Is Paul the least of all saints?

By: Scott Morton

Ephesians 3:7-9

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; [9] 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:

One of the accusations against those who understand right division is we make too much of the Apostle Paul. There are those who say we are to be following the Lord Jesus Christ in his earthly ministry and we should be following the red letters in these books primarily, as they are His words and they are more important than anything else.

While the earthly ministry was important, we know the focus was on Israel and fulfilling the promises which had been made unto the fathers (Romans 15:8). It is important for us to understand exactly who our Apostle was and the importance of his ministry and doctrine which has been given to us.

There are some things which we need to understand about who Paul was before he was saved:

1 Timothy 1:12-13

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.

Here we have Paul describing himself prior to his salvation. He calls himself things which we would not normally associate with someone who is being used by God to accomplish incredible things. Paul states he was opposed to all of the things which God was doing, yet states this was all being done ignorantly. This is why God was able to show mercy upon him. We see one of the places this happened in the following passage:

Acts 7:51-60

Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: [53] Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. [54] When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. [55] But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. [57] Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, [58] And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. [59] And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. [60] And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

This is the final rejection of the kingdom by Israel. Stephen was functioning as the representative of the Spirit offering the kingdom. Israel had already rejected this through God the Father (the prophets) and God the Son (the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ). They were being given another chance and we see their rejection. It is important to note the individual who is the leader of this rejection. This is Saul, who is described here as being a young man. He has risen to a position of authority in the religious leadership of the nation and they are looking to him as a leader. We see how Saul continues the work he was doing here:

Acts 8:1-3

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. [3] As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

We can see here how the death of Stephen was not enough. There is now a persecution starting of those who were part of this ministry and creating havoc among those who were believers. This becomes so great that only the apostles stay in Jerusalem. This goes against the issue of how they were supposed to get the nation back under the system God wanted them to be in (Acts 1:8), as they were supposed to start with Jerusalem before going to the rest of the nation. They had a fear of prison and the persecution which was going on.

This doesn't stop with the events here. We see in the next chapter how Saul was going out to continue this:

Acts 9:1-2

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, [2] And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Since this was successful, we see Saul extending out this persecution. Realizing they have fled, he asks the high priest for permission to go to Damascus to round up these individuals to being them to Jerusalem. He is given permission to do so, which is what leads to him being on the road to Damascus and the salvation which occurs for him. We can see how individuals knew who he was and all of the evil things he was doing:

Acts 9:13-14

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: [14] And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Saul was not going to be able to hide who he was. He was known by the believing remnant of Israel, at least by name. He was known by the things he had done and it was going to be difficult to convince individuals he was a changed individual. Paul speaks about what it was he did prior to his salvation:

Galatians 1:13-14

For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: [14] And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.

He states how he had been persecuting the church and states it was beyond measure. He could not give an accurate description of how far he had gone in doing this other than to say he had wasted the church. This meant he had done this to a level where he was destroying the church and the effectiveness it had to carry out the ministry assigned to it. This is how Paul was functioning at the time and we can see how he states he profited in this above many others. He was gaining benefits from this in the eyes of men.

Paul also speaks about how he was zealous of the traditions of his fathers. This shows the status he had in the religious circles of Israel:

Acts 22:3-4

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. [4] And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Acts 26:4-5

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; [5] Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

These two passages show how Paul had an upbringing related to the things of the law and was following them throughout his life. He was a Pharisee, part of the religious leadership, and identifies who it was that had been teaching him. This is why individuals were looking up to him as he was doing these things and he points to how he had been taught the things of the law and was zealous of these things.

Even though this is how he was living his life, we can see that this was not how God was viewing the things which were being done:

Acts 26:9-11

I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. [10] Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. [11] And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.

We see here Paul speaking of the things which he was doing prior to his conversion. He was going around and hunting down those who were following God's program and forcing them to blaspheme, inflicting physical punishment against them, and causing some to be put to death. All of this was according to the authority of the chief priests, who had been following their own thought process and had been against the things of God. Even though he thought at the time he was doing the right thing, Paul knows now that everything had been contrary to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and he was opposed to God.

