Romans 1:1 - Paul's Magnum Opus

Romans 1:1 - "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ, called as an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God,"

Message: A convert of Christianity, a Pharisee, explains the Gospel of God and speaks of the true and complete message of Jesus Christ.

Time: Romans written sometime in AD 57-58, probably from Corinth, at the end of the third missionary journey. Paul was on his way to deliver monies collected from the Gentile churches to the Jewish church in Jerusalem. After Jerusalem, Paul wanted to stop in Rome to meet the church there before going on to preach the gospel in Spain. This letter is written to the Romans to introduce himself to the church there and to explain the message he preached throughout the world.

What the Lord is Saying:

Paul, is a bond-servant of Christ, as I am likewise. In Galatians 1:10, Paul says, "Am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." Paul is speaking almost 30 years after the death of Christ on the cross and yet Paul is speaking as if Jesus is present at the same time he is. Bond-servant is the word doulos which means slave.

"God, it doesn’t matter what You tell me to do, I am willing to be submissive to Your will."

Paul is called as an apostle. I am not an Apostle in the official sense, but I am still a called one. I have been called by God.

Paul has been set apart for the Gospel of God. There is a special distinction on Paul's life. His calling is different from others. His mission is to preach the gospel. So, he is a slave, he is called an apostle, but his special purpose is to preach the Gospel of God. As this book begins, we must realize what it is, the Gospel in the truest sense.

Promise: We are people with a mission - to share the Gospel of God.