American King James Version - AKJV - 1999
Romans 1
1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 9:15
Jeremiah 1:5
References God
Romans 1:9
References Jesus
Romans 15:16
1 Corinthians 1:1
Colossians 1:1
Titus 1:1
2 Corinthians 1:1
1 Corinthians 9:1
Galatians 1:1
2
(Which he had promised before by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Reference
Covenant
Titus 1:2
Acts 26:6
Holy
Luke 1:70
Parallel theme
Romans 3:2
Prophecy
Acts 10:43
Word
Romans 16:26
Romans 3:21
3
Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
Reference
Creation
Galatians 4:4
John 1:14
Parallel theme
John 1:49
John 10:30
Genesis 3:15
References David
Amos 9:11
References Jesus
Matthew 1:1
1 Thessalonians 1:10
References Lord
Psalm 2:7
John 20:28
4
And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Reference
Holy
2 Peter 1:21
Parallel theme
Romans 1:3
Revelation 1:18
References God
2 Corinthians 13:4
Resurrection
Acts 3:15
Acts 2:32
Acts 2:24
Spirit
Hebrews 9:14
1 Peter 1:11
Revelation 19:10
5
By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
Reference
Faith
Acts 6:7
Romans 16:26
Romans 12:3
Grace
1 Corinthians 15:10
Parallel theme
Acts 9:15
Malachi 1:11
Hebrews 5:9
Acts 1:25
Romans 3:29
1 Corinthians 9:2
6
Among whom are you also the called of Jesus Christ:
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 17:14
1 Peter 2:9
2 Peter 1:10
Ephesians 1:11
References Christ
1 Peter 2:21
References Jesus
Hebrews 3:1
1 Corinthians 1:9
2 Timothy 1:9
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.
Reference
8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
Reference
Faith
Ephesians 1:15
Parallel theme
Romans 16:19
References God
Romans 6:17
Hebrews 13:15
Philippians 1:3
References Jesus
1 Corinthians 1:4
1 Peter 2:5
1 Peter 4:11
Colossians 1:3
Ephesians 5:20
9
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;
Reference
Prayer
2 Timothy 1:3
1 Thessalonians 5:17
1 Thessalonians 1:2
1 Thessalonians 3:10
References God
2 Corinthians 1:23
Acts 27:23
Spirit
Ephesians 6:18
Romans 9:1
Acts 19:21
Philippians 3:3
10
Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come to you.
Reference
Parallel theme
James 4:15
Philemon 1:22
1 Thessalonians 2:18
Hebrews 13:19
Acts 19:21
References God
Acts 18:21
Philippians 4:6
11
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end you may be established;
Reference
12
That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me.
13
Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that oftentimes I purposed to come to you, (but was let till now,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.
Reference
14
I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise.
Reference
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Reference
Faith
2 Timothy 1:12
2 Corinthians 4:4
Romans 10:17
Parallel theme
Mark 8:38
Luke 9:26
1 Corinthians 2:4
References Christ
1 Peter 4:16
References God
2 Timothy 1:8
Hebrews 4:12
Salvation
1 Corinthians 2:2
17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Reference
Faith
Habakkuk 2:4
Galatians 3:11
Hebrews 10:38
Philippians 3:9
Romans 9:30
Romans 3:3
John 3:36
Righteousness
Romans 3:21
18
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
Reference
Judgment
Ephesians 5:6
Romans 1:32
Colossians 3:6
Romans 4:15
Romans 2:3
References God
Romans 1:28
Romans 1:19
Righteousness
2 Thessalonians 2:10
Romans 5:9
Romans 6:13
19
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it to them.
Reference
20
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Reference
Creation
Isaiah 40:26
Eternal Life
1 Timothy 1:17
Parallel theme
Psalm 8:3
Romans 2:15
Psalm 104:5
Psalm 119:90
John 15:22
References God
Romans 1:19
John 1:18
Colossians 2:9
21
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Reference
Darkness
1 Peter 2:9
John 3:19
Glory
Revelation 14:7
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 2:5
2 Kings 17:15
2 Timothy 3:2
Revelation 15:4
Psalm 81:12
Jeremiah 16:19
References God
Psalm 50:23
23
And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things.
