Romans 1:5
What does Romans 1:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Romans 1:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Romans 1:5 means
Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Paul and his companions received grace and apostleship. Grace is the undeserved favor that saved and equipped him; apostleship is the office entrusted to him. The purpose is to bring about the obedience of faith among all nations for Christ’s name. Faith is not mere assent; it yields obedient lives. The scope is universal—every people group is in view. The goal is God-centered—so that Christ’s name is honored. Paul’s ministry is thus both gift and task: empowered by grace, aimed at faith-fueled obedience, and directed to the glory of Jesus among the nations.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;
KJV
King James Version · 1611By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901through whom we received grace and apostleship, unto obedience of faith among all the nations, for his name’s sake;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Through whom grace has been given to us, sending us out to make disciples to the faith among all nations, for his name:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862through whom we did receive grace and apostleship, for obedience of faith among all the nations, in behalf of his name;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752By whom we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith, in all nations, for his name:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations,
Context
After establishing who Jesus is (verses 3–4), Paul explains his commission derived from Christ (verse 5). This shows why he writes boldly to a church he has not founded—he is sent for the nations. Verse 6 will connect the Romans to this worldwide calling; verse 7 will address them directly with a blessing. The flow binds Christ’s lordship to Paul’s mission and to the readers’ identity, forming a chain from the risen Lord to the church’s purpose.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but so to think as to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to each man a measure of faith.
- John 1:16
For of his fulness we all received, and grace for grace.
- 1 Timothy 1:11
according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
- Romans 16:26
but now is manifested, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known unto all the nations unto obedience of faith:
- 1 Peter 2:9
But ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that ye may show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
- Ephesians 1:6
to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:
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