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It is incredibly interesting to me that Paul - perhaps the most useful individual of the New Testament - inspired and sent by God to accomplish more than any other one individual in the church age, would begin this epistle as Paul, "a servant". Just a common servant of Christ - nothing special in his own eyes, but most descriptively a servant of Jesus Christ.
It is of great importance that Paul in this introduction points to his servitude before announcing his apostleship. Or the fact that he wsa a powerful preacher of the gospel of God.
I find this order very interesting: today, many will boast of their incredible preaching, communicating, or speaking abilities; yet Paul didn't glory in those things. No instead, he was first and foremost: a servant. How powerful - what kind of impact would we also have on this lost and dying world if we first thought of ourselves as merely servants, or even bond-servants of our Lord?
Paul does go on to emphasize the fact that it was God who called him to be an apostle - he always uses this word (apostle) as a position, rather than a title. We are the ones who get hung up on titles - not Paul. We call him the Apostle Paul, while he refered to himself simply as Paul, an apostle. Nevertheless he was an apostle (sent one) and his mission was clear - to preach the gospel (good news) of God.
Again, Paul is quick to point out that if we desire to be the servant God has called, if we desire to be sent by God to do His will, we must be separated for His purposes. Not a part of this world, but separated unto God for His use and for His glory.
Paul puts things into incredible perspective for all of us in this opening verse to the church that is in Rome. Praise God for such incredible examples that we can follow.