historical records indicate that this epistle was written from Corinth in 57 AD and represents the sixth epistle from Paul, with the Epistle to the Galatians (49 AD) being the first recorded New Testament document. By 57 AD, Paul had completed almost a decade of evangelism in which much had been accomplished and the early Christian church had taken root in many areas of Galatia and Eastern Europe.

Now Paul looked to the West, in particular to Spain and the outermost reaches of the Roman Empire. His credentials as an evangelist and a Roman citizen would serve him well as he looked for new worlds in which to proclaim the gospel and to advance the kingdom.

At that time, the Roman Empire was at the height of its glory. However, the history of the Christian church in Rome presents a series of interesting events. There is evidence that Jews had been living in Rome since 2nd century BC. Further, the population of the Roman Empire in 29 AD, the likely date of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, was 58 million, with approximately 10 percent being Jews (about 6 million people) who were likely spread throughout the Empire, but with the majority of them located in Rome and which had established Christian churches.

It is to those Roman churches that this epistle was sent. These Christian churches were probably founded by Jews who became followers of Jesus on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:5-11). It is also likely that both Jewish and Gentile believers were present in the church. Rome, founded in 753 BC, was probably at its peak of power and influence at this time. The Pax Romano was the most important reason that Paul, a Roman citizen, was able to move so easily throughout the Roman Empire.

The date of that particular Pentecost is uncertain, but it was most likely within three years of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which would make it about 32 AD.

Now, it is helpful to understand the placing of The Epistle to the Romans in the overall Pauline Corpus. The early record is that Paul’s letters circulated as a collection, with Romans always last. With the New Testament, Romans was placed first among the 13 letters of Paul because of it acceptance as The Gospel according to Paul. This epistle may well have been the second New Testament document to be classified as a gospel with the first being The Epistle to the Galatians. The Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John definitely came later.

Paul’s purposes in this Epistle to the Romans was to introduce himself to the Roman church, to explain the Gospel of God, to explain the doctrine of election, to explain the life in the Spirit which is available to all who have accepted the gospel message, and to seek their support in his missionary travels as he looked westward to Spain.

Now, consider the major themes that Paul introduced and the major issues that Paul identified in this epistle.

Major Themes of the Epistle

This epistle has five main themes: the first is the redefinition of the basis of salvation which is not based on the Law, but by grace alone and faith alone in Christ Jesus; the second is the redefinition of the people of God not according to physical birth but by spiritual birth and by faith; the third is the righteousness that is based on faith in God; the fourth is the doctrine of election; the fifth is the explanation of Christian behavior as based on Christian belief.

Paul strongly argued that faith and grace are the foundations of salvation. In addition, the true chosen people of God are those who are righteous as Abraham was righteous. It is a spiritual relationship based on faith; it is not a physical relationship based on being physically descended from Abraham.

Paul stressed continually the importance of righteousness because it is the basis for defining the people of God. Righteousness is the measure of faith in God.

In addition, Paul introduced two new Laws: first, The Law of Christ (12:9-21); second, The Law of Liberty in Christ (14:1-12).

Throughout this epistle, Paul emphasized three truths regarding Jesus Christ: first, Christ is the source of our redemption and reconciliation with God; second, Christ is the only One through whom we have salvation; third, Christ is the only one through whom we have eternal life.

This epistle builds on the Cross of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead all people into all truth regarding the Son of God.

Further, the law given by God to Moses is also a major subject of this epistle and has an appropriate place in the lives of the people of God. The Law demands and deserves our respect; however, the Law is not the basis of salvation.

This epistle also discussed several key theological terms; love, sin, righteousness, faith, law, freedom, redemption, reconciliation, salvation, justification, sanctification, edification, glorification, and election.

Paul’s Epistle to the Romans provides answers to the most profound questions of Christianity: e.g. how to be delivered from sin, how to live a life under the mantle of grace, how to live the victorious Christian life through the power of the Holy Spirit, how to understand the victory which we have in Christ, how to acknowledge the eternal love of God, how to prepare for the life to come; how to understand the Will and Plan of God, how to remain firm in the midst of opposition and persecution, how to have the mind of Christ, and how to conform to the image of Jesus Christ.

