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)
Paul highlights that his apostleship wasn't just a gift of "grace" (God's unmerited favor) but a specific "apostleship" – a distinct commission. This commission, received through Christ, was precisely to bring about the "obedience of faith" among all the Gentile nations, all for the glory of Christ's name.
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)
Paul is introducing himself and his divine commission as the Apostle to the Gentiles. He explains that he received his "grace and apostleship" directly through Christ, not from human authority, establishing his credentials to speak to the Roman church and all nations about the gospel. This office is not for personal glory but to bring people to obey the faith for Christ's sake.
Paul doesn't just state his credentials; he reveals the divine flow of power and purpose behind them. What's the relationship between 'grace' and 'apostleship' in his life?
Paul begins by saying he and his fellow apostles "received grace and apostleship." It's crucial to see these not as separate, unrelated gifts, but as a flowing sequence.
Divine Favor, Divine Mission
Paul understood his apostleship as a direct result of God's grace extended to him, even though it was a special calling beyond the common grace shared by all believers. It's the divine enablement that makes the divine task possible.
Paul's mission wasn't just about sharing information; it was about transformation. What does 'obedience of faith' truly mean, and why is it the ultimate aim?
The core purpose of Paul's apostleship, flowing from God's grace, is "to bring about the obedience of faith." This phrase is packed with meaning:
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Faith That Acts
Paul's commission was to see people not just hear the gospel, but to respond with a living, active faith that reshapes their entire lives.
Paul's mission had a global scope and a singular focus. Why was the 'name' of Christ so central, and what does it mean for the 'nations'?
The final phrases of the verse reveal the grand scope and ultimate goal of Paul's apostolic work:
A Global Purpose for His Glory
Paul's apostleship, empowered by grace, aimed at producing faith-filled obedience universally, all to the glory of Jesus Christ. His mission was a cosmic endeavor to see Christ honored in every corner of the earth.
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.
Paul's apostleship, received directly from Christ, was divinely commissioned to bring the obedience of faith to all nations, particularly the Gentiles, for God's glory. This verse highlights his unique role and the far-reaching mission of the gospel in the mid-1st century AD.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The central event of Christian faith, marking the culmination of Jesus' earthly ministry and the inauguration of the New Covenant.
c. 34 AD— this verse
Paul's Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Jesus appears to Saul of Tarsus, transforming him from a persecutor of Christians into an apostle, a pivotal moment for the spread of the gospel.
c. 46-48 AD
Paul's First Missionary Journey
Paul, along with Barnabas, travels through Asia Minor, establishing churches and spreading the gospel to Gentiles.
c. 50 AD
Council of Jerusalem
Apostles and elders debate and decide that Gentile converts do not need to be circumcised, affirming the inclusion of Gentiles in the early church.
c. 53-57 AD
Paul's Ministry in Corinth and Ephesus
Paul spends significant time in these major Roman cities, establishing strong churches and continuing his mission to the Gentiles.
c. 60-62 AD
Paul's Imprisonment in Rome
Under house arrest in Rome, Paul continues to preach the gospel and write letters, including possibly Romans, to various churches.
This passage directly echoes Romans 1:5, stating Paul's divine selection and commission to preach to the Gentiles for Christ's name, highlighting the 'grace and apostleship' mentioned.
Acts 9:15This verse describes Jesus' direct commissioning of Paul to carry His name among the Gentiles, directly aligning with the 'grace and apostleship' and the mission 'for his name among all nations'.
Colossians 1:27This passage speaks of Christ's mystery revealed among the Gentiles, which is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory,' directly reflecting the goal of bringing the nations to the 'obedience of faith' for His name's sake.
2 Corinthians 5:20Paul identifies himself as an ambassador 'for Christ,' which is a powerful parallel to the idea of apostleship being exercised 'for His name,' urging others to be reconciled to God.
1 Peter 1:2This verse describes believers as 'elect exiles... according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with his blood,' beautifully illustrating the 'obedience of faith' as a result of God's sovereign work.
ellicottRomans 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…
Paul highlights that his apostleship wasn't just a gift of "grace" (God's unmerited favor) but a specific "apostleship" – a distinct commission. This commission, received through Christ, was precisely to bring about the "obedience of faith" among all the Gentile nations, all for the glory of Christ's name.
Paul is introducing himself and his divine commission as the Apostle to the Gentiles. He explains that he received his "grace and apostleship" directly through Christ, not from human authority, establishing his credentials to speak to the Roman church and all nations about the gospel. This office is not for personal glory but to bring people to obey the faith for Christ's sake.
Paul is introducing himself and his divine commission as the Apostle to the Gentiles. He explains that he received his "grace and apostleship" directly through Christ, not from human authority, establishing his credentials to speak to the Roman church and all nations about the gospel. This office is not for personal glory but to bring people to obey the faith for Christ's sake.
"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," — Paul highlights that his apostleship wasn't just a gift of "grace" (God's unmerited favor) but a specific "apostleship" – a distinct commission. This commission, received through Christ, was precisel…
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Last reviewed October 2026