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Sketches from the Life of Paul
It was not to exalt self, but to magnify the grace of God, that Paul
thus presented to those who were denying his apostleship, proof that he
was “not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.” Those who sought
to belittle his calling and his work were fighting against Christ, whose
grace and power were manifested through Paul. Hence the apostle felt
that he was forced, by the opposition of his enemies, and even by the
course of his brethren, to take a decided stand to maintain his position
and authority.
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