Bulletin Article for June 4, 2006

The “I Am's” Of Paul

by Micky Galloway

In the context of Romans 1:14-16 Paul makes three statements which accurately reflect his attitude about preaching: “I am debtor” (verse 14), “I am ready” (verse 15), “I am not ashamed” (verse 16).

“I am debtor” expresses how keenly Paul felt his responsibility! Paul considered it something he owed to all men; Greeks or Barbarians, rich or poor, educated or illiterate. All came under the scope of his obligation. Paul wrote the Colossians regarding the extent of the gospel. “If so be that ye continue in the faith, grounded and stedfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister” (Colossians 1:23). His life is an evident token of just how intensely he felt this sublime obligation. Paul said, “For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel. For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me” (I Corinthians 9:16-17). From a Roman prison Paul encouraged the young preacher Timothy, “For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God” (II Timothy 1:7-8). He was even willing to die for the cause of Christ (cf II Timothy 4:6-8), counting it a privilege to preach the “unsearchable riches of Christ.” “Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages hath been hid in God who created all things” (Ephesians 3:8-9). This attitude of debt was not just the result of his apostolic assignment but an indication of his own, self-imposed sense of duty. He was responsible for his own zeal. Both his divine appointment and his own sense of responsibility figure in his claim to be a debtor.

“I am ready” to preach the gospel. This affirms Paul's singlemindedness (cf Philippians 3:13). All things were subordinated to this “one thing.” This also affirms his enthusiasm to preach the gospel among all nations. It also expresses his genuine concern for the souls of others. When facing life with persecution or death and deliverance unto Christ, Paul stated, “But I am in a strait betwixt the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ; for it is very far better: yet to abide in the flesh is more needful for your sake. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide, yea, and abide with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith” (Philippians 1:23-25).

Paul was prepared and felt the urgency of proclaiming the glad news. Paul was glad to “spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less” (cf II Corinthians 12:15). After being warned by Agabus the prophet of his impending arrest if he went into Jerusalem, Paul said, “What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). Whatever the will of God, no matter the obstacles, regardless of the situation, with no consideration for the circumstances, Paul was ready to preach the gospel (Philippians 3:8-15).

“I am not ashamed” of the gospel of Christ, (verse 16). Paul defended the gospel without shame or apology in whatever circumstances. Even at Mars Hill in Athens, he stood alone and preached the gospel (Acts 17:16-31). Time and again, he stood before the dignitaries and kings of his day and unashamedly defended the good news of Jesus. He stood before the Jewish Court (Acts 21-23), before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa (Acts 24-26). He suffered the loss of all that he had, yet never shrank from declaring the whole council of God. Thus he could say he was “free from the blood of all men” (Acts 20:26-27; cf II Timothy 1:8 and II Timothy 1:12-13). Paul was firmly fixed in the faith of the gospel. Ashamed??? NEVER!

Paul's statements reveal what God wants all of us to be! None of the “I am” statements of Paul have to do with the miraculous. “I am debtor” does not only relate to the apostleship of Paul. “I am ready” does not necessitate the miraculous. “I am not ashamed” does not require some special manifestation of the power of God for its affirmation.

Though we are not possessed of the Holy Spirit and are not specially chosen as the Apostles, there is still a very real sense in which we are “separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). We have voluntarily submitted our abilities to his service. We must preach and teach the same message with the same zeal and patience as Paul. We can have the same single-mindedness, the same dedication, the same sense of urgency Paul did (cf Acts 8:4). Paul told Timothy, “Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all … But be thou sober in all things, suffer hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry” (I Timothy 4:15; II Timothy 4:5).