| Geneva Study Bible {i} By whom we have received {k} grace and apostleship, for {l} obedience to the faith {m} among all nations, for his name: (i) Of whom. (k) This marvellous, liberal, and gracious gift, which is given to me, the least of all the saints, to preach, etc.; see Eph 3:8. (l) That men through faith might obey God. (m) For his name's sake. People's New Testament 1:5 By whom. Through Jesus Christ, who is the subject spoken of. We have received. Paul refers to himself, and perhaps to other apostles. Grace. The grace, the favor and mercy of heaven granted to all saints. Apostleship. All saints were not apostles, but one must be a saint to be an apostle. Without the general grace he could not have the special gift of apostleship. For obedience to the faith. The apostleship was given in order to lead all nations to obedience to the faith. The faith is a synonym for the gospel. Observe that it is a system of obedience. In the apostolic age there were no recognized believers but obedient believers. Wesley's Notes 1:5 By whom we have received - I and the other apostles. Grace and apostleship - The favour to be an apostle, and qualifications for it. For obedience to the faith in all nations - That is, that all nations may embrace the faith of Christ. For his name - For his sake; out of regard to him. King James Translators' Notes for obedience...: or, to the obedience of faith Scofield Reference Notes Margin for obedience unto obedience to faith, i.e. faith as a principle, or method of divine dealing. Cf. Rom 10:1-11. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 5. By whom-as the ordained channel. we have received grace-the whole "grace that bringeth salvation" (Tit 2:11). and apostleship-for the publication of that "grace," and the organization of as many as receive it into churches of visible discipleship. (We prefer thus taking them as two distinct things, and not, with some good interpreters, as one-"the grace of apostleship"). for obedience to the faith-rather, "for the obedience of faith"-that is, in order to men's yielding themselves to the belief of God's saving message, which is the highest of all obedience. for his name-that He might be glorified. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:1-7 The doctrine of which the apostle Paul wrote, set forth the fulfilment of the promises by the prophets. It spoke of the Son of God, even Jesus the Saviour, the promised Messiah, who came from David as to his human nature, but was also declared to be the Son of God, by the Divine power which raised him from the dead. The Christian profession does not consist in a notional knowledge or a bare assent, much less in perverse disputings, but in obedience. And all those, and those only, are brought to obedience of the faith, who are effectually called of Jesus Christ. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians; they are beloved of God, and are members of that body which is beloved. 2. The duty of Christians; to be holy, hereunto are they called, called to be saints. These the apostle saluted, by wishing them grace to sanctify their souls, and peace to comfort their hearts, as springing from the free mercy of God, the reconciled Father of all believers, and coming to them through the Lord Jesus Christ. | 
