Paul’s commission was “to testify to the gospel of the grace
of God” (Acts 20:24). In the book of Romans he explains
the gospel: why grace is necessary, how it is provided, what it accomplishes, and how it is obtained. Grace is necessary because everyone sins. Grace is provided by justification. Grace accomplishes sanctification.
Grace is obtained by obedient faith.
What is grace?
Grace is benevolent, unmerited favor. “The LORD is merciful and
gracious” (Psalm 103:8). God’s grace is manifested in His blessings,
especially salvation in Christ. Grace is extended according to God’s sovereign will: “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion” (9:15,
Exodus 33:19).
What is the gospel?
“Gospel” means “good news.” The gospel is the good news of salvation
by grace through the substitutional sacrifice of Christ. The gospel
“which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures”
(1:2) is God’s power for salvation (1:16). The gospel was foretold in
the OT as a mystery and is “made known to all nations” in the NT
(16:25, 26).
Grace is necessary because everyone sins.