A prototype is a model that leads the way. Later products follow its pattern. God displays Paul as “an example” – a prototype – for the rest of us. If God can save Paul, “the worst of sinners,” He can save us today. God can reach and reform any sinner, any pervert, any self-righteous hypocrite, any self-pitying loser, any insolent rebel – any one of us!
God also displays His saving power among the pagans Paul reaches. Members at Ephesus were previously idol-worshipers and sorcerers.29 Now they are Spirit-filled saints.30 Corinth has a notorious reputation as one of the worst cities in a corrupt world. Indeed, first century Greek borrows its name: to corinthianize means to corrupt, to seduce into immorality. Yet this is the city to which God sends Paul, saying, “I have many in this city who are my people” (Acts 18:10). Truly, “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Romans 5:20). So Paul works among idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, drunkards and swindlers. Now Paul writes to them,
And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). M
Even as Christians, they struggle with many problems. Paul calls them “as infants in Christ… you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way” (1 Corinthians 3:1,3). Yet, Paul still addresses them as “the church of God that is in Corinth…those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2). Divine mercy is so far-reaching that it inspires awe in every believer – “to the praise of His glorious grace!” (Ephesians 1:6). Language must be stretched to its limits when it tries to describe grace.31
his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6)… the riches of his grace which He lavished upon us (1:7-8)… rich in mercy… great love (2:4)… the immeasurable riches of his grace (2:7)… the unsearchable riches of Christ (3:8).
30. Ephesians 1:1,13; 3:16; 5:18
31. Research subject – Grace described: Romans 5:15,17,20; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 9:14; 12:9; 1 Timothy 1:14; James 4:6; 5:11; 1 Peter 1:2; 4:10; 5:10,12; Jude 1:2
Picture: Statues and paintings at the corner of Curetes and Marble Streets in Ephesus suggest a place of immorality. Carved into the marble of Marble Street is a woman’s head, a heart and a footprint, perhaps and advertisement for prostitutes.