Romans Chapter 1

Romans Chapter 1

Introducing Paul! Hurray! Welcome to the gang Paul. Who the heck are you?

Paul is a servant of JC who was called to be an apostle. He brings the gospel, which had been promised by a load of prophets in the holy scriptures, to everyone. These gospels concern God’s son Jesus (who by now, we are WELL familiar with). Jesus was made of the seed of David when he was made into a human (for real? Because I never got a genealogy for Mary who is his only earthly parent). Jesus was also declared the Son of God with power from the holy spirit. This is proven by his resurrection from the dead. It is from him that Paul and others have received both grace and apostleship. What they’re looking for is obedience to their faith from all nations (good luck fellas) in the name of JC.

Paul addresses those who live in Rome and are beloved of God, who are called to be saints. He kind of blesses them saying grace and peace to you from God and JC. Aww, that’s nice! Paul then thanks his God via JC for all of them, because through them faith is spoken throughout the whole world (minus some pretty large sections at the time, including North and South America, Asia, most of Africa, and a large percent of Europe. But, hey, like they say, it’s a small world). God is his witness who he serves with his spirit in the gospel of his Son, and he always mentions the good people of Rome in his prayers. He requests from God that he will have a prosperous journey, no matter how long, so that he can reach them.

Paul is longing to see his dear countrymen so that he can impart some spiritual gift to them. By this, he will establish their faith and he and they can then be comforted together. (I like the camaraderie of their mutual faith bond, that’s kind of sweet).

He doesn’t want them to be unaware of the fact that he has oftentimes meant to come to them, but was unable. He has long desired this, and wants to have some fruit amongst them, even among other Gentiles. (I like fruit to, but I suppose in this case, he’s referring to spreading the word).

Paul tells his loving Romans that he is a debtor to both the Greeks and the Barbarian, to both the wise and the unwise. So, he’s ready to preach all the gospel he knows to all his Roman countrymen. He is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ because it is the power of God that leads to salvation for everyone who believes: Jews first, then Greeks (presumably everyone else to follow).

Paul says that there is righteousness that God revealed from faith to faith (does that mean that all religions contain truth, not say, just one). It is written that the just shall live by faith. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, particularly if they are holding the truth in unrighteousness (I wonder how you would do that? Are they holding it hostage?). I guess Paul tries to explain it by saying that because anything that can be known of God is actually inside of everyone because God has put it there. All the invisible things of God, all the way back from the creation of the world can be clearly seen and be clearly understood by the things that are made (I don’t know what the made things are), including God’s eternal power and Godhead, so any who does not see these things doesn’t really have an excuse. (I disagree, maybe God forgot to put that info inside me, but I don’t see it).

Well, these people, like me, when they knew God, they didn’t glorify him as God and they weren’t thankful. Instead, they became vain in their imaginations (I can admit that fault), and their foolish hearts were darkened. But, by professing themselves to be wise, they became fools and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image of a corruptible man, and to the birds, and fourfooted beasts and creeping things. (Is he talking about nature worship? I felt like I was with him, and then I lost him here.)

God then decided to give them up to their uncleanness. He left them to the lusts of their own hearts to dishonor their bodies between themselves. (Woo hoo! We’re getting hot and heavy now).

These folks changed the truth of God into a lie, according to Paul, and they worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator (nice alliteration, I like that turn of phrase), who is blessed forever. Amen. (I’m not sure, he should have put that “Amen” in there. He hasn’t really concluded his train of thought, but it doesn’t matter).

For this reason God gave them up (so we’ve been told already I think). Even their women changed the natural us into that which is against nature. What natural use, you ask? I’m thinking, they were liking to spend more sexual time with their girl friends then with those rough Roman boys, but I could be wrong. Likewise the men left the natural use of the woman (I will do everything I can to refrain from going apeshit on someone claiming I have a “natural use”, as though I am an object). These men burned in their lust for one another (aww, sounds sweet to me). Men were with men, apparently doing some unseemly work (uh, Paul, where I come from we call that play, not work). They received recompense for their error (they did?).

Even though they didn’t like to remember God, God let them do those things which are not convenient (like working and paying taxes?).

These folks were filled with all types of unrighteousness including: fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, envy, murder, debate (really??), deceit, malignity, whispers. They were backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things (like Dr. Horrible?), disobedient to parents (unlike JC, who always listened to his mom, and was never rude to her), without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable and unmerciful.

(Paul’s not afraid of a little name calling I see).

Even though they knew the judgment of God, those who committed these death worthy sins, not only do these things, but take pleasure in them.

To quote Billy Joel… I’d rather laugh with the sinners than die with the saints. The sinners are much more fun.