Paul and Jesus

If anyone considers himself to be a prophet or a spiritual one, let him acknowledge that what I write you is a command of the Lord. If anyone disregards this then he is disregarded. (1 Corinthians 14:37–38)

Paul’s precise mode of exercising his apostolic authority varies according to the degree of resistance he anticipates encountering. In 1 Corinthians and Galatians, where he is addressing serious problems among his followers, and some in the group are openly challenging his authority, he is dogmatic, unbending, and even threatening. In his letter to the group at Thessalonica he has confidence that his instructions will be well received, so he tends to be more gentle:

But we were gentle among you, like a nurse caring for her children, so being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share not only the gospel of God with you, but our very selves, since you had become so dear to us. (1 Thessalonians 2:7–8)

For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to lead a life worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:11–12)

Similarly, when he writes to his followers at Philippi he clearly expects them to receive his instructions positively, so his tone is encouraging, but nonetheless, obedience to Christ is to be gauged by obedience to the apostle and the degree to which they follow him:

Thus my beloved ones, as you have always obeyed, so do so now, not only when I am present, but even more when I am absent—work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. (Philippians 3:17)

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—do! And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

At the same time he makes it clear that his instructions are not based on human authority, but backed by the power of Christ. He goes on to remind the Thessalonians that they are to avoid any form of sexual immorality, ending his instructions with the stern warning: “Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you” (1 Thessalonians 4:8).

But even with the Corinthians and the Galatians, where there are those that are openly opposing him and his apostleship, he mixes his firm instructions with emotional pleas based on their personal bond established by his “fathering” them. To the Galatians he says he is like a parent watching over the birth of a child: “My little children, with whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ be formed in you! I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for I am perplexed about you” (Galatians 4:19–20). To the Corinthians he pleads:

Even if I am not an apostle to others at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 9:2)

Our mouth is open to you Corinthians, our heart is wide . . . open your hearts to us; we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have not taken advantage of anyone. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts . . . (2 Corinthians 6:11; 7:2–3)

But then in the same letter, though perhaps in a section written a bit later, when he has received reports of their possible resistance, he once again stresses his authority, his impending visit, and warns them of the consequences they will face if they resist him:

I beg you that when I am present I may not have to be overbearing with the kind of persuasion I plan on employing against those who accuse us of walking according to the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:2)

For even if I boast a bit of our authority (which the Lord gave for building up, not for destroying you) I will not be put to shame. (2 Corinthians 10:8)

I warned those who sinned before and all the others, and I warn them now while absent, as I did then when I was there on my second visit, that if I come again I will not spare them—since you want proof that Christ is speaking through me. (2 Corinthians 13:2–3)

I write this while I am away from you, in order that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. (2 Corinthians 13:10)

Notice that it is Christ who has given Paul his authority and although, ideally, this authority is for “building up,” it can be equally powerful for “tearing down” and thus destroying. In the end Paul expects obedience and he wants his followers to soberly consider what is at stake in their losing their salvation, and thus coming under the wrath of God. One must always keep in mind the apocalyptic context of everything Paul writes. For him, as well as for his communities, the “day of the Lord,” when Christ appears in the clouds of heaven to judge the world, could come at any time: