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THE introductory section of the letter to the Romans is full of personal allusion and revelation, but through all, the glory of the theme filling the mind of the writer is clearly manifest.

While Paul introduced himself in the most distinct language, his purpose in doing so was that of declaring his relation to the Gospel. While he spoke with tenderness of those to whom he wrote, the master passion in his letter was that of their spiritual welfare. From the beginning it is evident that he was conscious of two facts; that he stood between the super-abounding grace of God, as supplied through the Lord Jesus Christ, and the overwhelming need of the world; and that he and all saints are responsible channels of communication between that grace and that need.

His introduction falls into three main parts; the first being the address in which writer and readers were introduced to each other; the second being a paragraph in which he declared his personal interest in them, although he had never seen them; while in the third he revealed the reason of his writing.

In all inspired writings the personality of the human agent is clearly stamped upon the page. This is peculiarly true in the case of Paul. The massiveness and activity of his mind are clearly seen in this opening paragraph, which as a matter of fact consists of but one principal sentence. From the word "Paul" to that which is immediately connected with it, "to all that are in Rome," is a great distance; and the ground covered in the matter of spiritual suggestion is even greater than the space occupied by the actual words.

The address consists of the introduction of the writer; a parenthesis concerning the Gospel; and the naming and saluting of the readers.

Paul introduced himself by name, and described himself as the "bond-servant of Jesus Christ"; carefully affirming his authority by referring to his office as that of a "called .... apostle," "separated unto the Gospel of God."

His reference to the Gospel of God was the occasion of a statement concerning the One of Whom, and of Whose work, the Gospel is the proclamation. In that statement the apostle indicated the relation of the Lord Jesus Christ to prophecy and to history. The Gospel which had been promised through the prophets in the Scriptures was concerning the Son. The double fact of history concerning His personality was that first of His actual humanity, He "was born of the seed of David according to the flesh"; and secondly, of His Deity, "declared the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection of the dead." The apostle finally named this Person as "Jesus Christ our Lord"; and affirmed that the evidence that He was alive and active, was found in that through Him, the apostles had received grace, which is the medium of salvation; and apostleship, which is the authority of service.

He addressed himself to the "beloved of God'' in Rome, who were "called saints." By bringing the first and seventh verses together, which is their true relation, we discover the key to the letter; the called apostle wrote to the called saints. In this fact a principle of interpretation in the case of the whole letter is revealed. It is not a tract for the unsaved, but a treatise for the saved. The argument of the apostle makes it evident that salvation does not depend upon an understanding of the doctrines of grace, but on belief on the Lord Jesus Christ. It is necessary however that those who by such faith have entered into life, should, in order that their testimony to others may be clear and victorious, understand these doctrines. The elaborate and exhaustive treatment of this letter is intended for the instruction of the saints.