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Romans 1

Rom. 1:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
Paul
Paulos (Greek #3972)
(little; but remotely from a derivative of 3973, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle
KJV usage: Paul, Paulus.
Pronounce: pow'-los
Origin: of Latin origin
, a servant
doulos (Greek #1401)
a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)
KJV usage: bond(-man), servant.
Pronounce: doo'-los
Origin: from 1210
of Jesus
Iesous (Greek #2424)
Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites
KJV usage: Jesus.
Pronounce: ee-ay-sooce'
Origin: of Hebrew origin (03091)
Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
a, called
kletos (Greek #2822)
invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint
KJV usage: called.
Pronounce: klay-tos'
Origin: from the same as 2821
b to be an apostle
apostolos (Greek #652)
a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers)
KJV usage: apostle, messenger, he that is sent.
Pronounce: ap-os'-tol-os
Origin: from 649
, separated
aphorizo (Greek #873)
to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.
KJV usage: divide, separate, sever.
Pronounce: af-or-id'-zo
Origin: from 575 and 3724
c unto
eis (Greek #1519)
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
KJV usage: (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Pronounce: ice
Origin: a primary preposition
the gospel
euaggelion (Greek #2098)
a good message, i.e. the gospel
KJV usage: gospel.
Pronounce: yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on
Origin: from the same as 2097
of God
theos (Greek #2316)
a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very
KJV usage: X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
Pronounce: theh'-os
Origin: of uncertain affinity
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a
Acts 27:23• 23For an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me this night, (Acts 27:23)
b
Acts 9:15• 15And the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel: (Acts 9:15)
;
1 Cor. 1:1• 1Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ, by God's will, and Sosthenes the brother, (1 Cor. 1:1)
c
Acts 13:2• 2And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them. (Acts 13:2)
;
Gal. 1:15• 15But when God, who set me apart even from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (Gal. 1:15)

More on:

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Apostle,
Christ,
God,
Paul,
Servant,
The Gospel,
The Lord Jesus

