The Jesus of Paul

Paul, the self-appointed Apostle of the "Lord" Jesus Christ, tells us very little about the actual person of Jesus, i.e., about his life and teachings. Most of Paul's writing is concerned with his own claim to apostolic authority and his own "gospel" emphasizing the significance of the death, resurrection, and expected return of Jesus. Among the few details that Paul gives us about Jesus himself are the following:

• Jesus was God's son, born of a woman under the Jewish Law

Galatians 4:4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law

• Jesus had brothers

1 Corinthians 9:5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

• One of the brothers of Jesus was named James

Galatians 1:18 Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; 1:19 but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother.

• Jesus came to serve the Jews

1 Corinthians 15:8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God in order that he might confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, 15:9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy.

• Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, 11:24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 11:25 In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

• Jesus was betrayed

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed . . .

• Jesus was crucified

1 Corinthians 2:2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

• Jesus died, was buried and resurrected, and appeared to various individuals, including, last of all, Paul

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 15:4 and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 15:5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 15:6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 15:7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 15:8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

• Jesus forbade divorce

1 Corinthians 7:10 To the married I give this command--not I but the Lord-- that the wife should not separate from her husband 7:11 (but if she does separate, let her remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

• Jesus wanted preachers to be paid like the Jewish Temple priests

1 Corinthians 9:13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is sacrificed on the altar? 9:14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.