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This paper examines Paul's rhetorical goal in describing himself as a ”δοῦλος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ” in Romans 1:1. In the Norwegian Bible translation, the Greek word ”δοῦλος” has previously been translated as ”servant” but the translation may be changed to ”slave” in the 2024 revision. This sparked a debate about potential negative connotations. Through exegetical analysis and review of scholarly perspectives, this paper highlights the historical context and theological significance of Paul's designation of himself. I argue that the slave metaphor, which was a potent term in antiquity, enabled Paul to simultaneously emphasise several aspects of his identity and relationship to Christ and the church in Rome. The term emphasised his total submission to his master, Christ. It also drew an implicit parallel to the situation of the familia Caesaris slaves in the Roman church, and it reinforced the divine origin and importance of Paul's apostolic authority. Also, it related to Paul's teachings on baptism, in which believers are freed from slavery to sin by binding them to a new master. The translation of δοῦλος as slave in Romans 1:1 holds the layers that this metaphor conveyed in its context of identity, status, solidarity and liberation for Paul and the earliest Christians. It summarised important theological positions. In this paper, I suggest that the struggle with connotations ¨ Äåof ”slave” in modern culture should not deter it from conveying key aspects of Paul's message. |
