What is the Gospel ?

1. Definition of the Gospel (Romans 1:2–6)

Paul writes:

“…which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the nations for the sake of his name, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 1:2–6, ESV)

From this, the gospel can be defined as:

Rooted in God’s promises: It was foretold “through the prophets in the holy Scriptures” (continuity with Israel’s story).

Concerning God’s Son: The gospel is not primarily an idea or ethic but the proclamation about a person—Jesus Christ.

Davidic Messiahship: Jesus fulfills Israel’s hope as the promised king (v.3).

Exaltation through resurrection: His resurrection marks him as “Son of God in power” (v.4).

Universal scope: The gospel is not limited to Israel—it calls forth the “obedience of faith among all nations” (v.5).

Relational call: Believers are “called to belong to Jesus Christ” (v.6).

The gospel is the promised good news of God, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Davidic Messiah, whose resurrection revealed his lordship in power, and through whom God calls all nations into the obedience of faith for his name’s sake.

2. Paul’s Christology in Romans 1:2–6

Paul’s christology here is both high (divine) and low (human):

Humanity: Jesus is truly human, a descendant of David “according to the flesh.”

Divinity: He is God’s Son, designated in power by the Spirit through the resurrection.

Resurrection as decisive event: The resurrection doesn’t make Jesus the Son of God (he already was) but reveals and declares him as such in power. It is the eschatological turning point where his lordship becomes manifest.

Titles of sovereignty: “Jesus Christ our Lord” unites messianic expectation (“Christ”) with divine authority (“Lord”).

Missionary scope: Christ’s identity is tied to God’s global plan of salvation—he is Lord not just for Israel but for all nations.

Paul’s Christology:

Jesus is both fully human (Davidic Messiah) and fully divine (Son of God), whose resurrection unveils his identity as the powerful, exalted Lord. His person and work form the very heart of the gospel, and his lordship commissions Paul’s mission to bring all nations into faithful allegiance.