Reference
Creation
Isaiah 40:26
Glory
Psalm 106:20
Jeremiah 2:11
Parallel theme
Ezekiel 8:10
1 Peter 4:3
Deuteronomy 5:8
Isaiah 44:13
References God
Acts 17:29
Romans 1:25
Isaiah 40:18
24
Why God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 14:16
Matthew 15:14
Leviticus 18:22
1 Corinthians 6:18
1 Thessalonians 4:4
Romans 6:12
References God
Acts 7:42
1 Corinthians 6:13
25
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
Reference
Blessing
Romans 9:5
2 Corinthians 11:31
Parallel theme
Habakkuk 2:18
Jeremiah 13:25
Isaiah 44:20
Amos 2:4
References God
Romans 1:23
2 Timothy 3:4
Truth
1 John 5:20
Romans 1:18
26
For this cause God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
Reference
Parallel theme
Jude 1:7
1 Timothy 1:10
Ephesians 4:19
Genesis 19:5
Judges 19:22
Ephesians 5:12
References God
Romans 1:24
1 Corinthians 6:9
Romans 1:28
1 Thessalonians 4:5
27
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was meet.
Reference
28
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Reference
Parallel theme
Jeremiah 9:6
2 Timothy 3:8
Jeremiah 6:30
Proverbs 1:29
Proverbs 1:22
Proverbs 1:7
References God
Romans 1:21
Titus 1:16
Romans 1:24
2 Thessalonians 1:8
29
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Reference
30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Reference
31
Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Reference
32
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Reference
Judgment
Romans 1:18
Parallel theme
Romans 6:21
Psalm 50:18
Luke 11:48
Acts 22:20
Hosea 7:3
Acts 8:1
References God
Romans 1:21
Summary of Romans 1
Romans 1 begins with Paul introducing himself and explaining his calling to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which he presents as the fulfillment of promises God had already given through the Scriptures and as God's plan to bring salvation to people from every nation.
Paul explains that Jesus is God's Son, descended from David according to His human family line, and powerfully shown to be God's Son through His resurrection from the dead.
He describes his own calling as an apostle who has been given the responsibility of bringing people from all nations to faith and obedience, and he warmly addresses the Christians in Rome, telling them that their faith is already known widely.
Although Paul has not yet visited Rome, he repeatedly prays for the believers there and hopes to visit them so that they can encourage one another and strengthen each other's faith.
Paul explains that he feels responsible to preach to everyone, whether educated or uneducated, Greek or non-Greek, because the Gospel is not meant for one social group or culture.
He then gives one of the most important statements in Romans: he says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, beginning with the Jew and extending also to the Gentile.
Paul then begins explaining why humanity needs this salvation, arguing that people have received enough evidence of God's existence and power through creation that they cannot simply claim that they have no knowledge of Him.
The problem, Paul says, is not merely that people lack information about God but that they often suppress the truth, refuse to honor God, and replace worship of the Creator with worship of created things.
Instead of giving thanks to God, people become proud of their own wisdom, and Paul describes this as a movement from supposed wisdom into foolishness.
He uses the worship of images as an example, explaining that people exchange the glory of the eternal Creator for representations of humans, animals, birds, and reptiles.
Paul then describes a repeated pattern in which God allows people to experience the consequences of their rejection of Him, as sinful desires increasingly shape their thinking, relationships, and actions.
His list of wrongdoing includes sexual immorality, greed, jealousy, murder, deception, arrogance, disobedience to parents, broken promises, lack of compassion, and many other forms of evil.
This is important because Paul's argument is not limited to one particular kind of sin; instead, he describes a much larger human problem in which people reject God and then allow that rejection to influence the way they think, treat others, and live.
Paul ends the chapter by saying that people can know that these actions are wrong and still choose to practice them or approve of others who do them, showing the depth of humanity's moral problem.
The central message of Romans 1 is that humanity has turned away from its Creator and therefore needs God's saving grace.
Paul begins by presenting the Gospel as God's answer to this problem, explaining that salvation is available through faith rather than through human pride or achievement.
The chapter therefore moves from the Gospel ? God's righteousness ? humanity's rejection of God ? the consequences of sin.
Historically, Paul writes to Christians living in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, probably around AD 56–58, during the later part of his missionary work.
Rome was one of the largest and most powerful cities in the ancient world, filled with people from many nations, religions, social classes, and cultural backgrounds.
