The Ministry of the Apostle Paul

By: James Thomas Lee Jr

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

When this book was begun in late November 2013, the intent was to write a commentary on chapter five of Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus. But about fifty pages into that endeavor, it became clear that the book was not going in that direction. For one thing, his letter to that church had not even been mentioned in those pages. For another, the focus up to that point had been on Paul's missionary journeys. The reason for those problems was that the original intent had been to put his letter to the church into the context of his journeys. But there was so much to say about the journeys that his letter to the church had taken a back seat. So the title was changed to its current title, and the remaining efforts were applied in that direction.

This book is a history of Paul's ministry. Great effort has been expended to try to date when and where Paul had gone. Then, at each stopping point, the more significant events of what had happened to him are shared. Most people would probably not think of him as taking five separate missionary journeys. But that is because the first one and the last one were not as carefully documented as the middle three. In the pages that follow, the reader will be able to clearly see those five journeys, plus his two separate imprisonments in Rome. Most people also have probably never attempted to put his writing of his thirteen letters to the churches and certain individuals into the context of what was going on in his life at the time. But this book has done that and has also dedicated space to trying to report what he was saying in those letters.

For example, the person who reads this book will learn what Paul had meant when he wrote in Romans 1:20-32 that God turned certain individuals over to a reprobate mind. He or she will learn what Paul had meant in I Timothy 2:11-15 when he wrote about women being silent in the church. He or she will learn what Paul had meant in I Timothy 3:1-7 concerning men and women being involved in the ministry. He or she will learn in what city Paul was in danger of being thrown to the wild beasts, and in what city he was actually stoned and left for dead.

The reader will also learn some of the reasons for believing that Paul did not write the epistle to the Hebrews. Then in the final chapter, the reader will find a short tribute that has been given to Luke for his skill, accuracy, and dedication in writing about Paul's journeys. He or she will also find a tribute that is given to Paul and to the other saints who had and have so selflessly dedicated themselves to bringing the truth of the gospel to succeeding generations regardless of the cost to themselves. The fact that this book shares so much of that kind of information, in addition to the missionary journeys themselves, makes it very much a tool for learning.

There is one note, however, to be made with respect to the organization of this text. Something that the reader might find useful is boxes throughout that show the different passages that are being referenced at the times and in the places where they are being referenced. That way, he or she will not have to jump all over the place or get into or out of the scriptures to locate a particular reference. Hopefully that inclusion will help the reader in trying to understand the various events and to also put them into their right context. So it is hoped that that will make this book easier to read and that the Lord will receive the praise, honor, and glory that He rightfully deserves.