Where was the Twelve's ministry confined to?
The Twelve's ministry was confined to the nation of Israel; they had no ministry outside of Israel and seldom even went beyond the Jordan River. They did not cover the Mediterranean area, so Paul's pioneer work was in virgin territory.
Les explains that the Twelve had no ministry outside the nation of Israel; they very seldom went beyond the Jordan River. By contrast, Paul was out in pagan Gentile territory all by himself, and the Twelve had nothing to do with what he accomplished. Paul hoped to preach the gospel in regions beyond Corinth—Rome, Spain, Great Britain, and eventually the New World—without boasting in another man's line. Since the Twelve had not covered the Mediterranean, Paul could build on virgin territory rather than another's foundation.