Romans 1:1

Romans 1:1-7. Greeting

1. Paul On the name, see Introduction, i. § 2.

a servant Strictly, a bondservant. So Philippians 1:1; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Judges 1. For exposition of the word see Romans 6:18-19, with 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Titus 2:14 (where "a peculiarpeople" means "a people of possession"). The Christian is his Lord's bondsman (1) as purchased, (2) as self-surrendered. St Paul thus describes himself before the mention of his special, apostolic, branch of bondservice. This Epistle is the earliest in which St Paul uses the word in the exordium.

of Jesus Christ Cp. Rom 14:18; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Ephesians 6:6, &c. To St Paul the Divine Son, as truly as the Father, is his absolute Master and Possessor. The sacred Name and Title (Jesus, Christ,) occur togetherin the Gospels five times, in the Acts often, in the Epistles perpetually. It is most important to remember that Christis merely the Greek version of the Hebrew Messiah(Anointed). As used in Scripture, it thus constantly refers back to O. T. prophecy, and to the truth (uttered by Messiah Himself, John 4:22,) that "salvation is of the Jews."

called At his conversion. Cp. 1 Corinthians 1:1. For the terms of the call see Acts 26:17-18. This call is distinct from the call to be a Christian, on which see Romans 1:6-7; Rom 8:28; 1 Corinthians 1:24.

an apostle Lit. an envoy, missionary; in Gospels and Acts, always in the special sense of an immediate Delegate from the Saviour. In Romans 16:7, the sense is, perhaps, more extended [31]; so, too, Philippians 2:25 (where E. V. "messenger"). St Paul needed often to insist on the fact and rights of his apostleship. 1 Corinthians 9:1-2; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 1:1.

[31] But see note there.

separated For the special work of an Apostle. This was (1) in God's sure purpose (Galatians 1:15-16; cp. Jeremiah 1:5); (2) at his conversion (Acts 9:15); (3) at Antioch (Acts 13:2; "separateme, &c.").

the gospel of God The Message of Good sent from God and revealing Him. So Rom 15:16; 2 Corinthians 11:7; 1 Thessalonians 2:2, &c. In a special sense it is the Gospel of Christ, in whom alone is the true revelation of God (Matthew 11:27; John 17:3).