S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

There is much we can learn from the life of the apostle Paul. Far from ordinary, Paul was given the opportunity to do extraordinary things for the kingdom of God. The story of Paul is a story of re...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Philip Davies Supporter

What can we learn from the life of Paul? 

You can live a life that is terribly wrong, you may have committed the worst sorts of sin, you may be unable to forgive yourself, but through God's mercy you can be saved in the end to live a good and godly life.

July 27 2024 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Seth Freeman Supporter

I noticed that the question of what became of Paul was merged into this one, and I thought I would answer that question as it really is a different question than what is here.

And the answer is that church tradition holds that Paul was most likely beheaded by the Romans in the mid to late 60s under the rule of Nero.

May 27 2014 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Janet Austin Supporter Lover of God. Right to the Soul, author

Paul, as a follower of Christ Jesus, shows us the pain is inevitable but we have a choice to complain about it or not. We can replace our feelings with something that can benefit ourselves and others…like singing joyfully about God or sharing the good news about how God/Jesus changed our life. Paul’s life also demonstrates that encouraging others and never giving up are blessings to others and ourselves (and to God).

November 09 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Akinrelere Sunday Supporter

The lessons to learn from the life of Paul can be approached from his leadership style as a man with a large heart. 

The leadership trait of Apostle Paul was not noticed until he encountered Christ on his way to Damascus. All that was known about him is that he was persecuting those who belonged to the Way (Christians).

After he encountered the Lord Jesus, many gifts of the Spirit were deposited in him, one of which is the gift of leadership. Don’t be surprised that leadership is also a gift of the Spirit. This is stated in the book of Romans 12:8.

Paul was not just a leader; he was a leader with zeal for selfless service. The trials he faced could cause one’s zeal to reduce, but that was not his case; those trials were actually fanning the zeal in him and made him stronger as a leader. 

According to extra-biblical studies (The Acts of Paul and Thecla), Paul was described as a short, bald, bowlegged man; of vigorous physique, with meeting eyebrows and a slightly hooked nose. These were never a limitation to Paul’s exemplary style of leadership. Of a truth, leadership is not by size, age, or physique, it is by grace.

Paul would always encourage his followers to be faithful, having discovered their gift; one of them is Timothy. He reminded Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God which was in him (1Timothy 4:12-16; 2Timothy 1:6). 
Good leaders like Paul serve as mentors and promote the passion of their mentees. They raise leaders who will become leaders like them. They are not self-centered as they develop those who are under them.

Also, Paul was always anxious to promote reconciliation amongst brethren. He wrote several letters to the Corinthian Church so as to settle disputes among them. He was indeed a Justice of Peace by his deeds. He reconciled the run-away slave, Onesimus, to his master, Philemon (Philemon 1).

Having a large heart also means having the ability to easily forgive. There was a sharp disagreement between Paul and Barnabas over the person who would accompany them to visit other brethren. Barnabas chose Mark, but Paul was not satisfied with that choice because Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia, and so, he chose Silas (Acts 15:36-40). Later, Paul sent for Mark to partner with him in his ministry (2Timothy 4:11). Great leaders with a large heart forgive those who have offended them and move on with life. Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but strength. Unforgiveness ruins the health of a leader.

Paul showed perseverance as a Christian leader in the face of challenges. Many have withdrawn from leadership position because they cannot persevere. It takes a large heart to persevere; it makes you to see challenges as though they never existed. Those challenges can never be read on their faces as long as God is giving them the grace to overcome them. Let us consider this Apostle’s experience in 2Corinthians 11:24-28:

“From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness – Besides the other things, what comes upon me daily; my deep concern for all the Churches.”

Despite the perils of leadership, Paul was still having deep concern for all the Churches. He didn’t allow his challenges to becloud his sense of responsibility. That’s a large heart! According to him, he experienced danger from his own people (countrymen), but he kept on persevering.

Paul is regarded as the greatest missionary of all time.

April 04 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What should we learn from the life of Paul?

The life of Paul teaches that no one is beyond redemption, as seen in his transformation from persecutor to apostle. He demonstrates that complete surrender to God, coupled with unwavering dedication, allows one to find joy and contentment in Christ despite immense suffering and hardship. Paul's life highlights the power of grace over legalism, the importance of focusing on a divine calling, and the necessity of persistence in faith.

Some lessons from Paul's life:

Transformation is Possible: Paul's dramatic turn from persecuting Christians to leading the church shows that God can change anyone.

Surrender to God's Purpose: Paul completely surrendered his life and talents to God, resulting in a focus that nothing could distract, not even imprisonment.

Grace Over Works: Paul emphasised that salvation is a gift of grace, not earned by human effort.

Joy in Suffering: Despite facing shipwrecks, beatings, and imprisonment, Paul maintained his joy and continued to serve, teaching that true joy is independent of circumstances.

Commitment to the Mission: He was driven by his calling, prioritising the spread of the gospel above his own comfort and life.

The Power of Mentorship: Paul highlighted the importance of mentorship by mentoring others, like Timothy and Titus. 

Finishing Well: At the end of his life, Paul could declare he fought the good fight and finished the race, encouraging believers to remain steadfast to the end.

Paul, An Example Worthy of Imitation.

In view of his faithfulness in copying Christ's example, the apostle Paul could say: "Become imitators of me." (1Co 4:16; 11:1; Php 3:17) Paul was alert to follow the leading of God's Spirit. (Ac 13:2-5; 16:9, 10) He was no peddler of God's Word, but spoke out of sincerity. (2Co 2:17) Though educated, Paul did not try to impress others with his speech (1Co 2:1-5) nor did he seek to please men. (Ga 1:10) He did not insist on doing what he had the right to do, but adapted himself to the people to whom he preached, exercising care so as not to stumble others.​—1Co 9:19-26; 2Co 6:3.

Reflect on the Example of Paul

Jesus' choice of Saul for a special commission was a unique event in Christian history. Yet, all present-day Christians have individual abilities and characteristics that can be used effectively in spreading the good news. When Saul understood what Jesus wanted of him, he did not hold back. He did all he could to promote Kingdom interests. 

So, what was the purpose of Paul's apostleship? Jesus himself stated that it was for a particular purpose​—not as a replacement for Judas—​but that Paul might serve as an 'apostle [sent one] to the nations' (Ac 9:4-6, 15), and Paul recognised this as the purpose of his apostleship. (Ga 1:15, 16; 2:7, 8; Ro 1:5;

Paul was alert to follow the leading of God's Spirit. (Ac 13:2-5; 16:9, 10)

We would do well in imitating the Apostle Paul's Example.

2 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report