(June 25, 2015 at 7:46 am)Coreni Wrote: I was checking it out, and several times in his letters "Atleast the ones who aren't forgeries". He has to defend himself many times against accusations. So why should christians even trust his role at all?
But some have said that Paul admits to be lying. According to this verse. So i don't see why he has a role at all?
Romans 3:7
Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?"
You need to read the passage in context. Paul is arguing AGAINST a specious argument that was circulating among other people. He says, "Someone might argue...". It's a hypothetical. Here is the broader context:
Quote:Romans 3
What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2 Much in every way! First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? 4 Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:
“So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge.”
5 But if our unrighteousness brings out God’s righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6 Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just!
From this passage, you can see that people were saying, "Well, if our sins make God look good in comparison to us, why are we condemned for sinning. The more we do wrong, the holier God appears."
Paul has not admitted lying; you have misunderstood what he was saying.
As for defending himself against accusations...well, accusations of what?
Paul did have to defend himself because (it is thought) that he was not considered to be as eloquent a speaker as some other apostles like Apollos. And because he was not one of the twelve, he had to overcome the inclination people had to think of Peter, James and John as the REAL rock stars of the early Church. This type of thing is quite evident in his letter to the Galatians.
