concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
English Standard Version (ESV)
While Jesus was undeniably of royal blood, the phrase "according to the flesh" highlights that his lineage as David's descendant was only one aspect of his identity, a human dimension that fulfilled ancient promises. This wording subtly prepares us for the equally crucial, though different, aspect of his identity that will be revealed in the next verse.
concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is introducing the core subject of his letter: the gospel of God. He explains that this good news is specifically about Jesus Christ, who is God's Son. To establish Jesus' legitimacy as the promised Messiah according to the Old Testament prophecies, Paul first highlights His human lineage, stating He was descended from King David.
Paul launches into the heart of the gospel right from the start. But what does it mean for the good news to be 'concerning His Son'?
The entire message of the gospel hinges on the identity of Jesus Christ. It's not just a set of rules or a historical account; it's good news about God's eternal Son.
Why does Paul immediately emphasize Jesus' lineage from King David?
The phrase "descended from David according to the flesh" grounds Jesus' identity in His humanity and connects Him to God's Old Testament promises.
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Understand the original words
huios · Greek Noun
In a messianic context, it denotes the divine Person who shares the Father's nature and authority, serving as the mediator between God and humanity. He is the eternal heir and the unique object of the Father's love.
sarx · Greek Noun
Refers to the physical, human nature of Christ. It highlights the reality of His humanity and His genealogical link to the line of King David, fulfilling messianic prophecy.
pneuma · Greek Noun
The third person of the Trinity, representing the divine presence and power of God. In the context of Christ, it denotes His divine nature and the power by which He was raised and vindicated.
anastasis · Greek Noun
The act of being brought back to life physically. Theologically, it is the seal of God's approval on Christ's work and the guarantee of the future victory of believers over death.
Christos · Greek Noun
'The Anointed One.' It signifies Jesus' role as the promised Messiah, the King who fulfills the office of Prophet, Priest, and King.
kyrios · Greek Noun
A title of sovereignty. It denotes absolute authority, ownership, and lordship over all creation and specifically over the lives of those who belong to Him.
Paul emphasizes Jesus' dual nature: His human lineage tracing back to King David, as prophesied, and His divine identity as the Son of God, powerfully revealed through His resurrection. This highlights how Jesus fulfills ancient Messianic expectations.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Monarchy Established
King David establishes a unified kingdom, laying the foundation for a Davidic dynasty that is central to Israelite messianic expectation.
c. 600 BC - 500 BC
Exile and Messianic Hopes
During the Babylonian exile and subsequent return, prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah speak of a future descendant of David who will restore Israel and rule with righteousness.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33— this verse
Life of Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus, born in Bethlehem and raised in Nazareth, lives a human life, fulfilling prophecies that the Messiah would be of David's lineage ('according to the flesh').
c. AD 30/33
Resurrection of Jesus
Jesus is resurrected from the dead, a pivotal event that Paul and others highlight as the powerful demonstration of his divine Sonship.
c. AD 40s - 60s
Apostolic Ministry of Paul
Paul, the author of Romans, carries out his ministry, preaching the gospel about Jesus Christ, who is both the human descendant of David and the divine Son of God.
This passage contains the prophecy of God's everlasting covenant with David's 'offspring,' directly linking the Messiah to David's lineage, which Paul emphasizes here.
Isaiah 11:1-10Isaiah prophesies that a 'shoot' will come from the stump of Jesse (David's father), highlighting the Messiah's Davidic descent and his righteous reign, a theme echoed in Paul's introduction.
Matthew 1:1-17This genealogy meticulously traces Jesus' lineage back to David, demonstrating the fulfillment of Old Testament promises regarding the Messiah's heritage, which is central to Paul's statement.
Luke 1:31-33The angel Gabriel announces that Jesus will inherit the throne of his father David and reign forever, underscoring the significance of his Davidic ancestry as presented in Romans.
John 7:42This verse directly references the prophecy that the Christ would come from the 'seed of David,' confirming the widespread understanding of the Messiah's Davidic lineage that Paul assumes his readers know.
ellicottRomans 1:3: "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;"
(3, 4) Who, on the human side—as if to show that the prophecies were really fulfilled in Him—was born of the seed of David, the rightful lineage of the Messiah; who, on the divine side, by virtue of the divine attribute of holiness dwelling in His spirit, was declared to be the Son of God, by that mighty demonstration, the resurrection of the dead. According to the flesh.—The word…
meyerRomans 1:3: "Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;"
Romans 1:3-4 .[286] We must, with Lachmann and Tischendorf, set aside the view which treats τοῦ γενομένου .… νεκρῶν , and Romans 1:5-6 , as parentheses, because we have to deal with intervening clauses which accord with the construction, not with insertions which interrupt it. See Winer, p. 526 [E. T. 707]. περὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ ] “Hoc refertur ad illud quod praecessit εὐαγγέλιον ;…
While Jesus was undeniably of royal blood, the phrase "according to the flesh" highlights that his lineage as David's descendant was only one aspect of his identity, a human dimension that fulfilled ancient promises. This wording subtly prepares us for the equally crucial, though different, aspect of his identity that will be revealed in the next verse.
Paul is introducing the core subject of his letter: the gospel of God. He explains that this good news is specifically about Jesus Christ, who is God's Son. To establish Jesus' legitimacy as the promised Messiah according to the Old Testament prophecies, Paul first highlights His human lineage, stating He was descended from King David.
Paul is introducing the core subject of his letter: the gospel of God. He explains that this good news is specifically about Jesus Christ, who is God's Son. To establish Jesus' legitimacy as the promised Messiah according to the Old Testament prophecies, Paul first highlights His human lineage, stating He was descended from King David.
"concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord," — While Jesus was undeniably of royal blood, the phrase "according to the flesh" highlights that his lineage as David's descendant was only one aspect of his identity, a human dimension that fulfilled…
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Last reviewed October 2026