pvj-02 Word Studies: Paul's Claimed Relationship to Jesus and the Apostles¶
G652: apostolos (apostle)¶
Definition: From G649 (apostello, "to send forth"); a delegate, specially an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ ("apostle"), with miraculous powers.
NT Usage (81 occurrences): - Applied to the Twelve: Mat 10:2, Mrk 6:30, Luk 6:13, Acts 1:26 - Applied to Paul: Rom 1:1, 1 Cor 1:1, 9:1, 15:9, 2 Cor 1:1, 12:12, Gal 1:1, Eph 1:1, Col 1:1, 1 Tim 1:1, 2:7, 2 Tim 1:1,11, Tit 1:1 - Applied to Jesus: Heb 3:1 - Applied to Barnabas: Acts 14:14 - Applied to others (messengers): 2 Cor 8:23, Php 2:25 - False apostles: 2 Cor 11:13, Rev 2:2 - Applied to Andronicus and Junia: Rom 16:7
Key Observation: Paul uses apostolos of himself in nearly every epistle opening. The term has a narrow sense (the Twelve + Paul as specifically commissioned by Christ) and a broader sense (church delegates/messengers, as in 2 Cor 8:23).
Concept Context (author scope): When Paul uses apostolos, he consistently pairs it with "of Jesus Christ" and "by the will of God" or equivalent, establishing divine commission as the basis.
G2098: euangelion (gospel)¶
Definition: From G2097 (euangelizo, "to announce good news"); a good message, the gospel.
NT Usage (77 occurrences): - "Gospel of the kingdom": Mat 4:23, 24:14 - "Gospel of God": Rom 1:1, 15:16, 1 Thess 2:8, 1 Tim 1:11 - "Gospel of Christ": Rom 1:16, 1 Cor 9:12,18, Gal 1:7, Php 1:27 - "My gospel": Rom 2:16, 16:25, 2 Tim 2:8 - "Our gospel": 2 Cor 4:3, 1 Thess 1:5, 2 Thess 2:14 - "The gospel": Gal 2:5,14, Php 1:12, 4:15 - "Another gospel": Gal 1:6, 2 Cor 11:4
Key Observation: Paul uses "my gospel" (to euangelion mou) three times. Romans 16:25 equates "my gospel" with "the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery." The content of "my gospel" in 2 Tim 2:8 is "Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead" -- the standard Christian kerygma. In Gal 1:6-7, Paul explicitly states that the "other gospel" troubling the Galatians "is not another" (ouk allo) -- there is only one gospel.
G602: apokalypsis (revelation)¶
Definition: From G601 (apokalupto, "to uncover"); disclosure, appearing, coming, manifestation, revelation.
NT Usage (18 occurrences): - Paul's gospel source: Gal 1:12 ("by the revelation of Jesus Christ") - Paul's Jerusalem visit: Gal 2:2 ("I went up by revelation") - Paul's visions: 2 Cor 12:1 ("visions and revelations of the Lord") - The mystery revealed: Rom 16:25 ("the revelation of the mystery") - Eschatological: Rom 2:5, 8:19, 1 Cor 1:7, 2 Thess 1:7, 1 Pet 1:7,13, 4:13 - Spiritual gifts: 1 Cor 14:6,26 - Knowledge of God: Eph 1:17, 3:3 - Revelation of John: Rev 1:1
Key Observation: In Gal 1:12, apokalypsis Iesou Christou can be parsed as either objective genitive ("a revelation about Jesus Christ") or subjective genitive ("a revelation from Jesus Christ"). The context of Gal 1:15-16 ("to reveal his Son in me") supports the subjective genitive -- Christ himself revealed the gospel to Paul. Paul's use of apokalypsis in Eph 3:3 similarly refers to the mystery "made known unto me by revelation."
G1589: ekloge (election, choosing)¶
Definition: From G1586 (eklegomai, "to select"); divine selection, election.
Relevant to Acts 9:15: "He is a chosen vessel (skeuos ekloges) unto me." The genitive construction "vessel of election" emphasizes divine selection for a purpose. Luke uses the same root (eklegomai) for Jesus choosing the Twelve in Acts 1:2: "the apostles whom he had chosen."
Key Observation: The same vocabulary of divine election is applied to both the Twelve (Acts 1:2, Luk 6:13) and Paul (Acts 9:15). The choosing is attributed to God/Christ in both cases.
G5570: pseudapostolos (false apostle)¶
Definition: From G5571 (pseudes) + G652 (apostolos); a spurious apostle, pretended preacher.
NT Usage (1 occurrence): 2 Cor 11:13 -- "For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ."
Key Observation: Paul's use of this term indicates an awareness that the title "apostle" could be claimed falsely. His defense of his own apostleship in 2 Cor 11-12 is set against this backdrop. The existence of false apostles does not determine whether Paul himself is genuine or false -- that is established by the evidence.