Character Sketch of Paul

Within the undisputed letters of Paul one may see many different character traits of the apostle. He is no doubt passionate, faithful to Christ, and outspoken in his beliefs. Some might say that he even comes across as prideful a number of different times. In order to understand better what Paul’s character traits were, one must study the letters he wrote to his fellow believers as he served them and many others in ministry. Marion L. Soards says in “The Life and Writings of Paul”, “Since the epistles are what remain directly from Paul’s efforts as an apostle, one should examine them in terms of their organization and style to see if they offer further insight into the character of their author” (86). One must examine what Paul wrote and how he wrote it in order to better understand what different kinds of character traits may be correctly attributed to Paul. While there are many different character traits that can be attributed to Paul, four that are of particular interest are Paul’s sense of loyalty, his sense of hopefulness, his affectionate spirit, and his sense of humility.

Paul was loyal to what he knew to be true. He identified himself with Christ, and refused to accept any teaching that appeared to be contrary to what he knew about Christ. This is seen in the first chapter of Paul’s letter to the Galatians. He writes, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all” (Gal. 1:6-7a, NIV). He says that the Galatians have gone astray by believing in a false gospel, and he rebukes them for this. He continues, “Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (Gal. 1:7b-8, NIV). Paul was loyal to his faith in Christ, placing Christ above all else. He even went so far as to say that if he himself were to ever preach something false about Christ, he should be “eternally condemned.” In The Anchor Bible commentary on Galatians, J. Louis Martyn says of Paul, “Contemplating at a considerable remove the possibility that he should lose his bearings and preach a different gospel, he insists that everyone, including himself, is subordinate to the gospel of Christ and subject to God’s judgment” (114). Paul says that even if he preaches a false gospel, they should not listen to him, showing his strong loyalty to the true gospel of Christ. Richard B. Hays says in Volume XI of The New Interpreter’s Bible:

“Paul certainly does not anticipate proclaiming a different gospel, but by including himself hypothetically under the threat of curse, he makes an important point. He is not asking for the Galatians’ personal allegiance to him; rather, what matters is their allegiance to the gospel message. Even if Paul should stray and begin preaching something different, the Galatians should reject him and cling to the gospel” (206).

In saying this, Paul shows his characteristic loyalty to the gospel of Christ. He also refers to the angels in this passage written to the Galatians. He says that if even an angel comes preaching something false about Christ, the church should not listen to him. In this, he is saying that one’s loyalty to Christ must outweigh one’s loyalty to anything or anyone else. He is telling the believers that they must be loyal to Christ before being loyal to any person, even if that person is as well-learned as Paul. He says that they must be loyal to Christ before all, even if someone as spiritual as an angel himself comes to them. Christ must come first, and everything that everyone else says must agree with who Christ is, or else the Galatians should not listen to them.

Paul’s deep sense of loyalty was not limited to only himself. He also held a high standard of loyalty for other believers. His firm belief in loyalty to the risen Savior Christ was something that he felt should be present among all who professed to be Christians. Paul’s deep sense of loyalty is seen in his letter to Philemon. Something of notable interest that comes across well in Paul’s letter to Philemon is the idea that not only should believers be loyal in their commitment to serve Christ but believers ought also to be loyal in their commitment to help Christ’s apostles. For Paul, loyalty to Christ means committing to help those who have been called to preach the message of Christ to the world. For Paul’s dear friend Philemon, this would also include a commitment to help Paul. In the letter to Philemon, Paul asks Philemon to be reconciled to his slave Onesimus, who had apparently fled from his master. Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a fellow brother in Christ for both his sake and for Christ’s sake. Paul writes to Philemon, “Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains” (Phi.1:8-10, NIV). Paul speaks on behalf of Philemon’s slave Onesimus, asking Philemon to receive him. Paul goes on to remind Philemon of his own position and loyalty to Christ and how he himself owes his very life to Paul because of the fact that Paul preached the gospel to him, thus leading him to find salvation in Christ. Paul says to Philemon, “So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me” (Phi. 1:17, NIV). He appeals to Philemon’s sense of loyalty to him. Paul knows that as a man who has apparently come to know Christ through the influence of Paul, Philemon will also most likely be compelled to comply with Paul’s wishes. Paul expects Philemon to act in the same kind of loyalty in which he has seen Paul act. F. F. Bruce says in The New International Commentary on the New Testament:

