2 Corinthians 11:5

11:5 For I consider myself not at all inferior to those “super-apostles.” ¹ 

2 Corinthians 12:11

The Signs of an Apostle

12:11 I have become a fool. You yourselves forced me to do it, for I should have been commended by you. For I lack nothing in comparison ²  to those “super-apostles,” even though I am nothing.

Ephesians 3:7-8

3:7 I became a servant of this gospel ³  according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by ⁴  the exercise of his power. ⁵  3:8 To me – less than the least of all the saints ⁶  – this grace was given, ⁷  to proclaim to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ

¹ tn The implicit irony in Paul’s remark is brought out well by the TEV: “I do not think that I am the least bit inferior to those very special so-called ‘apostles’ of yours!”

² tn Or “I am in no way inferior.”

³ tn Grk “of which I was made a minister,” “of which I became a servant.”

⁴ tn Grk “according to.”

⁵ sn On the exercise of his power see 1:19-20.

⁶ sn In Pauline writings saints means any true believer. Thus for Paul to view himself as less than the least of all the saints is to view himself as the most unworthy object of Christ’s redemption.

⁷ sn The parallel phrases to proclaim and to enlighten which follow indicate why God’s grace was manifested to Paul. Grace was not something just to be received, but to be shared with others (cf. Acts 13:47).