LESS THAN THE LEAST – IGNITING HEARTS WITH THE POWER AND BEAUTY OF WORDS
Smitten By Faith Issue Number : # 000077 9th December 2023
“…the gift of God’s grace which was given me by the working of his power. To me, though I am the very least of all …to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ”
( St. Paul to the Ephesians 3 : 7-8 )
“For I am the least of the apostles unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain.”
( St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 15: 9-10 ).
In his letters to the Ephesians and to the Corinthians above, the Apostle Paul refers to himself as less than the very least of all people. Paul declares with great humility that Christ who wants to give to us his boundless riches is the greatest of all, while he, Paul, is but a sinner. Paul was already in the chosen ranks of an Apostle; yet he felt most unworthy. He put himself at the very bottom of not only his brother Apostles but also of all God’s creatures and he declares that he is less than even the lowest. Yet, it was to this ‘less than the least’ - to this compelling man of faith whose words carried a soaring power - that God chose and gave the task of preaching to the Gentiles, far beyond the borders of Judea and Galilee. Paul the Evangelist was able not only to see God with amazing clarity, he was also able to transmit this miracle and understanding of God through the simple eloquence and beauty of his spoken and written words.
Above Right : ‘St. Paul Writing His Epistles’; oil on canvas by the French painter Valentin de Boulogne (1591–1632); Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Above Left :St. Paul; oil on canvas by the Italian Baroque painter, Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, better known as Guercino (1591-1666); Slovak National Gallery, Slovakia.
I must have already mentioned St. Paul countless times in the many articles I have written in the past 2 years of ‘Smitten By Faith’. However, there is always still so much more to write. It seems that each time, my take on Paul is different; each time I see a different aspect of this great saint, writer and teacher. Today, my perspective of this great evangelist is about the power of Paul’s pen in his Letters and the impact of the compelling and poignant words of Paul - perhaps the greatest ( yet most humble ) preacher and writer in the Christian Church. Today, more than 2000 years later, Paul’s Epistles or Letters are still read every single day at masses in Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches in every corner of the world; his stirring and persuasive words providing a bright and shining guiding light on the Christian faith.
THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS - FROM THE SINNER SAUL OF TARSUS TO ST. PAUL THE EVANGELIST
Above : ‘The Conversion of St. Paul’; the magnificent oil on canvas ( around 1675-1680 ) by the famous Spanish painter, Bartolome Esteban Murillo; Prado Museum, Madrid.
Who was Paul ? Around 4 BCE, St. Paul was born as ‘Saul’ of Tarsus to Roman-Jewish parents in Cilicia in Tarsus. He studied under Jewish scholars and rabbis and was an articulate very educated man who also was well versed not only in the Jewish Talmud but also Roman law. He became a Roman officer and after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, rigorously persecuted the growing group of Christian believers whom he regarded as a threat to the Roman Empire. In 33 CE, one day, while galloping hard on his horse on the road to Damascus while Paul was chasing down some Christians, he was struck down by a loud voice from Heaven who said :‘Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me ? ‘ There was a blinding light; Paul fell from his horse and he became blind. For 3 days. Alone in Jerusalem, confused, bereft and blind, he then fasted as was commanded by God to do. On the 3rd day, Paul was visited by a converted Christian, Ananias of Damascus who said he was sent by God to pray with Paul and help him recover his sight. Paul then recognised that the voice he heard on the road to Damascus was that of God’s. God had chosen him, this great sinner; the less of the least - to spread his word. And so the miracle happened and Paul’s conversion to Christ was instant and complete. Paul was baptized and set out immediately ‘ far away to the Gentiles’ ( Acts Chapter 22 ) to proclaim the glory of God.
After his miraculous conversion on the ‘Road to Damascus’, Saul of Tarsus, the Roman Jew, sinner and murderer of Christians became Paul the Evangelist. He traveled all over the Mediterranean, from Jerusalem to Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus, Athens and Rome over the next 30 years, beginning with his 1st missionary journey around 48 CE and ending around 59-60 CE with his 4th and final voyage to imprisonment and a martyr’s death in Rome around 62 CE. Paul had started out with just a small apostolic band of missionaries - Barnabus, Silas, his beloved disciple Timothy and a few others. None of Paul’s trips were uneventful. They were fraught and almost everywhere Paul preached, he was harassed and persecuted by his enemies. Paul suffered much unbearable physical hardship and pain. Yet he and his early Christian converts ( Jews and Gentiles ) stood fast; Paul’s words gently and skilfully bringing the fragile group together – dissipated as they were all around the Mediterranean.
