We encounter almost daily strange phrases. “It will cost you an arm and a leg!” What does that mean, and where does it come from? “Don’t throw out the baby with the bath water!” What does that mean? “Shoot the breeze.” What does this mean? “Barking up the wrong tree.” So, what does this mean?
The Apostle Paul uses a strange phrase in his letter to the Christians at Rome. It is found twice: “for/unto the obedience of faith” (1:5 and 16:26). What does this strange phrase mean? It seems that there are basically two options: either Paul is talking about obedience that comes from faith, or essentially faith is obedience. Which one is it, and what is Paul trying to say?
Probably it is both. Paul cannot separate faith from obedience, and obedience springs from faith. This is the two sides of Paul’s missionary zeal. He wants and desires people to respond faithfully out of a heart of obedience. He wants this to happen among all the nations for the sake of Christ’s name. Paul also wants this to happen by being made known to all the nations, anticipating his future evangelistic endeavors and proclamation.
A strange phrase from Paul. Yet powerful. Here is what is translates for us today:
The gospel is for all who obey God out of faith.
The gospel is to be made known and proclaimed so all CAN faithfully respond to the good news.
Inclusiveness and powerful proclamation. The church must never tire of its gospel mandate with these two aspects. The gospel is for all. Young and old. Rich and poor. Male and Female. Slave and free. Black, Hispanic, Caucasian, etc. And it is the proclamation of the good news powerfully testifying to the risen Lord that makes it possible for all who have sinned to be forgiven!
Paul understood his calling as an apostle and he called upon others who were the “saints” at Rome to remember their calling. Conversion is a calling to claim our identity as “beloved” and “holy” and to share such good news with others. May we faithfully and obediently respond!
In Christian love, Curtis
