Leadership through Discipleship #20

Paul, The Power of the Pen, “So I write”

“The salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is a sign in every epistle; so I write” (2 Thessalonians 3:17).

Paul was a writer. I don’t know what his literary past had been but I wonder if some of his success in apprehending, persecuting, and executing Christians was the result of his skills with the written word and persuasive argument. Whichever talents were used for wicked intent in the past, with his conversion came the zeal to use them all for the defense of the Gospel and to spread the Good News as far as possible. As a Christian, Paul is credited with writing thirteen of the twenty-seven New Testament books. He stated in the text that he wrote every epistle in his own handwriting. He mentions writing his own correspondence in the letter to Philemon, “I, Paul, am writing with my own hand” (Philemon 1:19). To the Galatians he boasted of writing large letters, “See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand!” (Galatians 6:11). Some surmise that Paul wrote with large letters due to failing eyesight. Others suggest it had more to do with the length of his writings. Whatever the reason, believers today are blessed because of Paul’s passion for writing.

As Paul traveled, established churches, and developed disciples he stayed in contact with them through the written word. He wrote to individuals (Titus, Timothy, and Philemon) and these letters became the Pastoral Epistles. He wrote to seven different churches, twice to two of them, that make up the rest of the body of his writing. He wrote because he could not be there in person, “I write these things being absent,” and sometimes because he was angry, “lest being present I should use sharpness” (2 Corinthians 13:10). On other occasions he warned of their error, entreating them like dear children (1 Corinthians 4:14).

Paul’s writing carries the weight of Scriptural authority. As he sets the church at Corinth in order concerning spiritual gifts he declares that the things he writes are the commandments of the Lord and that the truly spiritual will acknowledge it! While at first reading this may sound a bit arrogant perhaps we must consider the condition of the Corinthian church. (See 1 Corinthians 14:36-40.) Paul was sincere in his love for the churches and honest in his writing. He defended his truthfulness to one church, “Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie” (Galatians 1:20). Later Peter affirms the writing of Paul’s epistles and categorizes them as “Scripture” to be received as the word of the Lord, “the wisdom given to him” (2 Peter 3:14-16).

Thank God for Paul’s passion for writing. Much of the Scripture’s direction for discipleship in the church flowed through his letters. The writing of Paul should be received with rejoicing. “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe” (Philippians 3:1).