Are Paul's writings the product of his own intellect or of God using him?
Paul's writings are not merely the product of his own intellect or theological ability. Scripture teaches that every writer was moved by the Holy Spirit, and Paul was the man God used to put these truths in print. His letters carry divine weight because they became the Word of God.
Les explains that when he speaks of Paul's writings, he is not focusing on the man, his intellect, or his tremendous ability to express theological truths. He is focusing on the man God used to put these things in print. Every writer of Scripture wrote as moved by the Holy Spirit, not by what men had been able to collect, because no word of Scripture came to pass in that way. Les notes that Paul's contemporaries said his speech was contemptible and his visage was not all that great; he was not a great handsome orator, yet they acknowledged his letters were weighty. That weightiness matches what Les is saying: Paul's written letters are different from ordinary verbal ministry because they became the Word of God. He may have preached and taught basic truths face to face, but the written letters carry the greater impact and authority as Scripture.