“If Paul does not give orders to Philemon, he at least expects ‘obedience’ from him, even if the obedience be acquiescence in a request rather than compliance with a demand. He is sure, he says, that Philemon will not only read what is written in his letter but read between the lines and see what Paul would really like him to – and do it” (222).

Philemon is in a very real sense Paul’s disciple, and Paul’s strong loyalty to Christ and those who preach Christ most likely has had considerable influence on Philemon’s loyalty to Christ and his loyalty to those who preach Christ, including Paul. This being known Paul calls on Philemon to show this loyalty that Paul has shown to him through Christ but accepting his fellow brother in Christ and lawful slave Onesimus. Paul has full confidence that Philemon will be just as loyal to the love of Christ as his teacher Paul has been in his example to him. Paul writes to Philemon, “I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask” (Phi. 1:20-21, NIV). It is interesting to note that while Paul appears to have every confidence in Philemon that he will keep his loyalty as Paul has and do the right thing he still appears to find it necessary to remind Philemon of this loyalty. In addition to all that he has said, Paul also asks Philemon to prepare a room for him so that he may have a place to stay when he visits the church of which Philemon is a part. Paul adds, “And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers” (Phi. 1:22, NIV). In this request, Paul shows that not only is Philemon loyal to him, but he is loyal to Philemon. Paul desires to be reunited with his friend and brother in Christ. Paul’s association and friendship with Philemon’s runaway slave Onesimus has not caused him to forget in friendship with Philemon. In this letter, Paul shows his loyalty to Philemon which is a result of the bond both of them share in Christ.

Paul has a hope that has been planted deep inside of him. He makes clear that this hope that he speaks of and that he has experienced came through Christ. He is hopeful of what he believes Christ will do in the future, and he has hope that eventually everything that has gone away from God will one day in some way or form be redeemed through Christ. This hopefulness is characteristic of Paul and is seen coming through in his letters to the churches. In 1^st Thessalonians, Paul writes to the church and tells them about his hope in the return of Christ that will take place in the future. He also tells the church of his hope in the resurrection of the dead through Christ. He wants the Thessalonians to share in this hope that he has. He tells them, “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1^st Thess. 4:13, NIV). He tells them this because he wants them to have the same hope that he has. They had been concerned because some of them had been dying and Jesus seemed to be taking a long time in coming back. They wanted to know what would happen to the believers who died before the return of Christ. F. F. Bruce says in The Word Biblical Commentary on 1^st and 2^nd Thessalonians, “[T]he death of their friends filled their hearts with sorrow and they needed a message of reassurance, based on a more precise statement of the Christian hope” (104). Paul recognizes their sense of hopelessness in their questioning and he responds by trying to convince them that there is hope in the resurrection. Bruce continues, “Hope was one of the chief emphases of the gospel; it was a feature of Christian existence. Believers in Christ are contrasted with ‘others who have no hope.’” (104). Paul is saying that they should take hold of this same hope that he has already taken hold of and that he is expressing in his own life and character. He says to them, “Therefore encourage each other with these words” (1^st Thess. 4:18, NIV).