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-8:  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9-15:  and his desire to come to them.
16-17:  What his gospel is.
18-20:  God is angry with sin.
21-32:  What were the sins of the gentiles.
Paul.
Acts 13:9• 9But Saul, who also is Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixing his eyes upon him, (Acts 13:9)
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Acts 21:40• 40And when he had allowed him, Paul, standing on the stairs, beckoned with his hand to the people; and a great silence having been made, he addressed them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, (Acts 21:40)
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Acts 22:7,13• 7And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
 13coming to me and standing by me, said to me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And *I*, in the same hour, received my sight and saw him. (Acts 22:7,13)
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Acts 26:1,14• 1And Agrippa said to Paul, It is permitted thee to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretching out his hand answered in his defence:
 14And, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against goads. (Acts 26:1,14)
a servant.
Rom. 1:9• 9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, (Rom. 1:9)
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Rom. 15:16• 16for me to be minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, carrying on as a sacrificial service the message of glad tidings of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:16)
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Rom. 16:18• 18For such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own belly, and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (Rom. 16:18)
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John 12:26• 26If any one serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there also shall be *my* servant. And if any one serve me, him shall the Father honour. (John 12:26)
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John 13:14‑16• 14If I therefore, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, ye also ought to wash one another's feet;
 15for I have given you an example that, as I have done to you, ye should do also.
 16Verily, verily, I say to you, The bondman is not greater than his lord, nor the sent greater than he who has sent him. (John 13:14‑16)
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John 15:15,20• 15I call you no longer bondmen, for the bondman does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things which I have heard of my Father I have made known to you.
 20Remember the word which I said unto you, The bondman is not greater than his master. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my word, they will keep also yours. (John 15:15,20)
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Acts 27:23• 23For an angel of the God, whose I am and whom I serve, stood by me this night, (Acts 27:23)
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2 Cor. 4:5• 5For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus Lord, and ourselves your bondmen for Jesus' sake. (2 Cor. 4:5)
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Gal. 1:10• 10For do I now seek to satisfy men or God? or do I seek to please men? If I were yet pleasing men, I were not Christ's bondman. (Gal. 1:10)
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Phil. 1:1• 1Paul and Timotheus, bondmen of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and ministers; (Phil. 1:1)
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Phil. 2:11• 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to God the Father's glory. (Phil. 2:11)
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Phil. 3:6‑7• 6as to zeal, persecuting the assembly; as to righteousness which is in the law, found blameless;
 7but what things were gain to me these I counted, on account of Christ, loss. (Phil. 3:6‑7)
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Titus 1:1• 1Paul, bondman of God, and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's elect, and knowledge of the truth which is according to piety; (Titus 1:1)
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James 1:1• 1James, bondman of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are in the dispersion, greeting. (James 1:1)
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2 Peter 1:1• 1Simon Peter, bondman and apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have received like precious faith with us through the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ: (2 Peter 1:1)
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Jude 1• 1Jude, bondman of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to the called ones beloved in God the Father and preserved in Jesus Christ: (Jude 1)
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Rev. 1:1• 1Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to him, to shew to his bondmen what must shortly take place; and he signified it, sending by his angel, to his bondman John, (Rev. 1:1)
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Rev. 22:6,9• 6And he said to me, These words are faithful and true; and the Lord God of the spirits of the prophets has sent his angel to shew to his bondmen the things which must soon come to pass.
 9And he says to me, See thou do it not. I am thy fellow-bondman, and the fellow-bondman of thy brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Do homage to God. (Rev. 22:6,9)
called.
Rom. 1:5• 5by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations, (Rom. 1:5)
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Rom. 11:13• 13For I speak to you, the nations, inasmuch as *I* am apostle of nations, I glorify my ministry; (Rom. 11:13)
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Acts 9:15• 15And the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is an elect vessel to me, to bear my name before both nations and kings and the sons of Israel: (Acts 9:15)
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Acts 22:14‑15,21• 14And he said, The God of our fathers has chosen thee beforehand to know his will, and to see the just one, and to hear a voice out of his mouth;
 15for thou shalt be a witness for him to all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
 21And he said to me, Go, for *I* will send thee to the nations afar off. (Acts 22:14‑15,21)
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Acts 26:16‑18• 16but rise up and stand on thy feet; for, for this purpose have I appeared to thee, to appoint thee to be a servant and a witness both of what thou hast seen, and of what I shall appear to thee in,
 17taking thee out from among the people, and the nations, to whom *I* send thee,
 18to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. (Acts 26:16‑18)
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1 Cor. 1:1• 1Paul, a called apostle of Jesus Christ, by God's will, and Sosthenes the brother, (1 Cor. 1:1)
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1 Cor. 9:1,16‑18• 1Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not *ye* my work in the Lord?
 16For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.
 17For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with an administration.
