For Christians, Paul is the pinnacle of complete devotion to Christ. He was so devoted that on two separate occasions, he declared to the effect that ‘it was Christ or nothing’ (Acts 20:24, Philippians 3:7-11). Most of what we know now as the building blocks of the Christian faith are based on his writings.
The gospels do a good job of portraying the life and work of Christ. However, through Paul’s many letters, we see how the gospel weaves its way from the Old Testament to our day-to-day lives as Christians. Only through Paul’s writings do we see how the church should be ordered, whether through his letters to Timothy, Titus, or the Corinthians. Through his letter to the Ephesians, we learn in broad detail what Jesus meant when he prayed that we are united in the same way the Father and he are (John 17:20-23). Ephesians 1:3-14 shows us the Trinitarian unity in our salvation. From it, as those brought near, we know the need to maintain this gift of unity we have been given (Ephesians 4:3-6). The crescendo is how we approach this in specific relationships. (Ephesians 5:21-6:9).
I have barely scratched the surface of all Paul contributed to what we know as orthodox Christianity today. In short, we learn a lot from Paul’s writings. However, in this article, our primary focus will be on what we can glean from Paul’s life to help us strive as those who press on without wavering.
From Foremost Sinner to God’s Servant
Paul’s journey towards apostleship was unique in many ways. One wouldn’t be wrong to label him an outsider since he was zealously against the course of the apostles. He was so opposed to their course and teachings that he persecuted them. His conversion story began while he was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians (Acts 9:1-3). While on it, we are told that Paul was breathing threats and supporting the murder of Christians (Acts 9:1). His hatred for Christians was so intense.
However, as 1 Corinthians 15:10 shows, the tables would soon turn. The foremost of sinners became God’s greatest general. A man who actively sought the persecution and destruction of Christianity became her greatest proponent. It was such a radical shift that some Christians at the time found it hard to believe (Acts 9:21, 26). God told Ananias that Saul was now a believer, but Ananias couldn’t help but wonder if God was sure (Acts 9:10-16). However, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, it was only by God’s grace (1 Corinthians 15:10).
We learn from Paul’s conversion that no matter how far off you might seem in the eyes of man, you aren’t too far for God’s grace to reach. 1 Timothy 1:15-16 sums it perfectly: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.”
Counted All to be Loss for Christ
Paul went from being obsessed with accolades based on his zeal to one who regarded his life as valueless for Christ. Scriptures such as Acts 22:3-5, 26:4-11, Galatians 1:13-14, Philippians 3:1-6, and 1 Timothy 1:12-14 portray Paul’s zeal and intellect. However, he counted everything he had accrued as loss for Christ. He was a man who joyfully suffered the loss of all things for Christ.
Focusing on 2 Corinthians 11:22-29, I will highlight some of the tribulations Paul faced. The same Jews who championed his religious crusade against Christians almost beat him to death five times (2 Corinthians 11:24). On three occasions, he was beaten with rods and stoned at another (2 Corinthians 11:25, Acts 14:19). In Acts, we are told how he was imprisoned severally (Acts 16:24; 24:27). As he said, he went through all this on account of the ministry Christ had set him on and for the good of fellow believers (Acts 20:24, Philippians 1:24-26).
On one occasion, when Paul was in prison, some men thought an excellent way to afflict Paul would be by preaching the gospel, albeit maliciously. How wrong they were! Paul instead rejoiced, as he mentioned in his letter to the Philippians. For him, no matter what happened, as long as Christ was exalted, it was worth it (Philippians 1:15-20). For Paul, to live was Christ because it made death gain (Philippians 1:21). From Paul’s life, we can glean the extremities we are to joyfully endure for Christ’s sake. We also learn it isn’t a ‘both-and’ situation when it comes to our commitment to Christ. Either Christ is our ultimate treasure, or he isn’t.
Prayed Without Ceasing
Since Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 urges his readers to pray unceasingly, it stands to reason that he practiced what he preached. In Acts, we are told that as he and Silas were in prison, they prayed and sang hymns (Acts 16:25). They didn’t do these things expecting to be rescued, but because God was their only hope. He prayed for the Ephesian leaders in Miletus (Acts 20:36) and before coming to Jerusalem (Acts 21:5). In almost all of his letters, he wrote of specific ways he was praying for the saints. There were corporate prayers for the churches and individual prayers for men like Timothy (2 Timothy 1:3) and Philemon (Philemon 4-7).
Paul, despite having reached the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2-4), still prayed constantly and never stopped asking for prayer. Even as Christ’s chosen apostle, Paul knew he could do nothing without Christ (Philippians 4:13). His special privilege didn’t matter, as it was all by grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). He was a follower of Christ first and foremost, and he understood that clearly. Like Paul, may we prayerfully entrust ourselves to the one who is a “very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).”
Loved to Fellowship
The man who wrote about the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3) must have surely loved to fellowship with fellow saints. In most of his letters, Paul usually concluded by sending greetings to the saints in the church to which he was writing. We are told of the bonds he formed with men like Timothy, Silas, and Luke, who became his closest confidants (1 Timothy 1:2, 2 Timothy 1:2, Philippians 2:19-24).
We also see how he fostered a relationship with Mark despite being at odds with him early on. There was such a sweet fellowship that grew after reconciliation that Paul wanted Mark by his side when he was about to die (2 Timothy 4:11). He also had a close fellowship and friendship with Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1-4, Romans 16:3, 1 Corinthians 16:19, 2 Timothy 4:19).
Another aspect of his love for fellowship was his habit of asking fellow saints to pray for him. For example, he asked the Ephesians to pray that he may boldly declare the gospel (Ephesians 4:19-20). He also sought to gather with the saints when they met (Acts 20:7). He didn’t see himself as a super Christian who didn’t need anything. Instead, he saw himself as a Christian who constantly needed the grace God offers through his children. We should strive to be the same.
There are undoubtedly many other insights we could glean from Paul’s life. Having known all this, may we strive, like Paul, to be imitators of Christ in all we do, for God’s glory.