Paul's Sevenfold Ministry

This passage is a mini-summary of Paul's ministry work. He highlights for us seven facets of his work, to set an example to all elders and to emphasize that the Christian message is true. After all, if someone is preaching love and obedience to God, but his own life is characterized by hatred and disobedience to God, that discredits his message. Paul, though, brings credit on his message by emphasizing how righteously he proclaimed it. So let's look at his example of kingdom-building work, for it is an example of what true ministry ought to be. One note: All of us are ministers in the Kingdom. Yes, some are formally ordained "ministers of the gospel," but most of the things Paul describes here are things that every Christian is called on to do at one level or another. We don't all build the Kingdom like Paul did — we are not all wise master builders. But we all have some place of obedience to Jesus' rule, and that is our ministry. Wherever your place, whatever your calling, you need to imitate Paul's example according to your place and calling.