1:1 Paul. See Introduction to Romans: Author and Date; see note on Acts 9:1. apostle. In general terms, it means “one who is sent with a commission.” The apostles of Jesus Christ—the 12 and Paul—were special ambassadors or messengers chosen and trained by Christ to lay the foundation of the early church and be the channels of God’s completed revelation (see note on Rom. 1:1; cf. Acts 1:2; 2:42; Eph. 2:20). not from men … but through Jesus Christ. To defend his apostleship against the false teachers’