Romans 1:1
Posted by Romans on Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Paul
identified himself
first as a servant of Christ Jesus. “Servant” (doulos) means
slave, a person owned by another. Paul wore this title gladly (Gal. 1:10; Titus
1:1), reveling in the Old Testament picture of a slave who in love binds
himself to his master for life (Ex. 21:2-6).
Paul also identified
himself as an apostle—one sent with delegated authority (cf. Matt.
10:1-2)—a position to which he was
called. (Lit., the Gr. is, “a called apostle.”) This calling was from God
(Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:1), though it was acknowledged by men (Gal. 2:7-9). It involved being set apart (from
aphorizō;
cf. Acts 13:2) for the gospel of God, the message of good news from God
that centered on “His Son” (Rom. 1:2, 9) which Paul was “eager to preach” (v. 15)
without shame (v. 16). This setting apart did not keep Paul from making tents
to support himself and his companions (Acts 20:34; 1 Thes. 2:9; 2 Thes. 3:8)
nor from mingling freely with all levels of pagan society. It was a setting
apart to something—a commitment and dedication, not from things in isolation
like the Pharisees. (Interestingly the word “Pharisee” means “separated one” in
the sense of being isolated and segregated.)
Walvoord,
John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge
Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books,
1983-c1985,
