Romans 1:16 The New Testament speaks of salvation in the past tense (Ephesians 2:8), the present tense (II Corinthians 2:15), and the future tense (13:11). In the past, the believer has been saved from the penalty of sin. In the present, the believer is being saved from the power of sin. In the future, the believer will be saved from the very presence of sin (see Matthew 5:10–12; 8:17; II Corinthians 5:10; II Timothy 2:11–13; Revelation 22:12).

Salvation

In the letter to the Romans we find the apostle Paul’s clearest and most detailed explanation of the gospel message. After his customary salutation, Paul explains his unabashed passion for taking the Good News of Christ to the ends of the earth: "it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (1:16). The Greek word for salvation used by Paul literally means "deliverance" or "preservation." In a spiritual context, the idea is rescue from the power and dominion of sin. Paul’s fervor for preaching the gospel was rooted in its power "to free" or "to rescue" people from the tragic consequences of their own sin.

Paul and the other the New Testament writers portray Jesus Christ, on the basis of His sacrificial death on the Cross in the place of sinners, as the Author and Provider of salvation (see 3:24, 25; 5:21; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 12:2). This spiritual deliverance is graciously and lovingly offered by God to all people, but only those who repent and trust in Jesus will experience its blessings (see John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8, 9; Hebrews 2:3).

What exactly are those blessings? Some Bible teachers summarize them as salvation from the penalty of sin, salvation from the power of sin, and salvation from the presence of sin. Theologians use the terms justification, sanctification, and glorification. Justification is the divine act of declaring sinners to be righteous on account of their faith in Jesus. He paid for their sins completely and finally on the Cross, and through faith in Him their sins can be forgiven (see 3:21; 4:5; 5:1). Closely related to justification is regeneration, in which the Spirit of God indwells a repentant sinner and imparts eternal life to his or her spiritually dead soul (see Ephesians 2:1–5). Sanctification is the process in which God develops the new life of the believer and gradually brings it to perfection (see 6:11; Philemon 1:6). Glorification is the ultimate salvation of the whole person. This occurs when we are face to face with our Savior in His coming kingdom. At that time, God will completely mold us into the image of Christ (see 8:29, 30; Philemon 3:21). Then we will be able to enjoy complete fellowship with God, singing His praises forever.

Other benefits of salvation include reconciliation and adoption. When our sins are forgiven, we move from a position of being God’s enemies to being His beloved children (see John 1:12; Galatians 4:4, 5; Ephesians 1:5).

Is it any wonder that the apostle Paul was so excited about the gospel and its power to save? The more we consider the marvelous truth of salvation, the more enthusiastic we will be, thankful to God and eager to share with others the hope that is in us (see I Peter 3:15).

Romans 1:17 From faith to faith means faith is at the beginning of the salvation process, and it is the goal as well. When a person first exercises faith in Christ, that person is saved from the penalty of sin and declared righteous. As the believer lives by faith, God continues to save him or her from the power of sin to live righteously (see v. 16).

Romans 1:18 As the next verse indicates, the truth is truth about God. Having departed from godliness and righteousness, people suppress the truth about God: that God is their loving Creator and deserves their worship and praise. Sinful people can mentally perceive the revealed truth of God (see vv. 19, 20), but they have chosen to suppress it. They are without excuse. God’s anger is being revealed (the present tense) against sin and the suppression of the truth.

Romans 1:19, 20 what may be known of God: Not only are divine attributes clearly seen in humanity, but they can be seen in the material universe as well (see v. 20; 10:18; Psalm 19:1–4). Nature itself speaks eloquently of its Creator. From the intricate design of the human cell to the majestic strength of the Rocky Mountains, all of God’s works testify to His wisdom and power. God’s invisible attributes, such as His eternal power and Godhead, meaning His divine nature, can be clearly seen by contemplating His awesome works in all of creation.

Romans 1:21 They knew, that is "perceived," truth about God through creation (see v. 18). Nature reveals God as great and good. Its gentle rain and rich soils provide humans with all varieties of delicious food. God is good. Even with all this evidence in creation, people refuse to recognize their Creator, worship Him, or glorify Him as God.

Romans 1:24 In God’s present wrath (see v. 18; there is also a wrath to come when Christ returns, see I Thessalonians 1:10), He gave them up, that is "over," to their sin (see vv. 26, 28). God did not give up on humanity, but He did allow them to go deeper and deeper into sin. He gives us an opportunity to see how evil sin really is and how desperately wicked people can become.

Romans 1:25 The lie refers to idols. They are satanic counterfeits of God, void of truth and power.

Romans 1:26 The next verse makes clear that this verse refers to unnatural sexual relations between women. Lesbianism is against nature; it is contrary to the intention of the Creator.

Romans 1:27 Homosexuality is sin (Leviticus 18:22). In this passage, the point is not that homosexuality is a sin that should be punished. Rather homosexuality itself is the punishment. Having rejected God and become idolaters, some men have been given over to their shameful passions (v. 26). Thus they receive in themselves the penalty of their error.

Romans 1:29–32 These verses contain one of the most extensive lists of sins in all Scripture. The list shows the exhaustive sweep of human moral depravity (compare all in v. 29). Note that while society tends to rationalize certain sins, God judges all sin. These sins particularly reveal our rebellious hearts. All, without exception, deserve God’s punishment.

Romans 2:1 In 1:18–32, Paul declares that all unrighteous people are without excuse. Now he demonstrates that the self-righteous (those who judge others) are inexcusable, by revealing the standards by which everyone will be judged. Judgment will be (1) according to truth (vv. 1–5), (2) according to works (vv. 6–11), and (3) according to the light one has of the law (vv. 12–16).

Romans 2:2 Truth as used in this verse is different from the truth in 1:18, 25. There it referred to the evidence of God in creation; here it refers to the true condition of humanity.

Romans 2:4 Repentance literally means "to change one’s mind." In this context, it means to reject one’s sinful habits and turn to God. This is the only occurrence of this word in Romans.

Romans 2:5 Wrath as used here is different from the "wrath of God" in 1:18. There God’s wrath was His present anger; here the word refers to God’s future wrath. Most take this future wrath to refer to the Day of Judgment. Thus people who continue in their rebellion against God are accumulating wrath for themselves.