Yes, Paul defends his apostleship because Jewish critics and Corinthian believers questioned his authority, accusing him of being an imposter since he didn't walk with Jesus like Peter.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship because people accused him of heresy and being an imposter, as he hadn't walked with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John did. The Corinthians' own conversion from idolatry was his primary proof that his apostleship was genuine.
1 Corinthians 9:2 — Paul points to the Corinthians themselves as the seal of his apostleship.
In 1 Corinthians, Paul confronts a church riddled with problems, including divisions where believers claimed allegiance to different leaders, some saying "I am of Paul," others "I am of Apollos," and others "I am of Peter" (as referenced in the clips). He also addresses questions the Corinthians had written to him about—"concerning the things whereof ye wrote to me" (1 Corinthians 7:1, KJV). In his defense, Paul reminds them that they themselves are evidence of his apostleship, as they were saved out of idolatry through his preaching. He writes, "My answer to them that do examine me is this, Have we not power to eat and to drink? And have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?" (1 Corinthians 9:3-5, KJV), showing that his rights and labors validate his ministry.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's defense of his apostleship was a recurring theme throughout all his epistles because even in his day, people accused him of being a fake and an imposter. The main accusation, especially from the Jewish community, was that Paul had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter had, making him seem illegitimate. Les points out that Paul had to establish his authority to address the problems in the Corinthian church, which was the most carnal and beset with divisions, moral issues, and questions. Paul's proof, as Les explains, was the Corinthians themselves—their salvation out of dark idolatry demonstrated that his apostleship was genuine.
According to Les Feldick, the primary accusation was that Paul was not one of the Twelve and had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter did. This made him seem like an upstart and an imposter, especially to the Jewish community who thought he was a renegade to Judaism.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's proof was the Corinthians themselves—they had been saved out of idolatry through his preaching, showing that God had honored his ministry. Paul said, "My apostleship is proven by you yourself, because I have led you out of dark idolatry."
Les explains that Paul always went to the Jew first in his early ministry, and the Jews, whether believing or not, constantly criticized him for not having walked with Jesus. They viewed him as a renegade who had turned on his Jewish background, so he had to repeatedly assert his authority.
Corinthians' Questions to Paul
Les shows that 1 Corinthians was written in response to the congregation's written questions, indicating they recognized Paul's authority enough to ask him for guidance.
Paul Accused of Being an Imposter
Les explains that Paul defended his apostleship because people accused him of heresy and being an imposter since he didn't walk with Jesus for three years like Peter, James, and John did.
Paul's Authority in the Age of Grace
Les teaches that Paul had to establish his authority as God's spokesman for this age of grace, especially to Jewish people who thought he was a renegade from Judaism.
Divisions and Defense in Corinth
Les highlights that divisions in the Corinthian church, where some followed different leaders, forced Paul to defend his apostleship while addressing their carnality.
Accused of Being a Fake
Les reiterates that some Corinthians said, 'You're just a fake, an imposter,' because Peter had walked with Jesus for three years, so Paul had to constantly defend himself.
Jewish Criticism and Suffering
Les explains that Jews constantly attacked Paul for not walking with Jesus, and he defended his apostleship by referring to his suffering for the Gentiles' sake.
Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's
Now it's rather interesting, I think, that throughout Paul's epistles he has to constantly defend his apostleship. And if Paul were alive today, he would still have to be doing it. Because, you see, there are so many, even amongst rather conservative Christianity, that won't give Paul the time of day. And they're so remiss in treating it that way, because, oh, turn back with me to Romans.
Corinthians as Proof of Apostleship
Les teaches that Paul's apostleship was proven by the Corinthians themselves, as he led them out of dark idolatry, citing 1 Corinthians 9:1-5.
1 Corinthians 7:1: Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
Shows that Paul's letter was a response to the Corinthians' questions, indicating they recognized his authority.
1 Corinthians 9:2: If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.
Paul directly cites the Corinthians as the evidence of his authentic apostleship.
1 Corinthians 9:1: Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
Paul begins his defense by asserting his apostleship and pointing to his work among them.
According to Les Feldick, the main criticism was that Paul had not walked with Jesus for three years like Peter did, making him seem like an imposter. This was especially promoted by the Jewish community.
Paul proved his apostleship by pointing to the Corinthians themselves—they had been saved out of idolatry through his preaching, which demonstrated that God had honored his ministry.
Les Feldick explains that the Corinthian church was the most carnal, with divisions, moral problems, and questions. Paul had to address these while defending his authority.
Watch the Teaching: What Does It Mean to Be "All Things to All Men"? — 1 Corinthians 9