Romans 1:1 (and more reasons why the Bible is awesome)

As I've stated many times before, the Bible amazes me. It's just incredible how rich every single verse is, how much there is to be learned from each verse. This is why it's my belief that every Christian should engage in serious Bible study, alone or in a group. This doesn't necessarily have to involve tons of books or software or anything like that. I'd say you'd be good with a concordance, or even just an internet connection. There's a lot of Biblical information on the internet. However, I also warn you that there is also a lot of pretty weird, even heretical information posing as Christian on the internet, so watch yourself if you decide to go the internet research route.

The following is the result of my study of one verse, Romans 1:1. I realized that a lot of things I've been thinking about, such as how the Christian should relate to suffering, the government, and justice, are all discussed in Romans, so I think I should study it more in-depth.

I should warn you: I am a geek for this stuff. I had my Bible dictionary, some free Bible study software I found called e-Sword (it's really cool, I recommend it, and it's where I get my information on Greek words), my ESVBible account open (complete with the ESV Study Bible notes), etc etc. Bible study doesn't have to be quite this insane. I just like it that way.

Romans 1:1

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,"

Paul introduces himself in the beginning of his letter as a servant of Christ Jesus. This is how he identifies himself: by his faith and his calling. But by saying he is a servant of Christ he’s saying more than just that he serves Him; Paul is saying that Jesus is the only One Who he will ever try to please. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul says that “If [he] were still trying to please man, [he] would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

What I find particularly interesting is the Greek word for “servant” here is δοῦλος (transliterated doulos; pronounced doo'-los). Strong’s numbers give its definition as “a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency)” (G1401) It has the sense of being bound to someone. Another appropriate translation of this word seems to be “bondservant.” Paul is bound to Christ as his servant. He does what his Master commands of him.

This is not the same as the North American institution of slavery, where people were frequently abused by unjust and cruel masters. God is merciful to His own. He loves His people dearly. He truly knows what is best for them, and He always works for their ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Paul next identifies himself as an apostle. His self-identity remains rooted in his calling to serve God, which I think is amazing. Most of us simply say we’re Christians, as well as whatever our profession is or what our hobbies are. Paul’s full and total identity is rooted in Christ alone. He was called by God to the office of apostle.

What is an apostle? According to Strong’s numbers, the word ἀπόστολος (transliterated apostolos; pronounced ap-os'-tol-os) means “a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers)” (G652). Paul was very miraculously called by God to be a messenger to the world of His word (Acts 9:1-18). He was sent by God to teach, to speak to the world about the gospel of God. He also proved his authority with many signs and wonders, which is where the idea of miraculous powers comes from.

The fact that Paul was an official delegate of Christ meant that Paul had equal authority with the Old Testament prophets. The believers of Paul’s day had the Old Testament as their Bible without any New Testament. It hadn’t been fully written yet. The Old Testament, often referred to as “Moses and the Prophets” or “The Law and the Prophets” in the New Testament (Matt. 5:17; 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Luke 16:16, 29, 31; 24:27, 44; John 1:45; Acts 13:15; 24:14; 26:22; 28:23; Romans 3:21) was the written Word of God, meaning the prophets spoke with God’s total authority.

In his first letter to the Thessalonians, Paul writes: “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you [the Thessalonians] received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men; but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers” (1 Thess. 2:13). Paul also challenged the Corinthians with this verse: “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command from the Lord” (1 Cor. 14:37). Paul saw his words, the words of the apostles, as the words of God Himself!

Paul wasn’t the only apostle who believed this. Peter wrote, “[O]ur beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures” (2 Pet. 3:15-16). Do you see what Peter said? He, talking about Paul’s letters, referred to “the other Scriptures.” He’s putting Paul’s words (and his own, as Peter himself is an apostle) on the same level as the Old Testament, the very words of God! This was clearly not a belief Paul alone held.

Lastly, there is incredible significance in what Paul says he was set apart for: the gospel of God. This is a very weighty statement. Gospel means “good message” (Strong’s, G2098). This is the good message of God. This further establishes Paul’s authority, but it is far more significant than Paul’s authority. Later verses in this passage establish just what this good message is. But this verse confirms, along with the later verses, that this good message, this gospel, is of God. It is God’s, it is by His power.