The Worrisome, Over-Protective, and Emotionally Unhealthy Apostle Paul

I have noticed a troubling pattern in the life of the apostle Paul, and I'm calling it out.

Simply put, Paul is a bad example of what a minister should be.

Was he a great theologian? Sure.

A convincing rhetorician? Definitely.

I realize that it will likely be offensive for many to read, in bold print, that Paul is a "bad example" of a minister. However, to call Paul a healthy example of a minister of the Gospel is something my seminary education will not allow me to do. For this man of great faith travels around the Mediterranean, visiting fledgling churches and making new converts along the way, all the while attempting to keep them continually at his metaphoric side.

He can't seem to let them go and become grown-ups. He can't allow them to own their faith. And that simply isn't healthy.

Let's look at a few examples from his letters to various congregations.

Romans 16:19  "For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil."

Here Paul appears to be using a form of the rhetorical device, apophasis, whereby he commends the Roman Christians' faith and obedience, but then immediately infers that they are easily prone to temptations that could bring about their downfall. Paul wants to claim that he has full faith in these Christian believers, but he falls short of fully affirming them.

1 Corinthians 9:19; 22b  "For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them."
"I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some."

In many of his letters, Paul shows an excessive willingness to be "all things to all people." In this pericope he also attests that he has been "entrusted with a commission" and will do whatever is needed to fulfill it (1 Cor 7:17).

2 Corinthians 12:20  "For I fear that when I come, I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish;"

Paul also displays strong concerns and emotions for believers to whom he has ministered. Some of these emotions, as seen above, are even fear and anxiety.

Galatians 4:19  "My little children, for whom I am again in the pain of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,"

While not needing to fully unpack this metaphor, Paul clearly sees himself as a parent to the many churches to whom he has ministered. And for Paul, he is a parent who cannot seem to let his children go off on their own. Here he also takes on the responsibility for "forming Christ" in the believers in Galatia.

Philippians 1:27  "Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel,"

Paul again shows a worrisome spirit for the faith and actions of others, even as he demonstrates a concern that the Philippian believers be of "one spirit" and "one mind."

In these brief examples, one can see in Paul a man who acts as an over-protective parent, pleading with his children to behave while he is away. Does that sound healthy? Indeed it sounds like the actions of an emotionally unhealthy individual who cannot trust that his children are capable of living without his assistance. Perhaps it is because Paul sees these believers as children (in terms of spiritual maturation). However, these are not children. And if Paul believes them to be spiritually immature, then another problem presents itself. Is it up to Paul—or God—to grow the faith of these believers? Can Paul, a man who is obviously in touch with his own sinfulness (see Romans 7:18), believe that the perpetual maintenance of their faith is solely in his care?

Please understand that I am not condemning the many fundamental instructions that Paul offers to these growing churches. I am simply observing in him an unhealthy need to care for people beyond his immediate reach—an unnecessary, burdening responsibility for the spiritual health of others.

Many pastors have undoubtedly—and perhaps subconsciously—imitated Paul's zeal for helping fellow believers (even to their own frustration and burnout). To be a healthy person means taking responsibility only for oneself—not for the actions or beliefs of others. Paul's example is one of laden concern to ensure the spiritual well-being of fellow believers around the Mediterranean Sea. While commendation may be made for Paul's faith and love for God's people, it cannot be made for his unhealthy sense of responsibility for those same people.

All scripture referenced from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.