What did Paul mean when he said he was more than the apostles in Jerusalem?
Paul meant he was not inferior to the chief apostles in Jerusalem; he was equal in apostleship. He was more in labors, stripes, imprisonments, and deaths for the Gospel. He took no personal credit, affirming his authority only because the Corinthians compelled him, not for self-glory.
Les explains that Paul was confronting Judaizers who told his Gentile converts he had never been with Peter or spent three years with Jesus, so why listen to him? Paul answers that he was not one whit behind the chiefest apostles, and Peter was the chiefest. He grants he is a Hebrew, an Israelite, the seed of Abraham, and a minister of Christ, but then says, 'I am more.' He was more in labor, more abundant in stripes, more frequent in prisons, and in deaths often. He suffered for the Gospel in ways Peter, James, and John never did. Yet he calls himself a fool for glorying, saying he had to because the Corinthians compelled him, putting him down as of no count. He affirms his apostolic authority, not because of the Twelve's preaching in Jerusalem, but because of his loyalty to Christ, and he insists that in himself he is nothing.
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
More Questions
Why did Paul say he was more than the other apostles if it sounded like bragging?
Paul realizes that saying 'I am more' may sound braggadocious, but he knows he is inspired by the Spirit to write it, because he was more than those back in Jerusalem — more in labor, more abundant.
How did Paul answer the charge that he was inferior to the Jerusalem apostles?
Paul answers the charge of inferiority by matching the Jerusalem apostles credential for credential — Hebrew, Israelite, seed of Abraham, minister of Christ — and then claiming he is more.
Why did Paul write 'I am more' in 2 Corinthians 11:23 if it sounds like bragging?
Paul realizes that saying 'I am more' may seem a little braggadocious, but he knows he is inspired by the Spirit to write it.
Why does Paul call himself nothing when he compares himself to other ministers of Christ?
Even while comparing himself to rival ministers ("Are they ministers of Christ? I speak as a fool"), Paul consistently calls himself nothing, and that habitual self-abasement is why his humility shows through here.