Running Head: PAUL’S GOSPEL AND MISSION 1
Paul’s Gospel and Mission
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PAUL’S GOSPEL AND MISSION 2
Paul’s Gospel and Mission
Content of the Verses
In the opening of Paul’s letter to the Romans, the first seven verses provide a summary of
the main themes that will be discussed in the letter. The verses focus on describing who Paul is
and how he got the authority to minister to people not as his own master but as a slave reflecting
the authority and will of God. In particular, the designation slave is specifically, one of the main
identities that members of the Roman churches are motivated to embrace for themselves. Paul
aims to model a self-understanding that he hopes the Roman community will also adopt (English
Revised Standard, 2022). Paul clarifies his purpose that is coined in terms recalling the call of
prophets where he is called to be an apostle set apart for the good news or gospel of God. In the
brief verses, Paul has demonstrated that he is writing on behalf of Christ and is working with a
purpose towards the gospel of God objective (Romans 1:1-7).
How Jesus was Appointed Son of God
According to the first seven verses of the chapter, Paul describes Jesus as having been
appointed son of God through the Spirit of holiness and by the resurrection from the dead. Paul
does not contradict himself in these verses but rather was appointed with power to be the Son of
God. This means that Jesus has always been the Messiah, a descendant of David but his
resurrection concluded and validated the messianic work of redemption that gave Him new
power to bring salvation to all individuals who would believe in Him. The resurrection was the
changing point because previously, he was the Son of God in meekness, weakness, and lowliness
through his flesh. The appointing also happened through the Spirit of Holiness affirming the link
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between the Holy Spirit and the resurrection. The Spirit in this case denotes the one who raised
Jesus of the dead; God (Nicole-Anderson, 2013).
The meaning of the Obedience of Faith
Paul Says through Him (the Son of God) we have received grace and apostleship to bring
about the obedience of faith. This means that grace is not just obtained by faith, but it also aims
at faith. God provides gifts of grace for us to be His instruments in bringing about the obedience
of faith. Therefore, the obedience of faith denotes obedience that comes from faith or obedience
which is faith because the gospel demands faith. Faith in this can also mean acts of faith. The
scriptures affirm that faith and obedience is the main purpose of Paul’s ministry (Romans 1:1-7).
The Purpose of Paul’s Call to Apostleship
In the scriptures, the main purpose of Paul’s call to apostleship is to minister to the
Roman community about the Son of God Jesus Christ who is the descendant of David. The
message illustrates the promises found in the Old Testament as fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In
particular, Paul focuses on explaining that Jesus is not only human but also the Son of God in a
way that people are not. Through grace, the main apostleship is to bring about the obedience of
faith among the Gentiles. He has also received grace and apostleship which entails his
commission to share the gospel with non-Jewish peoples (English Revised Standard, 2022).
Paul’s Motivation for Mission
It was the gospel that save Paul and become the purpose of his preaching. He was
separated from the rest for the world-proclamation of the Roman faith making Paul give thanks
to God. He desired to go to the Roman community to preach the gospel of God. Paul had a bond
of common faith with Romans. The church today is often misled by believing in false apostles
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disguised as the angel of light. It should adopt Paul’s motivation for mission by ensuring that the
main purpose of apostleship and grace is to spread the gospel of God and bring about the
obedience of faith (Nicole-Anderson, 2013).
References
PAUL’S GOSPEL AND MISSION 5
English Revised Standard. (2022). Romans 1:1-17. Retrieved from Bible Study Tools:
https://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/romans/1.html
Nicole-Anderson, V. (2013, December 22). Commentary on Romans 1:1-7. Retrieved from
Working Preacher: https://www.workingpreacher.org/commentaries/revised-common-
lectionary/fourth-sunday-of-advent/commentary-on-romans-11-7-4
