Romans 1:5

Berean Standard Bible

Through Him and on behalf of His name, we received grace and apostleship to call all those among the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.

King James Bible

By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

-------------------------

In Romans 1:5, Paul writes, “Through him we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations.” This verse, nestled within the opening greeting of Paul’s epistle to the Romans, serves as a concise yet profound summary of his apostolic mission and the theological heart of his ministry. To fully unpack its meaning, we must consider its context within the letter, its theological implications, and its practical significance for Paul’s audience, both in the first century and today. The verse is situated in the introductory section of Romans (1:1–7), where Paul establishes his identity as an apostle and sets the tone for the gospel he proclaims. By examining the key phrases—“through him,” “grace and apostleship,” “obedience of faith,” “for the sake of his name,” and “among all the nations”—we can discern the depth of Paul’s purpose and the universal scope of the gospel.

The phrase “through him” refers unmistakably to Jesus Christ, the central figure of Paul’s message. Paul grounds his entire ministry in Christ, emphasizing that his authority and calling come not from human initiative but from divine commissioning through the risen Lord. This prepositional phrase underscores the Christocentric nature of Paul’s theology: all that he is and does as an apostle flows from Christ’s mediation. In the preceding verses, Paul describes himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, “called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). The “him” in verse 5 connects directly to the gospel concerning God’s Son, “descended from David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3–4). Thus, Paul’s mission is rooted in the reality of Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection, which together form the foundation of the gospel he preaches.

The phrase “we have received grace and apostleship” is rich with meaning. The “we” likely refers to Paul himself, though some scholars suggest it could include other apostles or believers more broadly. However, given the context of Paul’s self-description as an apostle, it is most plausible that he is speaking primarily of himself, emphasizing the divine gift that enables his ministry. The term “grace” (charis) carries its usual Pauline sense of God’s unmerited favor, the transformative power that saves and equips believers for service. Here, grace is paired with “apostleship,” a term that denotes Paul’s specific calling as an apostle, one sent with authority to proclaim the gospel. The conjunction of these two terms is significant: Paul’s apostolic office is not a reward for merit but a gift of grace, underscoring the humility and dependence that characterize his ministry. This pairing also highlights the inseparability of salvation and service in Paul’s thought. The grace that saves is the same grace that empowers mission, suggesting that all believers, while not necessarily apostles, are recipients of grace for the purpose of participating in God’s redemptive work.

The purpose of this grace and apostleship is “to bring about the obedience of faith.” This phrase is one of the most debated in the verse, as it encapsulates the goal of Paul’s mission. The construction in Greek, “eis hupakoen pisteos,” can be translated in several ways, such as “the obedience that comes from faith,” “the obedience that consists of faith,” or “the obedience that is faith.” The genitive relationship between “obedience” (hupakoe) and “faith” (pistis) is ambiguous, inviting a range of interpretations. One view is that “obedience of faith” refers to faith itself as an act of obedience, suggesting that to believe in the gospel is to submit to God’s call. This interpretation aligns with the Jewish concept of “hearing” (shema), which implies both listening and obeying, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4. Another perspective sees obedience as the fruit of faith, where genuine faith naturally produces a life of obedience to God’s will. A third possibility is that Paul is emphasizing obedience to the gospel message, the act of accepting and adhering to the truth of Christ. Given the context of Romans, where Paul later explores the relationship between faith and works (e.g., Romans 3:28, 6:1–2), it is likely that he intends a holistic understanding: faith is the root of salvation, and obedience is its necessary expression. This interpretation avoids pitting faith against works while affirming that true faith manifests in a life aligned with God’s purposes.

