Paul, Slave of Jesus Christ

Passage: Romans 1:1-2

Last week I read from Philippians 3 where Paul tells us the credentials he used to introduce himself before his dramatic conversion/transformation.

I am a Hebrew of Hebrews, belonging to the people of Israel, to the tribe of Benjamin.  I am a Pharisee.  I am righteous under the law, blameless.  I am more zealous than my peers.

Paul could have introduced himself to the Romans saying, I am the greatest apostle, the first great missionary, who has suffered more than all the other apostles, planter of many churches, doing great works and miracles for God, author of more books in the NT than anyone else.

Paul begins this letter with three phrases that are his new set of credentials, the new letters after his name.  This is Paul’s view of himself.  Notice how different these credentials are to the ones he gave in Philippians 3.  What a transformation.

A slave of Christ Jesus.

Called to be an apostle.

Set apart for the Gospel of God.