Who Was Paul
Romans 1:1-17

Perhaps, next to Jesus Christ there was no man that made a greater impact on the world besides the apostle Paul. He wrote most of the New Testament, he established the first churches in the Roman Empire.

Paul wrote one of the most important, if not the most important, book in the New Testament, the Book of Romans.

Having not met most of the believers in Rome personally, (Paul was not the founder of the church in Rome), Paul gave a longer than usual introduction in his letter to them. He made extra effort to tell them who he is and what his mission was.

A. His Calling from God

1:1 – “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle and set apart for the Gospel of God.”

Paul said three things about himself...

1. He was a servant of Jesus Christ. He voluntarily offered himself to serve Jesus Christ no matter what. He wanted to stay as God’s servant regardless of the trials, problems, and persecutions that come in serving God.

The fact is, we are all servants to someone or something. If we are not serving God then we are serving something else or someone else. Who are you serving? (Romans 6:16)

2. He was called to be an apostle. Paul belonged to a group of men especially called to be Christ’s “sent ones.” He was sent to the Gentiles to call people to come to faith in Christ.

3. He was one set apart for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul had dedicated his whole to the propagation of the gospel. He had no other mission or ambition but to spread the good news of salvation found in Jesus Christ.

B. His Concern for the Believers in Rome

Although Paul was not the one who founded the church in Rome, and although he had never met a majority of believers in Rome, still, he was concerned for their welfare. (1:7-8)

His concern for them was manifested in the following ways...
1. He thanked God for them. (v.8) He was thankful for them because of their good testimony. The whole world [the whole Roman Empire] was talking about their faith! Everywhere he goes Paul hears about their faith.

Rome was not exactly an easy place to be a Christian. Yet, these believers stood out like shining stars on a dark night.

2. He prayed for them. (v.9) Paul prayed for people he had never met before, and he was willing to be the answer to those prayers.

He wanted to go to Rome to share with them his gifts so that there will be mutual encouragement and mutual edification. (vs.10-11)

3. He was obligated to them. (vs.14-15) Paul felt he owed the cultured and uncultured Romans, the wise and the foolish Romans, to come and preach to them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

C. His Confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

The reason why Paul voluntarily stayed as a slave of Jesus Christ, why he willing went to where he was sent by Jesus Christ, why he was set apart for the gospel, why he wanted so much to go to Rome and share his gift of teaching, preaching to them the gospel was because he has full confidence in the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

He says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel...” Paul was not ashamed of the Gospel because of what it is and because of what it does.

1. It is God’s power to save and change lives. The Gospel is man’s only hope. Without the gospel there can be no salvation, no deliverance and no life. Everything God wants for us is to be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. And it can be appropriated simply by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. It is only through the Gospel that we can have the righteousness of God. We have no righteous of our own. Our righteousness are as filthy rags, Isaiah said. If we are to be righteous God must give us His righteousness. (Romans 3:21-22; 4:3)