Romans 1:3-4 Commentary and application
Romans 1:3-4- 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
These verses could have been grouped together in the last section of commentary, because it speaks of Jesus fulfilling the promise to David about his son, but I broke them out because there is something else very important touched on here. Paul touches on the fact that Jesus was fully man, born of the seed of David, yet was also fully God, in that He was declared to be the Son of God (a divine person of the trinity) by the miracles He did and His resurrection from the dead. This is very important because we need to understand that Jesus was born in the same flesh and blood nature we are, He was tempted as we are, yet did not sin and fulfilled the law perfectly (Heb 2:16-18, Heb 4:14-16). He claimed to be the Son of God and one with God the Father. This claim was proven to be true by the power of God that rested upon Him and worked through Him. Jesus healed the sick, caused the paralyzed to walk, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, and did many other miracles. These miracles were God the Father and the Holy Spirit showing people that Jesus was who He said, the Son of God (Acts 10:38, Heb 2:3-4). The ultimate proof that God gave, confirming Jesus as His Son, was raising Him from the grave (Psa 16:10, Acts 13:31-41).
There are many heretical sects that tried to claim that Jesus was not fully God and fully man. They said that He became the Christ at His baptism, that He wasn’t flesh and blood like us, and many other foolish things. Scripture gives many proofs that Jesus was fully God and fully man, these verses being one of them. A few other verses for study would be Isa 9:6-7, Jer 23:5-6, John 1:14, Gal 4:4, Heb 2:16-18, 4:14-16)
Practical application-
I want to start off the practical application section with two different scripture quotes from Hebrews.
Hebrews 2:17-18- Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succor them that are tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Both of these verses perfectly explain the practical application of the fact that our Messiah is both fully God and fully man. We can come boldly to the throne of grace because we have a Messiah, a God, that has been tempted in every way that we are, understands the struggle to go through, yet did not sin and made atonement for our sin. This should comfort us when we are in our times of need, when we are struggling with sin, or when we feel we have allowed sin to get a foothold in our life. Jesus is able to “succor” (which means give assistance or help to us) in our times of need, He is able to understand the struggle we are going through!
