Through him we have received God's kindness and the privilege of being apostles (GWT)

from whom we received grace and our commission in his name (Phillips)

Through Whom grace has been given to us, sending us out (BBE)

Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them (NLT)

Through Whom - Through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who is the quintessential manifestation and "conduit" of grace to the human race, John declaring Him as the Word Who became flesh and Who was "full of grace and truth" (Jn 1:14, 16, 17, 2Ti 2:1).

Grace and apostleship - Note that grace precedes apostleship for without grace even one as gifted as Paul could not fulfill his mission (1Cor 15:10). This same truth applies to all of God's children, all of whom have been drafted into His army and are in "active service" (cp 2Ti 2:3-note ; 2Ti 3:4-note)

William Newell writes that...

Personal grace must come before true service. The grace Paul had received concerned both his personal salvation and his service as the great example of divine favor. Paul’s own words are the best comment on this: “I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am: and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not found vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor 15:9,10); and, “I obtained mercy, that in me as chief might Jesus Christ show forth all His longsuffering, for an ensample of them that should thereafter believe on Him unto eternal life” (1Ti 1:16). Paul’s apostleship was marked out by the fact that he had “seen Jesus our Lord” (1Cor 9:1), and by the “signs of an apostle,” in “authority,” (2Cor 10:8; 13:10), in “all patience, by signs and wonders and mighty works” (2Cor 12:12). Though desperately resisted by the Jerusalem Judaizers, he continually insisted, to the glory of God, upon “obedience of faith among all the nations.” To obey God’s good news, is simply to believe it. There is now a “law of faith” (Ro 3:27); and Paul ends this Epistle with this same wonderful phrase: “obedience of faith” (Ro 16:26). Paul was not establishing what is now called “the Christian religion”! Having abandoned the only religion God ever gave, that of the Jews, “By “religion” (thrēskeia): we mean that worship which is conducted through ceremonies. Paul, indeed, calls that worship, in Galatians 1:13,14 Judaism—(Ioudaismos). James 1:26 uses the word thrēskeia, which primarily means, fear of the gods. The fundamental thought in “religion” is the performance of duties. In fact, the English word “religion” from Latin, religio, a binding, that is, to bind duties on one, and is an accurate setting forth of the original meaning.

Now this was exactly what was not done in the gospel. “Religious” duties as Such were wholly set aside, and faith in the living Christ substituted. Strictly speaking, a believer is a man who has a Person, not a religion.

The “Judaizers” were those professing to be Christians who were determined to fasten on Christian believers “Iaudaismos,” as Paul calls it. The cross ended all that: the veil was rent, the way to God made wholly open, apart from “religious duties and ceremonies, days, seasons, months and years”! he went forth with a simple message concerning Christ, to be believed by everybody, anybody, anywhere. And all was “for His name’s sake”—Christ’s. And why not! The Christ of glory had done the work, had “emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” He was the “propitiation for the whole world” (1Jn 2:2). We are likely to think of the gospel as something published for our sake only, whereas in fact God is having it published for the sake of His dear Son, Who died. It is sweet to enter into this, as did John: “I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for His Name’s sake” (1Jn 2:12). Preachers, teachers, and missionaries everywhere, should regard themselves as laboring for Christ’s Name’s sake, first of all.

Grace (5485) (charis) (Click study of charis) is God's unmerited, unearned favor, to which a believer does not and cannot contribute anything of worth. Someone once said that grace is everything for nothing for those who don't deserve anything. For the most part, this is an accurate statement but the phrase "everything for nothing" needs to have the caveat that it cost God everything - the sacrifice of His inestimably precious only begotten Son! In short it reads more accurately "everything for everything"!

Donald Grey Barnhouse said that

Love that gives upward is worship, love that goes outward is affection; love that stoops is grace.

Apostleship (651) (apostole) (click related word apostolos or here) means “a sending forth.” As noted earlier not every believer is an apostle in the technical NT sense, but every believer is in a real sense "sent forth" from God and privileged to be an ambassador for Him, going forth with the life transforming message of the gospel of grace and truth. Are you fulfilling your purpose beloved? (cp Eph 2:10-note)

After one of D. L. Moody’s sermons, a highly educated man came to him and said,

Excuse me, but you made eleven mistakes in your grammar tonight.”

In a gracious rebuke Moody replied,

I probably did. My early education was very faulty. But I am using all the grammar that I know in the Master’s service. How about you?”

On another occasion a man came up to Mr. Moody and said, “

I don’t like your invitation. I don’t think it’s the right way to do it.”

I appreciate that,” Moody responded. “I’ve always been uncomfortable with it, too. I wish I knew a better way. What is your method of inviting people to Christ?”

I don’t have one,” the man replied.

Then I like mine better,” Moody said.

When God calls us by His grace, He gives us a purpose to every saint, calling each one to His service.

