Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 1:5

"through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name`s sake;" — Romans 1:5 (ASV)

Now the apostle returns to his responsibility to proclaim the Good News (cf. v.1). Two problems present themselves here, and they are somewhat related. Who is indicated by “we,” and how should one understand the phrase “all the Gentiles”? Clearly, in using “we,” Paul cannot be including his readers, because they did not possess apostleship. Could he be referring to other apostles, of whom the Roman believers must have heard? This is a possibility. The problem is complicated by the mention of the intended sphere of labor—“among all the Gentiles.” This wording tends to limit the “we” to Paul as a literary plural, since the Gentiles constituted his special field of labor (cf. 15:16, 18, where the word “obey” corresponds to the word “obedience” in this passage). On the other hand, “all the Gentiles” can equally be rendered, “all the nations” or “all peoples” (cf. Matthew 28:19). This would favor the wider reference of “we” to all the apostles, since Israel would be included as one of the peoples. It is difficult to decide this question.

The desired response to the gospel message is “obedience that comes from faith” (16:26 on obedience and 1:16–17; 10:17 on faith). Paul’s readers were not called, as he was, to apostleship; they were called “to belong to Jesus Christ” and to be “saints” (GK 41), the common term designating believers. This term has almost the same force as the expression Paul uses for himself—“set apart” (v.1). It carries the aroma of holiness to which every child of God is called (6:19, 22).

Finally the apostle is ready to extend a greeting to his readers—“grace and peace.” Ordinary letters of that period usually contained a single word meaning “greeting” (cf. James 1:1). Paul, however, is partial to terms with theological import. He desires his readers to have a continuing and deepening experience of spiritual blessing that only God can bestow. Father and Son are the joint benefactors. People may long for grace and peace, but only God can grant such gifts. The rich meaning of these terms will emerge as Paul uses them in the body of his work.