As I have studied each work in Romans 1:1 more carefully than ever in the past, I have come to see that Paul's "simply" introduction to the Romans, is more than it appears. What I have come to love about the Greek language is that it has such a deeper and richer meaning than our English language. Essentially what Paul is saying is this:
Paul is a permanent slave (bond-servant) to Christ (the annointed one, the redeemer) whose will is completely consumed by the One to whom he is a slave (God), who is appointed to office (called) by divine calling, having been conformed to God's saving purpose to be an apostle (a special office established by Christ Himself) to declare God before all the world, and he was set apart by distinction destined to be different, to stand out, to be noticed (and likely criticized and even hated for it), and to be given a mission to be a witness for God. Paul had a HIGH calling. A HIGH mission; one of distinction and monumental purpose; one which he had not choice but to accept and to fulfill but likely would have even if he was given the choice. His will was consumed by God's so that he had no choice, nor did he have any other desire!
What a life purpose to strive for! How short do I fall.
The question naturally arises from Romans 1:1, "Are we called to be the same kind of bond-servants of Christ as Paul was? Are you to be the same kind of slave to God; our will being completely consumed by His?"
As I invested this matter, I arrived in Romans 6:15-18.
15What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slavesbold to the one whom you obey—whether you are slavesbold to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slavesbold to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. 18You have been set free from sin and have become slavesbold to righteousness.
In this passage, the word for slave as used on all occasions in verses 16 and 17 are the same as used in Romans 1:1. In verse 18, it changes slightly to be a variation of the same word. In verse 18 it is used in the passive voice thus indicating that the action is received by the hearer. It carries the idea then of being made a servant, being subjugated. It is an action applied to the person regardless of choice.
If that is as clear as mud, let me summarize or put it this way: When we were unregenerate, we were slaves to sin. Our entire being, our entire will was bent on doing evil. We had no choice but to obey the sinful nature because we were bound to it. We had no capability or desire to do what was right. When God changed our nature and our will, enabling us to do what is right, and when we willing gave our lives to God in repentance and reconciliation, we also at this same moment, offered ourselves to being obedient to God, thus enslaving ourselves to Him instead of sin. We were slaves, are slaves, and will also be slaves. The issue is not a matter of whether we are slaves, but to whom.
Thus, we too can say as Paul did, that we are bond-servants/slaves to Christ. Our will is to be completely consumed by His. Our desires ought to be completely consumed by His. However, this is not a reason for alarm, fear, resentment, or anger. Rather, this is a tremendous blessing, honor, and motivating calling to a higher purpose in life. This is a position that ought to bring great comfort and purpose to us. If I had my choice of being a slave to sin or Christ, well...my answer is Christ!
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