“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” -Romans 1:1
How a person introduces himself is telling. Since the Apostle Paul had never been to Rome, in the introduction to his letter to the church organized there, his descriptors needed to give them some idea of the integrity of his person and ministry.
To do this, Paul identifies himself as a doulos (servant) of Jesus Christ. Doulos is also translated slave and implies he is under the complete and utter control of Christ.
Next, he acknowledges that he is called (officially invited to serve) to the office of an apostle, that is one who has been sent by Christ. It is important to note that his choice to answer the calling is voluntary but not exactly optional.
Finally, Paul is set apart for the gospel of God. That is, he has been consecrated to do a specific work, the work of preaching and ministering to Gentiles.
The language he uses seems to indicate that he had, at least proverbially, identified with the OT slaves who affirmed their allegiance to their masters even after their obligations were up, because the circumstances on his Master’s estate were clearly blessed of God and better for his family (Exodus 21:1-6).
In essence, like the slave, Paul could honestly say, ‘I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free.’
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