ISB ~ Romans 1 v1

Paul:A Roman surname used consistently since the early days of his apostolic ministry (Acts 13:9). Before this he went by his Hebrew birth name, “Saul”. Like Paul, many Jews of the NT period had both a Semitic and Hellenistic name (Acts 1:23; 9:36; 12:12; 13:1).

a servant:Or, “a slave”. Paul does not use this term to suggest that his submission to Christ is degrading or inhuman. The point is that Paul has made his entire life a gift to Christ and has placed all of his talents and energies at the service of the mission assigned to him (CCC 876).

an apostle:An emissary or messenger sent by the risen Jesus to spread the gospel (1 Cor 9:1; Gal 1:1).

• Paul right away calls himself an apostle, not to boast of his authority, but so that others will be moved to read the letter more earnestly and attentively (Theodoret of Cyrrhus, Interpretation of Romans).

set apart:Even before birth Paul was consecrated for his apostolic mission (Gal 1:15).