TO BRING ABOUT THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH AMONG ALL THE GENTILES: eis hupakoen pisteos en pasin tois ethnesin: (Acts 15:14, 15:18, 19;16:19, 16:26; Acts 6:7; 10:4, 10:5; Heb 5:9) 

Obedience of faith - see discussion below regarding the interpretation of this passage (see related discussion )

the obedience that comes from faith (NIV) 

who bring people from every nation to the obedience that is associated with faith (GWT),

in order to lead people of all nations to believe and obey (TEV)

so that they will believe and obey him (NLT)

Obedience (5218) (hupakoe  from hupó = under + akoúo = hear) (Click study of hupakoe) means literally to "hear under" which conveys the picture of listening and submitting to that which is heard. This response often involves a change of attitude in the hearer. The idea is to obey on the basis of having paid attention to. Hupakoe is used six times in Romans (click uses). (See Torrey's Topic on Obedience)

In fairness, it should be stated that the phrase "obedience of faith" is somewhat ambiguous as to Paul's (and God's) intended meaning. Charles Ryrie sums up the two main ways one could interpret this phrase explaining that it could refer to...

Either obedience that leads to initial faith (as in Acts 6:7) or obedience that results from faith. (The Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Translation: 1995. Moody Publishers)

After some study on this phrase obedience of faith including review of a very balanced, well written analysis by D. B. Garlington ("The Obedience of Faith in the Letter to the Romans Part I: The Meaning of hupakoen pisteos Ro 1:5; 16:26"  in the Westminster Theological Journal  Vol. 52, Page 223, Fall, 1990), although I favor this phrase as referring to obedience that emanates from genuine faith, it may well be that this phrase is deliberately ambiguous and thus includes both of the primary interpretations Ryrie mentions...

Below are some excerpts from various commentaries reflecting both of the major interpretative views.

The Net Bible Notes give a more detailed analysis of "hupakoen pisteos" writing that this phrase

has been variously understood as

(1) an objective genitive (a reference to the Christian faith, “obedience to [the] faith”);

(2) a subjective genitive (“the obedience faith produces [or requires]”);

(3) an attributive genitive (“believing obedience”); or

(4) as a genitive of apposition (“obedience, [namely] faith”) in which “faith” further defines “obedience"  (NET Bible)

Kenneth Wuest writes that ...

As to the meaning of the words, for obedience to the faith, scholars differ. Some say that it means obedience to the Faith, the Christian system of belief, as in Acts 6:7 where a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Others say that obedience is the obedience which springs from and is produced by faith. (Wuest, K. S. Wuest's Word Studies from the Greek New Testament: Eerdmans or Logos)

A T Robertson writes that obedience of faith in the original Greek text reflects what is referred to as the...

Subjective genitive as in Ro 16:26, the obedience which springs from faith (the act of assent or surrender). (Word Pictures in the NT)

Marvin Vincent another respected Greek scholar writing on the RSV translation "unto obedience of faith" says that...

Unto marks the object of the grace and apostleship: in order to bring about. Obedience of faith is the obedience which characterizes and proceeds from faith. (Vincent, M. R. Word studies in the New Testament Vol. 3, Page 1-5) (Bolding added)

Expositor's Bible Commentary explaining the "obedience of faith" writes that...

The desired response to the gospel message is "obedience that comes from faith" (Gaebelein, F, Editor: Expositor's Bible Commentary 6-Volume New Testament. Zondervan Publishing)

Robert Haldane commenting on the obedience of faith writes that...

Some understand this of the obedience which faith produces; but the usual import of the expression, as well as the connection in this place, determines it to apply to the belief of the Gospel. Obedience is no doubt an effect produced by that belief; but the office of an Apostle was, in the first place, to persuade men to believe the Gospel. This is the grand object, which includes the other. The Gospel reforms those who believe it; but it would be presenting an imperfect view of the subject to say that it was given to reform the world. It was given that men might believe and be saved. The obedience, then, here referred to, signifies submission to the doctrine of the Gospel. (Haldane, R. An Exposition of Romans)

The UBS translator's handbook comments that

Believe and obey translates obedience of faith. This is not “obedience to the faith” (Moffatt), but obedience that is caused by faith (NEB “to faith and obedience”; Goodspeed “obedience and faith”). Although “obedience” and “faith” are nouns in Greek, they describe events rather than objects, and so are better rendered by verbs. The last clause in verse 5, introduced by in order to lead, reflects only a preposition in Greek. However, the relationship between the “apostleship” and the “obedience of faith” involves obvious purpose. Furthermore, in most languages one must make explicit the role of Paul with respect to the people of all nations, and for this reason the TEV makes this relationship explicit by means of the somewhat expanded rendering in order to lead people of all nations to believe and obey. (The United Bible Societies' New Testament Handbook Series or Logos)

Life Application Bible Commentary writes that obedience of faith refers to...

the obedience that comes from faith. This was the desired response to the gospel message and the goal of Paul’s ministry to the Roman Christians—that they would obey God because of their faith in God. The only source for the kind of obedience expected is faith in the one true God and in Jesus Christ, his Son. Faith and obedience are inseparable. Where one is lacking, the other will not be found either. Real faith will always lead to obedience; real obedience comes from faith. (Barton, B, et al: The NIV Life Application Commentary Series: Tyndale or Logos)

The Preacher's Commentary notes that...