The phrase “for the sake of his name” reveals the ultimate motivation of Paul’s mission. The “name” refers to Christ, whose identity as Lord and Savior is the driving force behind Paul’s apostolic work. In the biblical tradition, a name represents one’s character, authority, and reputation. By working “for the sake of his name,” Paul indicates that his mission is not for personal glory or gain but to magnify the honor and glory of Christ. This Christ-centered focus also carries an eschatological dimension, as the exaltation of Christ’s name among the nations anticipates the day when “every knee should bow” and “every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Philippians 2:10–11). The phrase also echoes Old Testament language, where God acts for the sake of His name among the nations (e.g., Ezekiel 36:22–23), suggesting that Paul sees his mission as a continuation of God’s redemptive purposes, now fulfilled in Christ.

Finally, the scope of Paul’s mission is universal: “among all the nations.” The Greek term “ethne” (nations) typically refers to Gentiles in Paul’s writings, and here it underscores the inclusive nature of the gospel. As the “apostle to the Gentiles” (Romans 11:13), Paul’s calling is to extend the message of salvation beyond Israel to all peoples, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham that through his offspring “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). This universal scope is a recurring theme in Romans, as Paul later argues that the gospel is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). The phrase also situates Paul’s ministry within the broader narrative of God’s mission to redeem the world, a mission that transcends ethnic, cultural, and geographic boundaries.

In its historical context, Romans 1:5 reflects Paul’s strategic intent in writing to the Roman church, a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile believers. By emphasizing his apostleship and the universal scope of the gospel, Paul establishes his credentials to address a church he did not found, preparing the ground for his later teachings on unity, justification, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s plan. For contemporary readers, the verse challenges believers to recognize that grace is not merely for personal salvation but for mission, calling each to participate in God’s work of bringing the nations to faith. It also underscores the centrality of Christ in all aspects of life and ministry, reminding us that our efforts are ultimately for His glory. In summary, Romans 1:5 encapsulates Paul’s identity as an apostle, the purpose of his mission, and the universal reach of the gospel, inviting all who read it to embrace the obedience of faith for the sake of Christ’s name.

----------------------------------

Grace and peace be multiplied to you, beloved, from the One who reigns eternal, the Lord of all creation, whose mercy endures forever. I write to you, scattered across the nations, bound together by the call of faith, to stir your hearts with the truth that has transformed the ages. Through the One who is the cornerstone of our hope, we have received a gift unmerited and a charge unshakable—a grace that pardons and a mission that compels. This grace is not for us to hoard, nor is this mission for a select few; it is a flame kindled in our souls to burn brightly among all peoples, that the name of the Holy One might be exalted in every tongue and tribe.

Consider the weight of this calling, dear friends. We, who were once strangers to the covenant, have been drawn near by the boundless love of the One who gave Himself for us. This grace, freely bestowed, is not a mere sentiment but a power that reshapes the heart, turning rebels into ambassadors and wanderers into bearers of truth. It is through this grace that we stand, not as those who boast in their own strength, but as those who know their weakness and yet are made strong by the Spirit who dwells within. And with this grace comes the apostleship, a sacred trust to proclaim the good news, to call all to the obedience that flows from faith—a faith that is not mere agreement but a living surrender to the will of the Most High.

This obedience is no burden, but a joyful response to the One who has redeemed us. It is a life aligned with His purposes, a walk that reflects His holiness, a love that mirrors His own. And this call is not for one nation alone, but for all the peoples of the earth. From the bustling cities to the quiet villages, from the learned to the simple, the message we carry is for every soul who breathes. We are sent to the ends of the earth, not with swords or decrees, but with the word of life, to invite all to bow before the name that is above every name. This is our apostleship: to live as witnesses, to speak as heralds, to love as those who have been loved beyond measure.

Yet, let us not be deceived, for this mission is not without cost. The world, in its rebellion, may scorn the truth we bear. Some will mock, others will turn away, and still others may seek to silence the voice of grace. But take heart, for the One who sends us is greater than the opposition we face. His name is not diminished by rejection, nor is His purpose thwarted by the schemes of men. We are called to persevere, to speak boldly, to love fiercely, trusting that the seed we sow will bear fruit in His time. And as we go, we do not go alone. The Spirit strengthens us, the fellowship of believers upholds us, and the promise of His presence sustains us.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, let us rise to this holy calling. Let us live as those who have received grace, not squandering it on selfish pursuits, but pouring it out for the sake of others. Let us embrace the apostleship entrusted to us, not as a title of honor, but as a mantle of service. Let us go to all nations, not with arrogance, but with humility, knowing that we are but vessels of clay carrying a treasure divine. And let us do all this for the sake of His name, that it may be glorified, not only in our words but in our lives, in our communities, and in the world He so loves.

