1 Corinthians 1:1 (ESV)
Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
Having seen the risen Lord on the road to Damacus, Paul sees himself as called to be an apostle. Given that apostle means “sent one,” and Paul was certainly sent by Jesus (specifically, to the gentiles), he’s on solid ground in this claim.
Jesus explained Paul’s role in His kingdom to Ananias in Acts 9:15b–16, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” (ESV)
Paul gives additional explanation of all this in Romans 11:13 and Ephesians 3:8.
But the most interesting part of this introduction is his co-author (or, more likely, its amanuensis)— our brother Sosthenes. Might this beat the same Sosthenes who suffered an epic beatdown in Acts 18:17?
And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this. (ESV)
Though we cannot be certain, the commentators think it is. All the evidence, limited though it is, points in that direction.
If so, then Sosthenes had a spiritual awakening almost as painful as Paul’s. His beatdown came after a group of Jews accused Paul before a Roman tribunal of which Gallio was the proconsul.
But Gallio put an end to this nonsense saying, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” — Acts 18:14b–15 (ESV)
This is what led to Sosthenes’s legendary beating. The “attitude adjustment” he received is not a common evangelistic method, but in this case, it was God’s choice. And note that Sosthenes didn’t merely convert; he became Paul’s close associate and helped pen 1 Corinthians.
God called Sosthenes to Himself. Just as with Paul, his conversion was painful and dramatic, and, just as with Paul, he was called to a major role.
What kind of Christian do you want to be? Do you want to be a major player, with many trials and great impact? Or would you rather live quietly, serving the Lord faithfully in some minor role?
It’s not your call. If Lord means Lord, then it’s up to Him. You can ask for a particular assignment, but you must be prepared to follow His call, wherever that may lead. If you don’t, then He is less than Lord to you. Most of us are afraid that if we really open the door, God might send us to Siberia or something.
Conquer that fear!
