C Stanley · Romans 1.

Here, then, we see Paul a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, an apostle by calling, separated to the gospel of God. Now this word, “separated,” goes a great way. Separated from the world, and from the law, from Judaism, to the glorious good news of God. It is not the subject of the church in this epistle, but the gospel of God. The church was not the subject of promise, but the gospel was. (“Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.”) Yes, the scriptures, from Genesis 3, contain abundant promises of the gospel of God, “concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” Every promise thus looked on to the seed, which is Christ. It will be well to lay hold of this. The gospel is not concerning, our feelings or doings, but “concerning his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” May that blessed One be ever the beginning and the end of the gospel of God which we preach!