Why does Paul say he speaks to the Gentiles in Romans?
Paul says he speaks to the Gentiles because he is the apostle of the Gentiles. The twelve were apostles of the Jews, but Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, so he addresses them directly in Romans and again writes, “I Paul, Jesus Christ for you Gentiles” in Ephesians.
Les teaches that Paul’s statement in Romans is rooted in his distinct apostleship. He explains that the twelve were apostles of the Jew, but this man, Paul, is the apostle of the Gentiles, and he tells his audience not to lose sight of that. Les then points to Ephesians 3:1, where Paul says, “For this cause I Paul, Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,” referring back to everything he had written in chapters one and two. This confirms Paul speaks to Gentiles because his commission is to them.