Greetings to the Saints in Rome

1Paul, bondman of Jesus Christ, [a] called apostle, separated to God's glad tidings, 2(which he had before promised by his prophets in holy writings,) 3concerning his Son (come of David's seed according to flesh, 4marked out Son of God in power, according to [the] Spirit of holiness, by resurrection of [the] dead) Jesus Christ our Lord; 5by whom we have received grace and apostleship in behalf of his name, for obedience of faith among all the nations, 6among whom are ye also [the] called of Jesus Christ:

7to all that are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and [our] Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul's Desire to Visit Rome

(1 Thessalonians 2:17-20)

8First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is proclaimed in the whole world. 9For God is my witness, whom I serve in my spirit in the glad tidings of his Son, how unceasingly I make mention of you, 10always beseeching at my prayers, if any way now at least I may be prospered by the will of God to come to you. 11For I greatly desire to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to establish you; 12that is, to have mutual comfort among you, each by the faith [which is] in the other, both yours and mine. 13But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that I often proposed to come to you, (and have been hindered until the present time,) that I might have some fruit among you too, even as among the other nations also. 14I am a debtor both to Greeks and barbarians, both to wise and unintelligent: 15so, as far as depends on me, am I ready to announce the glad tidings to you also who [are] in Rome.

I am Not Ashamed of the Gospel

16For I am not ashamed of the glad tidings; for it is God's power to salvation, to every one that believes, both to Jew first and to Greek: 17for righteousness of God is revealed therein, on the principle of faith, to faith: according as it is written, But the just shall live by faith.

God's Wrath against Sin

(Jeremiah 6:10-21; Jeremiah 25:15-33; Jonah 1:4-10; Acts 27:13-26)

18For there is revealed wrath of God from heaven upon all impiety, and unrighteousness of men holding the truth in unrighteousness. 19Because what is known of God is manifest among them, for God has manifested [it] to them, 20 -- for from [the] world's creation the invisible things of him are perceived, being apprehended by the mind through the things that are made, both his eternal power and divinity, -- so as to render them inexcusable. 21Because, knowing God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but fell into folly in their thoughts, and their heart without understanding was darkened: 22professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into [the] likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and quadrupeds and reptiles.

24Wherefore God gave them up [also] in the lusts of their hearts to uncleanness, to dishonour their bodies between themselves: 25who changed the truth of God into falsehood, and honoured and served the creature more than him who had created [it], who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26For this reason God gave them up to vile lusts; for both their females changed the natural use into that contrary to nature; 27and in like manner the males also, leaving the natural use of the female, were inflamed in their lust towards one another; males with males working shame, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error which was fit.

28And according as they did not think good to have God in [their] knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind to practise unseemly things; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil dispositions; whisperers, 30back-biters, hateful to God, insolent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31void of understanding, faithless, without natural affection, unmerciful; 32who knowing the righteous judgment of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only practise them, but have fellow delight in those who do [them].