Paul's role, stated plainly in Romans 11:13, is to be the apostle of the Gentiles.
In that verse Paul directly addresses Gentile believers and says, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." Les Feldick emphasizes that this is one of the most explicit, overlooked verses defining Paul's unique apostleship to the non-Jewish world.
Romans 11:13 — This verse directly answers the question by naming Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles and stating that he magnifies that office.
In Romans 11:13 the Apostle Paul writes, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." The verse is written to Gentile believers at Rome. Scripture here plainly states that Paul's apostolic office is to the Gentiles, and he deliberately magnifies that role. That is what the verse itself declares.
Les Feldick teaches that Romans 11:13 is a small, often-overlooked verse that nevertheless means everything for Gentile believers. Paul, by inspiration, explicitly identifies himself as the apostle of the Gentiles and says he magnifies his office. Les points out that Paul is not the apostle of Israel as Peter was; rather, his apostleship is to the non-Jewish world. Paul never shrinks from that responsibility and never takes a back seat to anybody concerning his apostleship. Les also explains that Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship because people readily recognized the Twelve and their position with Christ during His earthly ministry, but they questioned Paul. Yet God saved Paul out of Judaism and commissioned him specifically as the apostle to the Gentiles. As far as the writing of Scripture is concerned, Les says there is only one apostle of the Gentiles—Paul—and his letters alone are written to the Church. Les compares Paul's receiving the doctrines of grace (the mysteries) for the Gentiles to Moses receiving the Law for Israel at Sinai.
Les Feldick points out that throughout Paul's epistles he constantly has to defend his apostleship. Even if Paul were alive today, Les says, he would still have to do it, because many conservative Christians "won't give Paul the time of day." People readily accept the Twelve because of their unique position with Christ during His earthly ministry, but Paul—a former persecutor of the church—had to establish his authority. Romans 11:13 is one of the verses that shows his apostolic credentials plainly.
Les Feldick contrasts Paul with Peter: Peter was the apostle to Israel, while Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul still had a heart for the nation of Israel, but his apostleship, according to Romans 11:13, is to the non-Jewish world. Les says this is so explicit "there is no way we can argue with it."
When Paul writes, "I magnify mine office," Les explains that Paul is saying he will never shrink from his God-given responsibility as the apostle to the Gentiles. He will never take a back seat to anybody concerning his apostleship. Rather than apologizing for his role, Paul elevates it.
Les says that for those of us who are Gentiles and have not been steeped in the Mosaic system, the Apostle Paul is the man we have to listen to. Romans 11:13, though small and often overlooked, "means everything" because it establishes that Paul was commissioned to bring the doctrines of grace—the mysteries—to the whole Gentile world. As far as the writing of this Book is concerned, Paul is the only apostle of the Gentiles, and his letters alone are written to the Church.
Paul Given a New Body of Truth for the Gentiles
Les compares Paul to Moses: God gave Moses the Law for Israel, and centuries later gave Paul the doctrines of grace, the mysteries, to take to the Gentile world.
Romans 11:13 Is an Overlooked Verse
Les introduces Romans 11:13 by noting that most people do not know this verse is even in the Bible.
For Gentiles, Paul Is the Man to Listen To
Les says that for Gentiles not steeped in the Mosaic system, Romans 11:13 shows Paul is the one to listen to, because he is the apostle of the Gentiles.
Paul Had to Defend His Apostleship
Les notes that throughout his epistles Paul constantly defends his apostleship, and Romans 11:13 is a verse that opens many people's eyes.
Paul Is Not the Apostle of Israel
Les says Paul is not the apostle of Israel as Peter was; his apostleship is to the Gentiles, and he magnifies his role, never shrinking from it.
Paul Is No Longer an Apostle of Israel
Les explains that Paul is no longer, as the Twelve were, the apostle of Israel; Romans 11:13 is explicit that he is the apostle of the Gentiles.
Only One Apostle of the Gentiles in Scripture
Les teaches that as far as the writing of Scripture is concerned, there is only one apostle of the Gentiles—Paul—and his letters alone are written to the Church.
Paul Never Takes a Back Seat Concerning His Apostleship
Les explains that "I magnify my office" means Paul never shrinks from his responsibility and never takes a back seat to anyone about being the apostle to the Gentiles.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
This verse explicitly defines Paul's God-given role as apostle to the Gentiles and his determination to magnify that office.
No. In Romans 11:13 Paul says he is the apostle of the Gentiles. Les Feldick points out that Peter was the apostle of Israel, while Paul's apostleship is to the non-Jewish world.
Paul says this to emphasize his God-given role as the apostle to the Gentiles. Les explains that Paul is declaring he will never shrink from that responsibility or take a back seat to anybody concerning his apostleship.
It plainly identifies who Paul was sent to—the Gentiles. Les says most people overlook this small verse, yet it means everything for believers who are not under the Mosaic system.
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