Far Left : The ruins of Ephesus ( now in Turkey)
Far Right : the ruins of Philippi ( Greece )
Centre Left : Exterior of St. Paul’s church built over his birthplace in Cilicia, Tarsus ( now Turkey)
Centre Right : The interior of St. Paul’s Church with the beautiful frescoes
So, today’s article will be about Paul’s Letters and the power of his words.
Above : MAPS showing Paul’s 4 Missionary Journeys
Paul’s missionary journeys are recorded in the New Testament of the Bible in the 27 Books of Paul’s Letters of which there are 13 Books known as the Pauline Epistles or Letters of Paul ( to the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, Thessalonians, Philemon and Timothy ) which can be unambiguously and directly attributed to the well-educated Paul who wrote in Greek – prodigiously and continuously. Even when he was himself tortured, persecuted and in great physical pain, Paul never stopped writing as he knew how vital his letters would be to lift up the morale of the many Christians who were being persecuted. He taught them how to live a God-centred life in a pagan-centred world. He wrote to individuals, his disciples, churches while he was travelling and even while he was in prison. He had to lift up their spirits, encourage them, applaud their faith, bring people to God and assure them that God was with them. Crucially, Paul always reminded them of salvation and the second coming of Christ. The sheer magnitude, significance and consequence of the Pauline Epistles are indescribable.
Above Right : ‘The Apostle Paul in Prison’; oil on panel (1627) painted by Dutch master painter, Rembrandt ( 1606-1669); Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany.
Above Left : Detail from the painting. See St. Paul still writing - to the very end.
It is hard for me to select a ‘favourite’ letter of St. Paul to share with my readers. Here are just two of Paul’s letters which allow you to glimpse the wonder of Paul’s words.
THE AREOPAGUS SERMON
Above : St Paul Delivering the Areopagus Sermon in Athens (1515 ); oil on canvas by the great Renaissance painter, Raphael
Above Left : Engraved plaque containing the Apostle Paul's famous ‘Areopagus Sermon’ at the Areopagus Hill in Athens, Greece.
Centre : The top of the Areopagus Hill in the foreground looking up at the famous ruins of the Acropolis in the distance
Right : The entrance to the Areopagus
The famous ‘Areopagus Sermon’ described in the Acts of the Apostles in Acts 17 refers to a sermon delivered by Paul in Athens around 51 CE. The Supreme Council in Greece was called the ‘Areopag’ and the ‘Areopagus Council’ which met on this hill was the most respected court in ancient Athens. Even today, the highest court in Greece is still called the Areopag which meets at the Palace of Justice instead of on the Areopagus hill. So, how did Paul feel preaching before this very august assembly of legislators and judiciary ? For sure, after preaching 18 years, Paul must have been by then, a formidable, confident and mesmerising speaker. That this event was monumental is without doubt as Paul’s words have now been literally engraved in stone ( see pictures above ) at the site of the Areopagus, a massive hill north-west of the famous Acropolis.
In his Areopagus Sermon Paul begins by acknowledging the Greeks’ religiosity. But he also explains how strange it is that they bow before ‘ the unknown God’ and a slew of pagan Gods when actually the God who made the world and everything in it is ‘not far from each of us’. He tells them that this God is known ; this God is transformative and this God will bring us salvation. In his sermon, Paul brings the familiar to his audience by referring to their own Greek philosophers and poets. Here is an excerpt from the Acts of the Apostles, Acts 17 ( Paul in Athens). You can almost hear Paul - in full flow - addressing his puzzled but somewhat rapt audience. In fact, after this stirring sermon a number of people including the very respectable Dionysius a member of the Areopagus and a ‘woman named Damaris’ became followers of Paul.
"So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said : ‘ Men of Athens I perceive that in every way you are religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: ‘ To The Unknown God’. What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of Heaven and Earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything…… Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for in him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘for we are indeed his offspring.’”
( Acts of the Apostles 17: 22-28 )
Above right : St. PAUL instructing Timothy, his favourite and beloved disciple. Paul has his left hand raised and right arm outstretched to Timothy at right, who is holding a book under his left arm. Drawing dated around 1904; Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens
Above Left : St. Paul, oil on panel (1482) by the Italian Renaissance painter, Bartolomeo Montagna (1450-1523). The painter shows St. Paul holding his Epistle and also the sword of his martyrdom. Collection Museo Poldi Pezzoli in Milan, Italy.
LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Written around 55-57 CE, a few years before his own martyrdom ( around 62 CE ) , Paul wrote this now timeless and inspiring Letter to the Romans. It had been already 25 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection; the early Christian Church was growing and Paul knew that he probably was never going to be let out from his Roman prison. So, it was significant that Paul wrote this Letter to the Christian Romans - penning for immortality, perhaps the most succinct and thoughtful elucidation of the bed-rock of the Christian faith explaining that salvation will come for all through Jesus Christ. Paul’s missions and this particular letter must also be taken in the context of the times. The Messiah, Jesus Christ had died and risen from the dead. The early Christian converts ( Jews and Gentiles ) and missionaries ( like Paul and his disciples ) continued to be persecuted by Rome. The early Christians were in a fragile state - there was much friction, safety was tenuous as they moved from one place to another for sanctuary; money was also a problem and Paul had to keep all this together as he travelled back and forth on his many missionary journeys. It was thus imperative for Paul to encourage the Christians to remain steadfast in their faith; calm the tensions between Jews and Gentiles, inspire more followers to grow the Church and resist the many other pressures coming from all directions. It makes you wonder how Paul managed to write so many letters and in particular, this very long incredibly beautiful Letter to the Romans below - a soaring paean of joy, of love and support reflecting Paul’s outlook for the Church as he lays out the Gospel, clearly and indisputably.
“ Brothers and sisters:
If God is for us, who can be against us?
He did not spare his own Son but handed him over for us all, how will he not also give us everything else along with him?
Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones?
It is God who acquits us.
Who will condemn?
It is Christ Jesus who died, rather, was raised, who also is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. What will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will anguish, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or the sword?
No, in all these things, we conquer overwhelmingly through him who loved us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor present things, nor future things, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. “
( Letter to the Romans 8: 31-39 )
This Letter was specifically addressed to the ancient Romans more than 2000 years ago and yet this letter is as fresh, consoling and meaningful today in our turbulent modern world, where so many of us still grasp with our faith. We can see why so many people say that Paul’s Letter to the Romans is his best ? And, yet Paul never failed to say that he and his words are less than the least.
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Come with me as we journey back in time about 2,000 years! to view a man who would
become the very center of gentile Christianity.
Saul of Tarsus was definitely on the fast track squelching, rounding up those in the new groups springing up in Israel, putting them in prison, and likely to death. As it was against the chief priests and rulers, a 'sect' that would become called Christianity.
There was some evidence that Saul may have been close friends of Herod growing up, and
he was steeped in the law, in Judaism.
On this day, way back then, Saul was on his way to Damascus, having gotten permission from
the chief priests to enter the homes of those in this new sect and bring them to
Jerusalem.
On the way there, a blinding light struck him down and he fell down and lost his sight.
While down, he heard the voice of 'Jesus' SPEAK to him who showed concern for Saul, asking
him 'Why do you kick against the pricks?'
Saul asked Who He was, and as soon as he heard this was 'Jesus' (Yehoshua in Hebrew)
speaking to him, Saul IMMEDIATELY asked Him what to do!!
Saul was instructed, and did as he was directed, and our story unfolds.
My question to you is 'Why do you think the Lord 'Jesus' selected Saul, given what he'd
been doing? Wouldn't we think that would be the LAST person anyone would ask to do
something as monumental as would be set before Saul, who later would be known
as Paul?
This article gives us some insight, does it not, just why the Lord did this? Doesn't it show us
so many things such as 'do not judge?', and 'love overcometh all things' and many others?
Doesn't it show us that ONLY God knows 'the heart', what is possible?
This article delves into the wonderful writings of Saul. And could we find any braver man
to go up against the Jews and Greeks who constantly sought to KILL Saul?
Fearless, was he not? And Our Lord knew this, knew his heart.
And we must not forget, though, that like all people, all Christians, all of us, we are
not sinless, not without our problems, and so we see Paul going against his own
teachings on 'agape' to 'not seek our own way'. Paul did this, and it led to his
imprisonment and later death.
Paul, the best to bring the message to the gentiles, enduring all for the sake of
the good message, was, like all of us, 'flawed', and only 'Jesus', the Lord was not.
Well, we've come to the end of this part of our journey together, and I hope I've
given you a little to think about, to see how gracious and forgiving is Our Lord
and Saviour, 'Jesus, the Christ'.
May I say 'and to all a 'good night'?