Berean Standard Bible
And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
King James Bible
Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
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Romans 1:6, in the New International Version, states: “And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” This verse is part of the opening greeting of Paul’s letter to the Romans (1:1–7), where he introduces himself, his apostolic mission, and the recipients of the letter. To provide a full and in-depth commentary, we must explore the verse’s literary and theological context, its linguistic nuances, its historical and cultural significance, and its relevance for both its original audience and contemporary readers.
The epistle to the Romans, written by Paul around 55–57 CE, is a theological masterpiece addressing a mixed community of Jewish and Gentile Christians in Rome. The opening verses (1:1–7) form a formal salutation, unusually lengthy for Paul’s letters, reflecting the letter’s weighty purpose: to unify the church, clarify the gospel, and prepare for Paul’s planned visit (1:11–15). Romans 1:6 is embedded in this greeting, following Paul’s description of his calling as an apostle to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles (1:5). The verse identifies the Roman believers as part of this Gentile mission, emphasizing their divine calling and relationship with Jesus Christ. It serves as a transition to the letter’s broader themes of justification by faith, inclusion of Gentiles in God’s people, and the transformative power of the gospel (e.g., 1:16–17, 3:21–26).
Linguistically, the Greek text of Romans 1:6 is concise yet rich: “en hois este kai hymeis klētoi Iēsou Christou.” The phrase “en hois” (among whom) connects to the Gentiles mentioned in 1:5, indicating that the Roman believers are included in the scope of Paul’s mission. The pronoun “hymeis” (you) is emphatic, personalizing the address and underscoring the Roman church’s significance. The term “klētoi” (called) derives from the verb “kaleō,” connoting a divine summons or invitation, a concept central to Paul’s theology (e.g., 8:28–30; 1 Cor. 1:9). The phrase “Iēsou Christou” (of Jesus Christ) is a dative of possession, implying that the believers belong to Christ as His people, a relationship that defines their identity. The absence of “Gentiles” in the Greek (supplied by the NIV for clarity) reflects the verse’s flow from 1:5, where “ethnesin” (nations/Gentiles) is explicit, suggesting that the Roman audience is primarily, though not exclusively, Gentile.
Theologically, Romans 1:6 encapsulates key themes of the letter. The “calling” of the Gentiles reflects God’s initiative in salvation, a central Pauline conviction (Gal. 1:15–16; Eph. 1:4–5). This divine call is not merely an invitation but an effective summons that brings believers into a relationship with Christ, aligning with Paul’s emphasis on grace (3:24). The phrase “to belong to Jesus Christ” highlights the relational and covenantal nature of salvation, where believers are incorporated into Christ’s body (12:5) and live under His lordship (14:8). The inclusion of Gentiles in this calling fulfills Old Testament promises that God’s salvation would reach all nations (e.g., Isa. 49:6; Gen. 12:3), a theme Paul develops in Romans 4 and 9–11. The verse also sets up the letter’s exploration of how Gentiles, once outside the covenant, are now equal participants in God’s people through faith, without requiring adherence to the Mosaic law (3:28–30).
Historically, Romans 1:6 reflects the context of the mid-first-century Roman church, a diverse community of Jewish and Gentile Christians. Rome, the capital of the empire, was a cosmopolitan hub with a significant Jewish population, and Christianity likely spread there through Jewish converts and Gentile God-fearers. By the time of Paul’s writing, tensions existed between Jewish and Gentile believers, partly due to the expulsion of Jews from Rome under Claudius (c. 49 CE, Acts 18:2) and their subsequent return, which may have disrupted the church’s dynamics. Paul’s emphasis on the Gentiles’ calling in 1:6, alongside his apostolic mission to them (1:5), addresses this mixed audience, affirming the Gentile majority’s place in God’s plan while laying the groundwork for unity (15:7–13). The verse also anticipates Paul’s desire to visit Rome as a base for further mission to Spain (15:23–24), highlighting the strategic importance of the Roman church.
Culturally, the concept of being “called” would have resonated differently with Jewish and Gentile audiences. For Jewish Christians, “calling” evoked Israel’s election as God’s chosen people (e.g., Isa. 41:9), and Paul’s extension of this language to Gentiles would have been striking, implying equal status in the new covenant community. For Gentile Christians, familiar with Greco-Roman notions of patronage or philosophical schools, the idea of belonging to Jesus Christ might parallel loyalty to a leader or deity, but Paul’s use of “called” emphasizes divine initiative, not human choice. The term “Jesus Christ” as a title reflects early Christian confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Lord, a claim that challenged Roman imperial ideology, which reserved titles like “lord” for Caesar. Thus, the verse subtly asserts the believers’ allegiance to Christ over earthly powers, a bold statement in Rome’s political context.
For the original audience, Romans 1:6 served multiple purposes. It affirmed the Roman believers’ identity as part of God’s redemptive plan, reassuring Gentile Christians of their inclusion without needing to adopt Jewish customs. For Jewish Christians, it challenged any sense of exclusivity, preparing them for Paul’s argument that all are justified by faith (3:23–24). The verse also established Paul’s apostolic authority, as his mission to the Gentiles (1:5) directly relates to the Roman church’s calling, fostering trust in his forthcoming teaching. In a community facing internal divisions and external pressures, the verse offered a unifying vision of shared identity in Christ, encouraging mutual acceptance (14:1–15:13).
For contemporary readers, Romans 1:6 speaks to the universal scope of the gospel and the personal nature of God’s call. The emphasis on being “called to belong to Jesus Christ” challenges modern individualism, inviting believers to see themselves as part of a global community defined by allegiance to Christ. In a world marked by cultural, racial, and ideological divisions, the verse’s inclusion of Gentiles echoes the gospel’s power to unite diverse people, urging churches to embody this unity (Gal. 3:28). The divine initiative in calling believers also offers reassurance, especially for those grappling with doubt or feelings of unworthiness, affirming that salvation is God’s work, not human achievement (Eph. 2:8–9).
