#1. Romans 1:1 - Who?

 Part I: Introductions

Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, a called apostle, severed for the evangel of God…

There were a number of ways I wanted to try dissecting Scripture, but I figured the best way to do it would be to read line by line and add notes after everything, considering how tough some of these run-on sentences can be (leave it to God to pick a writer that forgets to use periods!)

Let’s start with our man “Paul.” Paul’s name, Paulos, is at the head of every letter he writes to the nations. His name has the Greek root “CEASE,” as though God has ceased dealing with Israel for the time being, instead dealing with the nations. This can be proven Scripturally by recalling when he is first named “Paul,” being in Acts 13:9, his first documented instance of preaching the evangel to one who isn’t a Jew. I’ll definitely have more to explain on this topic in the coming chapters, but let’s let that sit for now.

There’s the question of who Paul is. Paul is an ex-Pharisee – an ex-religious zealot. He was, indeed, one of the priesthood’s finest. He was called out of this in the famous story in which he was blinded on the road to Damascus by Christ. People know all about this story, they can cite the verses (Acts 9:1-5,) but they fail in explaining why exactly Christ did this to Paul (then Saul) specifically. The answer is that Paul had to be called out this way, by the ascended Christ, to show that his evangel was not in line with Jesus’ teachings while he was on earth, nor was it in line with Peter (Gal. 1:1, and, if you study the structure of the book of Acts, you will find a notable contrast between Peter’s ministry in the first half of the book, and Paul’s ministry in the second half.) Christ, ascended, as opposed to descended, gives Paul the charge to herald a separate message to the nations. I won’t be making any major moves to prove this statement, as it will become evident in this very chapter before Paul even gets into any doctrinal teachings (not to mention Paul clarifies it outright in other places.)

This is, interestingly enough, already a notable point of contention among mainstream Christianity. Even some in the body of Christ cannot understand that there is a separation between the evangel that Peter presents, and the evangel that Paul presents (Gal. 2:7-8.) Yet it is crucial if we are to properly understand the secrets unveiled by Paul in this letter – lest we remain ignorant to God’s simple statements.

Then there’s the ominous term “slave.” It stands out, doesn’t it? No one considers themselves “slaves” to Christ these days considering the negative connotation, but is it really all that inaccurate, considering how much Paul and his buddies suffered at the time (see: the whole book of Acts)? In Galatians 1:4, Paul calls this world part of the “current wicked eon,” which is a super fancy way of calling the world evil. Paul also calls the world “enslaved” to sin itself later in this letter (Rom. 6:20.) “Slave” to Christ gives us the notion of property, or servitude. When man calls another man their “slave,” people riot in the streets and Tarantino makes a movie – this is clear. So why isn’t Paul rioting, and how, in fact, did this ex-Pharisee-murderer (yes, we’re reading the words of one we’d call a convicted felon) end up so humbled, even in this affliction, calling himself a slave? It’s so blatant and powerful that it’s the second word God displays in His Greek evangel.

He (and us in the body of Christ, in effect) endure this world that does not know Christ, and keep the faith through these trials, whether we would like it or not. If you know you are one in Christ, then you know that everything you face is a lesson, designed to teach you… something (we’ll get there as we read.) Regardless, whether you accept the knowledge or not, you are a slave to it. How you feel does not change the fact either way.

Who is Paul enslaved to? Christ Jesus. This is the reverse of what we are commonly taught by religious institutions; the Greek puts “Anointed,” or “Christ,” or “Christos,” first. This is to show that we are dealing with a celestial, ascended Lord (the ascended One that blinds Paul.) When Jesus Christ is in reference, we are dealing with Christ in relation to His terrestrial sojourn, not His celestial position.

Paul speaks authoritatively, too. Ironic, isn’t it? In contrast to the term “slave” (which many instinctively correlate with “under” or “beneath,”) Paul calls himself an “apostle,” which is a dignifying title. The word “apostle,” in Greek, apostolos, literally reads as “commissioner.” He was appointed to complete a task – he is commissioned with something, from God. Interesting that this murderer is given such a high position, no?

And it is here, a few words into Romans, that we stand face-to-face with the first major example of Paul’s separate teaching from that of Peter and the other followers of Jesus. This is the first phrase that can (and should) really challenge the notion that “the words in red are all you need.” The phrase is this: Paul is “severed for the evangel of God.”

