Paul the Apostle

Paul was not one of the Twelve, but he did not for that reason think his authority was any less valid. He had seen Jesus after the resurrection; he heard the gospel from Jesus himself. Paul believed in his own credibility, but sometimes he had to defend his license to preach and justify his position as a leader. In 2 Corinthians 11:5 and 12:11, Paul insists that he is in no way inferior to “the super-apostles.”  

Some readers have assumed Paul was referring to Peter, James and John in Jerusalem, but the more common opinion is that Paul was using this term in sarcasm, describing interlopers who were undermining his status and his teaching. Paul warned the Christians at Corinth not to be misled by these “false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 11:13). Paul’s pride was offended, but his resume as a genuine apostle was intact.