Paul's Proof

Paul wrote the epistle of Romans to a group of people he wasn't fully familiar with. Paul had never visited the Roman church, though he knew some believers there, so his introduction needed to establish authority and trust. He was planning to see them when he went to Spain. So, he wrote this epistle to prepare the way. He introduces himself (Rom 1:1) as “a bond-servant.” Interesting lead in for people he didn’t know. He says he’s a divine messenger, “an apostle.” And he tells them he’s all about the gospel. That’s his intro.

He tells them the gospel was promised beforehand (Rom 1:2) and it concerned God’s Son. Now we’re no longer on Paul; now we’re on Jesus. What do we know about Jesus here? He was born of David according to the flesh (Rom 1:3) and … hang on … what else? Paul is about to explain to them about this man named Jesus who he just said was from David was, in fact, the Son of God (Rom 1:4). The Son of God?? Paul is about to make a big statement about a person who was definitely human actually being the Son of God. Paul will need to present substantive proof. What proof does He decide to go with? Texts from the Old Testament? Statements from Christ? No. Paul claims that Jesus was declared the son of God “by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness” (Rom 1:4).

How does the resurrection prove His status as the Son of God? Jesus claimed a unique relationship with God and unique authority and a unique mission. When He was executed, it looked like divine rejection, but the resurrection reverses that verdict. Divine vindication.

The birth of Jesus was the Son in humility and weakness. The resurrection is the Son in power and authority. Thus, He was appointed “in power.”

The resurrection is a unique event in history. No one else was resurrected like He was. Others were resurrected, but always with human involvement. Jesus wasn’t. It shows God’s divine approval and proof that Jesus was who He claimed to be, proof that Scripture was right about both His death and His resurrection. The event was confirmed by eyewitnesses (1 Cor 15:4-8). The resurrection, then, serves as God’s own testimony about Jesus.

Sometimes we lose track of the importance of the resurrection. Paul considered it absolute proof that Jesus was God in the flesh. We have lots of very good arguments that concur, but this was Paul’s first choice: God raised Jesus from the dead. Point made. And on this point rests the gospel of God. The resurrection is not just proof of Jesus’ identity; it is the foundation of the gospel Paul is about to unpack for the next 16 chapters. For Paul, the resurrection is not an add-on to the gospel; it is the very ground on which the gospel stands.