In Romans, Paul also speaks of this hope that he has experienced and that has become very much a part of his own character. He lets the Roman Christians know that he is not ignorant of suffering and that he understands how hard it is for people when they have gone through suffering having gone through much suffering himself. He lets them know that may have hope in their suffering because of Christ just as he has hope in his suffering through Christ. He says that because of Christ we are able to rejoice in our sufferings. He says, “And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Rom. 5:2b-5, NIV). Paul has hope in his sufferings because he knows that through Christ suffering can lead to other things which are good. He recognizes that suffering is something that changes who a person is on the inside, and he knows that through Christ this change can be a very good thing. He says that a person’s character is changed by suffering and that this very thing leads to hope. He says that hope is something that does not disappoint. In saying this, he shows that not only is he a hopeful man, but he also has hope in hope, itself. He has hope that his hope will not disappoint him. James R. Edwards speaks of this hope that is characteristic of Paul in the New International Biblical Commentary on Paul’s letter to the Romans:

“Especially important is Paul’s statement that hope does not disappoint us (v. 5). The Greek word for disappoint, kataischynein, is a cognate of the same word in 1:16, ‘I am not ashamed (epaischynein) of the gospel.’ It recalls, despite everything to the contrary, that the believer’s trust in the gospel is no empty fantasy. The Jewish Christian concept of hope dwarfs the ancient Greek idea of hope. For the Greek hope was little more than an eventuality, a possible outcome of current circumstances. But for Jews and Christians hope is anchored to the person and promises of God” (137).

Paul’s hope is solid. His hope is not the hope of the Greeks which would say that something may or may not happen. Hope for Paul is tied directly to his faith. He knows that his hope will not disappoint him because he knows that God will not disappoint him, and his faith in God is unwavering.

Paul may also be seen as one who has an affectionate spirit for his brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. His affection for them is seen in the opening of his letter to the Philippians. He says to them, “God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:8, NIV). Paul has such affection for his brothers and sisters in Christ that he claims to be filled with this deep since of longing to be with them. William Barclay says in The New Daily Study Bible of this verse, “The literal translation is: ‘I yearn for you all with the bowels of Jesus Christ.’ […] These, the Greeks believed to be the location of the emotions and affections (21). Paul is letting them know just how deep his affection is for them when he says this. He tells them that this is proper. He says to them, “It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me” (Phil. 1:7, NIV). Paul’s affection for these people is such that he says to them that they are in his heart. He seems to be indicating that his affection for them is caused by a deep connection that they have with each other. This connection is still present and felt even when they are separated and can no longer see one another, which shows just how deep his affection is for them.

Paul’s great affection for his fellow believers also comes through in the letter that is commonly referred to as 2^nd Corinthians. In this letter, as well as in the previous remaining letter to the Corinthians, it is clear that Paul has been disturbed by reports from the church in Corinth. He has come to find out that there are those within the church who have exchanged the truth of the gospel for lies. There are some among them who are still living in deep sin and who have not allowed themselves to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus. They still indulge in the sinful nature and remain slaves to that nature. Paul is distressed by this because of his obvious loyalty to Christ, but he is also distressed by this because he himself has deep concern and affection for the Corinthians. He says to them, “For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you” (2^nd Cor. 2:4, NIV). He recognizes that those who have been sinning have done so to their own destruction.  This pains Paul because of his love and affection for these people. Linda L. Belleville says in The IVP New Testament Commentary Series on 2nd Corinthians, “Thlipsis (distress) and synochē (anguish) are virtual synonyms for personal pain brought about by oppressive circumstances” (72). The reason Paul felt this distress and anguish was because of his deep love for the Corinthians. Belleville continues, “Here, they refer to the deep emotional turmoil that Paul experienced as he wrote this letter to the Corinthians, very much like the anxiety a parent feels when faced with the prospect of exercising discipline” (72). He refers to one brother who has sinned grievously and he says that his sin is not just something that affects him, but also those other believers who know this man. Paul writes to them, “If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely” (2^nd Cor. 2:5, NIV). Paul feels hurt in his heart because he knows that what this man has been doing has caused pain to occur among the other believers. Paul recognizes this and he shows that when the other believers feel pain he also feels pain because of his great affection for them. He cares for them deeply.

