In the first place, lets be clear. Paul did not always refer to the Gospel message as "my gospel" and often referred to it as "the gospel" as can clearly be seen from the following:
Romans 1:1,9, 16; 10:16; 15:19, 20
1Corinthians 1:17; 4:15; 9:12, 14, 16, 18, 23; 15:1
2Corinthians 2:12; 4:3, 4; 8:18; 9:13; 10:14, 16
Galatians 1:11; 2:2, 5, 7; 4:13
Ephesians 1:13; 3:6; 6:15, 19
Philippians 1:5, 7, 12, 16, 27; 2:22; 4:3, 15
Colossians 1:5, 23
1Thessalonians 1:5; 2:2, 4; 3:2
1Timothy 1:11
2Timothy 1:8, 10
Philemon 13
At Ephesians 3:7 Paul refers to the Gospel as "this gospel." At 2 Corinthians 11:7 and 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9 he refers to the Gospel as "God's gospel." At 2Thessalonians 2:14 he refers to the Gospel as "our gospel."
Some erroneously argue that because Paul refers to the Gospel as "my gospel" at Romans 2:16; 16:25 and 2Timothy 2:8 that this somehow is evidence or proof that Paul, and not Jesus founded New Testament Christianity. Since Paul has referred to the Gospel as "the gospel," "the gospel of Jesus Christ," and as "God's gospel," and as "our gospel," it is clear that Paul did not invent the Gospel message. Why then did he refer to the Gospel as "my gospel" three times? The answer is very simple when one actually takes the time to read of Paul's writings, and reads of his conversion experience on the Damascus road. Paul was so changed by the Gospel message and his experience with Jesus Christ that he embraced the Gospel message of Christ as his own. He began to live his life for the Gospel message and made it his life. The Jehovah's Witnesses have a song that they sing in their meetings entitled, "Make The Truth Your Own" which means to embrace the truth and make it your life, and while I don't agree with their theology, I do agree with the words of the song, and this is what each and every genuine Christian ought to be doing. We should make the Gospel message our own, just as Paul had done. When we are totally committed to the Gospel as Paul was, then we too can refer to it as "my gospel" because of taking ownership and responsibility for proclaiming it.
Rev. Jack Howell
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God to salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