 18What is the reward then that I have? That in announcing the glad tidings I make the glad tidings costless to others, so as not to have made use, as belonging to me, of my right in announcing the glad tidings. (1 Cor. 9:1,16‑18)
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1 Cor. 15:8‑10• 8and last of all, as to an abortion, he appeared to *me* also.
 9For *I* am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called apostle, because I have persecuted the assembly of God.
 10But by God's grace I am what I am; and his grace, which was towards me, has not been vain; but I have laboured more abundantly than they all, but not *I*, but the grace of God which was with me. (1 Cor. 15:8‑10)
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2 Cor. 1:1• 1Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, and the brother Timotheus, to the assembly of God which is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia. (2 Cor. 1:1)
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2 Cor. 11:5• 5For I reckon that in nothing I am behind those who are in surpassing degree apostles. (2 Cor. 11:5)
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2 Cor. 12:11• 11I have become a fool; *ye* have compelled me; for *I* ought to have been commended by you; for I have been nothing behind those who were in surpassing degree apostles, if also I am nothing. (2 Cor. 12:11)
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Gal. 1:1,11‑17• 1Paul, apostle, not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father who raised him from among the dead,
 11But I let you know, brethren, as to the glad tidings which were announced by me, that they are not according to man.
 12For neither did I receive them from man, neither was I taught them, but by revelation of Jesus Christ.
 13For ye have heard what was my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I excessively persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it;
 14and advanced in Judaism beyond many my contemporaries in my nation, being exceedingly zealous of the doctrines of my fathers.
 15But when God, who set me apart even from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
 16was pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I may announce him as glad tidings among the nations, immediately I took not counsel with flesh and blood,
 17nor went I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and again returned to Damascus. (Gal. 1:1,11‑17)
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Eph. 1:1• 1Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus. (Eph. 1:1)
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Eph. 3:5‑7• 5which in other generations has not been made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the power of the Spirit,
 6that they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;
 7of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me, according to the working of his power. (Eph. 3:5‑7)
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Eph. 4:11• 11and *he* has given some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some shepherds and teachers, (Eph. 4:11)
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Col. 1:1,25• 1Paul, apostle of Christ Jesus, by God's will, and Timotheus the brother,
 25of which *I* became minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given me towards you to complete the word of God, (Col. 1:1,25)
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1 Tim. 1:1,11‑12• 1Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the command of God our Saviour, and of Christ Jesus our hope,
 11according to the glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God, with which *I* have been entrusted.
 12And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me power, that he has counted me faithful, appointing to ministry him (1 Tim. 1:1,11‑12)
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1 Tim. 2:7• 7to which *I* have been appointed a herald and apostle, (I speak the truth, I do not lie,) a teacher of the nations in faith and truth. (1 Tim. 2:7)
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2 Tim. 1:11• 11to which *I* have been appointed a herald and apostle and teacher of the nations. (2 Tim. 1:11)
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Titus 1:1• 1Paul, bondman of God, and apostle of Jesus Christ according to the faith of God's elect, and knowledge of the truth which is according to piety; (Titus 1:1)
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Heb. 5:4• 4And no one takes the honour to himself but as called by God, even as Aaron also. (Heb. 5:4)
separated.
Lev. 20:24‑26• 24And I have said unto you, Ye shall possess their land, and I will give it unto you for a possession; a land flowing with milk and honey: I am Jehovah your God, who have separated you from the peoples.
 25And ye shall make a separation between the clean beast and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean, and ye shall not make yourselves an abomination by beast, or by fowl, or by anything that creepeth on the ground which I have separated for you, declaring it as unclean.
 26And ye shall be holy unto me; for I Jehovah am holy, and have separated you from the peoples to be mine. (Lev. 20:24‑26)
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Num. 16:9‑10• 9Is it too little for you, that the God of Israel has separated you from the assembly of Israel, to bring you near to himself to do the work of the tabernacle of Jehovah, and to stand before the assembly to minister to them?
 10--that he has brought thee near, and all thy brethren the sons of Levi with thee; and seek ye now the priesthood also? (Num. 16:9‑10)
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Deut. 10:8• 8At that time Jehovah separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, to stand before Jehovah to do service unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day. (Deut. 10:8)
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1 Chron. 23:13• 13The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. And Aaron was separated, that he should be hallowed as most holy, he and his sons for ever, to offer before Jehovah, to do service to him, and to bless in his name for ever. (1 Chron. 23:13)
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Isa. 49:1• 1Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye peoples from afar. Jehovah hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isa. 49:1)
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Jer. 1:5• 5Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I hallowed thee, I appointed thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jer. 1:5)
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Acts 13:2‑4• 2And as they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Separate me now Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
 3Then, having fasted and prayed, and having laid their hands on them, they let them go.
 4They therefore, having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia, and thence sailed away to Cyprus. (Acts 13:2‑4)
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Gal. 1:15• 15But when God, who set me apart even from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, (Gal. 1:15)
