Romans 1:8-17 The Gospel - Gods righteousness revealed

Romans 1:8-17 The Gospel - God's Righteousness Revealed

Nathan Wakefield / General

Letters to the Church / Romans 1:8-17

God's righteousness is not revealed through legalism but through faith.

Theological Proposition/Focus: In Romans 1:8-17, Paul expresses his longing to visit the Roman Christians to strengthen and encourage them, and he boldly declares that the gospel reveals the righteousness of God to all who have faith. Paul teaches that the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. He emphasizes the importance of faith in revealing God's righteousness and declares that the righteous shall live by faith. Through faith in Christ, believers have the power to reveal God's righteousness to the world and live out the gospel boldly. Our faith is not just a personal belief but a proclamation of God's righteousness that transforms lives and brings salvation.

Christ Focus: The theme of faith and righteousness is central throughout the Bible, pointing to Christ as the ultimate expression of God's righteousness through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection. In Christ, we see the fulfillment of God's righteousness and the embodiment of faith.

Homiletical Proposition/Application: This passage serves as a reminder that our faith in Christ is not just a personal matter but is also a powerful tool for revealing God's righteousness to the world. As believers, we are called to share the gospel boldly and live out our faith in a way that reflects God's righteousness to those around us.

Introduction: Scripture Memory Verse Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

Setting the Stage: (Read Romans 1:1-7)

As we set the stage, I want to start by just reading Romans 1:1-7 to you. The sermon itself is going to come out of verses 8-17, but the stage is set by 1-7.

Romans 1:1-7: "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name's sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

I want you to notice that the letter itself is written to the Roman Christians, but we also meet the qualifications, called to be a holy people of God through our Savior Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote Romans even though he had not been to Rome yet. According to Josephus, there was a large Jewish colony in Rome despite the fact that Rome was predominantly a Gentile city. We don't know exactly how the gospel reached Rome—no apostle had visited Rome at this point—but perhaps the gospel reached Rome because of the visitors from Rome in Acts 2:10.

One of the primary functions of Paul's letter to the Romans is to give a detailed theology of the gospel. We might summarize the theme of Paul's letter as: God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel.

With this in mind, let's dig into the text itself.

Body

Faith's Global Gratitude — Faith Unites Believers in Communal Revelation of God's Righteousness (8-10)

Paul's gratitude for the faith of the Romans showcases the interconnectedness of believers' faith across distances. This illustrates that faith in Christ not only has personal implications but also unites believers in a communal revelation of God's righteousness.

The Faith of a Brother or Sister in Christ Is Something for Which We Should Be Thankful (8a)

Paul had the right priorities.

Paul's proclamation, "First, I thank my God," is important. In his letters, Paul regularly included a section of thanksgiving. For example, 1 Corinthians 1:4 states, "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." Here, in Romans 1, Paul's thanksgiving is through Jesus Christ. Paul is able to give thanks because of Christ.

One of the first lessons of effective leadership is the importance of setting priorities. Not only must things be done right (management), but the right things must be done (leadership).

But we know even more. Paul is able to give thanks because of the faith that the Roman Christians possess and that has been widely reported. "One of the first lessons of effective leadership is the importance of setting priorities. Not only must things be done right (management), but the right things must be done (leadership)."

We should be thankful people but we should be thankful for the right things - the proclamation of the Gospel is worth being thankful for.

I want to challenge us: we should be thankful people, but the thing that should bring us great joy is faith and the proclamation of faith.

The Faith of a Brother or Sister in Christ Is Something Worth Talking About (8b)

The faith of the Romans was being talked about throughout the Roman Empire, the known world. Reflecting on this proclamation, Mounce states, "The growth of the church has always been contingent upon the openness of believers to express their faith."

The Faith of a Brother or Sister in Christ Is Something Worth Praying About (9-10)

But more than just talking about our faith, we also need to pray.

Paul prayed for the Romans. He remembered them in his prayers and asked that he might be able to visit them.

Paul didn’t just pray; he prayed with intensity. He writes, "constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times." This was not idle rhetoric. Paul called God as his witness. Considering how many churches and people Paul worked with, it is clear that he must have spent significant time in prayer.

Here, we see that the faith Paul heard of in Rome united him with the Romans. Even though he had not yet been to Rome, he joined them in deep and abiding prayer.

Image: Praying for Missionaries - there iis a missionary letter posted in the foyer every month

Every month, I place a letter from a missionary outside the sanctuary in the foyer, and every month I throw several away because only a few are taken. I encourage you: grab one of these letters and start getting to know our missionaries through their updates. You will find yourself becoming a more thankful person.

MTR: Seek to Discover, Acknowledge, Express Gratitude for, and Pray for the Faith of Those You Know

By doing so, you will not only connect on a deeper level but also reflect on your shared journey of faith. Your openness to discuss faith will inspire others to express their own faith and growth. This feedback loop will impact many.

Faith's Encouragement of Everyone — Faith Is a Primary Way We Can Encourage and Be Encouraged (11-13)

Paul's eagerness to impart spiritual gifts and the mutual encouragement among believers exemplifies how living out our faith actively contributes to revealing God's righteousness within the community of faith.

Faith Is Worth Your Investment (11)

In verse 11, the Greek word ἐπιποθῶ (I long) is a strong, emphatic term that comes first in the sentence.

This positioning emphasizes Paul's deep longing to see the Romans. The word itself conveys a profound desire, similar to the longing of a baby to nurse or a deer for water. Paul's deepest instinct is to see the Romans. In the previous verse, we learned that Paul prayed for an opportunity to visit them; now, we see that this was more than mere lip service. Paul harbored a sincere and intense desire to be with them. But why?

Verse 11 continues, "so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift." Here, the Greek provides additional insight.

