What does 'by the grace of God I am what I am' mean in light of Paul's past?
The phrase contrasts Paul's former life as the chief persecutor of Jesus' followers with his present identity. The word 'but' signals the flip side: his standing came by God's grace, not from his past, showing grace reversed what he had been and made him what he was.
Les explains that the little word 'but' invariably means the flip side. Paul had been the chief persecutor against those who followed Jesus, but the flip side is 'by the grace of God, I am what I am.' Les also points to Ephesians 2 as another great 'but' and flip side, where Gentile believers in Ephesus were dead in trespasses and sins and walked according to the course of this world and the prince of the air, Satan, yet were quickened or made alive. This underscores the dramatic contrast between Paul's past and God's grace.
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
More Questions
What does 1 Corinthians 15:10 say about Paul and God's grace?
In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul says it is by the grace of God that he is what he is, and God's grace bestowed on him was not in vain.