Advent Season · Fourth Sunday of Advent · Year A
Romans 1:1-7
Paul’s Longing to Visit Rome
December 21, 2025
Overview & Insights
“The gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.” (Romans 1:3)
Romans 1:1–7 forms the first half of Paul’s introduction to Romans (1:8–15 is the second half). The introduction, or prescript, to ancient letters consisted of three parts: identification of the author, identification of the recipients, and a salutation or greeting to the recipients. Thus, these are the three parts for Romans 1:1–7: 1. Sender: Paul (1:1–6) 2. Recipient: To those in Rome (1:7a) 3. Greeting: Grace and peace (1:7b) The sender/author component in 1:1–6 is probably so extensive because Paul is introducing himself to the Christians at Rome for the first time. There is an inclusio—an opening idea of a text that is stated, developed, and then returned to at the conclusion—for the whole book of Romans centering on the “gospel” (compare 1:1, 2, 9, 15 with 15:16, 19; 16:25–27). Indeed, “gospel” receives pride of place, occurring in the letter’s thematic statement in 1:16–17.
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Commentary
Commentary on Romans 1:1-7 Working Preacher
Reads Paul's dense seven-verse greeting as a compressed statement of the gospel itself, focused on Jesus as both promised Messiah (descended from David) and resurrected Lord.
Romans 1:1-7 Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Notes that Paul layers the word 'grace' twice in seven verses, arguing the greeting sets up grace as more than rescue from judgment for the rest of the letter.
Romans 1 Commentary Enduring Word (David Guzik)
Verse-by-verse walk through Paul's self-introduction as 'a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle,' unpacking the credal formula about Jesus' human and divine sonship in verses 3-4.
Romans 1:1-7 sermon notes Precept Austin (Brian Bill)
Expository sermon manuscript on the opening greeting, tracing how Paul's self-description as 'set apart for the gospel' models a preacher's own calling.
Romans 1 classic commentaries BibleHub
Aggregates public-domain commentaries (Barnes, Gill, Cambridge Greek Testament, and others) verse by verse on Paul's opening address to the Roman church.
Background & Word Study
The Gospel of Salvation — Paul's Vocation (Romans 1:1-17) Theology of Work
Explores Paul's self-designation as a 'slave' called and 'set apart' as a vocational template, connecting his sense of calling to how any believer's work can be set apart for God's purposes.
Book of Romans Summary — Romans 1-4 BibleProject
Animated overview video that positions Paul's opening greeting inside the letter's larger argument about righteousness for both Jew and Gentile.
Questions preachers ask
Why read the opening of Romans on the last Sunday of Advent?
Paul’s greeting is already a creed. Before he argues anything he states who Jesus is, descended from David and declared Son of God by the resurrection, which is precisely the double identity the season is waiting to see laid in a manger.
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