Examining Paul’s Apostleship
The apostleship of Paul stands distinct in the Christian faith, characterized by unique aspects that set him apart from the original twelve apostles. His role was not an extension of the foundation laid by the twelve kingdom apostles (Rom 15:20), but concerned the grace dispensed to him, a hidden message made known to him first: the mystery of Christ.
“[1] For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, [2] If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: [3] How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, [3] Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) [5] Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; [6] That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: [7] Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. [8] Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [8] And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God” – Ephesians 3:1-10
In 1 Corinthians 9:1-3, Paul defends his apostleship and poses a multitude of questions for us to ponder concerning who he is, what he had done, and what he was preaching. Just as those in Corinth examined Paul, let us also consider his apostleship and why the instructions he received from the Lord are the most prevalent for us today in the dispensation of grace.
“[1] Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? [2] If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. [3] Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,” – 1 Corinthians 9:1-3
A Unique Apostleship
Paul poses a rhetorical question in 1 Corinthians 9:1-3, "Am I not an apostle?" This is not a question of doubt but an affirmation of his unique apostleship. Unlike the twelve who were chosen to preach the gospel the kingdom to Jews, Paul was called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, as he states in Romans 11:13. His encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:15-16, 26:12-18) and subsequent commissioning, revealed a different gospel – one of grace apart from the law, apart from covenants, and apart from Israel – to be preached (Gal 2:7-9). Paul's own testimony of his life-changing experience and divine commissioning showcased his unique apostleship and Christ’s new pattern for salvation (1Ti 1:11-16).
“[7] But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; [8] (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) [9] And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.” – Galatians 2:7-9
“[11] According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust. [12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; [13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. [14] And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. [15] 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. [16] 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’s Freedom
In 1 Corinthians 9:1, Paul continues and asks, "am I not free?" Paul’s freedom is manifold; he speaks of liberty in Christ from sin's bondage (Rom 6:22-23), freedom in his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:28-29), and the freedom to serve Christ by faith (Gal 2:20). Paul’s freedom in Christ and his dual identity as a Jew and a Roman citizen made him a bridge between cultures, allowing him to understand and effectively reach people all over the world, an ideal vessel for the message of Christ to both Jews and Gentiles (Eph 2:11-17).
“[19] For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” – 1 Corinthians 9:19-22
The Last to Encounter the Risen Lord
Paul's apostleship is also authenticated by his encounter with the resurrected Christ. He continues in 1 Corinthians 9:1, "Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?" As the last to witness the resurrected Christ (1 Corinthians 15:8), Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus was a direct commission from the Lord Himself, as profound as the encounters of the original apostles (Acts 9:15-16). The Lord’s last given instructions were to Paul, completing the canon of scripture, making known His manifold wisdom, and revealing the mystery of His will for the ages.
“[24] Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church: [25] Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; [26] Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: [27] To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:” – Colossians 1:24-27
“[10] To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [11] According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:” – Ephesians 3:10-11
“[9] Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: [10] That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:” – Ephesians 1:9-10
The Proof of His Apostleship
The Corinthian believers themselves served as the "seal of mine apostleship" (1 Corinthians 9:2). Their salvation, marked by the receiving of the Holy Spirit, was the living proof of the authenticity of Paul's apostleship (2 Corinthians 1:22, 12:11-13, Eph 1:13). These believers were saved through the gospel that Paul preached, the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
“[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” – 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Challenging Carnal Perceptions
Yet, Paul's apostleship was scrutinized just like today, especially by those who judged by outward appearances (2 Corinthians 10:7-12). His meekness and service to others often didn't match the Corinthian's expectations of power (2 Corinthians 11:5-7). And while they questioned his authority, they tolerated moral and doctrinal chaos within their midst (2 Corinthians 11:18-20), showing a clear inconsistency in their judgment.
Paul’s apostleship demonstrates how God can use unexpected and imperfect vessels to carry His perfect message of redemption to all corners of the world. His ministry, given to Him by the resurrected Christ, set a pattern of grace, freedom, and evangelism that continues to stand as the pattern for those in the Body of Christ today.
“[16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.” – 1 Corinthians 4:16
“[1] Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. [2] Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1-2
“[17] Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.” – Philippians 3:17
“[16] 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 1:16
