1:1 Paul. Ancient letters began with the general formula, “A to B sends greetings.” Using his Roman name, Paul fills out this formula with Christian significance both in his self-description (vv. 1–6) and in the style of his greeting (vv. 7, 8).

servant. Someone totally at the disposal of a master (text note).

apostle. An official messenger of the gospel. See 2 Cor. 1:1 note.

gospel of God. God is both the source and the theme of the message; it is the message “of” God. Here and elsewhere, Paul’s trinitarianism surfaces (1:3, 4; 5:1–5; 8:3, 4, 9–11, 16, 17; 14:17, 18; 15:16, 30).