Romans 1:3

3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David,

Romans 1:3 in Other Translations

KJV
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
ESV
3 concerning his Son, who was descended from Davidaccording to the flesh
NLT
3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line,
MSG
3 on God's Son. His descent from David roots him in history;
CSB
3 concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was a descendant of David according to the flesh

Romans 1:3 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 1:3

Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord
These words are in connection with "the Gospel of God", ( Romans 1:1 ) , and express the subject matter of it, the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord; for Christ, as the Son of God, the Saviour of sinners, the only Mediator between God and men, who is Lord both of the dead and living, is the sum and substance of the Gospel: he is here described by his relation to God, his Son, of the same nature with him, equal to him, and distinct from him; by his usual names, "Jesus Christ", the one signifying a "Saviour", the other "anointed", and both, that he was anointed of God to be the Saviour of his people; and by his dominion over the saints our Lord, not merely by creation, but by redemption and grace, and happy is the person that can claim interest in him, as is here done; and by the distinction of natures in him:

which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
this respects Christ in his human nature, who was made flesh, and of a woman; and shows his existence before his incarnation, and the immediate power and hand of God in it; and which was done, not by transmutation of him into flesh, but by an assumption of human nature into union with his divine person: he is said to be made "of the seed of David"; this points out the family from whence he sprung; designs the posterity of David, particularly Mary; has regard to the promise made to David, which God fulfilled; and shows the royal descent of Christ: it is added, "according to the flesh"; that is, according to his human nature; which phrase does not denote the corruption, but the truth of that nature; and supposes that he had another nature, otherwise there would have been no need of this limiting and restrictive clause.

Romans 1:3 In-Context

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—
2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures
3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David,
4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.
5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S John 1:14; Romans 9:5
  • 2. S Matthew 1:1

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "who according to the flesh"
Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.