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To tabulate all the references in Paul's epistles that speak, either directly or indirectly,
of his independence, would turn this one article into a series, and would tend to magnify
this one feature beyond its true proportion. Paul was very much more than merely
independent, and we shall only truly appreciate his independence when we see it in
association with the other qualities that go to make up his spiritual character. The
Apostle has been given to the Church as an example. With all humility, with true
gratitude for all fellowship, and with every acknowledgment of our own frailty and
unworthiness, let us, at the same time, reach out after that independence of spirit that
should mark the Lord's "free men".
#3.
His Impetuosity.
pp. 180 - 183
"Here we see . . . . . that impetuosity which breaks out in his apostrophe to the `foolish
Galatians'." (Conybeare and Howson).
The reader may at first look askance at the subject to be considered in this article.
Impetuosity is a trait not usually put forward for emulation, especially in spiritual things.
It must, however, be remembered that we are endeavouring to reconstruct the Apostle's
self-drawn portrait. It is recorded that in reply to the artist's suggestion that a facial
blemish should be omitted from his portrait, Oliver Cromwell said that he wanted his
portrait painted "wart and all". It is far too easy to slip into the idea that the saints of the
Bible were not as other men. On the contrary, they were only too conscious that in
themselves they were but earthen vessels. It may be that if Paul's impetuosity appears at
times to outrun discretion; on the other hand the sluggishness and indifference of others
bear a great deal of responsibility.
The case in point in this article is the attitude of the Apostle as expressed in the Epistle
to the Galatians when he heard of their defection from the truth. Speaking after the
manner of men, we should never have seen the Epistle to the Galatians, had Paul not been
so moved that, without ceremony and without pause, he wrote out of a burning heart this
interesting, personal, Epistle.
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed . . . . . though an angel from heaven, preach any
other gospel . . . . . let him be accursed . . . . . Do I now persuade men?" (Gal. 1: 6-10).
"I would they were even cut off which trouble you" (Gal. 5: 12).
Can we imagine Paul quietly allowing the judaizers from Jerusalem to come down to
Galatia and put shackles and fetters upon those who had been set free by his own
ministry, and not be roused? "Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I
burn not?" (II Cor. 11: 29), said the Apostle. And if the word translated "offended"
means "made to stumble", is it not a thing to be thankful for, that Paul could burn at the
action of these legalisers? In this same chapter of Corinthians we sense that he himself