INTRODUCTION:

As one looks at the various definitions of the word "valiant," it seems as if the word was coined to describe the beloved apostle to the Gentiles.  Words such as virtue, valor, strength, worthy, champion, courageous, play the man, behave valiantly, etc., certainly fit this outstanding preacher of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Born in Tarsus of Cilicia, a very important Roman city, Paul spoke of himself as a "Hebrew of the Hebrews, in respect of legal righteousness showing myself blameless, in respect of zeal a persecutor of the church" (Philippians 3:5,6).  "And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14).  Not only was Paul a "Hebrew of the Hebrews," he was a freeborn Roman citizen (Acts 22:28).  As a Roman citizen Paul could travel the known world with all the rights and protection of Rome.  Here was the perfect man for the tremendous position of ambassador for Christ to the Gentiles (II Corinthians 5:20; Ephesians 6:20).

From his conversion to his death, this man was committed to serving the One who saved him.  Perhaps we can learn from a servant of the Lord who was truly valiant in his service to God under all circumstances.

DISCUSSION:

I. A VALIANT ENEMY OF CHRIST.

 A. Our introduction to Paul is violent.
  1. The Jews who stoned Stephen laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named    Saul (Acts 7:58).
   a. He is known as Saul until Acts 13:9.
   b. Afterwards he is called Paul.
  2. Here, he was an enemy of Stephen, and therefore an enemy of Christ (Acts 8:1).
 B. Following the death of Stephen, Saul is a bitter enemy of the cause of Christ (Acts 8:3).
  1. Not content with driving most of the disciples from Jerusalem and Judea, he carried his    campaign to Damascus of Syria (Acts 9:1,2).
2. Many years later Paul would call himself the "chief of sinners." 
   a.   This was due to his hatred of the Lord and His people (I Timothy 1:12-15).
   b. He considered himself a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man (v. 13).
 C. Even as an enemy of Christ Paul was sure he was doing God's will (Acts 23:1; 26:9-11).

II. A VALIANT PREACHER OF THE GOSPEL.

 A. Although he became a special apostle to the Gentiles, Paul is better known as a preacher 
  (Acts 26:15-20).
  1. He was convinced that preaching Christ was his calling (I Corinthians 1:17).
  2. Paul was also convinced that preaching Christ was the only kind of preaching that was    worthwhile (I Corinthians 1:22-25; 2:1-5,13).
 B. He was not only a preacher but an encourager of others who preached (I & II Timothy and 
  Titus).
  1. They were encouraged to preach the truth, or "sound doctrine" (I Timothy 1:3-6; 
   6:3-5; II Timothy 4:1-5; Titus 2:1,7).
  2. He stressed proper attitudes of gentleness, good example, etc. (I Timothy 4:12-16).
  3. They were told to train others as he had trained them (II Timothy 2:2).

III. A VALIANT SERVANT OF GOD.

 A. Paul was a highly educated person who was called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ and a preacher of righteousness.
 B. His favorite description of himself was, "Paul, a servant (slave) of Jesus Christ" (Romans 1:1).
  1. In the eyes of men, Paul had many things of which he could boast, but he allowed no    such attitude to be his 
   (II Corinthians 11:16-23; Philippians 3:4-6).
  2. All of these things Paul counted as rubbish that he might gain Christ (Philippians 3:7,8).
 C. Again we find Paul encouraging preachers to be servants of God in all humility 
  (II Timothy 2:24,25).

IV. VALIANT THOUGH PERSECUTED.

 A. One of the definitions of valiant is to "withstand" (Strong's Exhaustive Concordance).  
  1. This being the case we can readily see that Paul was valiant while being severely 
   persecuted.
   2. His life and work contains numerous examples of "withstanding" in trial.
 B. Persecution began almost immediately following his conversion and ended only at his execution   by the Roman government.
  1. While still at Damascus, the Jews plotted to kill him (Acts 9:22,23).
  2. His first time back in Jerusalem, the Jews again tried to kill him (Acts 9:29,30).
  3. His first missionary journey was filled with persecution by the Jews (Acts 13:30;    14:2,5,19).
 C. Paul sums up his suffering due to persecution (II Corinthians 11:23-38).

V. VALIANT AGAINST FALSE TEACHERS.

 A. False teachers seemed to follow wherever Paul preached the truth.
  1. Some were Jews or pagans who opposed the truth from the beginning.
   a. Elymas the sorcerer (Acts 13:8-11).
   b. Unbelieving Jews in Iconium poisoned the minds of the Gentiles (Acts 14:2).
   c. Jewish Christians wanted to bind the Law on Gentile followers (Acts 15).
   d. Demetrius the silversmith (Acts 19:24 ff).
  2. Others were false brethren.
   a. Hymenaeus and Alexander who suffered shipwreck of the faith and became     blasphemers (I Timothy 1:19,20).
   b. Some wanted to make laws for God's children (I Timothy 4:1-5).
   c. Others used the faith for personal gain (II Timothy 3:1 ff).
 B. Paul was careful to warn about following false teachers.
  1. Elders were to be watchful (Titus 1:9-11).
  2. He taught that all teachers should seek to please God and not men 
   (Galatians 1:(6-10).
  3. He would not yield to false teachers for one hour (Galatians 2:4,5).

VI. VALIANT EVEN IN DEATH.

 A. Troubles, trials, tribulations, etc. did not move Paul, nor did he count his life dear to himself   (Acts 20:24).
  1. He would gladly die if it was God's will (II Corinthians 5:1-9).
  2.. Paul firmly believed that to die in Christ was better than living (Philippians 1:19-23).
  3. In the very face of death he was confident of living forever (II Timothy 4:6-8).
 B. How could Paul be so valiant in death?
  1. The answer is found in II Timothy 1:12.  "For this reason I also suffer these things; 
   nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded    that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that day."
  2. Will I be able to make such a statement at the end of my life?

CONCLUSION:
What a valiant man was the beloved apostle of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles!

Outside of Jesus Christ Himself one could search the world over and not find a more valiant man than Paul.

In a day when people are looking for a hero, let me suggest this man.  Truly we can take heart in the message this valiant man writes to the church of God at Corinth, "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ (I Corinthians 11:1).
 
 

ENDNOTES:

I am most indebted to the use of three books in preparing this outline.

1. The Holy Bible (NKJV).
2. Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. III, pages 696-730.
3. New Testament Survey by Merrill C. Tenney.

        Henry G. Huckeba
        6470 Sherwood Trail
        Austell, GA 3001