This epistle can be rightly understood as being divided into three main sections, although it is unlikely that Paul had this structure in mind when he dictated this epistle to Tertius (Rom 16:22). Paul was proclaiming and instructing mankind regarding his knowledge of the gospel, his understanding of the nature of God, his understanding of the nature of man, his faith, his convictions, his love, his life, and his heart.

Three Major Areas of the Epistle

Now, in presenting his theology, Paul addressed three major areas: first, Part I. The Gospel of God; second, Part II. The Doctrine of Election; and third, Part III. Christian behavior based on the gospel.

Part I (chapters 1-8) presents The Gospel according to Paul. Paul stressed the love of God from creation to rebellion to the gift of the Son to the gift of the Spirit to the fact that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ; there is no separation from the love of God.

Paul began his evangelism on his first missionary journey to Galatia, and he wrote later to the Galatians the gospel message, as contained in the Epistle to the Galatians. Throughout the Galatian epistle, Paul referred to the purpose of the Gospel of God and the message of the gospel. In the Epistle to the Romans, Paul reaffirmed that the gospel is the proclamation of the forgiveness of sins and redemption and reconciliation (peace) with God. There are four interconnected events; all are the results of the Cross of Christ. First, there is forgiveness of sins, redemption, reconciliation and peace with God. Second, Christ turned aside the wrath of God against sin. Third, through the new birth of the Spirit (John 1:12-14), we become a child of God and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Fourth, Eternal life and the promise of the blessed resurrection await all those who accept the good news.

Part II. The Doctrine of Election (chapters 9-12) presents the redefinition of the family of God which consists of all who confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord (10:9). These chapters will describe the Fall of Israel, the Fault of Israel, and the Future of Israel. Above all, the people of Israel take on a new definition and understanding: the people of God are not by physical descent but through righteousness. Paul quotes from Isaiah 45:9, I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one, (9:25-26).

Paul goes on to state, quoting from Isaiah 10:22-23, Though the number of the Israelites be like the sand by the sea, only the remnant will be saved. (9:27). To fulfill the will and the plan of God, Paul encouraged every believer to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." (12:2)

Part III (chapters 12-16) presents The Principles of Christian Behavior, which emphasize the believer’s relationship to God, to each other, and to the state. Paul emphasized that our faith and our beliefs will be the basis of our behavior.

Here Paul’s emphasis is on love, in which he professed, "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (13:10) Love is the reflection and definition of our beliefs; love is the basis of our thoughts and our actions; love is the evidence that we are the children of God.

Paul was encouraging all Christians that, as children of God and inheritors of the Kingdom, we do that which is pleasing to God and approved by our fellow Christians.

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In approaching so monumental a Christian document as Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, we shall begin by examining the life and times of Paul before examining the Person of Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man.

Chapter 2.The Apostle Paul, His Life and Times

As he [Saul] neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. (Acts 9:3-6)

But the Lord said to Ananias, Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. (Acts 9:15-16)

For I [Paul] am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day — and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:6-8)

These passages present a brief account of the apostle Paul. He was a Jew, from Tarsus, a Roman citizen, raised and educated under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, thoroughly trained in the law of his fathers and was just as zealous for God as any Jew, persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, converted when suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him, God’s chosen instrument, to suffer for Christ’s name, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, an apostle of Christ Jesus, given the ministry of redemption and reconciliation, to preach the gospel to Jews and Gentiles, to teach every man in all wisdom, to make disciples, to baptize, to fight the good fight, to finish the race, to keep the faith, to receive the crown of righteousness, to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his mind, and to love his neighbor as himself.

He might well be one of the most important human beings since the crucifixion. The reason for his importance is that his life was one devoted exclusively to the love and service of God and to his neighbor. He fulfilled the two great commandments of Matthew 22:37-40.

Paul was a man of love, of faith, of commitment, of joy, of peace, an expounder of doctrines, an expounder of the meaning of the Cross, a witness to the Person of Jesus Christ, a man who knew and responded to the power of the Holy Spirit, and a man fully redeemed and reconciled to God.

Paul lived on the standard that Jesus Himself had set. The basis of that standard was that Paul had the "the mind of Christ". (Philippians 2:5ff)

As Jesus is the Light of the world and the Light that confronted Paul on the Road to Damascus, Paul became, through the power of the Holy Spirit, a light that shone brightly through his life and his epistles.

