A Few Things They Didn’t Like About Paul The Apostle
Words Of Truth

Words Of Truth


"That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth..." (Proverbs 22:21).

A Few Things They Didn’t Like About Paul The Apostle


I. Introduction:

A. Jesus referred to Paul as “a chosen vessel” when communicating with Ananias (Acts 9:15).

  1. This did not get to Paul’s head. Paul humbly understood his role in the Lord’s work (I Corinthians 15:8-10 and Ephesians 3:8).
  2. He did not seek the approval of men (Galatians 1:15-16).

B. Jesus told Ananias that Paul would suffer for the cause (Acts 9:16).

  1. At one point, Paul appealed to the carnality of the Corinthians to get them to stop following those that appeared great and spoke in a foolish manner comparing his sufferings to those they were erringly enamored with (II Corinthians 11:16-33).
  2. Paul went through terrible events, but literally got right up and back to the Lord’s work (Acts 14:19-23).

II. Body: The Apostle Paul Taught The Truth Even If It Meant He Became The Enemy To Those He Taught (Galatians 4:16).

A. They disliked Paul because he taught the Gospel to all (Acts 13:42-51).

  1. Since Paul taught the Gospel to all (Romans 1:13-17), he was labelled as a trouble-maker and attacked (Acts 17:1-10).
  2. False charges were brought against Paul with terrible consequences because they didn’t like Paul for the work he did (Acts 21:27-36).
  3. One awesome thing we should think about is how one brother who was rebuked by Paul in his defense of the Gentile brethren turned to later call him “beloved” (Galatians 2:11-17 and II Peter 3:15; cf. Proverbs 28:23).
B. Paul didn’t measure up, in their view, in bodily presence and speech in the same way he wrote (II Corinthians 10:10).

  1. He never professed to be a great public speaker. In fact, he didn’t aim to be such (I Corinthians 1:17 and I Corinthians 2:1-5).
  2. He acknowledged being rude [an ignoramus (compare “idiot”): - ignorant, rude, unlearned; Strong’s # 2399] in speech (II Corinthians 11:6).
  3. An eloquent speaker doesn’t automatically mean he teaches the truth (Acts 18:24-28).
C. They disliked Paul not only because of his speech, but also because they perceived him to be crazy (Acts 26:19-24).

  1. Paul is in good company here (Mark 3:13-21 and John 10:17-20).
  2. Shouldn’t the world see the “crazy” in us too (I John 4:4-6)?

III. Conclusion: We should be imitators of Paul within the framework of understanding who he is following (I Corinthians 4:16 and I Corinthians 11:1).