Grace and Apostleship Romans 1:5

Paul the apostle shared with church in Rome how Jesus was, “declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:”, and in chapter one and verse five of Romans Paul shared how he and his companions, “have received grace and apostleship” where we read:

By whom we have received grace and apostleship,

for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

The verse begins, “By whom we have received grace and apostleship, ...” Paul began with the words, “by whom” or “though and by way of this certain one Jesus” “we have received” or “Paul and his companions held, proclaimed and procured” “grace” which refers to “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness , goodwill, loving-kindness and unmerited favor” “and apostleship” or “being sent out and commissioned”. Paul and his companions not only received the “unmerited favor” of God through Jesus, but were also “sent out” to share this “good news” with others.

The verse goes on to say, “... for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:”. Paul continued with the words, “for obedience” which means “because of and since compliance and submission” “to the faith” or “the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things and the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ” “among all nations” which means “toward the multitudes living or associated with one another, a company, a troop or a swarm”, “for his name” which refers to “on behalf and for the sake of “everything which the name covers including the thought or feeling of which is aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering”. Paul and his companions received “grace and apostleship” from Jesus Christ and they “obeyed” Him by sharing “His gospel” with anyone who would listen to them.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he credits the Lord Jesus not only with His “grace”, but also with he and his companions “callings” and “commissions”. Paul and his companions were busy telling people the wonderful “good news” of how Jesus died for their sins and was raised from the grave on the third day afterward. Now all who receive Him as “Savior and Lord” shall receive “everlasting life” and will live with God eternally. When we receive Jesus, we in turn share this “gospel” “among the nations” and for “His name's sake”, so let all who read these words
“obey” and submit their lives to Him.

Next time Paul shares with the church members in Rome how they are, “also the called of Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then,

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.