The salutation, which is the longest salutation in Paul's epistles, identifies the writer (v. 1), introduces the subject of the letter (vv. 2-5), and greets the original readers (vv. 6-7).12This first sentence (vv. 1-7) implicitly sets forth the most fundamental facts of Christianity. In particular, it shows that the main facts of the gospel fulfill Old Testament predictions.
As in all his epistles, Paul used his Roman rather than his Jewish name, Saul, since he was the apostle to the Gentiles. Even though he had not yet visited Rome his readers knew Paul's reputation well. He just needed to give his name to identify himself.
In his relationship to Jesus Christ, Paul was a bond-servant (Greek doulos). Some translators have rendered this word "slave,"but Paul was a willing servant of Christ (cf. Phil. 2:7). This term is the equivalent of the Old Testament "servant of the Lord"(e.g., Moses, Joshua, Elijah, Nehemiah, and especially David). Paul shared this status with his readers.
The title "apostle"gives Paul's gift and office in the church. He was Jesus Christ's special appointee. This status gave him the right not only to preach the gospel but to found, to supervise, and even to discipline churches if necessary. The basis of his authority, the right to his office, was God's calling (cf. vv. 6, 7).13
"Called' means designated and set apart by an action of God to some special sphere and manner of being and of consequent activity."14
The particular extent of his work, the scope of his calling, was quite narrow, namely to proclaim the gospel (good news) of God. As a Pharisee, Paul had lived a life set apart to observing the Mosaic Law and Jewish customs strictly. Now his calling was to proclaim the gospel (Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:12).
1:2 Paul next began to exalt the gospel that God had called him to proclaim. It was a message that God had promised, not just prophesied, in the Old Testament Scriptures. The words "his"and "holy"stress the unique origin of the gospel. God had inspired the Old Testament by speaking through men as He gave His revelation. Paul did not preach an unanticipated gospel but one that God had promised through His prophets (cf. 4:13-25; 9:4; 15:8). This is the reason Paul appealed to the Old Testament so fully in this and other of his epistles. Specifically Paul's gospel was not a human invention that tried to make the best of Israel's rejection of Jesus Christ.
1:3-4 Paul identified the gospel's theme to exalt it further. The gospel centers on God's Son, Jesus Christ, who was both human and divine. The phrases "according to the flesh"(v. 3) and "according to the Spirit"(v. 4) probably do not contrast the natures of Christ but His relationships.15He belonged to two realms. As to his human earthly connection, His origin was the highest. He was not just an Israelite (9:5) but a son of David (Matt. 1:1; Luke 1:32; Acts 13:22-23; 2 Tim. 2:8), which was a messianic qualification (Isa. 11:1).
Concerning the realm above He was higher than the angels (Heb. 1:4), the very Son of God (v. 4). The word "power"probably modifies the Son rather than the declaration. Paul probably meant that God declared Jesus to be His powerful Son rather than God powerfully declared that Jesus was His Son. The point of this passage is the greatness of Jesus, not the wonder of the resurrection.
"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic--on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg--or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse."16
Jesus was always the Son of God, but the Father declared Him to be the Son by resurrecting Him. Jesus did not change in essence--He always was the Son--but in status or function. God appointed the Son to a new and more powerful position in relation to the world at the Resurrection. He is now not only the Messiah but the Lord of all.17
To what does "the Spirit of holiness"(v. 4) refer? It may be another way of referring to the Holy Spirit.18Nevertheless in view of the parallel expression "according to the flesh"(v. 3) and the fact that Paul could have said "Holy Spirit"if that is what he meant, probably Paul was referring to the holy nature of Jesus. Jesus' nature was so holy that death could not hold Him.19
1:5 Paul probably meant that he had received the special grace (gift) of being an apostle. He introduced the character and scope of what follows in this epistle by linking his apostleship with the resurrected Christ. Jesus' descent from David and His resurrection proved that He was the Messiah and Lord promised in the Old Testament. Therefore the gospel that Paul preached as an apostle could bring all people, not just Jews, to faith in Him. It did not bring them to obey the Law of Moses. Obeying God by trusting in Jesus Christ is "for His [Christ's] name's sake"because it glorifies Him.
Faith is obedience to God because God commands everyone to believe in Christ (cf. John 6:29; Acts 17:30-31). This verse is not teaching that saving faith always results in ongoing obedience to God, though that is normally its effect.20
1:6-7 Paul assured his readers that they were part of the intent of the gospel. God had not called them to apostleship as God had called him (v. 1) but to sainthood, saint being a common term for believer in the New Testament. It refers more to position than condition when used this way, though the implication of holiness is strong.21
"God's call is not an invitation but a powerful and effective reaching out to claim individuals for himself."22
Verse 7 really continues the thought of verse 1, verses 2-6 being somewhat parenthetical. "Grace"and "peace"were common salutations in Greek and Jewish letters respectively in Paul's day. God's grace is both His unmerited favor and His divine enablement. It is the basis for any true human peace. The Hebrew concept of peace (Heb. shalom) did not just mean freedom from stress, anxiety, and irritation. It included the fullness of God's blessing. Paul desired a continually deeper and richer experience of spiritual blessing for his readers. The linking of "Jesus Christ"with the "Father"implies the deity of the Son.
The salutation reveals the germ ideas that the writer proceeded to develop later. This feature is also characteristic of Paul's other epistles. So far Paul said he had a message that was in harmony with the Old Testament. It was from the risen Christ, and it was for all people. Furthermore it should lead people to obey God by exercising faith in Him.
