Paul's Certainties

And Other Sermons

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Christian Sermons, Bible & Bible Studies, Criticism & Interpretation, Study
Cover of the book Paul's Certainties by J. D. Jones, CrossReach Publications
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: J. D. Jones ISBN: 1230001930450
Publisher: CrossReach Publications Publication: September 24, 2017
Imprint: Language: English
Author: J. D. Jones
ISBN: 1230001930450
Publisher: CrossReach Publications
Publication: September 24, 2017
Imprint:
Language: English

No one can read the Epistles of Paul with any care without noticing in them a strange mingling of humility and assurance in the Apostle’s references to himself. The language of self-depreciation and the language of self-assertion are both to be found in his letters. When thinking of himself in the light of his past, Paul can find no language too strong to describe his own utter unworthiness; but when he is defending himself against the attacks of enemies and detractors, he asserts his dignity and authority in language that sounds almost boastful and egotistical in its vehemence. For instance, in one place he describes himself as ‘less than the least of all the saints;’ in another he proudly flings out the challenge, ‘Am I not an Apostle? Am I not free? Have not I seen the Lord?’ In one place he is abased to the very dust, and speaks of himself as the ‘chief of sinners;’ in another he confronts his calumniators, and becomes, as he himself put it, as ‘one beside himself’ in glorying, and says, ‘Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I more.’ In one place he speaks of himself as the ‘least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God;’ in another place, in answer to his accusers, he says, with magnificent but justifiable egotism, ‘I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostle.’

 

Paul is a remarkable combination of humility and assurance; and this fact illustrates a similar remarkable combination in Paul’s references to his Apostolic knowledge. Just as we find that strange mingling of lowliness and righteous pride when he speaks of himself and his work, so we find a remarkable mingling of diffidence and positiveness when he speaks of what he knows. In one place he speaks with a certain hesitancy; in another with dogmatic assurance. In one place he ‘guesses at truth,’ and bids his readers take what he says as his opinion merely, and not as Divine revelation; in another he speaks with the certainty of one who has the mind of Christ. In one passage he confesses that he knows only in part, and prophesies only in part; in other passages he states truths the most vital and important and profound, and introduces them with a bold and unhesitating ‘I know.’

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

No one can read the Epistles of Paul with any care without noticing in them a strange mingling of humility and assurance in the Apostle’s references to himself. The language of self-depreciation and the language of self-assertion are both to be found in his letters. When thinking of himself in the light of his past, Paul can find no language too strong to describe his own utter unworthiness; but when he is defending himself against the attacks of enemies and detractors, he asserts his dignity and authority in language that sounds almost boastful and egotistical in its vehemence. For instance, in one place he describes himself as ‘less than the least of all the saints;’ in another he proudly flings out the challenge, ‘Am I not an Apostle? Am I not free? Have not I seen the Lord?’ In one place he is abased to the very dust, and speaks of himself as the ‘chief of sinners;’ in another he confronts his calumniators, and becomes, as he himself put it, as ‘one beside himself’ in glorying, and says, ‘Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. Are they ministers of Christ? I more.’ In one place he speaks of himself as the ‘least of the Apostles, that am not meet to be called an Apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God;’ in another place, in answer to his accusers, he says, with magnificent but justifiable egotism, ‘I reckon that I am not a whit behind the very chiefest Apostle.’

 

Paul is a remarkable combination of humility and assurance; and this fact illustrates a similar remarkable combination in Paul’s references to his Apostolic knowledge. Just as we find that strange mingling of lowliness and righteous pride when he speaks of himself and his work, so we find a remarkable mingling of diffidence and positiveness when he speaks of what he knows. In one place he speaks with a certain hesitancy; in another with dogmatic assurance. In one place he ‘guesses at truth,’ and bids his readers take what he says as his opinion merely, and not as Divine revelation; in another he speaks with the certainty of one who has the mind of Christ. In one passage he confesses that he knows only in part, and prophesies only in part; in other passages he states truths the most vital and important and profound, and introduces them with a bold and unhesitating ‘I know.’

More books from CrossReach Publications

Cover of the book The Epistle of Barnabas by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Gospel of Grace by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book David Hume and His Influence on Philosophy and Theology by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book A Biblia Sagrada by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Blood of the Cross by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book Apostolic Faith Missions by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Works of the Reverend and Pious Andrew Gray by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Reason Why by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book Address on Sacred Music by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Complete Writings of St. Francis of Assisi by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book Lectures on the Book of Acts by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Gospel According to St Mark: A Devotional Commentary by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book Será Que Perdi A Força De Deus Em Minha Vida? by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Crises of the Christ by J. D. Jones
Cover of the book The Doubting Believer by J. D. Jones
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy