The Meaning of Romans 1:7 Explained

Romans 1:7

KJV: 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.

YLT: to all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints; Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ!

Darby: 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.

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does Romans 1:7 Mean?

Context Summary

Romans 1:1-12 - The Apostle's Burning Desire
Upon the threshold of his greatest Epistle, Paul describes himself as a bond-servant. Such humility as his qualified him to be the medium of God's wondrous revelations. How great must be the Master who has the absolute devotion of such a man! Paul was called to be an Apostle; we are all called of Jesus Christ, and called to be saints, Romans 1:1; Romans 1:6-7. Note that emphatic reference to our Lord's dual nature, Romans 1:3-4.
Long before Paul saw the faces of these Christians in Rome, he had been led out in prayer for them. He had won the battle before entering the battle-field. How noble it was on the Apostle's part to say that his faith was strengthened by their faith, as theirs by his! Romans 1:12. There is a wonderful give-and-take in the service of God. Each of us helps or hinders. None is neutral.
It is quite evident that prayer counted for much with the Apostle. This journey of his was the subject of continual supplication. He knew that much was to be obtained through prayer, which would otherwise be missed. Remember that your journeys must also be in the will of God, Romans 1:10. [source]

Chapter Summary: Romans 1

1  Paul commends his calling to the Romans;
9  and his desire to come to them
16  What his gospel is
18  God is angry with sin
21  What were the sins of mankind

Greek Commentary for Romans 1:7

In Rome [εν ωμηι]
One late uncial (G of tenth century) and a cursive omit these words here and one or two other late MSS. omit εν ωμηι — en Rōmēi in Romans 1:15. This possibly proves the Epistle was circulated as a circular to a limited extent, but the evidence is late and slight and by no means shows that this was the case in the first century. It is not comparable with the absence of εν Επεσωι — en Ephesōi in Ephesians 1:1 from Aleph and B (the two oldest and best MSS.). [source]
Beloved of God [αγαπητοις τεου]
Ablative case of τεου — theou after the verbal adjective like διδακτοι τεου — didaktoi theou (taught of God) in John 6:45 (Robertson, Grammar, p. 516). From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (απο τεου πατρος ημων και κυριου Ιησου Χριστου — apo theou patros hēmōn kai kuriou Iēsou Christou). “St. Paul, if not formally enunciating a doctrine of the Divinity of Christ, held a view which cannot really be distinguished from it” (Sanday and Headlam). Paul‘s theology is clearly seen in the terms used in Romans 1:1-7. [source]
From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ [απο τεου πατρος ημων και κυριου Ιησου Χριστου]
“St. Paul, if not formally enunciating a doctrine of the Divinity of Christ, held a view which cannot really be distinguished from it” (Sanday and Headlam). Paul‘s theology is clearly seen in the terms used in Romans 1:1-7. [source]
In Rome [ἐν Ῥώμῃ]
The words are omitted in a MS. Of the tenth or eleventh century, and in a cursive of the eleventh or twelfth. The words ἐν Ἑφέσῳ inEphesus, are also omitted from Ephesians 1:1, by two of the oldest MSS. On which fact has arisen the theory that the Ephesian Epistle was encyclical, or addressed to a circle of churches, and not merely to the church at Ephesus. This theory has been very widely received. With this has been combined the omission of in Rome from the Roman Epistle, and the attempt has been made to show that the Roman Epistle was likewise encyclical, and was sent to Ephesus, Thessalonica, and possibly to some other churches. Archdeacon Farrar advocates this view in “The Expositon,” first ser., 9,211; and also in his “Life and Work of Paul,” ii., 170. This theory is used to defend the view which places the doxology of Romans 16:25-27at the end of ch. 14. See note there. [source]
Called to be saints [κλητοῖς ἁγίοις]
Or, saints by way of call. See on called to be an apostle, Romans 1:1. It is asserted that they are what they are called. The term ἅγιοι saintsis applied to Christians in three senses in theNew Testament. 1, As members of a visible and local community (Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10); 2, as members of a spiritual community (1 Corinthians 1:2; Colossians 3:12); 3, as individually holy (Ephesians 1:18; Colossians 1:12; Revelation 13:10). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 1:7