Paul speaks of the advantages he had in the flesh:

Philippians 3:4-6

Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: [5] Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; [6] Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

These are all things which someone would boast about. They are all things which would someone into a position where they would think they were doing good things on their own and would be the one to look to as an authority. We will see as we continue in this study how Paul sees these things as worthless once he has been saved. This was not how he felt at the time he was doing all of the things he was doing prior to seeing the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus.

As Paul speaks in our original text we see how he identifies he was made a minister. We have a viewpoint of this word based on how it is used in today's language. If we look at Webster's 1828 Dictionary we see something related to what Paul is actually saying:

MIN'ISTER, n. [L.]

1. Properly, a chief servant; hence, an agent appointed to transact or manage business under the authority of another; in which sense, it is a word of very extensive application.

Moses rose up and his minister Joshua. Exodus 24.

2. One to whom a king or prince entrusts the direction of affairs of state; as minister of state; the prime minister. In modern governments, the secretaries or heads of the several departments or branches of government are the ministers of the chief magistrate.

3. A magistrate; an executive officer.

For he is the minister of God to thee for good. Rom 13.

4. A delegate; an embassador; the representative of a sovereign at a foreign court; usually such as is resident at a foreign court, but not restricted to such.

5. One who serves at the altar; one who performs sacerdotal duties; the pastor of a church, duly authorized or licensed to preach the gospel and administer the sacraments. Eph 3.

6. Christ is called a minister of the sanctuary. Heb 8.

7. An angel; a messenger of God.

Who maketh his angels spirits, his ministers a flaming fire. Psalm 104.

We see from these delimitations how this is someone who is being given authority over something. The individual who had been doing things contrary to what God was doing, was persecuting those who were, and had fully rejected the things of God was now being given the authority over something new. This would be a hard thing for people to understand. This is why he has to state over and over again the position which has been given to him so people could see the change and know the authority given to him and the message for today. We can see some of these statements in the following passages:

Romans 11:13

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 1:23-25

If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; [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;

These three passages demonstrate this fact. He had to keep repeating this because they knew who he was and that fear of him would have motivated individuals to stay away from him and what he was teaching. We saw how Ananias reacted the moment God told him he was going to have to deal with Saul of Tarsus. This reaction would have had an impact on his ministry, which is why he has to keep reminding individuals of the responsibility which was given to him by God.

We can see in the passage from the book of Colossians how he brings up the responsibility to fulfill the Word of God. This means Paul was given the responsibility to bring the Word of God to completion. What was given to him completes the program of God and is the final information man needs to understand what is going on. This is why when individuals reject what is being said that they struggle with how to be pleasing to God.

As Paul writes his epistles, we see him speak about the information which has been given to him. Three times he specifically speaks about what he calls my gospel:

Romans 2:16

In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

Romans 16:25-26

Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [26] But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

2 Timothy 2:7-9

Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things. [8]Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel: [9] Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.

These three passages show how tings have changes as a result of the dispensation of the grace of God being ushered in. Paul states he has a gospel which was given to him, which is not part of what had been given to Peter and the other apostles. They were continuing to carry out the ministry the Lord Jesus Christ had carried out while He was here on the earth. This is why we see what Paul writes here:

Galatians 2:7-9

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.

This is not saying the two messages are the same. Paul identifies how there is a gospel of the uncircumcision which has been given to him (what he referred to as my gospel) and a gospel of the circumcision which was given to Peter, James, and John. If these two messages were the same he would not be bringing up the distinction here and would just be talking about how they were dividing the ministry, which is how most will interpret this. Paul is specifically talking about how there are two different gospels which are given to two different groups of people. Because of this, there is a division which is occurring in how they are functioning. This is what Paul has been made a minister of and what he passes down to us.

