Romans 1:5
through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse reveals that Paul's apostleship wasn't just a title, but a "grace"—a divine enablement—specifically given through Christ for the purpose of fostering "obedience of faith" among all people. This highlights that true faith isn't passive belief but an active, obedient response to God, all for the glory of Christ's name.
Paul, as an apostle chosen by Jesus Christ, is explaining that his entire mission—the grace and authority he received—was directly from Christ. This commission was specifically given to him to bring people from all nations to a faith that results in obedience, all for the glory of Christ's name.
Paul's authority to speak and write wasn't self-proclaimed. It was a gift, a powerful endowment from God.
Paul begins by stating that he and, by extension, other apostles, 'received grace and apostleship.' This wasn't a matter of earning or achieving; it was a divine bestowal.
Two Sides of the Same Coin
Together, they represent the full package of what God gave Paul: His favor and His specific mission. It highlights that every aspect of his ministry was rooted in what God gave him, not what he achieved on his own.
What is the ultimate purpose of this divine appointment? It's not just about hearing the gospel, but about a profound response.
The verse clearly states the purpose of receiving grace and apostleship: 'to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations.' This is the heart of Paul's mission.
More Than Just Belief
Understand the original words
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited favor of God, which is the foundational basis for salvation. It is a gift given to the undeserving that enables, strengthens, and transforms the believer.
hypakoē · Greek Noun
A response of trust and allegiance to God that manifests in a life of submission to His revealed truth. It is the core evidence of saving faith.
ethnos · Greek Noun
Refers to all the people groups of the world, distinct from the covenant people of Israel, who are now invited to share in the blessings of the gospel.
This verse places Paul's apostolic calling within the context of his dramatic conversion and his specific commission to take the gospel of grace and obedience to the Gentiles, a mission he actively pursued through extensive missionary journeys across the Roman world.
c. 33 AD— this verse
Conversion of Saul of Tarsus
Saul, a zealous persecutor of Christians, encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This transformative event leads to his conversion and commissioning as an apostle, particularly to the Gentiles.
c. 34-36 AD
Saul's Early Ministry and Retreat
After his conversion, Saul begins preaching in Damascus but soon faces persecution, leading him to retreat to his hometown of Tarsus in Cilicia for a period.
c. 46-48 AD
First Missionary Journey
Barnabas and Saul embark on their first major missionary journey, traveling through Cyprus and Asia Minor, establishing churches among the Gentiles.
c. 49 AD
Jerusalem Council
A significant council is held in Jerusalem to address the issue of Gentile inclusion in the early church. It is decided that Gentiles do not need to be circumcised to follow Christ, affirming Paul's mission to the nations.
This passage directly parallels Paul's experience, stating God 'separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles.' This highlights the divine appointment and specific mission for the Gentiles, just as in Romans 1:5.
Acts 9:15This verse describes Jesus telling Ananias about Paul's calling: 'Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings, and before the sons of Israel.' This directly reflects the 'apostleship' and the commission 'among all the nations' mentioned in Romans 1:5.
Colossians 1:27Paul speaks of the 'mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints' as 'Christ in you, the hope of glory.' This connects to the 'obedience of faith' because faith in Christ brings about this indwelling, leading to a transformed life and obedience.
2 Corinthians 5:20Here Paul states, 'we implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.' This reflects the purpose of his apostleship – to bring about reconciliation and obedience to God 'for His name's sake,' acting as an ambassador for Christ.
Romans 10:16ellicottRomans 1:5: "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"
(5) Through Him—through Christ the Son—he, Paul, had received his own special’ endowment and commission to bring over the Gentiles into that state of loyal and dutiful submission which has its root in faith; all which would tend to the glory of His name. We have received.—The Apostle means himself alone, but the plural is used (as frequently in Greek) with delicate tact, so…
meyerRomans 1:5: "By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:"
Romans 1:5 . To the general τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν , which designates Christ as the Lord of Christians in general , Paul now adds the special relation in which he himself stands to this common κύριος . He entertained too lively a consciousness of the bliss and dignity of that relationship, not to set it forth once more (comp Romans 1:1 ) in this overflowing salutation; this time, h…
The verse reveals that Paul's apostleship wasn't just a title, but a "grace"—a divine enablement—specifically given through Christ for the purpose of fostering "obedience of faith" among all people. This highlights that true faith isn't passive belief but an active, obedient response to God, all for the glory of Christ's name.
Paul, as an apostle chosen by Jesus Christ, is explaining that his entire mission—the grace and authority he received—was directly from Christ. This commission was specifically given to him to bring people from all nations to a faith that results in obedience, all for the glory of Christ's name.
Paul, as an apostle chosen by Jesus Christ, is explaining that his entire mission—the grace and authority he received—was directly from Christ. This commission was specifically given to him to bring people from all nations to a faith that results in obedience, all for the glory of Christ's name.
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The aim is a transformed life, characterized by a surrendered trust in God's message, spreading to every corner of the earth.
Every part of this divine commission—the grace, the apostleship, the obedience—points to one central purpose.
The final phrase, 'for his name,' reveals the ultimate goal and motivation behind Paul's ministry. It's all about bringing glory to God's name.
The Centrality of God's Name
Every obedient act of faith, experienced by people from every nation, becomes a testament to who God is, bringing Him the honor He deserves.
c. 50-52 AD
Second Missionary Journey
Paul, accompanied by Silas, travels through Asia Minor and into Europe, establishing churches in cities like Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.
c. 53-57 AD
Third Missionary Journey
Paul spends an extended period in Ephesus and continues his ministry throughout Asia Minor and Greece, strengthening the churches and continuing to spread the gospel to the Gentiles.
This verse states, 'But they have not all obeyed the gospel.' This connects to the 'obedience of faith' by showing the desired outcome of Paul's apostleship and highlighting that obedience is the expected response to the Gospel message.
"through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations," — The verse reveals that Paul's apostleship wasn't just a title, but a "grace"—a divine enablement—specifically given through Christ for the purpose of fostering "obedience of faith" among all people…
