“Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle (special messenger, personally chosen representative), set apart for [preaching] the gospel of God [the good news of salvation]” (Romans 1:1 AMP).
The Biblical book of Acts tells us that God enabled Paul the Apostle to perform miracles that were so astounding that some began to revere him as a god (see Acts 14:8-15). But Paul preemptively dismissed that notion for the benefit of his Roman audience by identifying himself as a “bond-servant of Christ.”
In the original language of the passage, the word “bondservant” is a direct translation of the word “doulos.” (1) That term denotes someone who willingly relinquishes his or her rights, privileges, and entitlements in service to another. While ordinary servants might welcome an opportunity to gain their freedom, a bondservant is someone who willingly accepts that position. One Biblical scholar expands on these definitions with the following insights…
“The Greek word doulos, which is the word servant in the KJV, is more accurately translated by the word slave. In the ancient world a servant was a hired employee who could come and go and even resign if he wanted. But a doulos was owned by a kyrios, a master or lord. He was the purchased property of the slave owner.
This imagery is frequently used in the New Testament to reflect the relationship between Christ and his people. We belong to Christ—our kyrios, our Lord and Master. He has the right of an owner to impose obligation on us. Because Paul so clearly understood that believers have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, he called himself a doulos, or slave, of Jesus Christ.” (2)
Paul was one of several New Testament leaders to adopt this title, a list that included Peter (2 Peter 1:1), Epaphras (Colossians 4:12), James (James 1:1), and Jude (Jude 1:1). But even more significant is the fact that Jesus leads by example in this area…
“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
With this in mind, the following portion of Jesus’ message to His disciples at the last supper adds an important layer of understanding to our text from Romans 1:1…
“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:12-17).
(1) G1401 doulos https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g1401/kjv/tr/0-1/
(2) Sproul, R. C. (1992). Before the face of God: Book 1: A daily guide for living from the book of Romans (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House; Ligonier Ministries.