Apostle by Revelation: Why Paul’s Ministry Still Raises Eyebrows
St. Paul
Few figures in Christian history evoke as much admiration—and ambivalence—as St Paul. Heralded as the Apostle to the Gentiles, architect of early Christian theology, and tireless missionary, Paul’s legacy is monumental. Yet from the very beginning, his apostleship was met with hesitation, and even today, some believers instinctively hold his ministry at arm’s length. Why?
A Late Arrival
Paul’s journey began not with Jesus of Nazareth, but with a blinding light on the road to Damascus—some six years after the Ascension. Unlike Peter, James, and John, Paul never walked with Christ in Galilee, nor witnessed the Resurrection firsthand. This temporal gap became a theological fault line.
“Last of all… he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles…”
—1 Corinthians 15:8–9
Paul himself acknowledges his unusual entry into apostolic ministry. The Greek term ektroma (“abnormally born”) evokes a sense of premature or unnatural emergence—an apostle not by birthright, but by divine interruption.
Apostolic Credentials Under Fire
In Corinth, Paul faced critics who questioned his authority. His response is both defensive and revealing:
“Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord?”
—1 Corinthians 9:1–2
The rhetorical questions suggest that Paul’s legitimacy was not universally accepted. His appeal to personal revelation and pastoral fruit underscores a ministry built on divine encounter, not institutional endorsement.
Not Sent by Men
Paul’s epistle to the Galatians opens with a striking declaration:
“Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father…”
—Galatians 1:1
This is no mere theological flourish. It’s a rebuttal to those who saw him as self-appointed or lacking apostolic lineage. Paul insists that his commissioning bypassed human mediation entirely.
“I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
—Galatians 1:12
Here, Paul draws a sharp line between his gospel and the traditions of the Jerusalem Church. It’s a claim to spiritual independence—and a source of ecclesial tension.
A Tense Meeting in Jerusalem
When Paul finally met the pillars of the Church—Peter, James, and John—the encounter was cordial but cautious.
“As for those who were held in high esteem… they added nothing to my message.”
—Galatians 2:6
Paul’s tone is telling. He respects their status but resists subordination. The apostles, in turn, recognise his mission to the Gentiles, but the relationship remains diplomatically distant.
“They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.”
—Galatians 2:9
This division of labour affirms Paul’s calling, yet subtly reinforces his outsider status.
The “Super-Apostles”
In Corinth, Paul confronts rivals he calls “super-apostles”—a term dripping with irony.
“I do not think I am in the least inferior to those ‘super-apostles.’”
—2 Corinthians 11:5
Whether these were the Twelve or charismatic leaders claiming superior authority, Paul’s need to assert himself reveals ongoing scepticism about his role.
Why the Doubts Persist
Even today, some Christians approach Paul with caution. His writings are dense, his tone occasionally abrasive, and his views—especially on gender and sexuality—are often contested. But beneath the controversy lies a deeper discomfort: Paul did not fit the mold. He was not chosen during Jesus’ earthly ministry. He was a persecutor turned preacher, a mystic with no earthly mentor.
And yet, perhaps that is precisely why his ministry matters.
Apostleship Reimagined
Paul’s story challenges the Church to rethink what it means to be called. His apostleship was not inherited—it was revealed. Not ratified by men—but confirmed by fruit. His life is a testament to grace that interrupts, commissions that confound, and vocations that emerge from the margins.
In a Church that seeks to welcome the unexpected, Paul remains both a scandal and a sign.