Acts 9:13 To thy saints [τοις αγιοις]
Dative of disadvantage. “Used here for the first time as a name for the Christians” (Knowling), but it came to be the common and normal (Hackett) term for followers of Christ (Acts 9:32, Acts 9:41; Acts 26:10; 1 Corinthians 1:2, etc.). This common word is from το αγος — to hagos religious awe or reverence and is applied to God‘s name (Luke 1:49), God‘s temple (Matthew 24:15), God‘s people as set apart for God (Luke 1:70; Luke 2:23; Romans 1:7, etc.). Ananias in his ignorance saw in Saul only the man with an evil reputation while Jesus saw in Saul the man transformed by grace to be a messenger of mercy. [source]
1 Corinthians 6:9 Abusers, etc. []
See on Romans 1:7. [source]
1 Corinthians 1:2 Called to be saints []
See on Romans 1:7. [source]
Galatians 6:16 Peace be on them [εἰρήνη ἐπ ' αὐτοὺς]
The only instance of this formula in N.T. Commonly εἰρήνη with the simple dative, peace unto you, as John 20:19, John 20:21; Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; Galatians 1:3, etc. In the Catholic Epistles, with πληθυνθείη bemultiplied. See 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Peter 1:2; Judges 1:2. [source]
Ephesians 1:1 To the saints []
See on Romans 1:7; see on Colossians 1:2; see on Philemon 1:1. [source]
Philippians 1:1 To all the saints [πᾶσιν τοῖς ἀγίοις]
In Paul's personal addresses in this epistle the word all occurs nine times. It is sufficiently accounted for by the expansiveness of grateful christian feeling which marks the entire letter, and it is doubtful whether it has any definite or conscious connection with the social rivalries hinted at in the epistle, and which call forth exhortations to unity, as if Paul were disclaiming all partisan feeling by the use of the term. For saints, see on Colossians 1:2; see on Romans 1:7. The word is transferred from the Old Testament. The Israelites were called ἅγιοι holyseparated and consecrated, Exodus 19:6; Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2, Deuteronomy 14:21; Daniel 7:18, Daniel 7:22, etc. The christian Church has inherited the title and the privileges of the Jewish nation. Hence it is ἔθνος ἅγιον aholy nation, 1 Peter 2:9. The term implies, but does not assert, actual, personal sanctity. It is a social, not a personal epithet. See on Acts 26:10. [source]
Philippians 1:1 To all the saints [πασι τοις αγιοις]
The word saint (αγιος — hagios) here is used for the professing Christians as in 1 Corinthians 1:2 which see as well as Romans 1:7 for the origin of the word. The word “all” (πασι — pāsi) means that all individual believers are included. Paul employs this word frequently in Philippians. [source]
Philippians 1:1 Timothy [Τιμοτεος]
In no sense the author, but associated with Paul because with him here in Rome as in Corinth when I and II Thessalonians written and in Ephesus when I Corinthians sent and in Macedonia when II Corinthians written. Timothy was with Paul when the Philippian church was founded (Acts 16:1, Acts 16:13; Acts 17:14). He had been there twice since (Acts 19:22; Acts 20:3.). To all the saints (πασι τοις αγιοις — pāsi tois hagiois). The word saint (αγιος — hagios) here is used for the professing Christians as in 1 Corinthians 1:2 which see as well as Romans 1:7 for the origin of the word. The word “all” (πασι — pāsi) means that all individual believers are included. Paul employs this word frequently in Philippians. In Christ Jesus The centre for all Christian relations and activities for Paul and for us. In Philippi (εν Πιλιπποις — en Philippois). See note on Acts 16:12 for discussion of this name. With the bishops “Together with bishops,” thus singled out from “all the saints.” See note on Acts 20:17 and note on Acts 20:28 for the use of this most interesting word as equivalent to presbuteros (elder). It is an old word from συν επισκοποις — episkeptomai to look upon or after, to inspect, so the overseer or superintendent. In the second century πρεσβυτερος — episcopos (Ignatius) came to mean one superior to elders, but not so in the N.T. The two New Testament church officers are here mentioned (bishops or elders and deacons). The plural is here employed because there was usually one church in a city with several pastors (bishops, elders). And deacons (επισκεπτομαι — kai diakonois). Technical sense here of the other church officers as in 1 Timothy 3:8-13, not the general use as in Matthew 22:13. The origin of the office is probably seen in Acts 6:1-6. The term is often applied to preachers (1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 3:6). The etymology (επισχοπος — diaκαι διακονοις — konis) suggests raising a dust by hastening. [source]
1 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace [χάρις - εἰρήνη]
Pauline terms. See Romans 1:7. The salutation is peculiar by the addition of be multiplied, which occurs 2 Peter 1:2; Judges 1:2, and nowhere else in the salutations of the epistles. It is found, however, in the Septuagint, Daniel 4:1(Sept. 3:31), and Daniel 6:25. Professor Salmond observes: “If the Babylon from which Peter writes can be taken to be the literal Babylon (see on 1 Peter 5:13), it might be interesting to recall the epistles introduced by salutations so similar to Peter's, which were written from the same capital by two kings, Nebuchadnezzar and Darius, of two great dynasties, and addressed to all their provinces.” [source]
1 Peter 1:2 The foreknowledge [προγνωσιν]
Late substantive (Plutarch, Lucian, papyri) from προγινωσκω — proginōskō (1 Peter 1:20), to know beforehand, only twice in N.T. (here and Acts 2:23 in Peter‘s sermon). In this Epistle Peter often uses substantives rather than verbs (cf. Romans 8:29).Of God the Father (τεου πατρος — theou patros). Anarthous again and genitive case. See πατηρ — patēr applied to God also in 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:17 as often by Paul (Romans 1:7, etc.). Peter here presents the Trinity (God the Father, the Spirit, Jesus Christ).In sanctification of the Spirit Clearly the Holy Spirit, though anarthrous like τεου πατρος — theou patros Late word from αγιαζω — hagiazō to render holy Obedience (from υπακουω — hupakouō to hear under, to hearken) to the Lord Jesus as in 1 Peter 1:22 “to the truth,” result of “the sanctification.”And sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ Late substantive from ραντιζω — rantizō to sprinkle (Hebrews 9:13), a word used in the lxx of the sacrifices (Num 19:9, 13, 20, etc.), but not in any non-biblical source so far as known, in N.T. only here and Hebrews 12:24 (of the sprinkling of blood). Reference to the death of Christ on the Cross and to the ratification of the New Covenant by the blood of Christ as given in Hebrews 9:19.; Hebrews 12:24 with allusion to Exodus 24:3-8. Paul does not mention this ritual use of the blood of Christ, but Jesus does (Matthew 26:28; Mark 14:24). Hence it is not surprising to find the use of it by Peter and the author of Hebrews. Hort suggests that Peter may also have an ulterior reference to the blood of the martyrs as in Revelation 7:14.; Revelation 12:11, but only as illustration of what Jesus did for us, not as having any value. The whole Epistle is a commentary upon προγνωσις τεου αγιασμος πνευματοσ αιμα Χριστου — prognōsis theouπλητυντειη — hagiasmos pneumatosπλητυνω — haima Christou (Bigg). Peter is not ashamed of the blood of Christ.Be multiplied (πλητυς — plēthuntheiē). First aorist passive optative (volitive) of χαρις και ειρηνη — plēthunō old verb (from ελεος — plēthus fulness), in a wish. So in 2 Peter 1:2; Judges 1:2, but nowhere else in N.T. salutations. Grace and peace (ελεος — charis kai eirēnē) occur together in 2 Peter 1:2, in 2 John 1:2 (with eleos), and in all Paul‘s Epistles (with eleos added in 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy). [source]
1 Peter 1:2 Of God the Father [τεου πατρος]
Anarthous again and genitive case. See πατηρ — patēr applied to God also in 1 Peter 1:3, 1 Peter 1:17 as often by Paul (Romans 1:7, etc.). Peter here presents the Trinity (God the Father, the Spirit, Jesus Christ). [source]

