In most circumstances, I am a generally confident man. Often, that confidence has stepped over the line into arrogance. That’s not a trait I’m proud of, especially since we are called to humility and meekness.
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:1-8 ESV
We often think of Peter as being brash and arrogant at times, for good reason. Yet there is someone else whom we might not think of that way: the Apostle Paul. It’s not something that leaps out to most people, possibly because the epistles don’t appear in chronological order, but are arranged by size (largest to shortest). If we read them in the order they were written, we see it more clearly.
Chronologically, they read Galatians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Romans. Ephesians, Colossians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Timothy, Titus, and 2 Timothy.
Let’s look at how Paul identifies himself in his letters.
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead. Galatians 1:1 ESV
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God Romans 1:1 ESV
I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. 1 Timothy 1:12-15 ESV
Everything Paul claims is true, but he moves from seeing himself as an exalted apostle to a servant (more properly translated as a slave). By the end, he fully acknowledges that he is a sinner saved by grace, undeserving of the role God has placed on Him.
The more he knew Christ, the longer He knew Him, the less Paul exalted himself and the more he magnified Jesus. He grew in humility.
It’s a lesson I’m working on. What about you?
Be blessed today,
Kevin
SUMMARY
I’ve always been a confident man, sometimes too confident, tipping over into arrogance. Tracing Paul’s letters in the order he actually wrote them shows me something convicting: the longer he walked with Christ, the more his self-description shrank from apostle to servant to the foremost of sinners.
TAKEAWAY
Reading Paul’s epistles in chronological order (not the order they appear in Scripture) reveals a clear pattern in how he identifies himself
Paul moves from calling himself an apostle, to a servant (slave) of Christ, to the foremost of sinners saved by grace
The more Paul knew Christ, the less he exalted himself and the more he magnified Jesus — he grew in humility
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