Wherever he went the objective was the same—to bring people to “obedience to the faith.” It is important to note that for Paul “faith” was considerably more than an intellectual assent or even an attitude of trust. Faith, in his preaching, constituted a life-style of obedience, so wherever he went he presented truth to which people should assent, promises they should trust, and commands they should obey. His goal and burning desire was to bring people to the point where they would “trust and obey” Jesus Christ. (Briscoe, D. S., & Ogilvie, L. J. The Preacher's Commentary Series.  New Testament. 2003. Thomas Nelson or Logos) (Bolding added)

John MacArthur writes that

The message of the gospel is to call people to the obedience of faith, which is here used as a synonym for salvation...It is not that faith plus obedience equals salvation but that obedient faith equals salvation. True faith is verified in obedience. Obedient faith proves itself true, whereas disobedient faith proves itself false. It is for having true faith, that is, obedient faith, that Paul goes on to commend the Roman believers... Together, faith and obedience manifest the inseparable two sides of the coin of salvation, which Paul here calls the obedience of faith. (MacArthur, J: Romans 1-8. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

J Vernon McGee adds that...

Obedience to the faith is very important to God. God saves us by faith, not by works; but after He has saved us, He wants to talk to us about our works, about our obedience to Him. I hear many people talk about believing in Jesus, then they live like the Devil and seem to be serving him. My friend, saving faith makes you obedient to Jesus Christ. (McGee, J V: Thru the Bible Commentary:  Thomas Nelson or Logos) (Bolding added)

If one says they have believed in the gospel of God and yet continually are disobedient to God, then that individual needs to be wary and should prayerfully look at Paul's warning in (2Cor 13:5).

On the other hand, Paul is not saying that works gain God's favor, but he is saying that a "working" faith produces a change in one's behavior. For a great "summary" of the relationship of salvation to works study (Ephesians 2:8; 2:9; 2:10 see notes Ep 2:8; 9; 10)

Man is saved by grace alone but the faith that saves is never alone (see James 2:17ff), but brings forth fruit in keeping with repentance (Mt 3:8, Lk 3:8).

Note that it is widely taught that "once saved, always saved" and I agree with that, with the caveat that the initial salvation is genuine! Some (even in evangelical circles) teach that a man or a woman can simply pray a prayer to accept Jesus into their heart, and then live the rest of their life just as they did before they obtained the "fire insurance" policy. These teachers conclude that such a person is saved. This website respectfully disagrees with that teaching. And I think Paul (and James) would likewise disagree for the faith that genuinely saves, is the faith that results in obedience.

Albert Barnes explains that the obedience of faith means

in order to produce, or promote obedience to the faith; that is, to induce them to render that obedience to God which faith produces. There are two things therefore implied.(1) that the design of the gospel and of the apostleship is to induce men to obey God. (2) that the tendency of faith is to produce obedience. There is no true faith which does not produce that. This is constantly affirmed in the New Testament..." (Barnes Notes on the Bible)

Augustine said

Let the acts of the offspring indicate similarity to the Father

Romans opens with obedience
and closes with obedience.

In the final chapter Paul mention obedience twice writing thus "forming the archway through which one enters the portal and by which one departs this magnificent cathedral of sacred literature"....

For your obedience is come abroad unto all men (see note on Ro 16:19)

And again explaining that by the Scriptures the "preaching of Jesus Christ" has been

made known to all nations for (the goal) the obedience of faith  (see note Romans 16:26)

Other translations of (Ro 16:26) are rendered...

to bring about the obedience of faith (NET)

so that all nations might believe and obey Him (NIV)

with a view to the obedience to the Faith among all nations (Wuest)

John Piper writes that...

