To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1.7).
Most of the Roman congregation who read Paul’s letter were Gentiles, but they understood Jewish concepts, such as “beloved of God,” “saints,” and “peace.”
The ancient Hebrews knew their relationship with God was based on his love and grace.
For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession.
It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.
It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deuteronomy 7.6-8).
Different from our modern understanding of “saints,” they are not a special kind of Christian servant. A saint is someone whom God has chosen to be dedicated to him.
When God said that the nation was “holy to the Lord,” he was declaring that they were called to live with him in a covenant relationship and reflect his nature to a watching world.
It was God’s grace that motivated his love for the Hebrews, not their inherent value.
God’s gracious choice was realized when he set the Israelites free from slavery in Egypt.
When Paul identifies the church (both Jews and Gentiles) as God’s beloved saints, he is using a thought similar to Deuteronomy.
Christians can’t point to special character traits that attract God’s love. God reaches people when they are enslaved to sin and self-centered desires. His love sets us free to become his beloved.
Like Israel was “holy to the Lord,” so are we. Holiness and sainthood involve being set apart for God’s purposes. We are called to be a living picture of God’s nature.
It is believed that Paul wanted the Roman church to join him in an effort to bring the good news of God’s love to Spain. Not only were they to be living examples of God’s nature and character in Rome, they were being called to join the Apostle with a mission to Spain.
The way Paul uses these words should help the church in 2024 better understand our role in relation to God and his purposes. We are to use what God has done for us to influence people to know and love God.
Grace and Peace
We considered different dimensions of grace in yesterday’s article. Today, let’s take a look at peace, particularly from the Hebrew perspective.
The Hebrew word “shalom” is a profound term that goes beyond its common translation as “peace.”
At its core, “shalom” signifies peace, not merely as the absence of conflict, but as a state of completeness and well-being.
“Shalom” implies a state where nothing is lacking and everything is in its proper place.
The customary greeting that Jews give to one another is “shalom.” It is a wish of well-being upon the recipient.
Like many of the central words of the Old Testament, “shalom” is linked to justice and righteousness. True peace cannot exist without justice and righteousness. In fact, “shalom” is a product of just and righteous living, where all of life is aligned with God’s principles.
Paul used the words “grace and peace” to emphasize that all of God’s blessings of peace are only possible because of his grace.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 