Who did Paul minister to across the Roman Empire?
Paul ministered to people from other language backgrounds throughout the Roman Empire. While his basic languages were Hebrew and Greek, there were no doubt many across the Empire whose native tongues differed. Paul spoke in languages more than all of them, as he wrote in 1 Corinthians 14.
Les explains that Paul had a physical appearance that did not attract people and his speech was contemptible, making him seem unimpressive. Yet Paul said he spoke in languages more than all of them, likely with Hebrew and Greek as his basic languages. Les points out that throughout the Roman Empire there were people from other language backgrounds to whom Paul ministered. He illustrates this with a tour guide in Israel who spoke seven languages but not always with perfect grammar, suggesting Paul may likewise have had imperfect grammar in some languages, giving critics something to pick at. Les connects this to verse 11, where Paul says that as he and his companions are in word by letters when absent, such will they be also when present.