The Missionary Call: Romans 1:5-6
“5) through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, 6) among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ;” Romans 1:5-6
In these verses, Paul talks about the grace and apostleship that was given to him to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Paul had a unique calling. Just as Peter was called as the apostle to the Jewish people, God gave Paul a special grace and calling to reach the Gentiles with the gospel. (See Galatians 1:7-10)
In verse six, Paul made it clear that this included the Romans. The Great Commission to the church is to reach every nation with the gospel. (See Matthew 28:18-20) That task is still our calling today. On the cross Jesus made a way for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.
This is one of those area’s where God’s sovereignty and human responsibility dance together. Jesus paid it all, but He sends His followers to proclaim it everywhere. Romans 10:12-15 presents both the universal scope of the gospel and the need for God’s people to carry the gospel message throughout the world.
The bottom line is that God has entrusted the mission of spreading the gospel around the world to the church. We must never lose sight of this mandate. God calls and equips His follows with a missionary call.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global