Did Paul lie to spread christianity?

Question

Romans 3:7
If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?

Corinthians 9:20-22
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.

Phillipians 1:18
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

So, he admits lying for his own ends....I wonder which parts of the bible he was lying about?

Answer 1

Of course Paul lied. I just wonder what his motives were.

Answer 2

I didn't see anyone tell specifically what Paul was saying in those passages, so I'll do my best to help you understand.

In Romans, he was creating a hypothetical situation. "IF some did not believe," "IF our unrighteousness," "IF through my lie." Read on through verse 8 which says "And why not say "Let us do evil that good may come"? Their condemnation is just."
He's telling people that they can't say "I'm doing bad for good to occur" because they'll still be judged for the wrong action, reguardless of the ends. Or "the ends DOESN'T justify the means."

1 Corinthians, include verse 19 which says "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all men, that I might win the more." He's saying he'll walk a mile next to a stranger, because he has no set path except to get the message of God across. To break down barriers, he becomes their servant, steps out of his comfort zone, and becomes "like" one of them, in order that they look past their differences and only see the message. If you walk into a country bar dressed in a suit and tie, what will people think? You'll definitely be the center of attention. But if you walk in with boots, plaid shirt, and overalls, you'll probly be welcomed with open arms. That's what Paul's motives are, not deciet. It's not decieving to make people comfortable around you.

Phillipians is talking about his experience in prison. He's telling the church at Phillipi "Hey, there's people out there that are preaching from selfish motives, hoping to displease me because I'm in prison." But he won't let that dishearten him. He continues with "What then, only that in every way, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice! Yes, and I will rejoice!" He's not saying "hey, go out and get as much money as you can from preaching." He's saying "hooray, they're proclaiming Christ. That's more important than anything in the world."

Answer 3

Quotes are from the Message:

Romans7-8 It's simply perverse to say, "If my lies serve to show off God's truth all the more gloriously, why blame me? I'm doing God a favor." Some people are actually trying to put such words in our mouths, claiming that we go around saying, "The more evil we do, the more good God does, so let's just do it!" That's pure slander, as I'm sure you'll agree. --- he's saying you shouldn't-- Not that he does.

1 Corinthians 9:20-22

Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn't just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! -- he doesn't say he followed there religion.. he was trying to relate to them so he could try to save them. No lying.

Phillipians 1:18 is not about paul lying but about others spreading the word who were full of pride and self gratification. You should read the verse before it.

Answer 4

Some people believe Paul co-opted early Christianity. He never met Jesus, unless you accept his visions of Jesus. He was the earliest epistle writer and definetly took the cause of promoting Christianity and driving it to become a force to be reckoned with to heart. Some believe for political motives as much as spiritual. Some also believe that his message was more his own than Jesus's.

What we can know for sure is probably not much. "The Jesus Puzzle" and "the Incredible Shrinking Son of Man" are interesting books from the skeptical side.

Answer 5

Dear Mr. Samurai:
Regarding Romans 3:7, you never read verse 8.
It says some people claim Christians (including Paul) were liars.
However, it is clear and obvious that Paul says this, as if it was something preposterous.
Corinthians 9:20-22 is simply stating Paul spoke to people on their level.
One does not talk Eskimo-like when addressing an Arab.
Phillipians 1:18
Paul was NOT including himself when he said some preach Jesus for wrong motive. He was simply echoing Jesus words
at Mark 9:39,40
"Do not try to prevent him, for he that is not against us is for us.. . ."
If you have a problem with that, take it up with Jesus.
You give the impression you are trying hard to find holes.

Answer 6

Of course he did. He clearly admits it and the practice has been a staple of the churches methods ever since.

To truly be all things to all men is not to be duplicitous to any.

It is not difficult to find very large holes in every book of the bible. It is however very difficult to get an avid believer to see them.

"Oh well it must be the will of god that not all things make sense" ummm...yeah... really good argument!

Deacon down the answer list says that in order to have any understanding of the bible verses then you had to have been touched by the spirit of god. Wow talk about your elitist rubbish! I can't understand it because it is terrible mishmash of poorly translated parables from a culture I have no ancestry in. I cannot understand because it promotes incestual pro-creation, hate and murder. I cannot understand it because it contradicts itself or the purported "word of god" within the same chapters...I don't understand how this can in anyway be taken literally by any highly functioning human being.

I do however understand why it was in Saul/Paul's best interest to lie to suit his version to each group he spoke to. It is still a common practice among politicians to this day.

Answer 7

thats a pretty good trick, but notice in the previous verses that Paul said he speaks like a man.
he is trying to prove a point that it doesnt work to lie in order to establish the truth.

18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

from this different version of the same verse there is a better way to say what is intended. the gospel is taught no matter who teaches it. its not saying that Paul uses pretense but he is talking about others. Even if a false teachers teaches the gospel, there is still the gospel being taught.

Personally i tell people that an angel appeared in my bedroom out of the prayer where i asked to be baptized in the holy spirit. many christians tell me it "HAD" to be satan. but i remind them all that Angels do minister to men who believe and i think they minister whether they believe in false traditions or not. but the existence of satan always proves that there is a God, but Jesus calls men to repent of sin, and satan attempts to mislead people. it is also written that God can turn a Cursing into a blessing. it is also written that God can undo sin and Jesus himself said that sins that are red like scarlet will and can be turned white as snow.
it is all determined by sincerity and faith and prayer.

Answer 8

Since he was a Roman Pagan and a Roman Agent, he could have easily twisted the doctrines to suite the pagan faith at that time, adding things like the trinity.

I tend to think that his letters are merely personal notes, nothing holy about them.

But that's just my opinion.

Answer 9

Paul describes himself having a epileptic sezure on the road to Damascus. It clearly sounds like he had temporal lobe epilepsy from the symptoms he describes. The fact he was a liar is a side issue.

So much of modern religion can be directly linked to people with severe mental health issues.

Answer 10

No. You must have the Holy Spirit to understand scripture and read scripture on scripture. That is why that the scripture say not by private interpretation.
2 Peter 1:20 - Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

Romans 3:7
If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?

7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Paul has been accused of making statements that are false by Jews. Paul made this statement to show how absurd the accusation is that has been made against his preaching. As you see in verse 8 Paul lays out the false statment "Let us do evil, that good may come."

Corinthians 9:20-22 Paul is simply humbling himself and speaking to each group in a way that is farmiliar and understandable to them. There is no falsehood represented here.

Phillipians 1:18
The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached.

The false motive here is explained in verses 15&16.
"15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:"
Some of the followers out of envy(jealious) and strife (anger & retaliation) are preaching the Gospel hoping to bring greater harm to Paul because he is imprisoned for preaching. But God is able to take even this preaching for wrong motives and turn it to His Glory by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

Phillipians 1:12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

2 Peter 3:15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Answer 11

And so much is based on Paul (aka Saul) who did not even know Jesus during life. He persecuted Christians...then one day has a vision and starts leading.

~ Eric Putkonen