ROMANS 1:1
The book of Romans is a theological
masterpiece. Stam reflects the common view that it is “one of the most
profound, yet one of the most enlightening books of the Bible—indeed of all
literature”[1]
The epistle opens with the conventional
form of letters in that time—writer’s name; recipients; and greetings. Paul packs a world of information into the
salutation about his position, purpose, and message. The salutation is one
sentence in the Greek text (1:1-7). It is also the longest salutation given by
Paul.
As we begin to reflect on Romans, let us
begin with the beginning—Romans 1:1. It opens the epistle with centering upon
Paul’s position. It is twofold:
1. He is a servant of Jesus Christ.[2]
Unlike the Roman world which looked down on servants, and would never refer to
themselves as servants—Paul lifts the word to a place of honor and respect. It
is the biblical view, not the worldly view. This view saw being a servant of
the Lord as honorable (Gen. 18:3; 2 Sam. 7:19; Amos 3:7). While some understand
the word as simply an expression of humility, it speaks of our position in
relation to God—we are his servants (cf. 6:22). It marks ownership. He is a
purchased possession of Christ (just like us). Being a servant suggest two things:
property and obedience. We are His to do as He wills us to do. No matter what
other responsibility we have in the church,
we are first of all obedient servants before we can be anything else.
2. Paul is “a called apostle” (cf. 1
Cor. 1:1). The word apostle indicates
one sent to command under the authority of another. The word specifies an identification of office, authority, and
responsibility. Outside the New Testament is was used rarely indicating an old
navy term for one sent to command a ship. It also signified a royal aspect, for
one sent in the name of the king, an emissary. An apostle was one sent to
represent his ruler or master. He was an apostle by calling—not
self-appointment, arrogance, or ambition (Gal. 1:1; 2 Cor. 1;1; Eph. 1:1; Col.
1:1; 2 Tim. 1:1). It is a divine gracious mandate. “God is mentioned
at once as the primary legitimating factor behind Paul’s life work.”[3]
Calling himself an apostle indicates the consciousness of his commission and call by God. This was a direct call from God
through the vision of Christ on the Damascus road (Acts 9:3-6, 15-16; 26:15-18;
1 Cor. 9:1). He is identified as the Apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13), the
only one to be so designated. His authority was delegated to him to be both
servant and apostle to the Gentiles. Paul
is Christ’s Apostle unto the Gentiles for the dispensation of grace. William R.
Newell says, “Throughout
church history, to depart from Paul has been heresy.”[4]
[1] C.R. Stam, COMMENTARY ON THE EPISTLE OF PAUL
TO THE ROMANS, [Chicago IL
[2] Used 4 times in the first seven verses.
[3] James D. Dunn, THE THEOLOGY OF PAUL THE
APOSTLE, [Grand Rapids MI, Eerdmans, 1998], 29.
[4] William R. Newell, ROMANS: VERSE BY VERSE,
[Chicago, Moody Press, 1938], 2.
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