Within Paul’s letters one can see that while Paul is passionate and firm in his faith and in the life he now lives in Christ, he also knows humility. He recognized that he does not deserve this calling that he has received from God. He writes of how he used to be an enemy of the church, persecuting it, but that God in His mercy called him out of this life and made him to be an apostle of Christ to the Gentiles. He is humbled by God’s love and grace towards him, and by the great privilege he has to proclaim the good news of Christ to the world. He knows that he is unworthy of all he has received. He says in 1^st Corinthians, “For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve 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 to me was not without effect” (1^st Cor.15:9-10a, NIV). He recognizes that it is only by God’s grace that he has become an apostle of Christ. Marion L. Soards says in the New International Biblical Commentary on 1 Corinthians, “Having mentioned the encounter with the risen Jesus that constituted his call, Paul goes on to explain the significance of God’s grace as he knew it from that experience. He understood grace to be unmerited and transforming” (320). Paul saw the calling of Christ upon his life as an act of grace and he goes on to say that he has worked harder than all the other apostles, but rather than being arrogant about this he claims that it was only by the grace of God that this was even possible.

Paul’s humility is also seen in his letter to the Philippians. He describes Christ and how Christ came to earth in humility, even though He was God. Stephen L. Harris says in The New Testament: A Student’s Introduction, “Urging the Philippians to place others’ welfare before their own, Paul cites Jesus’ behavior as the supreme example of humble service to others” (364). Paul says that we all must become like Christ in humility, serving one another. Paul has applied this humility, the humility of Christ the Servant to his own life, and he calls on other believers to do the same. He points to Christ’s example of humility as an example for all believers as he recites a hymn, saying:

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!” (Phil. 2:5-8, NIV).

This idea of humbling oneself as Christ did is what Paul calls on all believers to do. He includes himself in this command. He is not exempt. Just as Christ did not refuse to let go of His authority and position as God, so should all who follow Christ be willing to give up their place in life for the sake of Christ, considering all others to be of greater worth than themselves. One must also be willing to give up his or her life in order to be a servant like Christ was. For Paul, this was likely true in the literal sense as well as spiritually. Paul shows his humility in his desire to be like Christ in Christ’s perfect humility when he became a man. Just as Christ “humbled himself and became obedient to death” so also it is commonly believed that Paul experienced death for the sake of Christ his Lord.

Within the undisputed letters of Paul one may see many different character traits of the apostle. While it is true that much more could be said about the many different character traits of Paul, these four character traits have plenty to say about the man Paul himself. It is clear that he was a man of God and that he eagerly desired to serve Christ who had redeemed him and to proclaim the message of the gospel to all he could. These character traits of loyalty, hope, affection, and humility come across within Paul’s letters to his fellow believers. While there are many different character traits that can be attributed to Paul, four that have been of particular interest are Paul’s sense of loyalty, his hopefulness, his affectionate spirit, and his humility.

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Works Cited

Harris, Stephen L.  The New Testament: A Student’s Introduction.  6th ed.  New York: McGraw-Hill, 2006.

Powell, Mark Allan, ed.  The New Testament Today.  Marion L. Soards. “The Life and Writings of Paul.” Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 1999.

Metzger, Bruce M., ed. Word Biblical Commentary. Vol. 45. 1&2 Thessalonians. F. F. Bruce. Colombia: Word, Inc., 1982.

Martyn, J. Louis. The Anchor Bible. Galatians. A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary. New York: Doubleday, 1997.

Barclay, William. The New Daily Study Bible. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2003.

Osborne, Grant. R., ed. The IVP New Testament Commentary Series. 2 Corinthians. Linda L. Belleville. Downers Grove, Illinois: Inter Varsity Press, 1996.

Gasque, W. Ward., ed. New International Biblical Commentary. Romans. James R. Edwards. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Pub., Inc., 1992.

Keck, Leander. E., ed. The New Interpreter’s Bible. Volume IX. Richard B. Hays. “The Letter to the Galatians: Introduction, Commentary, and Reflections.” Nashville, Tennessee: Abingdon Press, 2000.

Gasque, W. Ward., ed. New International Biblical Commentary. 1 Corinthians. Marion L. Soards. Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Pub., Inc., 1999.

F.F. Bruce. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1984.