Paul often describes himself as a “slave” (or “servant”) of Christ, showing his deep sense of commitment and submission to Jesus as his master. This idea appears across several of his letters, emphasizing that following Christ involves willingly yielding one’s life to God’s purposes. Here are some key passages:
1. Romans 1:1 – “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
– Here, Paul opens the letter by calling himself a *doulos* (Greek for “slave” or “bondservant”) of Jesus, emphasizing his total dedication to serving Christ.
2. 1 Corinthians 7:22 – “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.”
– Paul reminds believers that regardless of their social status, they are all “slaves” of Christ, implying that they belong to Jesus, who has redeemed them.
3. Galatians 1:10 – “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
– Paul stresses that his ultimate allegiance is to Christ, not to people, describing his life as one committed to serving his Lord.
4. Philippians 1:1 – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.”
– In his greeting to the church in Philippi, Paul refers to both himself and Timothy as servants of Christ, acknowledging their roles as committed followers of Jesus.
5. Romans 6:22 – “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
– Paul explains that believers, once enslaved to sin, are now slaves to God, which leads to a life of holiness and the ultimate reward of eternal life.
6. 2 Corinthians 4:5 – “For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
– Here, Paul describes his ministry as one where he and his companions are “servants” to others for the sake of Jesus, again using the concept of servanthood or slavery to express his dedication.
Paul’s references to being a “slave” of Christ represent a profound commitment. For him, this wasn’t a burden but a joyous and willing submission to God’s love and grace, recognizing Jesus as his ultimate authority and master. This devotion was at the core of his identity and ministry.
