Paul, An Apostle Called And Set Apart For GOD's Good News

"From Paul, a servant of JESUS CHRIST,

an apostle, called and set apart for GOD's Good News,

the very promises HE foretold HIS prophets in the sacred Scriptures,

regarding HIS Son, who was born in the flesh a descendant of David,

and has been recognized as the Son of GOD, endowed with Power,

upon rising from the dead, through the Holy Spirit.

Through HIM, JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, and for the sake of HIS name,

we received grace, and mission in all the nations, for them to accept the faith.

All of you, the elected of CHRIST, as part of them

you, the beloved of GOD in Rome, called to be holy:

May GOD our FATHER, and the LORD JESUS CHRIST, give you grace and peace."

- Romans 1:1-7

(Paul, an apostle called and set apart for GOD's Good News.  Paul speaks of the Gospel three times in this paragraph.  In his time the word Gospel, which signifies Good News, conveyed the meaning of victory.  Paul presents himself as one announcing the liberating message given to all humankind.

What is Paul's Gospel?  He develops it briefly in the following lines.  The Son of GOD has come down to earth and after sharing our common condition, has through HIS Resurrection, taken possession of the glory due to HIM.

An apostle called and set apart... The Twelve apostles were selected by JESUS and confirmed in their mission by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.  Here Paul reminds us that he himself was made an apostle by JESUS, who met him in the road to Damascus.

Recognized as the Son of GOD.  Another possible translation: constituted, or designated as Son of GOD.  That does not mean that JESUS was not the Son of GOD before HIS resurrection, but HE was so really one of us that nothing of HIS divinity showed.  On the day of the resurrection, the Spirit of GOD "invaded" HIS human nature: from now on HE is present and active in our history as the Son of GOD.

Paul usually reserves the term "GOD" for GOD the FATHER, fountain of the divine being, from whom all divine initiatives originate.  The FATHER communicates HIS life to the Son.  The Son, for HIS part, reflects this life back to the FATHER in such a way that they mutually generate the Holy Spirit.  The whole vocation of a Christian is rooted in this life of GOD, and that is why Paul constantly mentions the names of the three divine Persons.)

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