The word we translate as impart is a combination of two Greek words, meaning "with" and "give" (μεταδίδω). It could also be rendered as share. Paul desires to go to Rome to invest his time and energy in this body of believers. What exactly will Paul invest? Some spiritual gift, though he doesn’t specify what it will be. Paul doesn’t presume to know precisely what the Romans need, but he is confident that their time together will result in mutual strengthening.

This idea is further clarified in verse 12.

Investment in the Faith of Others Will Yield Mutual Encouragement (12)

There is nothing quite like the encouragement that comes from investing in others and growing together. Christian investment is mutual.

Paul underscores this truth in verse 12. You might assume that the investment mentioned in verse 11 was one-directional: Paul invests in the Romans, and they receive. However, verse 12 makes it clear that this is not the case. Paul's investment in the Romans is mutual.

Again, the Greek sheds light on this concept. Paul uses the word συμπαρακληθῆναι, a compound of παρακαλέω (to encourage) and σύν (together with). Paul emphasizes that faith is a two-way investment. His visit will bring encouragement to both parties.

So, what is the faith that is so encouraging? Faith.

Faith is trust in God's promise of salvation for all who rely entirely on Christ. Broadly speaking, faith involves both belief in and commitment to the Gospel. It is trust that life holds more than what is visible, a confident reliance on God's redemptive work in Christ.

Image: The Feedback Loop of Discipleship

If you’ve ever been in a deep discipleship relationship, you know how mutually beneficial it can be. I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside several individuals in discipleship, and I can tell you that once the relationship deepens, your investment in another person begins to bless your own life. Initially, you spend much of your time asking how they’re doing, praying for them, and offering encouragement. Over time, they begin asking how you are doing, praying for you, and encouraging you.

Let me give a specific example. Chandler and I run together almost weekly. Recently, Chandler has started asking me, "How was your day today?" before I even have the chance to ask him. My relationship with Chandler can be best described by the word συμπαρακληθῆναι—we are mutually encouraged. This is no coincidence; the God of the universe designed relationships to work this way. Meaningful investment naturally results in mutual encouragement.

In fact, this mutuality further reveals the righteousness of God.

The Selflessness That Comes by Investing in Others Reveals God's Righteousness

When we invest in others, we reflect Christ’s selflessness.

Although our primary motive is their benefit, we also reap blessings. Investing in others mirrors God’s righteousness, which doesn’t remain distant but actively engages with the world.

MTR: Choose Someone Today in Whom You Can Invest Spiritually

This is an action step you could easily agree with and then move on. But don’t just agree—take action! Right now, I challenge you to write down the name of someone in whom you can invest today. Write their name next to this step and commit to reaching out.

Faith's Amazing Agility — The Gospel Crosses Barriers That Seem Insurmountable (13-15)

Faith Overcomes Racial, Cultural, and Societal Hurdles (13-14)

Paul longed to visit Rome, yet his plans continually faced obstacles.

Paul longed to visit Rome, yet his plans continually faced obstacles. However, such hurdles didn’t deter him from hoping for an opportunity to preach the Gospel there. Paul emphasizes that not all in Rome were Jews, highlighting his commitment to sharing the Gospel with Gentiles. His calling as a missionary to the Gentiles is evident in Acts 9:15.

In verse 14, Paul uses the word ὀφειλέτης (obligated), which implies a sense of debt or liability.

In verse 14, Paul uses the word ὀφειλέτης (obligated), which implies a sense of debt or liability. In ancient culture, obligations were serious and often tied to social class. Paul, an educated leader, breaks societal norms by expressing a sense of duty to those considered beneath him.

Paul highlights his obligation to two contrasting groups:

• Greeks (the educated, upper class with access to Greek philosophy)
• barbarians (βαρβάροις), a term rooted in the idea that non-Greek speakers sounded like they were saying "bar, bar."

Faith Creates an Eagerness to See Others Come to Christ (15)

Faith compels believers to share the Gospel. Paul’s eagerness to preach in Rome demonstrates how a true understanding of God’s grace fuels a desire for others to experience the same. When believers grasp the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice, they naturally want others to share in that salvation.

This eagerness further reveals God’s righteousness.

The Crossing of Barriers Demonstrates God's Righteousness

God’s righteousness transcends all human barriers. In Acts 10:34-35, Peter proclaims, “God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.” Similarly, Revelation 7:9 paints a picture of God’s ultimate plan: people from every nation, tribe, and language worshiping together before His throne.

Image: DEI Efforts Without the Gospel

In my experience working at a university, I participated in various initiatives aimed at reducing racial, cultural, and socio-economic disparities. These efforts, often categorized as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), sought to address biases and foster inclusivity. However, despite good intentions, I rarely saw unequivocal success. Many used these initiatives for personal gain rather than genuine progress.

Faith's Righteous Revelation — The Gospel Reveals That God Is Truly Righteous (16-17)

Paul's declaration of the Gospel as the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes highlights the transformative nature of God's righteousness. Through faith in Christ, believers are both changed and emboldened to live out and proclaim the Gospel.

Faith Overcomes Shame (16)

On a human level, faith in the Gospel can seem foolish or even shameful. Paul acknowledges this in 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” In addition, Paul’s obligation to preach to the “barbarians” might have seemed degrading from a societal perspective. =

Faith Results in a Declaration of Righteousness (17)

The phrase “the righteousness of God” is key to understanding this passage. It can be interpreted in three interconnected ways:

• • God’s Character**: The righteousness of God is an attribute, signifying His inherent goodness and justice.
  • God’s Saving Activity**: It refers to the way God saves believers while maintaining His justice.
  • God’s Verdict on Believers**: It is the right standing that God grants to those who place their faith in Christ.