The Roman religious world contained temples, statues, sacrifices, household gods, and many different forms of worship, making Paul's discussion of people exchanging worship of the Creator for created things especially relevant to his audience.
The Christian community in Rome appears to have contained both Jewish and Gentile believers, which helps explain why Paul repeatedly emphasizes that the Gospel is for everyone and that salvation is available to both Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 1 also prepares the reader for the rest of the letter because Paul will later show that Gentiles cannot claim moral superiority over others, Jews cannot depend simply on possessing God's Law, and everyone ultimately needs God's grace.
One of the most important ideas in the chapter is that human beings can know something about God through creation, yet knowledge alone does not guarantee obedience or worship.
Paul's concern is that people can recognize truth but still choose to reject it, and that rejection can gradually affect their thinking, desires, relationships, and moral choices.
The chapter therefore begins Paul's larger argument that salvation cannot be earned by human goodness because every person needs the righteousness that God provides through faith.
Paul explains that Jesus is God's Son, descended from David according to His human family line, and powerfully shown to be God's Son through His resurrection from the dead.
He describes his own calling as an apostle who has been given the responsibility of bringing people from all nations to faith and obedience, and he warmly addresses the Christians in Rome, telling them that their faith is already known widely.
Although Paul has not yet visited Rome, he repeatedly prays for the believers there and hopes to visit them so that they can encourage one another and strengthen each other's faith.
Paul explains that he feels responsible to preach to everyone, whether educated or uneducated, Greek or non-Greek, because the Gospel is not meant for one social group or culture.
He then gives one of the most important statements in Romans: he says that he is not ashamed of the Gospel because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, beginning with the Jew and extending also to the Gentile.
Paul then begins explaining why humanity needs this salvation, arguing that people have received enough evidence of God's existence and power through creation that they cannot simply claim that they have no knowledge of Him.
The problem, Paul says, is not merely that people lack information about God but that they often suppress the truth, refuse to honor God, and replace worship of the Creator with worship of created things.
Instead of giving thanks to God, people become proud of their own wisdom, and Paul describes this as a movement from supposed wisdom into foolishness.
He uses the worship of images as an example, explaining that people exchange the glory of the eternal Creator for representations of humans, animals, birds, and reptiles.
Paul then describes a repeated pattern in which God allows people to experience the consequences of their rejection of Him, as sinful desires increasingly shape their thinking, relationships, and actions.
His list of wrongdoing includes sexual immorality, greed, jealousy, murder, deception, arrogance, disobedience to parents, broken promises, lack of compassion, and many other forms of evil.
This is important because Paul's argument is not limited to one particular kind of sin; instead, he describes a much larger human problem in which people reject God and then allow that rejection to influence the way they think, treat others, and live.
Paul ends the chapter by saying that people can know that these actions are wrong and still choose to practice them or approve of others who do them, showing the depth of humanity's moral problem.
The central message of Romans 1 is that humanity has turned away from its Creator and therefore needs God's saving grace.
Paul begins by presenting the Gospel as God's answer to this problem, explaining that salvation is available through faith rather than through human pride or achievement.
The chapter therefore moves from the Gospel ? God's righteousness ? humanity's rejection of God ? the consequences of sin.
Historically, Paul writes to Christians living in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire, probably around AD 56–58, during the later part of his missionary work.
Rome was one of the largest and most powerful cities in the ancient world, filled with people from many nations, religions, social classes, and cultural backgrounds.
The Roman religious world contained temples, statues, sacrifices, household gods, and many different forms of worship, making Paul's discussion of people exchanging worship of the Creator for created things especially relevant to his audience.
The Christian community in Rome appears to have contained both Jewish and Gentile believers, which helps explain why Paul repeatedly emphasizes that the Gospel is for everyone and that salvation is available to both Jews and Gentiles.
Romans 1 also prepares the reader for the rest of the letter because Paul will later show that Gentiles cannot claim moral superiority over others, Jews cannot depend simply on possessing God's Law, and everyone ultimately needs God's grace.
One of the most important ideas in the chapter is that human beings can know something about God through creation, yet knowledge alone does not guarantee obedience or worship.
Paul's concern is that people can recognize truth but still choose to reject it, and that rejection can gradually affect their thinking, desires, relationships, and moral choices.
The chapter therefore begins Paul's larger argument that salvation cannot be earned by human goodness because every person needs the righteousness that God provides through faith.