Practically, Romans 1:6 encourages believers to live out their calling with purpose. The phrase “to belong to Jesus Christ” implies a life of discipleship, marked by obedience, worship, and service (12:1–2). For modern Christians, this might involve sharing the gospel, pursuing justice, or building community, always rooted in their identity in Christ. The verse also challenges believers to embrace their role in God’s mission, as the Roman church was part of Paul’s broader outreach to the Gentiles. This can inspire contemporary churches to engage in global mission, supporting efforts to reach unreached people groups or address social needs. The emphasis on divine calling also prompts reflection on vocation, encouraging individuals to see their work, relationships, and talents as avenues for serving Christ.
Theologically, Romans 1:6 introduces themes that permeate the letter: God’s grace, the inclusion of all nations, and the centrality of Christ. The “calling” reflects Paul’s doctrine of election, where God sovereignly chooses people for salvation (8:29–30), yet this call is universal, extending to “all the Gentiles” (1:5). The phrase “belong to Jesus Christ” foreshadows Paul’s teaching on union with Christ (6:5–11), where believers share in His death and resurrection, leading to a transformed life. The verse also connects to the gospel’s power to save (1:16), as the calling of the Romans is part of God’s plan to bring salvation to all who believe. For Christians, this underscores the relational nature of faith, where salvation is not merely forgiveness but a lifelong belonging to Christ and His body.
In conclusion, Romans 1:6 is a brief but profound verse that identifies the Roman believers as part of God’s redemptive mission, called to belong to Jesus Christ. Rooted in the historical and cultural context of the first-century Roman church, it affirms the inclusion of Gentiles in God’s people, setting the stage for Paul’s exposition of the gospel. The verse’s emphasis on divine calling and belonging challenges both ancient and modern readers to embrace their identity in Christ, live out their faith with purpose, and participate in God’s global mission. By addressing the Romans as “called,” Paul invites believers to trust in God’s grace, unite across differences, and embody the gospel’s transformative power in a world in need of hope.
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Grace and peace be upon you, beloved, those called to be set apart, chosen by divine mercy to walk in the light of truth. You, who once walked in uncertainty, have been summoned into the fellowship of eternal love, not by the will of man nor by the works of your hands, but by the calling of the One who speaks and it is so. Consider the weight of this calling, that you have been drawn out from among many to bear witness to the steadfast faithfulness of the One who redeems and restores.
Therefore, do not take lightly this great invitation, for it is no ordinary summons but one that leads to life everlasting. You have been called not merely to exist but to thrive in the richness of divine wisdom, to reflect the glory of the One who has appointed you for a greater purpose. In this calling, you are not left as orphans but are equipped with grace and strength sufficient for every trial, enabled to stand firm when the winds of uncertainty howl and the storms of adversity rage.
Let your hearts be steadfast, knowing that He who has called you is faithful. He does not forsake His own, nor does He withdraw His hand from those He has chosen. You are not alone in this journey, for countless others share in this calling, bound together in the sacred unity of divine love. Stand firm, encourage one another, and strengthen the weary, for the days are fleeting and the task set before you is great.
Walk in confidence, not by sight, but by trust in the One who ordains all things. Let your words be seasoned with wisdom, your actions be clothed in kindness, and your hearts be anchored in truth. Do not be swayed by voices that lead astray, nor by doubts that seek to weaken your resolve. You have been called with purpose, and in this calling, there is no room for fear, only boldness in the assurance of the One who has declared you His own.
May your life be a testament to this divine calling, a beacon of light to those who wander in darkness, a song of hope to those whose hearts have grown weary. May your steps be guided in peace, and may the love that has been bestowed upon you overflow to all who cross your path. The One who calls is faithful, and in Him, there is no shadow of turning. Hold fast, beloved, for the journey is not in vain, and the promise set before you is unshakable.
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Most Holy and Merciful One, who calls and appoints according to Your perfect will, we come before You with hearts open and lifted in reverence. You have called us not as strangers but as beloved, as those chosen to dwell in the light of Your presence, drawn by grace into the promise of eternal love. You, who summon the weary and the searching, have set Your name upon us, marking us as Your own. In this sacred calling, we are humbled, knowing that it is not by our strength or merit, but by Your unfailing love that we stand before You.
May Your presence fill us with wisdom, that we may walk in the way of truth, unshaken by the voices of doubt or the weight of uncertainty. Let the knowledge of Your faithfulness be our foundation, that we may stand firm in the midst of every trial and hold fast to the hope set before us. Strengthen our hearts, that we may not waver but press onward, bearing witness to the glory of the One who calls us into everlasting communion.
Let Your love overflow within us, shaping our words, our thoughts, and our deeds, that we may be instruments of peace and mercy. Let every heart that hears Your call be awakened to the depth of Your kindness, and may those who wander find their path illuminated by the light of Your truth. In times of weakness, be our strength; in moments of sorrow, be our comfort. Let our lives reflect the beauty of Your presence, and may we be a testimony to the power of Your calling.
May unity bind us together, that we may walk as one, bearing each other's burdens, rejoicing in each other's victories, and standing together in the assurance that You are with us. Let Your voice guide us, that we may not stumble, but walk boldly into the purpose set before us. In You, there is no shadow of turning, no promise unfulfilled, no love withdrawn. You are faithful from generation to generation, and in You, we place our trust.
Let our hearts forever be centered in the calling You have given us. May our lives bring honor to Your name, and may all who seek find their refuge in You. To You be the glory, the majesty, and the praise, now and forevermore. Amen.
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