Romans 1:2
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Romans 1:2
which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
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Paul begins by affirming that the gospel he preaches isn't new or his own invention, but a message God had promised long ago through the prophets. These promises, meticulously recorded in the sacred writings of the Old Testament, pointed forward to the coming of God's Son. This connection to ancient prophecy serves to validate the gospel's divine origin and Paul's apostolic authority, especially for Jewish believers.
Paul describes the Scriptures as 'holy.' What makes them so special, and how does that impact how we read them today?
Paul emphasizes that the promises concerning the Gospel were delivered 'in the holy Scriptures.' The scholars point out that 'holy' here isn't just a label, but speaks to the very character of these writings. They are set apart, inspired by God, and distinct from all other books.
Set Apart for God's Purpose
The Gospel wasn't a sudden surprise; it was promised long ago. Who were these prophets, and how did they deliver God's message?
Paul links the Gospel directly to the promises made 'through his prophets.' This highlights that God's redemptive plan unfolds progressively through history.
More Than Just Foretellers
Understand the original words
graphē · Greek Noun
Divinely inspired writings characterized by their source in God and their purpose to reveal His nature and will to humanity. They are set apart from all other human literature as the authoritative rule of faith.
Paul's assertion that the gospel was 'promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures' grounds his message in the long history of God's redemptive plan, assuring his Roman audience that Christianity isn't a new, unrelated religion, but the fulfillment of centuries of divine revelation.
c. 1500 BC - 400 BC
Composition of the Old Testament
The foundational texts of Judaism, containing prophecies and promises about God's future plan, are written and compiled by various prophets and scribes.
c. 4 BC - c. AD 30
Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ
The promised Son of God lives, teaches, dies, and is resurrected, fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
c. AD 30 - c. AD 60— this verse
Early Spread of the Gospel
The apostles, including Paul, begin to preach the gospel throughout the Roman Empire, drawing on Old Testament prophecies to explain Jesus's identity and mission.
c. AD 60 - c. AD 64
Paul's Imprisonment and Writing of Romans
While imprisoned, likely in Rome, Paul writes his letter to the church in Rome, explaining the gospel and its connection to God's ancient promises.
This passage describes God's promise to raise up a prophet like Moses, directly anticipating the prophetic announcements of future divine spokespersons in the Old Testament.
Psalm 19:4The psalm speaks of the 'voice' of the heavens going out to all lands, which echoes the idea of God's promises through prophets in the Scriptures having a far-reaching message.
Isaiah 40:8This verse speaks of the word of God enduring forever, aligning with the idea that the promises made through prophets were recorded in holy Scriptures and were meant to last.
Acts 2:30-31Peter explicitly quotes Psalm 132:11, showing how Old Testament prophecies about David's descendant were understood to point directly to Jesus and His resurrection.
2 Timothy 3:15-17Paul highlights the 'holy Scriptures' as being able to make one wise for salvation, underscoring their divine inspiration and their role in conveying God's promises and truth.
ellicottRomans 1:2: "(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)"
(2) Which he had promised. —More correctly, which He promised before by His prophets in holy writ. There is a nicety of meaning expressed by the absence of the article before this last phrase. A slight stress is thus thrown upon the epithet “holy.” It is not merely “in certain books which go by the name of holy scriptures,” but “in certain writings the character of which is holy.” They are “holy” as containing t…
barnesRomans 1:2: "(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)"
Which he had promised afore - Which gospel, or which doctrines, he had before announced. By the prophets - The word "prophets" here is used to include those who wrote as well as those who spake. It included the teachers of the ancient Jews generally. In the holy scriptures - In the writings of the Old Testament. They were called holy because they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and were regarded as separated f…
{ "studyTitle": "The Gospel: An Ancient Promise Fulfilled", "timeMinutes": 7, "concepts": [ { "title": "The Gospel's Deep Roots in Scripture", "hook": "Think the gospel is a brand new idea? Think again. Paul reminds us it's woven into the very fabric of God's ancient promises.", "teaching": "Paul kicks off his letter by emphasizing that the gospel he preaches isn't a sudden, new invention. Instead, it's the fulfillment of what God had been promising for ages. He points to the prophets and the 'holy Scriptures' – the Old Testament – as the place where these divine promises are recorded. This connection to the past gives the gospel immense authority and shows it as part of God's ongoing, unfolding plan, not a surprise addition.", "readItAgain": "Notice how Paul says the gospel 'he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.' This highlights that the gospel wasn't an afterthought, but a pre-announced reality.", "reflectionPrompt": "How does knowing the gospel has deep Old Testament roots change your perspective on its reliability?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "Luke 24:44", "connection": "Jesus Himself affirmed that everything written about Him in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms had to be fulfilled." }, { "reference": "Acts 26:22-23", "connection": "Paul tells King Agrippa that his message was consistent with what the prophets and Moses said would happen." } ] }, { "title": "Prophets and Holy Scriptures: God's Voice", "hook": "Who were these 'prophets' and 'holy Scriptures' Paul mentions? They weren't just random guys with scrolls; they were God's chosen messengers.", "teaching": "When Paul refers to 'his prophets' and the 'holy Scriptures,' he's talking about the divinely inspired individuals and writings that conveyed God's message to His people. This wasn't limited to just the most famous prophets; it encompassed a broad range of God's spokespeople in the Old Testament, including figures like Moses and David. The 'holy Scriptures' were revered not just as ancient texts, but as sacred writings imbued with God's own authority and truth, preserved for generations.", "readItAgain": "Observe the phrase 'through his prophets in the holy Scriptures.' This shows the dual channel of God's revelation: inspired individuals and the written Word.", "reflectionPrompt": "How should the understanding that Scripture is 'holy' influence how you read and interact with it today?", "supportingReferences": [ { "reference": "2 Timothy 3:16", "connection": "This verse directly states that 'all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.'" }, { "reference": "Hebrews 1:1-2", "connection": "The author of Hebrews also connects God's speaking through the prophets in former times with His speaking through His Son in these last days." } ] } ] }
Paul begins by affirming that the gospel he preaches isn't new or his own invention, but a message God had promised long ago through the prophets. These promises, meticulously recorded in the sacred writings of the Old Testament, pointed forward to the coming of God's Son. This connection to ancient prophecy serves to validate the gospel's divine origin and Paul's apostolic authority, especially for Jewish believers.
Paul begins by affirming that the gospel he preaches isn't new or his own invention, but a message God had promised long ago through the prophets. These promises, meticulously recorded in the sacred writings of the Old Testament, pointed forward to the coming of God's Son. This connection to ancient prophecy serves to validate the gospel's divine origin and Paul's apostolic authority, especially for Jewish believers.
"which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures," — { "studyTitle": "The Gospel: An Ancient Promise Fulfilled", "timeMinutes": 7, "concepts": [ { "title": "The Gospel's Deep Roots in Scripture", "hook": "Think the gospel is a bra…
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