Paul by Jeremy Singer
Paul’s reputation among his contemporaries was, to say the least, mixed. One vocal group in the Corinthian assembly admitted that “His letters are authoritative and forcible, but his personal presence is unimpressive, and as for eloquence, he has none” (2 Cor 10.10, Weymouth), while a Jerusalem mob yelled out, “This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place” (Acts 21.28). The Roman governor Festus went so far as to say, “Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad” (Acts 26.24)!
The Reformer Martin Luther, it has been claimed, speculated that Paul was “a pathetic, ugly, and scruffy little man”. He obviously did not look like a Hollywood celebrity, nor did he move vast crowds with all the rhetorical arts of a great orator. But he was God’s man. He was uniquely chosen by the ascended Lord to become apostle of the Gentiles while maintaining an undiminished love for his fellow Jews. As he put it, “God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty” (1 Cor 1.27).
Drawing on Luke’s historical narrative in the Acts and the apostle’s doctrinal letters, this new biography of Paul by Jeremy Singer takes us methodically through his life in a manner both enlightening and spiritually invigorating. It is well researched, opening up the historical, geographical, political and religious background of the ancient world in which Paul lived and worked. It is biblically grounded, true to the details of Scripture, always drawing our attention to the key spiritual lessons which come thick and fast as we travel with Paul around the Mediterranean. Paul, of course, was no tourist, but an energetic evangelist and teacher, “made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor 9.22). The whole volume is attractively written, liberally spiced with apposite illustrations, vivid descriptions and memorable quotations, all presented in a way that entices us to read on.
The Puritan John Trapp writes that “[Paul’s] life was nothing else but a transcript of his sermons”. He was indeed the model believer who encouraged others to imitate his behaviour. No one today can be an apostle, but we can endeavour to follow the steps of a self-supporting servant of Christ who was glad to “spend and be spent” (2 Cor 12.15) for those he sought to serve. Put this exhilarating book at the top of your New Year’s reading list!