What do the individual words in Romans 1:7 mean?

To all those being in Rome beloved of God called saints Grace to you and peace from God [the] Father of us [the] Lord Jesus Christ
Πᾶσιν τοῖς οὖσιν ἐν Ῥώμῃ ἀγαπητοῖς Θεοῦ κλητοῖς ἁγίοις Χάρις ὑμῖν καὶ εἰρήνη ἀπὸ Θεοῦ Πατρὸς ἡμῶν Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ

Πᾶσιν  To  all 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: πᾶς  
Sense: individually.
τοῖς  those 
Parse: Article, Dative Masculine Plural
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
οὖσιν  being 
Parse: Verb, Present Participle Active, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: εἰμί  
Sense: to be, to exist, to happen, to be present.
Ῥώμῃ  Rome 
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: Ῥώμη  
Sense: the famous capital of the ancient world.
ἀγαπητοῖς  beloved 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἀγαπητός  
Sense: beloved, esteemed, dear, favourite, worthy of love.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
κλητοῖς  called 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: κλητός  
Sense: called, invited (to a banquet).
ἁγίοις  saints 
Parse: Adjective, Dative Masculine Plural
Root: ἅγιος  
Sense: most holy thing, a saint.
Χάρις  Grace 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
ὑμῖν  to  you 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 2nd Person Plural
Root: σύ  
Sense: you.
εἰρήνη  peace 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Feminine Singular
Root: εἰρήνη  
Sense: a state of national tranquillity.
Θεοῦ  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
Πατρὸς  [the]  Father 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: προπάτωρ 
Sense: generator or male ancestor.
ἡμῶν  of  us 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Genitive 1st Person Plural
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
Κυρίου  [the]  Lord 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: κύριος  
Sense: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master, lord.
Ἰησοῦ  Jesus 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Ἰησοῦς  
Sense: Joshua was the famous captain of the Israelites, Moses’ successor.
Χριστοῦ  Christ 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Χριστός  
Sense: Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God.