In this chapter, we shall examine significant events in his life, his ministry, his suffering, his defense of the gospel, his prayers, his faithfulness to Christ, and, finally, his last days.

We know that Jesus Christ called all of the apostles, including Paul. They were uniquely chosen by Christ. It is important to recognize that Paul is the only apostle who was called after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ. It tells us that the timing of God is one of the greater mysteries of any life.

When considering the gospel message, it is important to understand those Old Testament events which foreshadow the gospel; one of these is certainly the Exodus as it foreshadowed the Cross of Christ.

The Exodus and The Cross

The central message of the gospel is the death and resurrection of Christ for the sins of the world and to redeem and reconcile repentant sinners to the Father and God of all.

The centerpiece of the gospel is the Cross (29 AD) which ranks with the Exodus in determining two defining moments in the life of God’s people. The Exodus foreshadowed the Cross: each had the same elements; each had a deliverer chosen, called, equipped, and sent by God. Each was taken from slavery to life in a greater land. In the Exodus, God took His people from physical slavery in Egypt to Canaan, the Promised Land. On the Cross, God took His people from spiritual slavery to sin to His heavenly Kingdom in which redeemed sinners would share eternal life in the City of God, the new and eternal Promised Land.

God never takes anyone from one condition without offering to take them to a better home, a better life, and a better future. There is always a from coupled with a to.

Next, we should consider some of the significant dates and events in the life of Paul

Because of the important relationship that was to occur between Jesus Christ and Paul [Saul], it is important to understand something of the time period which they shared.

Paul was born approximately 10 years after Jesus; therefore, he was probably about 20 years old at the time of the crucifixion; he was probably about 25 years old at his conversion on the road to Damascus; further, there is another 12 years before he and Barnabas went on their first missionary journey.

There are several interesting aspects of this relationship. First, Luke reports "Barnabas and Saul" (Acts 13:7). In 13:9, Luke reports "Saul, who was also called Paul …" From that time on, Luke refers to him only as Paul. Further, from 13:42 onward, Luke uses the phrase Paul and Barnabas, showing the change in importance and leadership that Luke saw in their relationship.

With this perspective, let us now examine the times and conditions in which Paul lived.

Times and Conditions in which Paul Lived:

The time in which Paul was born and lived is unique in the history of Christianity. First, and of considerable importance, was the Pax Romano, the Peace of Rome. Rome controlled the entire known world, particularly around the entire Mediterranean (Nostra Mare): that control provided peaceful and safe travel for Paul in his missionary journeys. Such was the handiwork of God for His apostle Paul and the spread of the gospel. Second, the Roman Empire had constructed an unusual road system which facilitated rapid movement of troops. This made travel throughout the Empire far easier than was common before that time. Third, Paul was a Roman citizen which provided him with unusual protection and opportunities which would not be available to other residents of the Roman Empire. Fourth, Paul had learned many languages, including Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and possibly Latin. Such knowledge gave Paul the opportunities to discuss Christian truths with people in all regions of the Empire. Jesus Christ had also told Paul that he would represent Him before kings and emperors.

God had equipped Paul, and God had prepared the known world for evangelism by Paul.

Paul’s Early Life

As stated earlier, Paul was born about 10 years after Jesus Christ. From his birth (6 AD) to his death (66 AD), there is a fairly accurate record of how he persecuted the Church of Jesus Christ, his conversion, his missionary journeys, and the unmistakable contribution, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to the preaching, teaching, and theology of the New Testament.

It is also certain that his writings and teaching had a profound impact on Christianity and the entire New Testament. His writings and teachings clearly brought the Old Testament prophecies into a renewed light and understanding. The fact that Paul was a brilliant student and received instruction from Gamaliel, one the leading rabbis of that time, certainly established the framework for his undeniable contributions to the overall theology of the Bible.

The usual theory is that the apostle had a Jewish name, Saul, and a Roman name, Paul. It was the fashion for every Syrian, Cilician, or Cappadocian, who prided himself on his Greek education and his knowledge of the Greek language to bear a Greek name; but, at