Called to Be Saints

Romans 1:2-7 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘Promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures’ in the law, the prophets, and the psalms (Luke 24:44; Acts 3:21; Heb. 1:1) always referring to the Old Testament.

‘Concerning his Son Jesus Christ’ Christ is the great theme of the gospel and the fulfilment of Scripture (Rom. 1:2; Luke 24:44; John 5:39; Acts 1:21-22). ‘His Son’ – not Himself, but His Son (1Jn. 5:7).

‘Was made of the seed of David’ Christ inherited the throne rights through His foster father, Joseph, but not as the seed of David through Solomon and Coniah; He was begotten of God as the Seed of the woman (Mary, who was of another line of David – Nathan’s line). He was, therefore, the rightful heir to the throne of David (Isa. 9:6; 11:1; Matt. 1:1-25; Luke 1:32; Gal. 4:1-31) and He will reign over his kingdom eternally when He comes again – at the second coming (Jer. 23:5-6; Isa. 9:6-7; 32:1; Ezek. 43:7; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 6:12-13; 14:9; Luke 1:32-33; Acts 15:13-18; Rev. 11:15; 20:1-10; 22:4-5).

‘According to the flesh’ according to human nature (Heb. 2:7-18; Rom. 9:3-5; 1Tim. 3:15; 1Jn. 4:2).

‘Declared’ [Greek: horizo] marked out, manifested to be God’s Son by a display of power (Acts 10:38; John 10:10; Luke 4:18-21). ‘According to’ [Greek: kata] according to, or through the Holy Spirit who raised Him from the dead to prove to all people that He was the true Messiah and Saviour of all mankind (Acts 2:22-36; 3:15, 26; 4:10; 5:30; 17:31). The Jews crucified Jesus because He claimed to be the Son of God (John 8:40). God resurrected Him because He was the Son of God (Rom. 1:4).

‘By whom we have received grace and apostleship’ by Christ – they, the apostles received grace and apostleship. We receive grace.

‘For obedience to the faith’ this is the test for man in the dispensation of Grace. If man fails to have faith, he is lost (Mark 16:16; John 3:16).

‘Nations’ [Greek: ethnos] Used 29 times in Romans. Translated “Gentiles,” except here; and in Romans 4:17-18; 10:19; 16:26.

‘Called to be saints’ God has called all people and all are free to accept or reject the call (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). It is His plan that He has foreknown and predestined, not the individual conformity of free wills to the plan. All who do accept the calling, He has foreknown and predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son that His Son might be the firstborn among many brethren (Rom. 8:29). Those who reject the plan or calling, He has foreknown and predestined to be consigned to eternal hell as an everlasting monument of His wrath on rebels (Isa. 66:22-24; Rev. 14:9-11; Matt. 25:41, 46). This is the sum of foreknowledge and predestination.