I urge you, beloved, to examine your hearts. Are you living in the fullness of the grace you have received? Are you walking in the obedience of faith, not out of duty, but out of love for the One who calls you? Are you carrying the message of life to those around you, to the stranger, the outcast, the one who seems farthest from the kingdom? The time is now, for the harvest is plentiful, and the laborers are needed. Let us be found faithful, not for our own glory, but for the glory of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light.

May the God of all grace strengthen you, guide you, and fill you with His peace as you walk in this sacred mission. May His name be lifted high through your lives, and may the nations come to know the love that has transformed us. I commend you to His care, praying that you may abound in hope and courage, now and forevermore. Amen.

---------------------------

O Eternal and Most Holy God, Sovereign of all creation, whose name is exalted above the heavens and whose mercy knows no end, we come before You with hearts bowed in reverence and gratitude. Through Your beloved Son, the One who is the way, the truth, and the life, You have poured out upon us a grace we could never earn and entrusted us with a mission we could never fulfill apart from Your strength. We lift our voices in unison, from every corner of the earth, to seek Your face and to intercede for all peoples, that Your glory may be known and Your love embraced in every nation.

We thank You, O Father, for the unmerited favor that has redeemed us, that has called us out of darkness and made us Your own. This grace, so freely given, has transformed our hearts and set our feet upon the path of righteousness. We pray that we may never take lightly this gift, but live each day as those who are clothed in Your mercy, reflecting Your kindness in all we do. Fill us, we beseech You, with Your Holy Spirit, that we may walk worthy of the calling You have placed upon us, bearing the message of Your love to a world in need.

Lord, You have appointed us as ambassadors of Your kingdom, sending us forth to proclaim the good news to all nations. We pray for courage to speak boldly, wisdom to speak rightly, and humility to speak lovingly. May our lives be a testament to the obedience that flows from faith, not as a burden, but as a joyful response to Your boundless love. We lift up those who have yet to hear Your name, those who dwell in the shadows of despair or the chains of falsehood. Break through, O God, with the light of Your truth, and draw them to the One who gave Himself for their salvation.

We pray for Your church, scattered across the globe, that she may rise in unity and purpose to fulfill the mission You have given. Strengthen those who face persecution, comfort those who are weary, and embolden those who hesitate. Knit us together, Lord, as one body, that our love for one another may be a beacon to the world, testifying to the power of Your name. Grant us grace to serve the least, to welcome the stranger, and to extend Your compassion to those who seem farthest from Your kingdom.

O God, we confess that we often falter in our calling. Forgive us for the times we have hoarded Your grace or shied away from the work You have set before us. Renew our hearts, we pray, and set our eyes upon the One who is our strength and our salvation. Let us not grow weary in doing good, but press on with perseverance, trusting that Your purposes will prevail. May we live not for our own glory, but for the sake of Your name, that it may be hallowed in every tongue and tribe.

We lift up the nations, O Lord, from the mightiest cities to the humblest villages. Bring down the walls of division, soften hearts hardened by pride, and open ears to hear Your voice. Raise up laborers for Your harvest, and let Your word run swiftly across the earth. May kings and rulers bow before Your throne, and may the poor and oppressed find hope in Your justice. Let Your kingdom come, O God, as Your people live and labor for the day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess the name above all names.

Now, O Father, we entrust ourselves to Your keeping. Guard us from the snares of the enemy, guide us by Your truth, and sustain us with Your peace. May our lives be a living prayer, offered up for Your glory, and may our every word and deed proclaim the beauty of Your grace. We pray all this in the name of Your Son, our Savior and King, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.