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"I am the least of the apostles..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:9

HOW PAUL SAW HIMSELF

Paul was an apostle appointed by the Lord Jesus Christ. There were some who questioned and challenged him to prove that he was indeed an apostle chosen by the Lord (Galatians 1-2). Paul’s life and ministry proved that he was a true and faithful apostle of Christ! But how did Paul see himself personally?

“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy
to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.”
1 Corinthians 15:9

1. “I am the least of the apostles”

a) This was Paul’s view of himself.

b) This reflects his spirit.

i) Genuine humility.

ii) Gratitude to the Lord for making him an apostle.

iii) No airs in being an apostle.

iv) Mature understanding of what it means to have this responsibility entrusted to him.

2. “Not worthy to be called an apostle”

a) Who is truly worthy of being called an apostle?

b) No true apostle will ever think that he is worthy of being made an apostle.

c) Paul was most conscious of his personal unworthiness.

d) This is the correct spirit to have.

3. “Because I persecuted the church of God”

a) For a time, Paul had persecuted the Church.

b) This was noted in Acts 8:3; 9:1-2.

i) He was breathing threats and murder against the disciples of Christ.

ii) He was so zealous that he asked for special authority to arrest anyone who believed in Christ, even if they resided outside Israel.

4. Paul’s personal testimony about his past

Five things stood out to him! Thus, he saw himself unworthy to be called an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ!

a) He was a blasphemer.

b) A persecutor.

c) An insolent man.

d) He was ignorant.

e) There was unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13).