Paul also draws the distinction between what had proceeded him during the earthly ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ (continued by the 12 apostles) and what was given to him. He gives this information in his epistle to the assembly in Rome:

Romans 15:8

Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Romans 15:16

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.

We see from these verses the difference in the programs. The Lord Jesus Christ was confirming the promises which had been made unto the fathers. This is a reference to the covenants which had been made with Israel and the prophecies which were given. What was going on was not something new as some would proclaim. He was continuing the offer of the kingdom and the earthly hope for Israel.

In verse 16 we see the change occurring and how the focus is now on the Gentiles and the hope which has been given to us. Paul was given new information as he was given a responsibility which had not been there before. Paul was to speak specifically to the people who had been cut off from the hope and share with them the truth of what is going on today. This is why Paul can state the following:

1 Timothy 1:12

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;

Something that individuals who understand right division are accused of is lifting Paul up into a higher position than he should be or even that we worship Paul. That is not the case. Paul is the one who has been given the information which we are to be utilizing and the pattern for how we are to live. We are looking at things in the exact manner in which the Word of God instructs us to. Paul explains to Timothy how things should be viewed:

2 Timothy 1:8-12

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; [9] Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, [10] But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: [11] Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. [12] For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Paul is encouraging Timothy to not be ashamed of him. It would have been very easy for this to happen because of the opposition to what is being taught. The world system at the time was so opposed to these things that Paul was currently sitting in a prison cell knowing he was about to be executed. The natural reaction of an individual would be to try to get as far away from this as possible so they would not be connected to him and end up facing the same thing. Paul has to remind Timothy of the truth of this message and how this is something which needs to be held onto and to make sure he stays true to what had been committed to him.

While we may not be facing the potential of being put into jail for teaching this message, there are problems which we can face by remaining true to the Word of God. These things could lead someone to not want to stand for the truth and remain faithful to it. We need to make sure we are following the pattern which has been laid out for us by Paul.

Paul speaks about how the things which are given to him came directly from God:

Galatians 1:1

Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Titus 1:1-3

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; [2] In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; [3] But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

These two passages are examples of where he states this. Everything comes from God and he makes sure individuals know this is the case. He was not coming up with things on his own, which is what many accuse him of. If he was doing this, it would not make sense for him to state the following:

1 Corinthians 11:1

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

How could Paul say he was following the Lord Jesus Christ if he was making it all up? The only conclusion someone could come to is to say he is a liar and they would have to reject everything he wrote. The consequence of this would be to then have to call the whole Bible into question, as there would then be errors contained in it. The information Paul gives to us comes directly from God and is the information which we need for today. This is why the following statement he makes about the assembly in Thessalonica is so important:

1 Thessalonians 2:13

For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

This assembly was functioning in a manner where the Word of God was the primary focus in their lives. They were allowing it to work in their lives to produce the change needed where the Lord Jesus Christ would be living through them (Galatians 2:20). This meant they were not worshipping Paul or holding him up in a manner which the Word of God would not say they should. This statement was given not only to commend them, but also to be an encouragement for us to do the same thing and function according to the Word.

The idea of focusing on the flesh and who we are is the idea put out by the world system. It is unfortunate that many who are identifying themselves as Christians try to put themselves in this same idea and think they should be building themselves up rather than focusing on the things of the Word of God. The Apostle Paul spoke about the things of who he was, but also describes how he views these things now that he is a believer and is functioning as an ambassador for Christ:

Philippians 3:7-8

But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [8] Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Paul states he counted all of those things as loss. These are the things which we covered earlier in this article where he lists out all of the things in the flesh that could have been seen as an advantage for him. They were nothing to glory in and he can see this now. He knows there is to be a focus on the things of the inner man, as this is how the flesh is seen in the eyes of God:

Colossians 2:11-12

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

In the eyes of God the flesh is already considered to be dead and is also cut off from who we actually are. The focus is on the inner man which has been renewed. While we still walk around in the fleshly body, it is not part of who we are and we can only give into its lusts when we reject the things of the Word. This is why we see Paul speak about the changes in the identification and how he can actually view himself.

