Romans 1:7
To all those living in Rome [who are] beloved of God [and] called [to be] saints; grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Paul has introduced himself as the author of the letter, and stated clearly his position with the Lord, and the ministry he has been given to perform. Now he identifies the recipients.
My translation of the verse splits Paul’s sentence into two parts: the full identity of Paul’s audience, and then one of Paul’s standard benedictions. In the first part, Paul doesn’t refer to his audience as “the Romans” but as “those living [Greek: ousin denoting a state of being or existence] in Rome.” I think this lends credence to the view that he recognizes it is a mixed audience, not just Gentile Romans. Further, these people are not just in Rome, but are part of the church. Only Christians could be described as both “beloved of God” (agapêtois theou) and “called [to be] saints” (klêtois hagiois). While it is true that God has a love for the world (John 3:16), this is not the same love that He has for His people. Simple observation of the distinction between the way Jesus treated His disciples, and the way He treated those outside of the Twelve, shows that He did not love all people equally. God has a special redemptive love for His people that those who are not Christians do not know. Non-Christians know God’s life-sustaining, sin-restraining love, what we sometimes call “common grace.” But this is not love that will save them. Only by being “called to be saints”–called to be set apart from the rest of humanity–can we partake in God’s saving love. Note here that being “saints” or being “set apart” is not something we do, but is something initiated by God in His call upon our lives.
The second part of the verse is a standard benediction used by Paul (see, for example, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, and Philippians). However, just because he uses it frequently, that doesn’t mean it isn’t sincere. Especially given the attitudes we perceive in the church at Rome, it seems appropriate that Paul prays for grace and peace from God upon them. Grace with which to better treat one another, and peace to live and worship together as brethren in Christ.
Suggested application: If you are a Christian, spend some time meditating on what it means for you to be beloved of God, and called to be a saint. Remember, a saint is not some specially good or pious person officially recognized by some ecclesiastical body. A saint is simply one who is set apart by God by virtue of faith in Jesus Christ. That is, a Christian. There is nothing you or anyone else can do to make you a saint; God is the one who sets you apart though an effectual calling (i.e., a calling that is effective in your life, a calling that brings you to faith in Christ).
