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pvj-02: Paul's Claimed Relationship to Jesus and the Apostles

Study Question

What is Paul's claimed relationship to Jesus and the other apostles? Investigate Galatians 1:1 (apostle not from men nor by man), Galatians 1:11-17 (gospel by revelation, did not confer with flesh and blood), Galatians 2:1-10 (Jerusalem council -- "they added nothing to me"), Galatians 2:6-9 (James, Cephas, John gave right hand of fellowship), 2 Peter 3:15-16 (Peter endorses Paul's writings as Scripture), Acts 9/22/26 (three conversion accounts). Does Paul claim parallel, subordinate, or independent authority to the Twelve? What does "my gospel" (Romans 2:16, 16:25, 2 Timothy 2:8) mean -- is it a different gospel or the same gospel from a different angle? Does Galatians 1:8 ("though we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel, let him be accursed") indicate Paul's gospel could differ from the original?

Scope Discovered by Tools

  • APOSTLES: Commission (Mat 10; 28:19-20; Mrk 3:14-15; Luk 9:1-5; Acts 1-2), Authority (Mat 16:19; 18:18; 19:28), Miraculous power (2 Cor 12:12), FALSE (2 Cor 11:13; Rev 2:2)
  • PAUL: Called to be an apostle (Acts 22:14-21; 26:16-18; Rom 1:1; 1 Cor 1:1; 9:1-2; 15:9; Gal 1:1,15-16), Conversion (Acts 9:3-22; 22:4-19; 26:9-15; 1 Cor 9:1; 15:8), Sent to Gentiles (Acts 13:2-3; 22:17-21; Rom 11:13; Gal 1:15-24)
  • GOSPEL: Multiple names -- Gospel of God (Rom 1:1), Gospel of Christ (Rom 1:16; Gal 1:7), Preaching of Jesus Christ (Rom 16:25), Mystery of the Gospel (Eph 6:19)
  • REVELATION: God reveals himself; the law is revealed; pattern of the temple revealed

Semantic Strong's

  • G652 apostolos (81x) -- delegate, ambassador of the Gospel
  • G2098 euangelion (77x) -- good message, the gospel
  • G602 apokalypsis (18x) -- disclosure, revelation, manifestation
  • G2011 epitrope -- commission (1x, Acts 26:12)
  • pvj-01-paul-knows-jesus (score: 0.450) -- covers whether Paul knew Jesus's teachings
  • law-17-paul-and-law-in-galatians (score: 0.410) -- Paul's argument in Galatians re: law
  • law-16-paul-and-law-in-romans (score: 0.393)

Key Verse Clusters

Cluster 1: Paul's Apostolic Self-Claims

  • Gal 1:1 -- apostle not of men nor by man but by Jesus Christ
  • Rom 1:1 -- servant of Jesus Christ, called apostle, separated unto gospel
  • 1 Cor 1:1 -- called apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God
  • 1 Cor 9:1 -- Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord?
  • 1 Cor 15:8-10 -- last of all, born out of due time, least of apostles
  • 2 Cor 11:5 -- not behind the very chiefest apostles
  • 2 Cor 12:11-12 -- signs of an apostle wrought among you

Cluster 2: Paul's Gospel Source Claims

  • Gal 1:11-12 -- gospel not after man, received by revelation of Jesus Christ
  • Gal 1:15-17 -- called by grace, did not confer with flesh and blood
  • 2 Cor 12:1-4 -- caught up to third heaven, heard unspeakable words
  • Gal 1:8 -- though we or angel preach another gospel, let him be accursed

Cluster 3: "My Gospel"

  • Rom 2:16 -- according to my gospel
  • Rom 16:25 -- according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ
  • 2 Tim 2:8 -- raised from the dead according to my gospel

Cluster 4: Relationship with Jerusalem Apostles

  • Gal 1:18-19 -- went to see Peter after 3 years, 15 days, saw James
  • Gal 2:1-5 -- went up by revelation, communicated gospel privately
  • Gal 2:6-9 -- they added nothing, gave right hand of fellowship
  • Gal 2:11-14 -- withstood Peter to the face at Antioch

Cluster 5: External Validation

  • 2 Pet 3:15-16 -- Peter endorses Paul's writings as Scripture
  • Acts 9:15 -- chosen vessel before Gentiles, kings, Israel
  • Acts 22:14-15 -- chosen to know God's will, see the Just One
  • Acts 26:16-18 -- made minister and witness, sent to Gentiles

Cluster 6: Conversion Accounts

  • Acts 9:1-20, Acts 22:6-16, Acts 26:12-18

Cluster 7: Unity of Gospel

  • 1 Cor 15:11 -- whether I or they, so we preach, so ye believed
  • Gal 2:7 -- gospel of uncircumcision committed to me, circumcision to Peter