11 Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to God's glad tidings, 2 (which he had before promised by his prophets in holy writings,) 3 concerning his Son (come of David's seed according to flesh, 4 marked out Son of God in power, according to [the] Spirit of holiness, by resurrection of [the] dead) Jesus Christ our Lord; 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations, 6 among whom are ye also [the] called of Jesus Christ: 7 to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and [our] Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10 always beseeching at my prayers, if any way now at least I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 11 For I greatly desire to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to establish you; 12 that is, to have mutual comfort among you, each by the faith [which is] in the other, both yours and mine. 13 But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that I often proposed to come to you, (and have been hindered until the present time,) that I might have some fruit among you too, even as among the other nations also. 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unintelligent: 15 so, as far as depends on me, am I ready to announce the glad tidings to you also who [are] in Rome.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Romans 1:1-15
Commentary on Romans 1:1-7
(Read Romans 1:1-7)
The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Commentary on Romans 1:8-15
(Read Romans 1:8-15)
We must show love for our friends, not only by praying for them, but by praising God for them. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must remember to say, If the Lord will, James 4:15. Our journeys are made prosperous or otherwise, according to the will of God. We should readily impart to others what God has trusted to us, rejoicing to make others joyful, especially taking pleasure in communing with those who believe the same things with us. If redeemed by the blood, and converted by the grace of the Lord Jesus, we are altogether his; and for his sake we are debtors to all men, to do all the good we can. Such services are our duty.