But by the grace of God I am what I am. His grace which was bestowed on me was not futile, but I worked more than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Everything I am, my zeal, my success, my apostolic gifts, traces back to God's mercy, not to any merit of my own. I had to work harder to make up for losing years as a persecutor, and by God's grace I was enabled to do it, though I claim no credit for myself.
AI summary
Grace was the sole cause of my transformation and labors. Though unfit to be called an apostle, grace made me fit for the office. I labored more than any of them, yet grace so preponderated in the work that my will counts as nothing, grace was virtually the only agent.
AI summary
Christ trod a path sharper than any we walk, every stone edged with God's wrath, yet His feet never stumbled because love to our souls shod them firm. He did not merely consent to suffer for us; He delighted in it, trebling His yes to the Father's call. Such readiness deserves from us a frame of spirit to match it: strength in Him, not weakness and complaint.
AI summary
Commenting on Ephesians 6:10-20