Foreword or preface is the front matter likely to be of interest but not necessarily essential for the understanding of the text of a book and commonly written by someone other than the author of the text. The book of Romans has been panoramically observed in the general introduction to the epistle. A consideration of Paul’s foreword will give a telescopic view (viewing things from a distance) from which one may proceed to microscopic consideration (seeing very minute objects).

Three major truths are expounded in Romans 1:1—(1) Paul was a servant (bond-servant). (2) He was a called apostle. (3) He was a set-apart or separated person unto the gospel of God.

Seven things are stated about the gospel in the first seventeen verses: (1) It is called the gospel of God (v. 1). (2) It was promised in the Old Testament (v. 2). (3) It concerns the Person and Work of Jesus Christ (vv. 4, 5). (4) The gospel must be preached (vv. 14, 15). (5) It is the power of God unto salvation (v. 16). (6) It must be proclaimed to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles (v. 16). (7) The gospel is the revelation of God’s righteousness (v. 17).

The inspiration of the Scriptures is emphasized (v. 2). The two natures of the Lord Jesus Christ are taught (vv. 3, 4). His incarnation and eternal Sonship are revealed. The gospel is prophesied in the Old Testament. It is personified in Jesus Christ. The gospel is personalized in the elect of God. That is an outline of the first seven verses.

Three more great truths are expounded in verses 8-13: faith, fellowship, and fruit. The KJV and the NASB place the pronoun “your” preceding faith. In the original, it reads “the faith of you.” Consequently, the emphasis is on the faith of the Christians at Rome. Paul was not extolling individuals but their faith. Faith is the gift of God. Therefore, that faith, not recipients thereof, should be magnified.

Paul stated, “I am,” three times in verses 14-16. He was debtor, ready (eager), and not ashamed. The theme of the epistle, the righteousness of God, is discussed in verses 16 and 17.

Paul’s qualifications are listed in his foreword. The Lord qualified him, giving him the desire that he manifested. A comparison between John the Baptist and Paul portrays beautiful truth. John stated that his ministry had been given him from the Lord (John 3:27). He denied that he was Christ, the Bridegroom, but he was His friend (groomsman). “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice” (John 3:29). “Bride” in this text refers to a company of regenerate Israelites.

The phrase, “He who has the bride is the bridegroom,” must be interpreted. (1) The possession is viewed from the standpoint of God’s eternal covenant or God’s Divine decree (Heb. 13:20, 21; John 6:37). “Other sheep” (John 10:16) refers to Gentiles whom the Father elected and gave the Son in the covenant of redemption. (2) The possession is also actual by regeneration. The word election is used two ways in Scripture: God’s eternal decree (Eph. 1:4), and God actually choosing or picking out from among mankind a people for His name. Election is not salvation; it is unto salvation.

John the Baptist was Christ’s groomsman. Historical Jewish writings state that two groomsmen acted as intermediaries for a couple to be married. The duty of one was to present the groom to the bride, and the duty of the second was to present the bride to the groom. John stood, heard, and rejoiced at the Bridegroom’s voice. Do we?

Standing indicates expectation and waiting. John had waited some time, expecting the Lord Jesus Christ. At His coming, he announced Him. John the Baptist was the porter who stood introducing Christ as He presented Himself to Israel. Three doors were mentioned in John 10:1-9. The first was entrance into Judaism, the second was exit out of Judaism, and the third was Jesus Christ Himself. John, the friend of the Bridegroom, stood to introduce the Lord, as He lawfully presented Himself to Israel. Consequently, John the Baptist presented Jesus Christ to the elect among Israel.

John heard and recognized Christ’s voice. He rejoiced when he heard and knew that it was the voice of command. It possessed life: “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live” (John 5:25). That voice was the same that spoke in Ezekiel 16:6—“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your blood, I said to you while you were in your blood, Live! Yes, I said to you while you were in your blood, Live!” God spoke, and those elected to salvation came to life.

The apostle Paul was the bride’s groomsman. He told the Corinthian Christians that he had espoused them to one husband (Christ). “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealously; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin” (II Cor. 11:2). John the Baptist was the Bridegroom’s groomsman, and Paul was the bride’s groomsman.

Paul’s foreword to the Romans emphasizes identification, proclamation, salutation, intercession, obligation, preparation, and composition. The apostle identified himself as Paul in writing to the Gentiles (v. 1). He used the Gentile name to indicate loosening of Jewish exclusiveness. The apostle preached to Jews and Gentiles. He was a Jew, a native of Tarsus which was a Greek city (Acts 21:39; 22:25). He was formally educated by Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Gamaliel was of the preeminent form of the three different classes of teachers among the Jews.

Paul’s pre-salvation condition was intellectual and religious. Training at Gamaliel’s feet identified him as intellectual. He was religious, persecuting all who did not conform to his religious views (Gal. 1:14). He was convicted by vision and voice. His conviction was not a pattern for people today. Men no longer have visions and hear a voice. They have illumination and information. Divinely convicted persons are illuminated and informed. Consequently, a work of grace in one’s heart precedes conviction. The Holy Spirit illuminates. Information given in the proclamation of the gospel brings conviction to the illuminated.

___________________________________
The NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE—UPDATED EDITION is the source of all Scripture quotations in this message, unless otherwise noted.

Copyright ã   2006

This sermon has been written, preached and copyrighted by W. E. Best. While the author retains his copyright to this material, you are invited to copy the sermons or portions of them for your use. But you are specifically forbidden from changing any of the material and from selling it for any financial recompense.  We do not charge for getting out God's Word and we will not support others who do so.