Note 1 on Romans 1:1

[Chukwuemeka]

Note 1 on Romans 1:1

Romans 1:1 (KJV): Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Paul introduces himself as, "a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God".

“… a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ”

The word rendered "servant" there means "slave". Some commentators and Bible translations have expressed it as "bondservant" or "bond-slave", both of which essentially mean the same thing- slave.

A slave has been defined as "a person who is the property of another person and whose labor and also whose life often is subject to the owner's volition." (Wiktionary).

This means that as believers, we are slaves of the Lord for we all belong to Him by virtue of His purchase/redemption (for His redemption is His purchase) of us- 1Cor. 6:19,20; 1Cor. 7:23; 1Pt. 1:18,19; 2Pt.2:1; Acts 20:28- and we are to live unto Him: 1Cor.6:20; 2Cor.5:15; Rom.6:10-22; 8:12; 14:7-9; Col.3:17,23,24; Eph. 6:6,7; 1Pt.2:24. In fact, in some of these Scriptures, the Bible refers to us as slaves of the Lord (the Authorized King James Version [KJV] actually uses servant, perhaps because of the negative meanings associated with the word slave).

Now, lest we are uncomfortable with being described as slaves, it is important to note that Paul's use of the word (and indeed its application to believers) simply expressed the fact that he totally belonged to and was completely owned by the Lord as his absolute Master and lover and is devoid of any negative connotations of the word in today's world.

In other words, while we are each owned by the Lord by virtue of His purchase/redemption and are to live unto Him, our being slaves of Jesus Christ is quite different from the modern day ideas of slaves.

It is in fact an expression of love for it was of love and for good that He purchased us to Himself: Lk. 1:77,78; Eph. 1:7; 2:4,5; 5:2, 23-27; John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 2:20; Tit. 3:4; 1John 4:9,10; Rev 1:5; Mt. 20:28; Gal. 1:4; 1Pt.2:9,10; Tit. 2:14; Eph. 5:25-27. Additionally, it coheres with our freedom and sonship in the Lord and the fact that we are joint heirs with Christ. See for example, John.15:15; Gal.4:7; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:17; Eph. 5:21-32; 6:6-8; Col.3:22-24, etc.

In sum then... Share: Note 1 on Romans 1:1

 

[Winken]

It is always a blessing to read / hear a precise insight into the slave / servant truth.

 

[RC1970]

I think the term bondservant (or bond-slave) is the best rendering. This is akin to indentured slavery and in Paul's case is entirely a willful act on his part. Paul is recognizing that he owes his Master a debt to which Paul can not repay.

The "modern day" slavery that you are referring to would be described as "unlawful restraint" or "man stealing" or even kidnapping. This type of slavery is completely involuntary and unjust.

Also, Paul said:

"Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?" ~ Romans 6:16

So, we have no choice but to be slaves.

 

[Chukwuemeka]

It is always a blessing to read / hear a precise insight into the slave / servant truth.

True and thanks

 

[Greg J.]

God always owned everyone. What Jesus did was enable us to be able to choose to accept slavery to God instead of being forced to be a slave to sin. You see language in the NT about us being slaves that indicates it is only by our choice (e.g., Romans 6:17, 22).

However, do not get stuck on what it means to be a slave to God, there is more to it than that. We choose to be slaves (from our point of view), but God's (perfect) point of view is that we are sons (and daughters) and we can behave like sons with God. We are not restricted to what only slaves do.

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:7, 1984 NIV)

 

[Chukwuemeka]

God always owned everyone. What Jesus did was enable us to be able to choose to accept slavery to God instead of being forced to be a slave to sin. You see language in the NT about us being slaves that indicates it is only by our choice (e.g., Romans 6:17, 22).

However, do not get stuck on what it means to be a slave to God, there is more to it than that. We choose to be slaves (from our point of view), but God's (perfect) point of view is that we are sons (and daughters) and we can behave like sons with God. We are not restricted to what only slaves do.

So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:7, 1984 NIV)

You are right! We shouldn't get stuck on what it means to be a slave of/to God. There's no reason to.
However, it really isn't a choice. We already are as Christians- because we are owned by a loving Father who has bound us to all of His love, wealth and goodness. What the Bible enjoins us to do is to keep submitting ourselves to God.

So yes! In that regard, we do have a choice. We can choose as slaves- beloved sons owned and possessed by a Good good Father- to submit to our Master and His Grace for us or to submit to the law, sin, death, the elements of this world, etc.

It the latter to which Paul refers to in Gal.4:7. He is telling us that in Christ we are no longer slaves to the elements of the world but are now sons- heirs of the Father and joint-heirs with Him who is Master over all!

God bless you!

 

[Ken Rank]

Note 1 on Romans 1:1

Romans 1:1 (KJV): Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Paul introduces himself as, "a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ called [to be] an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God".

“… a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ”

The word rendered "servant" there means "slave". Some commentators and Bible translations have expressed it as "bondservant" or "bond-slave", both of which essentially mean the same thing- slave.

A slave has been defined as "a person who is the property of another person and whose labor and also whose life often is subject to the owner's volition." (Wiktionary).

This means that as believers, we are slaves of the Lord for we all belong to Him by virtue of His purchase/redemption (for His redemption is His purchase) of us- 1Cor. 6:19,20; 1Cor. 7:23; 1Pt. 1:18,19; 2Pt.2:1; Acts 20:28- and we are to live unto Him: 1Cor.6:20; 2Cor.5:15; Rom.6:10-22; 8:12; 14:7-9; Col.3:17,23,24; Eph. 6:6,7; 1Pt.2:24. In fact, in some of these Scriptures, the Bible refers to us as slaves of the Lord (the Authorized King James Version [KJV] actually uses servant, perhaps because of the negative meanings associated with the word slave).

Now, lest we are uncomfortable with being described as slaves, it is important to note that Paul's use of the word (and indeed its application to believers) simply expressed the fact that he totally belonged to and was completely owned by the Lord as his absolute Master and lover and is devoid of any negative connotations of the word in today's world.

In other words, while we are each owned by the Lord by virtue of His purchase/redemption and are to live unto Him, our being slaves of Jesus Christ is quite different from the modern day ideas of slaves.

It is in fact an expression of love for it was of love and for good that He purchased us to Himself: Lk. 1:77,78; Eph. 1:7; 2:4,5; 5:2, 23-27; John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; Gal. 2:20; Tit. 3:4; 1John 4:9,10; Rev 1:5; Mt. 20:28; Gal. 1:4; 1Pt.2:9,10; Tit. 2:14; Eph. 5:25-27. Additionally, it coheres with our freedom and sonship in the Lord and the fact that we are joint heirs with Christ. See for example, John.15:15; Gal.4:7; Rom. 6:16-23; 8:17; Eph. 5:21-32; 6:6-8; Col.3:22-24, etc.

In sum then... Share: Note 1 on Romans 1:1

The idea of a slave as we have been raised to use that word and how it was understood then are not the same. A Slave... a servant.... was part of the family back then and to be a slave to Christ today would mean the same thing... that we are part of His family but still submitted and in service to him at the same time.