Romans 1:7
Lesson #2 on Romans
By Ronnie Wolfe

7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

To All at Rome

In this verse Paul directs his attention to the specific people at Rome, not that this message is not to be spoken or directed to others, but that he in this current situation is speaking directly and specifically to the Romans in their capital city of Rome.

He is not speaking to all the people in Rome, although I am sure he would have no problem with all men of Rome reading his words.

He was speaking to believers at Rome. We know this, because he refers to them as the "beloved of God," "called," and "saints."

Since God has preserved this word written down by Paul, we know that this word is written to all believers everywhere, not exclusively to those at Rome.

Beloved of God

The Romans, as we who are saved, are beloved. This is expressed in God’s word in many places.

Daniel 9:23 At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew [thee]; for thou [art] greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. (See Dan. 10:11, 19).

In the Gospels, the word "beloved" is used to refer only to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Later, it was used to designate the love that God has for his children, as in our verse here, and the love for God’s children one to another, as in Romans 12:19.

In the books to the Corinthians, Paul uses the phrase "dearly beloved" several times. (1 Cor. 10:14; 2 Cor. 7:1; 12:19).

John the Apostle uses this word in addressing his letter to believers in I John and 3 John, which notice.

But these to whom Paul is writing are "beloved of God." That means that God has expressed an initial love toward them that designates them under a very special and personal love from the Father.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, [saying], Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Malachi 1:2 I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob,

Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.

2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Called To Be Saints

First, we will take up the thought of being called, because it is a very significant subject concerning our relationship with God.

Acts 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

2 Peter 1:3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Secondly, he has called us to be saints. Now we must do a little thinking on the definition of a saint here.

Who are the saints of God? The word comes from the Greek word HAGIOS and is the root word for "holy."

Some are teaching today that the ones who are called saints in the New Testament are members of local churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. That seems sometimes to be a valid designation until we consider some things.

Notice, for example, in Romans 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God. Here the Lord makes intercession for the saints. Now we know that the Lord makes intercession for more than just church members. He makes intercession for all believers. Therefore, the saints of God include all believers in Jesus Christ, not just church members.

In 1 Cor. 14:33 Paul speaks of "all churches of the saints." But this does not limit the term saints to only church members. This is used, because every church member is required to be a saint, or a believer.

Not only so, but Ephesians 1:18 speaks of "his inheritance in the saints." We see here that all saints have an inheritance. If that be true, then we cannot say that the term "saints" is restricted to church members. We know that the inheritance of the Lord is not restricted to church members. We must be very careful that we do not make salvation through the local church, and making the saints only church members points in that direction. See also Colossians 1:12.

In Revelation 13:7 the beast makes war with the saints. Is this war declared against just the church? No, it is declared against all of God’s people. In Revelation 15:3, Jesus is King of saints. Is he King of just the church? No. In Revelation 19:8 we read of the "righteousness of saints." Does this mean that only church members have righteousness? No.

So, let’s dispose of the idea that the saints are only church members. The Lord has made us holy by his grace. This makes us "saints."

Grace and Peace

First, we must speak of grace. This word is used 20 times in the English in the King James Version of the Bible in this book of Romans..

The Greek word is CHARIS, and is the basic word for "gifts." It implies a giving. It also has the meaning of "favor" and "thanks."

We find from studying the context of verses which include the word GRACE that it is an act of God whereby he does something for us that we cannot do for ourselves and that the law cannot do and that no other human being can do for us.

We are saved by grace: Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

We have access into grace: Romans 5:2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

We have been justified by grace: Romans 3:24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:

Grace reigns through righteousness: Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.

Grace is to be used and is given from God as we live for him: Romans 12:6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, [let us prophesy] according to the proportion of faith;

Secondly, we will consider a little upon the subject of peace. This word "peace" is found eleven times in the book of Romans and 104 times in the New Testament.

Being justified through faith brings peace: Romans 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Only the spiritually minded have peace: Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded [is] death; but to be spiritually minded [is] life and peace.

Peace must come from God: Romans 15:13 ¶ Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Grace comes first, then peace. Peace is manifested through faith. Grace without faith would be unfelt and unappreciated, for it would be unknown. God gives us faith to unite our hearts with him and his hope and peace.