1. Who is the author of this epistle?
The author of this epistle is the Apostle Paul. Starting the letter, Paul clearly reveals that he is writing this letter, saying, “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1).

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The core of the gospel preached by the Apostle Paul and the greeting of the calling
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1-7).

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A Person Who Is Not Ashamed to Be Called a Servant of Jesus Christ
As the Apostle Paul begins this letter sent to the church in Rome, what does he introduce himself as first of all? Paul introduces himself as “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ” Who is Paul? He was a person who learned under the door of Gamaliel, the greatest scholar of the time, was a Pharisee without blemish by the law, and was a person who even possessed Roman citizenship. If he intended to boast, he was a person who had many things to boast about as much as he wanted. However, when Paul introduced himself, the very first thing he put forward was neither learning, nor lineage, nor status. The confession Paul put forward first of all was only the word, “a bondservant of Jesus Christ.”

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Spring has come. Perhaps because it is spring, my mind feels languid yet somewhat restless. Still, in a little while, new sprouts will bud, all things will come alive, and the summer of deep green shade will swiftly approach our side. While always taking care of your health, I hope you live the remaining life permitted by God fruitfully and preciously.

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Glad to meet you. Through this work we handle together, I hope that all workers grow and advance in faith. Whatever the work may be, only when we unite with each other and join forces is it fully accomplished. Look at our body. The head, neck, heart, lungs, limbs, and all organs play their own roles in their respective places, but if they do not harmoniously unite with each other, not a single one can function properly. Likewise, there is an entrusted role for each of us, but if we do not handle that role by faith, the whole cannot function fully, and a creaking will inevitably occur somewhere.

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The apostle became one who gives thanks to God first of all
After giving greetings to the Roman church, what does the Apostle Paul do first? He gives thanks to God. “I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:8). Paul did not praise the wealth, learning, or the size of the church that the Roman saints had. He gave thanks to God for that one thing only, that their faith was known to the world.

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The wrath of God falls upon the unbelief that blocks the truth
The Apostle Paul previously proclaimed the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel, and declared, “The just shall live by faith.” But what does he say right after that? He immediately turns his eyes to the image of humanity standing on the opposite side. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness” (Romans 1:18).

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The Root of All Sins Lies in Hating to Retain God in the Heart
In this final paragraph describing the sins of humanity, the Apostle Paul points out the root of all those sins in one sentence. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge” (Romans 1:28). We must look deeply into this. Where is the starting point of sin? It is not in some bad behavior. It lies in this one thing: the heart that hates to retain God in the heart.Think about it. The sin of action does not come first and then the heart becomes bad. That attitude of the heart rejecting God comes first, and from there all sins flow out like a river. Therefore, it says that God gave that heart over as it is. “God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting” (Romans 1:28). Once a mind is lost, it cannot do fitting things and very naturally does things that are not fitting. Why is that? Because the eyes of discernment have become blind.

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