Romans 1:3: Concerning His Son
What is the gospel ultimately about? Romans 1:3 gives us Paul’s answer with remarkable clarity: the gospel is
“concerning his Son.”The gospel is not first about us. It is not centered on our experiences, our improvement, our religious performance, or our felt needs. The gospel is the good news of what God has done through His Son, Jesus Christ.
“Concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh.”Romans 1:3
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The Gospel Concerns God’s Son
Paul has already told us that he was set apart for the gospel of God and that this gospel was promised beforehand through the prophets in the Holy Scriptures. Now he tells us who this gospel concerns:
Jesus Christ, the Son of God.The gospel is not advice about how to improve ourselves. Advice tells us what we should do. The gospel announces what God has already done in and through Jesus Christ.We do not need another self-help plan, moral improvement program, or religious system. We need a Savior. The gospel points us away from ourselves and directs us to Christ.
Jesus Is the Eternal Son of God
Jesus is not merely a prophet, moral teacher, religious example, or spiritual guide. He is the eternal Son of God.The Son did not begin to exist in Bethlehem. He did not become divine at His baptism or after His resurrection. Jesus Christ is eternally the Son of God, sharing the same divine nature as the Father.This matters because only God can save. A created Savior cannot bear the full weight of divine judgment or provide the salvation sinners desperately need. Our confidence rests in the eternal Son of God who came into the world to save sinners.
Jesus Is the Promised Son of David
Paul also tells us that Jesus was descended from David according to the flesh. This connects the gospel directly to the promises God made throughout the Old Testament.God promised that a descendant of David would reign forever. Jesus is that promised King. He is the Messiah, the Son of David, and the rightful ruler whose kingdom will never end.The gospel therefore announces not only that a Savior has come, but that the King has come. Jesus is not merely useful or comforting. He is Lord. The Savior who gives mercy is also the King who reigns.
Jesus Truly Became Man
The eternal Son of God truly took on human flesh. He did not merely appear to be human or wear humanity like a costume. He took on a true human nature without ceasing to be truly God.Jesus experienced hunger, weakness, sorrow, rejection, temptation, suffering, and death, yet He remained completely without sin.This truth has been carefully defended throughout church history because it stands at the heart of the gospel. Jesus Christ is one person with two natures, truly God and truly man.If Jesus is not truly God, He cannot save. If Jesus is not truly man, He cannot stand in our place. As man, He obeyed where we have disobeyed and suffered in the place of sinners. As God, His saving work is fully sufficient and eternally powerful.
The Gospel Is Centered on Jesus Christ
Romans will teach us about sin, wrath, righteousness, justification, sanctification, the Holy Spirit, election, Israel, Christian living, church unity, and mission. But every one of these truths ultimately finds its center in Jesus Christ.Christ is not one doctrine among many. He is the center and substance of the gospel.Without Christ there is no justification, no peace with God, no adoption, no hope in suffering, no mercy, and no eternal life.Christianity cannot be reduced to a worldview, moral system, ministry platform, theological identity, or religious tradition. Christianity is centered on Christ because the gospel itself is
concerning His Son.Look to Christ
Romans 1:3 calls us to look again at the glory of Jesus Christ.Look to Christ. Trust Christ. Treasure Christ. Follow Christ. Obey Christ. Proclaim Christ. Rest in Christ.Do not move beyond Christ. Do not minimize Christ. Do not replace Christ with self-help, moralism, religious performance, or vague spirituality.Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God, the promised Son of David, the incarnate Savior, the crucified and risen Lord, and the reigning King who saves all who repent of their sins and trust in Him.The world offers many messages. Religion offers many systems. Sin offers many promises. But God has given sinners one Savior.
The gospel is concerning His Son.
