1 Corinthians 15:10 – Not I…

… but more exceedingly than all of them toil I – yet not I, but the grace of God which is with me.

Paul was very much aware of his enormous commitment as an apostle to the Evangel of the resurrected Christ. But did he see that as a performance by himself? Absolutely not, he could not do otherwise. At his calling, he was overwhelmed by GOD’s grace (1 Timothy 1:14). Paul did not choose Christ, but vice versa: Christ had chosen and convinced him. And subsequently also personally taught and motivated him. The Good News had been lit in Paul’s heart like fireworks – he could not help but inform everyone else as a herald.

Paul had toiled, for sure! Even more than all his fellow apostles. But as he establishes this, he immediately adds “not me, but the grace of God which is with me.” Paul had a share in GOD’s work: he was a tool in his hand. An instrument that GOD wanted to use. No matter how intensely involved he was, it was GOD who demonstrated his grace in him. Let us never forget what the true proportions are. GOD delivers the performance and we can be his tool in it!

Delen: