Correlation between Apostle Paul’s teachings and his life.

The Epistles of Apostle Paul are the fruits of his Apostolic endeavors to uncover the

teachings of Christ. They are remarkable because the Apostle does not do this in an abstract

manner, but rather through a close link with the development of the churches established by

him, and through his personal Apostolic labors and personal sufferings. Because the teachings

outlined in his Epistles are closely interwoven with his personality, an understanding of

his life and character would assist in comprehending them. That is why we shall now acquaint

the reader with those aspects of Apostle Paul’s life — which he himself pointed out —

which served as his source in determining questions relating to the Christian teachings on

faith and morality. “ For I am the least of the Apostles, who am not worthy to be called an

Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am,

and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not

I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:9-10). This is how this great “Apostle

of tongues” characterized himself and who was recorded in the annals of the history of the

Christian Church as the “heathen’s Apostle.”

Endowed from birth with abounding mental capabilities, he was brought up and educated

along strict Pharisee principles and by his own words, was more advanced than many of

his contemporaries and in his youth, was exceedingly zealous for the traditions of his fathers

(Gal. 1:14). Consequently, when God selected him in his mother’s womb and called him to

Apostolic ministry, he devoted all the energy and towering strength of his great spirit toward

preaching in the name of Christ among the heathens. This action forced him to suffer much

sorrow from his fellow countrymen that were blinded with disbelief in their animosity toward

Christ.

In studying the life and works of Saint Paul through the Book of Apostolic Acts, it is

truly impossible not to be astonished at the extraordinary, inexhaustible energy of this great

“Apostle of tongues.” It is difficult to imagine how a person lacking in health and physical

strength (Gal. 4:13-14), could sustain so many extraordinary hardships and dangers as

Apostle Paul had to endure, for the glory of Christ. What is especially remarkable is the fact

that as these difficulties and dangers grew, instead of his impassioned zeal and energy

weakening, they increased and became stronger.

Compelled to remember his labors in order to enlighten the Corinthians, the Apostle

writes: “Are they ministers of Christ? — I speak as a fool — I am more: in labors more

abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. From the

Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I

was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in

journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in

perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in

perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst,

in fasting often, in cold and nakedness…” (2 Cor. 11:23-27).

In comparing himself to the other Apostles, his humility prompts him to call himself as

the “least” among them, even though he would have been fully justified in declaring: “But I

labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1

Cor. 15:10).

Indeed, without God’s grace no ordinary human being could undertake such tasks and

accomplish so many deeds. As much as Apostle Paul presented himself before kings as

strong, forthright and unshakeable in his beliefs, so was he decisive and sincere in his relations

with his fellow-brother Apostles. Once, in the city of Antioch — capital of the heathens

in Asia Minor — he did not hesitate to accuse Apostle Peter of hypocrisy when that Apostle’s

motive for censure was flawed (Gal. 2:11-14). This fact is also important in that it clearly

denounces the false assertion of the Roman Catholics that Apostle Peter was designated by

Christ as the “prince above all other Apostles” and as the substitute for Christ Himself (hence

the Roman Popes appropriated the title “vicar of the Son of God”). Being the last to become

an Apostle and having formerly persecuted the Christian Church, would Apostle Paul dare to

accuse the “substitute” of the Lord Jesus Christ? This is absolutely unlikely. Apostle Paul

accused Apostle Peter as an equal, as a brother.