Why Did Paul Say “My Gospel?”
“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” – Romans 2:16
At first glance, Paul’s phrase “my gospel” might sound prideful, exclusive, or possessive. Yet, when we study the context of his writings, we find that it was not arrogance, but rather, a focus on the uniqueness of the revelation. Paul was not claiming ownership of salvation but declaring a distinct message given to him directly by Jesus Christ. It marked the beginning of a new dispensation of God’s grace and revealed the mystery of Christ that had been hidden since the world began, entrusted to him first (Eph 3:1-9; Col 1:25-27).
This "my gospel" was not the gospel of the kingdom preached by Peter and the twelve concerning Israel’s prophetic program and covenants (Acts 3:18-21), but the gospel of the grace of God revealed for this present age (Acts 20:24; Gal 1:11-12).
Paul’s Distinct Use of “My Gospel”
Paul uses the phrase “my gospel” three times in scripture.
Romans 2:16 – “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” Paul affirms that his gospel from Christ carries authority. All people will one day be judged by the truth revealed through this message.
Romans 16:25-26 – “Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest…” Paul reveals that his gospel centers on “the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.” This truth, hidden from all ages past, was revealed first to Paul and explained the full significance of the cross, forming one new spiritual body of both Jew and Gentile without distinction, the Body of Christ (Eph 2:8-22; 1Ti 1:11-16, Col 1:18).
2 Timothy 2:8 – “Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel.” Paul highlights the resurrection as central to his message. Though Christ’s resurrection was prophesied, the revelation of what it fully accomplished, justification freely by grace through faith apart from works, was uniquely revealed to Paul (Rom 3:21-26; 4:24-25).
The Gospel of Grace Was Uniquely Paul's
One reason Paul called it “my gospel” was because it was given to him “by revelation of Jesus Christ” (Gal 1:11–12), not by the other apostles. His apostleship was unique: he was not one of the twelve sent to Israel with a prophesied kingdom message, but was commissioned by the risen Christ as the apostle of the Gentiles (Rom 11:13).
God entrusted him with a specific stewardship: "the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints.” (Col 1:25–26). He explained that this gospel ministry was not his choice, but a divine commission, given to him directly from Christ Himself. This is why he could not compromise it:
“For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.”– 1 Corinthians 9:16-18
This "dispensation of the gospel" was uniquely committed to Paul to share with the world, which is why he refers to it as "my gospel."
This unique commission is why Paul identifies himself as the "pattern" for believers in this dispensation of grace. He was entrusted with the "glorious gospel," as he explains to Timothy:
“According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.”– 1 Timothy 1:11-16
Paul was made the chief example of God's grace to show that if God could save him, the "chief of sinners," He could save anyone by grace through faith. It is in Paul first (“me first”) that we see the pattern for belief to eternal life, through faith in the gospel of grace. Not John the Baptist, not Jesus in His earthly ministry to Israel, not Peter and the other 11 kingdom apostles, but from the resurrected Christ through the apostle Paul as the masterbuilder for the church (1Co 3:10).
The Gospel of Grace for Today
Paul's gospel, the "word of reconciliation" (2Co 5:19), is the only message of salvation for today. We see it stated most succinctly in 1 Corinthians 15:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you... by which also ye are saved... how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"– 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
This gospel reveals a righteousness from God that is apart from the law. It is a righteousness received by faith alone, not earned by works.
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested... Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believth in Jesus." – Romans 3:21-26
Salvation is a free gift, not a wage to be earned. If we work for it, we are paid what we are owed (death and hell); but if we trust in God's perfect work and sacrifice for sins alone, our faith is counted for righteousness.
"Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." – Romans 4:4-5
This righteousness is credited to us because Christ paid our debt on the cross and His resurrection proved the payment was accepted. We are saved by believing in the one who "was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom 4:24-25).
Conclusion
Paul said “my gospel” because it was a new revelation committed directly to him by the risen Jesus Christ. It revealed the "mystery of Christ": that through faith alone in the gospel all can be saved, justified, identified, sanctified, sealed with the Holy Spirt, and destined for glory as a part of a new spiritual entity, the Body of Christ. This once-hidden message, now revealed, is the foundation of God’s work today, offering salvation by grace through faith alone to all people.
Let us never be ashamed of this gospel but boldly proclaim it, knowing that it reveals the riches of God’s grace and the power of His salvation to all who believe (Rom 1:16; Eph 3:8-9).
