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Sketches from the Life of Paul
Paul! Then he was intrusted with the sword of secular power, he was
the agent of the Sanhedrim, the Jewish inquisitor, the exterminator of
heretics, seeking victims to imprison, to scourge, or to stone. Filled
with pride, he rode toward Damascus, with servants at his command
to convey his prisoners to Jerusalem. Now he journeys on foot, with
no outward tokens of rank or power, and no officers of justice to do
his bidding. The utmost that he can do to punish those who disregard
his authority, is to separate them from a society whose members are
everywhere regarded as ignorant and degraded. His enemies declare
that his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Yet the
apostle is not so powerless as he is represented. He bears a commission
from the King of kings. All Heaven is enlisted to sustain him. His
weapons are not carnal, but mighty through God to overthrow the
strongholds of sin and Satan.
There has been as great a change in the spirit of the apostle, as in
his outward appearance. Then he was “breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against the disciples;” he “made havoc of the church;” he
“haled men and women to prison;” he “compelled them to blaspheme;”
he was “exceedingly mad” against all who revered the name of Jesus.
His heart was filled with bitterness, malice, and hatred; yet he was so
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deluded as to imagine himself serving God, while in reality doing the
work of Satan. Now the proud, passionate nature of Saul has been
transformed by the grace of Christ. His heart yearns over his most
bitter opponents. The thought of causing them pain, fills him with
sorrow. He wrote to his brethren, “If I cause you grief, who is there to
cause me joy?” He entreated them to spare him the necessity of dealing
severely with them. All that was good and noble in the character of
Saul remains, the same zeal burns upon the altar of his heart; but it has
been purified, and sacredly consecrated to the service of Christ.
Paul was accompanied to Corinth by a little band of fellow-laborers,
some of whom had been his companions during the months spent in
Macedonia, and his assistants in gathering funds for the church at
Jerusalem. He could rely upon these brethren for sympathy and support
in the present crisis. And though the condition of the Corinthian church
was in some respects painful and discouraging, there were also reasons
for joy and gratitude. Many who had once been corrupt and degraded
worshipers of idols, were now sincere and humble followers of Christ.
Not a few still regarded the apostle with warm affection, as the one