An Explanation in Simple Terms
The Apostle Paul, one of the most influential figures in early Christianity, had every reason to boast if he had chosen to think as many people do today. He had accomplishments, privileges, and qualities that could have easily made him the kind of person others would admire and praise endlessly. Yet, Paul made a conscious choice not to glory in these things. Let’s break this down in simple terms to understand what he avoided boasting about and why.
Paul Did Not Glory in His Heritage
Paul was born a Jew, a member of God’s chosen people. He wasn’t just any Jew, but what he called a “Hebrew of Hebrews” (Philippians 3:5). This means he came from a respected family and upheld the traditions of his people. He could have boasted about being a descendant of Abraham, the father of the Jewish faith. He could have taken pride in the fact that he wasn’t a Gentile (a non-Jew), who many Jews of his time considered ignorant and far from God.
Yet, Paul didn’t see his heritage as something to boast about. He didn’t walk around saying, “I’m better than others because I was born into the right group of people.” In fact, he said in Philippians 3:7, “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” In other words, he treated his privileged background as unimportant compared to his faith in Jesus. Paul understood that being born into a certain family or group didn’t make him closer to God.
Paul Did Not Glory in His Hard Work
No one worked harder for the Christian faith than Paul. He traveled extensively, preached tirelessly, and endured countless hardships. He faced beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, hunger, and sleepless nights—all for the sake of spreading the message of Jesus. He even said in 2 Corinthians 11:23, “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.”
Despite all this, Paul never bragged about his efforts as if they earned him special favor with God. He didn’t think his hard work could save his soul or make him more worthy in God’s eyes. Paul knew that salvation came through faith in Jesus, not through the number of good deeds he could accomplish. He refused to place his confidence in his own strength and efforts, emphasizing instead that everything he did was by God’s grace.
Paul Did Not Glory in His Knowledge
Paul was an incredibly smart and gifted man. Before becoming a follower of Jesus, he had been trained as a Pharisee, which was a group of highly educated Jewish leaders. After his conversion, his knowledge and wisdom grew even more because the Holy Spirit guided him. Paul became a powerful speaker, a skilled writer, and an excellent teacher. He could debate with anyone—whether they were Jews, Gentiles, or even skeptics—and explain deep truths about faith and life.
He also had extraordinary spiritual experiences. In 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, Paul mentioned being taken up to the “third heaven,” where he heard things so incredible that he couldn’t even describe them. He had revelations and insights that few others could claim. But did Paul ever boast about his intellect, his spiritual experiences, or his ability to teach? Not at all. He knew that knowledge alone couldn’t bring him closer to God or justify him. He saw these gifts as tools to serve others, not as reasons to glorify himself.
Paul’s Perspective: Glory Belongs to Christ
So why didn’t Paul glory in his heritage, his hard work, or his knowledge? The simple answer is that Paul believed all glory belonged to Christ. He understood that no human achievement, no matter how impressive, could compare to what Jesus had done. Paul constantly reminded others—and himself—that salvation is a gift from God. It’s not something anyone can earn through their own efforts or privileges.
Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This was the foundation of Paul’s faith and life. He didn’t see himself as better or more deserving than anyone else. Instead, he saw himself as a sinner saved by grace, just like everyone else who believes in Jesus.
What Can We Learn from Paul?
Paul’s example teaches us some valuable lessons:
· Don’t rely on your background. Just like Paul didn’t boast about being a Jew, we shouldn’t think we’re better or closer to God because of our family, nationality, or upbringing. Faith and character matter more than where we come from.
· Don’t rely on your achievements. Paul worked incredibly hard, but he knew his efforts couldn’t save him. Similarly, we should do good works out of love for God and others, not as a way to earn God’s approval.
· Stay humble about your gifts. Whether we’re smart, talented, or have unique experiences, we should remember that these are gifts from God. Like Paul, we should use them to help others and point them to Christ, not to glorify ourselves.
Conclusion
The Apostle Paul had every reason to glory in his heritage, his work, and his knowledge. Yet, he refused to do so. He knew that none of these things could save him or make him righteous before God. Paul’s life was a testament to humility and faith. He directed all glory to Christ, recognizing that everything he had and accomplished was by God’s grace. If Paul, with all his achievements, didn’t dare to glory in himself, then neither should we. Instead, like Paul, we should find our joy and confidence in Jesus alone.
God bless!
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025
afrancinegreen.com 