Romans 1:1

 Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

a. NLT: This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

b. NIV: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—

     

c. YLT: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, having been separated to the good news of God --

d. Amplified Bible Classic: From Paul, a bond servant of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) called to be an apostle, (a special messenger) set apart to [preach] the Gospel (good news) of and from God,

e. Worrell Translation: Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God.

f. Wuest Translation: Paul, a bondslave by nature belonging to Christ Jesus, an ambassador by divine summons, permanently separated to God’s good news.

1. “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ,…

a. Paul [Strong: 3972 Paulos pow'-los of Latin origin; (little; but remotely from a derivative of 3973, meaning the same); Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle:--Paul, Paulus.]

b. a servant [Strong: 1401 doulos doo'-los from 1210; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant.] [Zodhiates: A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other…Metaphorically spoken of voluntary service, a servant, implying obedience, devotion.]

c. Jesus [Strong: 2424 Iesous ee-ay-sooce' of Hebrew origin (3091); Jesus (i.e. Jehoshua), the name of our Lord and two (three) other Israelites:--Jesus.]

d. Christ [Strong: 5547 Christos khris-tos' from 5548; anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus:--Christ.]

1). Paul was called a servant of Jesus Christ and we also are servants of Jesus Christ.

a). 1 Corinthians 7:22  For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.

2). In another sense, to whomever we are presenting our bodies to in obedience, they are the one we servants to.

a). Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servant to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sine unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

b). Romans 1:9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;

2. “…called to be an apostle…”

a. called [Strong: 2822 kletos klay-tos' from the same as 2821; invited, i.e. appointed, or (specially), a saint:--called.    Zodhiates: Called, invited, welcomed, appointed.]

b. [to be an] apostle [Strong: 652 apostolos ap-os'-tol-os from 649; a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle") (with miraculous powers):--apostle, messenger, he that is sent.   Zodhiates: One sent, apostle, ambassador.]

1). Paul was commissioned by Jesus to be the Apostle of the Gentiles: Acts 26:12-18; Romans 11:13.

2). Though not called to be apostles, every believer in the body of Christ is called to be an ambassadoe for Christ.

a). 2 Corinthians 5:17-20   Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

5:18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

5:19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

5:20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

3. “…separated unto the gospel of God,”

a. separated [Strong: 873 aphorizo af-or-id'-zo from 575 and 3724; to set off by boundary, i.e. (figuratively) limit, exclude, appoint, etc.:--divide, separate, sever.] [Zodhiates:    aphorize; apo-from; horizon-to define; “…to separate, select to some office or work.]

1). Galatians 1:15, 16 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I cinferred not with flesh and blood:

2). Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed the in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

a). The calling of God on our lives is ordained before our conception and developing in the womb, which God accomplishes.

b. unto [Strong: 1519 eis ice a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), ...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively).]

c. the gospel [Strong: 2098 euaggelion yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on from the same as 2097; a good message, i.e. the gospel:--gospel.]

d. of God [Strong: 2316 theos theh'-os of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with 3588) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).]