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1 Tim. 1:15‑16• 15Faithful is the word, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom *I* am the first.
 16But for this reason mercy was shewn me, that in me, the first, Jesus Christ might display the whole long-suffering, for a delineation of those about to believe on him to life eternal. (1 Tim. 1:15‑16)
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Heb. 7:26• 26For such a high priest became us, holy, harmless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and become higher than the heavens: (Heb. 7:26)
the gospel.
Rom. 1:9,16• 9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you,
 16For I am not ashamed of the glad tidings; for it is God's power to salvation, to every one that believes, both to Jew first and to Greek: (Rom. 1:9,16)
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Rom. 15:16,29• 16for me to be minister of Christ Jesus to the nations, carrying on as a sacrificial service the message of glad tidings of God, in order that the offering up of the nations might be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
 29But I know that, coming to you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of Christ. (Rom. 15:16,29)
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Rom. 16:25• 25Now to him that is able to establish you, according to my glad tidings and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, as to which silence has been kept in the times of the ages, (Rom. 16:25)
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Mark 16:15‑16• 15And he said to them, Go into all the world, and preach the glad tidings to all the creation.
 16He that believes and is baptised shall be saved, and he that disbelieves shall be condemned. (Mark 16:15‑16)
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Luke 2:10‑11• 10And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people;
 11for to-day a Saviour has been born to you in David's city, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10‑11)
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Acts 20:24• 24But I make no account of my life as dear to myself, so that I finish my course, and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the glad tidings of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)
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Eph. 1:13• 13in whom *ye* also have trusted, having heard the word of the truth, the glad tidings of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, ye have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Eph. 1:13)
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1 Thess. 2:2• 2but, having suffered before and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the glad tidings of God with much earnest striving. (1 Thess. 2:2)
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2 Thess. 2:13‑14• 13But we ought to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, that God has chosen you from the beginning to salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
 14whereto he has called you by our glad tidings, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thess. 2:13‑14)
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1 Tim. 1:11• 11according to the glad tidings of the glory of the blessed God, with which *I* have been entrusted. (1 Tim. 1:11)
• The Epistle to the Romans is well placed at the head of all the others, as laying the foundations, in a systematic way, of the relations of man with God; reconciling at the same time this universal truth of man’s position, first in responsibility, and secondly in grace, with the special promises made to the Jews. (“ROMANS” by J.N. Darby)
• It is important to see that it always views the Christian as in this world. He is justified and has life in Christ, but is here, and not viewed as risen with Him. (“ROMANS” by J.N. Darby)
• If God had ordained that Paul should accomplish his mission in direct connection with heaven and outside the secular influence of the capital, and if Rome was to be a persecutor of the gospel, that city was not the less Gentile on this account. It belonged to Paul with reference to the gospel. (“Romans 1:1-17” by J.N. Darby)
• The gospel or glad tidings “of God”: the Holy Spirit presents it in its source. It is not that which man ought to be for God, nor yet the means merely by which man can approach Him on His throne. It is the thoughts of God, and His acts, we may add, towards man-His thoughts in goodness, the revelation of Him in Christ His Son. (“Romans 1:1-17” by J.N. Darby)
• The epistle itself develops with divine perfection and fullness how a soul can stand before God in this world, and the grace and righteousness of God, maintaining withal His counsels as to Israel. (“Romans 15:8-16:27” by J.N. Darby)
• The gospel that Paul preached involves far more than that negative side of things. It focuses on what we have been saved for—emphasizing our many blessings in Christ. Understanding the full gospel that Paul preached is essential to having a solid foundation on which to grow spiritually. (“A Prefatory Note” by B. Anstey)
• Paul had reason to believe that the saints in Rome may not have been apprised of the full gospel that he preached—which he calls, “my gospel” (chaps. 2:16; 16:25). Therefore, in this epistle he takes them systematically through the details of the gospel that he announced. His burden was to ground these believers in the foundational truth of the gospel (chap. 1:11). (“The Main Divisions in the Epistle: Romans” by B. Anstey)
• Chapters 1-8—Doctrinal. Chapters 9-11—Dispensational. Chapters 12-15—Devotional. Chapter 16 is a letter of commendation. (“The Main Divisions in the Epistle: Romans” by B. Anstey)
• The Lord does not command anyone to be His bondman-servant; all who have made themselves such have done so of their own volition. This comes as a result of realizing that we have been "bought with a price" (1 Cor. 7:22-23). (“Opening Salutations: Romans 1:1-17” by B. Anstey)
• "Called an apostle" or "an apostle by calling." This means that he received his apostleship the moment he obeyed the call of the gospel and was saved. (“Opening Salutations: Romans 1:1-17” by B. Anstey)
• By saying that the gospel is "of God," Paul was indicating that God is the source of this good news. It all emanates from His heart of love. (“Opening Salutations: Romans 1:1-17” by B. Anstey)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, a calledf apostle, separated to God’s glad tidings,

JND Translation Notes

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f
"A called apostle," i.e. an apostle by (divine) calling. Cf. ver. 7 "called saints," and see note there.

W. Kelly Translation

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1
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, a calleda apostle, set apart unto God’s gospel,

WK Translation Notes

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a
There is no need of supplying any words to "called apostle"; the supply of "to be" rather weakens and falsifies, instead of justly defining the sense. It was for the saints in their call (vs. 7), as for the apostle in his. In neither case was it a birthright, nor was it a human acquirement; but they became, what they were, apostles or saints by calling. It was the call of grace, according to divine purpose, but an actual relationship, which "to be" at least obscures.