He knew he had done a lot of bad things in his life. We have seen the things he was doing in the book of Acts and how he was opposed to God. This is why Paul can say the following about the change which has happened:

1 Timothy 1:12-15

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.

Paul speaks about the mercy shown unto him in order to allow him to be seen as faithful and to be put into the ministry. This was done because he was ignorant of what was truly going on and God demonstrated love towards him (Romans 5:8). This love puts him into the position to where he can give us the needed information and function as the pattern on how to live the life intended.

When speaking of himself as a sinner he states he was chief. This causes some confusion as individuals want to compare themselves or someone else and state they had done something worse than what Paul did in his life. The following is the definition of the word chief, taken from Webster's 1828 Dictionary:

CHIEF, a.

1. Highest in office or rank; principal; as a chief priest; the chief butler. Genesis 40:9.

Among the chief rulers, many believed on him. John 12.

2. Principal or most eminent, in any quality or action; most distinguished; having most influence; commanding most respect; taking the lead; most valuable; most important; a word of extensive use; as a country chief in arms.

The hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. Ezra 9.

Agriculture is the chief employment of men.

3. First in affection; most dear and familiar.

A whisperer separateth chief friends. Proverbs 16.

From these definitions we see the issue of principal or having the most influence. Paul was seen in this manner because he was the first to receive the salvation which is being offered today. He is the one who God demonstrated the grace of God with and salvation being provided through what the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and not through any works which a person could do. We can see the attitude God had with this:

Galatians 1:15-16

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, [16] To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:

Paul saw there was a purpose behind his choosing. While he realized he did not deserve to have this position because of everything he did, he also saw the grace of God. This grace is what has been extended to man today and Paul is the demonstration of this for the world. If Paul could be saved, this means everybody can be as well.

Colossians 1:25-29

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: [28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: [29] Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Here we see Paul speaking about his role as a minister and the responsibility which was given to him. He knows it was given to him to fulfill, or bring to completion, the Word of God. This was being done by the mystery now being revealed through the ministry of Paul. He was revealing the things which had been hidden in God (Colossians 2:2-3) before the foundation of the world and now being made manifest. Paul was able to see his responsibility and shows how this ties in with the will of God:

1 Timothy 2:4

Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

It is the will of God for all men to be saved. This can be accomplished through the preaching of the gospel for today (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) and is the responsibility Paul had and which has been passed down to us as well. We are to be going out and proclaiming what has been given, as the grace of God has appeared to all men (Titus 2:11). It is our responsibility as ambassadors to be proclaiming this message.

Paul also reveals how we are to be helping individuals come to the knowledge of the truth. This is going to occur as we share the things of God's Word rightly divided with individuals and they gain the knowledge which we are supposed to have from the Word. These are the things which were given to Paul, directly from God, and are passed down to us:

2 Timothy 2:2

And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

There is information which was given directly to the Apostle Paul which he has shared with us. This is the information which we should be sharing with other people so they can get to the place God intends. This responsibility was something Paul took very seriously and wanted to make sure Timothy knew this. It is the only way individuals are going to be able to receive salvation, as this makes sure there are individuals who are equipped to be going out and teaching this information to others. It makes sure the Body of Christ continues to grow and function properly.

We can also see Paul praying for the members of the Body of Christ:

Colossians 1:9-14

For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; [10] That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; [11] Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; [12] Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: [13] Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Ephesians 6:18-20

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [19] And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, [20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

The first example shows how he prayed for their growth in the knowledge of the Word of God. This is what he knew was going to be the true influence in their lives to live in the manner God intends. Paul states this will allow someone to walk in the manner God intends. When we get to the letter to the assembly in Ephesus we see how Paul prays for the members of the Body of Christ in general. The prayer for him is that he will be able to go out and proclaim this message with a sense of boldness.

We look today at Paul as our apostle and can truly understand how he saw himself based on what the Word of God says. This is why he can call himself the least of all the saints.