The word “severed” is fascinating. It is not “set apart,” for there is another word for “set apart” which we will cover later. Many translations translate this word “separate,” and this is closer to its meaning. The word is aphorizo, and there are many uses by which there are separations – that is, established boundaries – between two different, completely opposing groups. It is used of severing the wicked from the midst of the just (Matt. 13:49.) It is used of Christ severing each nation from one another (Matt. 25:32.) It is used of a shepherd severing sheep from kids (Matt. 25:32.) It is used of a child being severed from his mother’s womb (Gal. 1:15.) Here, the distinction is just as extreme – Paul is severed for the “evangel of God.” (Acts 13:2.)

All of this highlights a differing nature of Paul’s writings. There is a distinction in the very first letter presented by Paul that denotes a separate audience than that of the rest of the Bible. Sure enough, like I discussed in my intro, we have evidence to  the fact that Paul is speaking to someone other than the Israelites, specifically, unlike the other speakers in the New Testament (Matt. 15:24, “The Letter to the Hebrews,” Jam. 1:1, 1 Pet. 1:1, etc.) Clearly Paul is severed from the rest of the apostles to share… some good news, directly of God.

So… what is it?

What is the “evangel of God?” The Greek elements of the word “evangel” are “WELL-MESSAGE,” and literally has to do with “good news.” If someone is giving you an “evangel” that is not good news, then you won’t find it here in Romans (and there will be numerous examples of this throughout this study.) We will read what the evangel of God contains in the next few verses. Nonetheless, this “good news” of God is news what Paul is severed for. Keep in mind that we are dealing with an ex-murderer!

The words “slave,” “called,” “severed…” these are not the words of one who caused something. Paul is telling us, in the very first line of his address, in three different ways, that in no way, shape or form did he inaugurate any of what you’re about to hear. This good news is being given by someone who has been shown the truth of God outside of the religious institutions (Acts 17:24-25.) Paul is the channel in which this evangel is being delivered, but he isn’t the Source. He is the dealer, not the manufacturer. He didn’t whip this up in an RV somewhere and call himself “Heisenberg.” Further study will indeed show that he (nor could any one man or group of people) have a story so consistent for it to be a falsehood. And who would willingly say they’re a slave to something otherwise??

This is going to be a dense study.

To sum up, let’s take a look at all three points that Paul states concerning himself:

1)    A slave of Christ Jesus

2)    A called apostle

3)    Severed for the evangel of God

With these three points, you can already begin to see a divine structure, believe it or not. Romans 1:1-6 follows a similar structure as the evangel itself, as we’ve studied a fair bit, now. I won’t go into great detail on it quite yet, but when we fully discover it, I want you to keep the idea in mind as we progress through the letter. For now, we begin with one person – Paul, who was once Saul: the murderous, hating Pharisee. It is this man that is called, into the evangel of God.

In the words of George Rogers, “The evangel is good news, not good advice.” God is the Source of this good news. This is a declaration from Him. There are many who proclaim that the word of God is not inspired, but man-made. But sufficient divine structure and a careful study of the Greek language should be sufficient evidence to the supernatural perfection of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Penned by Paul? Sure. But inspired and authorized by God. Now, this begs the question…

Who is God?

I’m glad you asked.

The God that you are going to be introduced to in the letter to the Romans is unlike any other. This “God” is not present in your church. This “God” is not ‘made’ in a temple made by hands (Acts 17:24-25.) This “God” is not a whiny cry-baby who throws people He doesn’t like out forever and ever (1 Tim. 2:4, 4:4, 4:10, Eph. 1:9-11, Col. 1:19-20.) This “God” will be unlike any man you’ve ever known. And it will shine a light on the entire Bible in a way you’d have never thought possible.

Who is God? We have stumbled, inadvertently, upon the purpose of the letter. We are asking the very critical question that invites Paul’s writings. We are not asking philosophical jargon about God – we are being honest. Who is He? What is His character truly like? We hear stories from all these “interpretations” all over the planet, but… why are we trying to learn from our peers, as if they know? Why don’t we just… accept that we don’t, if we must grasp Him from a secondary Source? I don’t know. Do you know? I didn’t think so (Job 38:1-5.)

Who is God? Well, there’s one way to find out: His evangel. The good news of God speaks to His character. Throughout this entire evangel, we are to discover what He thinks. We read of everyone’s perspective, and yes, while you read this study, you will be catching some of my perspective. But the declarative facts Paul states are not to be twisted in favor of some pre-supposed theology. This is a severance for the evangel of God – which means that any previous portions of Scripture did not contain this kind of perspective that we are about to study. In here, we will see on display what God is thinking, in this special letter, which is severed – disconnected from the previous portions of Scripture.

Who is God? Let’s accept our role in humanity, and be dumb. I don’t know. Do you know? I guess neither of us do. But if He wants to introduce Himself, why don’t we continue? Who is He? What does this “God” have to say?

- GerudoKing