True, God-exalting OBEDIENCE comes from FAITH. Any other kind of OBEDIENCE is not true OBEDIENCE at all. (Why Does it Matter Which Came First: Circumcision or Justification?) (Bolding added)

Faith alone saves but the faith that saves is inextricably linked with obedience. Tragically there are many in our day who teach that there is no vital relationship between faith and obedience. Listen to what some of the giants of the Christian faith have to say about faith and obedience.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts upon them, may be compared to a wise man, who built his house upon the rock. (See notes Matthew 7:24) — The Lord Jesus Christ

Faith is the fountain, the foundation and the fosterer of obedience. — C. H. Spurgeon

Believing and obeying always run side by side. — C. H. Spurgeon

When a person truly trusts Christ, he or she will obey Him. — Warren Wiersbe

We see in the flood account (we see that) God has always saved people the same way: by grace (Ge 6:8), through faith (Heb 11:7)... (and) True faith leads to obedience (Ge 6:22; 7:5). — Warren Wiersbe Expository Outlines

James 2:14-26 (see notes) discusses the relationship between faith and works, and James uses this event to illustrate his main point: true faith is always proved by obedience.— Wiersbe Expository Outlines

Faith that saves has one distinguishing quality; saving faith is a faith that produces obedience, it is a faith that brings about a way of life. — Billy Graham

What saves is faith alone, but the faith that saves is never alone. —J. I. Packer

Faith must have adequate evidence, else it is mere superstition. — A. A. Hodge

Faith is the starting-post of obedience. — Thomas Chalmers

Hebrews 11:17, 18, 19 indicates that Abraham believed that God could even raise Isaac from the dead! In short, Abraham proved his faith by his works. His obedience to the Word was evidence of his faith in the Word. His faith was made perfect (brought to maturity) in his act of obedience. — Warren Wiersbe

He does not believe that does not live according to his belief. — Thomas Fuller

The best measure of a spiritual life is not its ecstasies but its obedience. —Oswald Chambers

The obedience that springs from faith is the obedience of a son, not of a slave.  — Thomas Brooks

Faith and obedience are bound up in the same bundle. He that obeys God, trusts God; and he that trusts God, obeys God. — C. H. Spurgeon

Obedience is the hallmark of faith. — C. H. Spurgeon

If we would know whether our faith is genuine, we do well to ask ourselves how we are living. — J. C. Ryle

The scriptural doctrine of justification by faith alone, without any manner of goodness or excellency of ours, does in no wise diminish either the necessity or benefit of a sincere evangelical obedience. — Jonathan Edwards

The threefold purpose of the Bible is to inform, to inspire faith and to secure obedience. Whenever it is used for any other purpose, it is used wrongly and may do actual injury. The Holy Scriptures will do us good only as we present an open mind to be taught, a tender heart to believe and a surrendered will to obey.— A W Tozer

It is faith alone that justifies, but the faith that justifies is not alone. —John Calvin

Only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes. —Dietrich Bonhoeffer

The Bible recognizes no faith that does not lead to obedience, nor does it recognize any obedience that does not spring from faith. The two are opposite sides of the same coin.— A W Tozer

In His Word, God tells us again and again that as believing children we are to live by faith and we are to walk by faith. This reference is to God's believing, trusting people and to the kind of faith that is saving faith. There are many other brands of faith being displayed in our world today. Saving faith—biblical faith—is on the highest level, for it is the life of trust and obedience that our Lord requires of us.— A W Tozer

The difficulty we modern Christians face is not misunderstanding the Bible, but persuading our untamed hearts to accept its plain instructions. Our problem is to get the consent of our world-loving minds to make Jesus Lord in fact as well as in word. For it is one thing to say, "Lord, Lord," and quite another thing to obey the Lord's commandments. We may sing, "Crown Him Lord of all," and rejoice in the tones of the loud-sounding organ and the deep melody of harmonious voices, but still we have done nothing until we have left the world and set our faces toward the city of God in hard practical reality. When faith becomes obedience then it is true faith indeed. — A W Tozer

A visitor, passing through a certain department of a large shop, noticed a set of regulations written on a blackboard. He also noticed that, in several particulars, every man in the shop was disregarding them. He questioned the foreman concerning the matter. At first the man was reluctant about answering him. Finally he said, "Those rules were written by one of the firm. He has neither wisdom nor judgment. If we should follow his directions, we would ruin a good part of the work." The men took their own way because they lacked faith in their commander. However else we may characterize it, failure to obey is simply lack of faith.— Bible Illustrations

The man that believes will obey; failure to obey is convincing proof that there is not true faith present. To attempt the impossible God must give faith or there will be none, and He gives faith to the obedient heart only. Where real repentance is, there is obedience; for repentance is not only sorrow for past failures and sins, it is also a determination to begin now to do the will of God as He reveals it to us.— A W Tozer

Among the Gentiles - This phrase identifies Paul's primary missionary field which was selected not by himself but was "by the will of God". Jesus Himself designated Paul as

a chosen (ekloge = "a picking out" or selection translated elsewhere in Romans as "election" ) instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel (Acts 9:15)

Later in Acts Paul recalls Jesus' commission to

Go! For I will send you far away to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21)

Bearing witness before King Agrippa, Paul explains that Jesus' declared He was sending him to the Gentiles

to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts