32 : 28. This was especially the case when the individual was advanced to some new office or dignity, Gen. 41 : 45. Dan. 1 : 6, 7. Hence a new name is sometimes equivalent to a new dignity, Apoc. 2:17. As Paul seems to have received this name shortly after he entered on his duties as an apostle, it is often supposed, and not improbably, that it was on account of this call that his name was changed. Thus Simon, when chosen to be an apostle, was called Cephas or Peter, John 1 : 42. Matt, 10:2. Since, however, it was very common for those Jews who associ- ated much with foreigners to have two names, one Jewish and the other Greek or Roman; sometimes entirely distinct, as Hillel and Pollio; sometimes nearly related, as Silas and Silvanus, it is perhaps more proba- ble that the apostle was called Saul among the Jews, and Paul among the heathen. As he was the apostle of the Gentiles, and all his epistles, except that to the Hebrews, were addressed to churches founded among the heathen, it is not wonderful that he constantly called himself Paul instead of Saul. He styles himself « servant of Jesus Christ. This term IS often used to express the relation in which, under the New Testament, the apostles stood to Christ, as in Gal. 1 : 10. Phil. 1 : 1, &c., as in the Old Testament the phrase servant of God expresses. the relation in which any one employed in his special service stood to God, Josh. 24 : 29. Num. 12 : 7. Judges 2 : 8, &c. &c. It is therefore a general official designation.
Called an apostle. The word rendered called, means also chosen, ap- pointed, see vs. 6 and 7 of this chapter. 1 Cor. 1 : 1. and 24. Rom. 8 : 28. compare Isaiah 48 : 12. " Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel my called," i. e. my chosen. 51: 2. 42 : 6. In the epistles of the New Testa- ment this word is rarely if ever used in reference to one externally called or invited to any office or blessing, but uniformly expresses the idea of an effectual calling, or of a selection and appointment. Paul begins several of his epistles by claiming to be thus divinely commissioned as an apostle, because his appointment was different from that of the other apostles, and its validity had frequently been called in question.
The term apostle or messenger, with few exceptions, is applied exclu- sively to those thirteen individuals appointed by Jesus Christ to deliver to men the message of salvation ; to authenticate that message by signs and wonders, Heb. 2 : 4, and especially by their testimony as eye-wit- nesses of the resurrection of Christ, Acts 1 : 22. 2 : 32. 3 : 15. 1 Cor 15: 15; and to organize the Christian church by the appointment of officers and the general ordering of its affairs. It was therefore neces- sary that an apostle should have seen Christ after he rose from the dead, ICor. 9: 1.
Separated unto the gospel of God. The word rendered separated ex- presses the idea both of selection and appointment. Lev. 20 : 24, 26. Acts 13 : 2. Gal. 1 : 15. Paul was chosen and set apart to preach the gospei of God ; that is, the gospel of which God is the author.
(2) Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures