Devine Scripture

Romans 1:3

What does Romans 1:3 mean?

A plain-English look at Romans 1:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Romans 1:3 means

The gospel concerns God’s Son, truly human, born from David’s line according to the flesh. This marks Jesus as the promised royal Messiah, fulfilling expectations that a descendant of David would reign. “According to the flesh” emphasizes his real humanity and historic lineage. The Son is not an abstract idea; he entered our world, identified with Israel’s story, and stood in the line of God’s covenant promises. By highlighting Davidic descent, Paul ties Jesus directly to the hope of a righteous King. The gospel is therefore not just about ideas or morality but about a person—God’s Son come in human nature to fulfill God’s saving plan.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

concerning his Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh,

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

About his Son who, in the flesh, came from the family of David,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

concerning His Son, (who is come of the seed of David according to the flesh,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Concerning his Son, who was made to him of the seed of David, according to the flesh,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

concerning his Son (come of David's seed according to flesh,

Context

Following the claim that the gospel was promised (verse 2), Paul now names its subject: God’s Son (verse 3). He begins with Jesus’ earthly lineage to establish messianic credentials, preparing to balance this with Jesus’ exalted identity in verse 4. Together, verses 3–4 present the twofold truth: Jesus is both truly human and truly divine. This sets the Christological foundation for the rest of Romans, where salvation depends on who Jesus is and what he has done.

v.2which he promised afore through his prophets in the holy scriptures,

v.3This passage

v.4who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; even Jesus Christ our Lord,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Acts 3:13

    The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Servant Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied before the face of Pilate, when he had determined to release him.

  • Acts 2:30

    Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins he would set one upon his throne;

  • Matthew 27:43

    He trusteth on God; let him deliver him now, if he desireth him: for he said, I am the Son of God.

  • Matthew 26:63

    But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou art the Christ, the Son of God.

  • Galatians 4:4

    but when the fulness of the time came, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

  • Revelation 2:18

    And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like a flame of fire, and his feet are like unto burnished brass:

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