Romans 1 establishes the foundation of the entire letter.
- The Gospel is promised in Scripture and fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
- Jesus is both Son of David (human) and Son of God (declared in power by resurrection).
- The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God.
- Righteousness is received by faith.
- Humanity is guilty because:
- God’s existence and power are clearly revealed in creation.
- People suppress the truth.
- Idolatry replaces worship of the Creator.
- God’s wrath is revealed not merely in future judgment, but in present “giving over” to sinful desires.
- Moral collapse flows from rejecting God.
This chapter answers:
What is wrong with humanity?
Not ignorance — suppression.
Not lack of evidence — rejection.
The verdict:
All stand guilty.
But the solution is already introduced:
The righteousness of God revealed through faith in Jesus Christ.
Christ-Foreshadowing / Christ Lens
In Romans 1, Christ is:
• The Promised Son
• The Risen Lord
• The Power of God for salvation
• The Revealer of true righteousness
Where Adam exchanged truth for a lie,
Christ restores truth through faith.
Where humanity suppresses truth,
Christ embodies it.
The courtroom opens with condemnation —
But the Advocate has already entered.
Romans 1
Paul, a servant, called and sent,
Not with opinion — but Heaven’s intent.
The gospel promised long before,
Now stands revealed and opens the door.
Concerning the Son — descended in line,
From David’s house by flesh and time.
Declared with power, raised from the grave,
Jesus the Lord — mighty to save.
Through Him we call all nations near,
To obedience born of faith, not fear.
Grace and peace from God above,
Summoned by mercy, sealed in love.
I am not ashamed of this good news,
It is God’s power — none refuse.
For in it righteousness is shown:
By faith alone — not works our own.
“The righteous live by faith,” it’s said —
Life where Christ has bled.
But wrath is revealed from heaven’s throne
Against all sin mankind has known.
What may be known of God is clear —
His power and nature everywhere appear.
Creation speaks — yet hearts suppress
The truth they know, in wickedness.
They claimed to be wise, but fools became,
Trading glory for image and name.
The Creator exchanged for carved design,
Truth for a lie, the sacred for shrine.
So God gave them over — choice allowed,
To passions unrestrained and loud.
Dishonoring bodies, twisting desire,
Hearts inflamed with inward fire.
Filled with envy, murder, pride,
Deceit and hatred side by side.
Inventing evil, breaking trust,
Faithless, ruthless, driven by lust.
They know God’s decree — yet still approve
The very acts that judgment move.
The courtroom rests — the charge is clear:
All humanity stands condemned here.
But the gospel has already begun —
The righteousness revealed in the Son.
