I, Paul, am writing this letter. I have been chosen to be an apostle of Christ Jesus just as God planned. Our brother Sosthenes joins me in writing.

True Apostles of Christ

So here is how you should think of us. We serve Christ. We are trusted with the mysteries God has shown us.

It seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of a parade. We are like people sentenced to die in front of a crowd. We have been made a show for the whole creation to see. Angels and people are staring at us.

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord? Aren’t you the result of my work for the Lord?

Others may not think of me as an apostle. But I am certainly one to you! You are the proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife with us when we travel? The other apostles do. The Lord’s brothers do. Peter does.

Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to do other work for a living? Are we the only ones who can’t just do the work of apostles all the time?

First, God has placed apostles in the church. Second, he has placed prophets in the church. Third, he has placed teachers in the church. Then he has given to the church miracles and gifts of healing. He also has given the gift of helping others and the gift of guiding the church. God also has given the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages.

Is everyone an apostle? Is everyone a prophet? Is everyone a teacher? Do all work miracles?

He appeared to Peter. Then he appeared to the 12 apostles.

He appeared to James. Then he appeared to all the apostles.

I am the least important of the apostles. I’m not even fit to be called an apostle. I tried to destroy God’s church.

But because of God’s grace I am what I am. And his grace was not wasted on me. No, I have worked harder than all the other apostles. But I didn’t do the work. God’s grace was with me.

So this is what we preach, whether I or the other apostles who preached to you. And that is what you believed.