The Leadership Paradox: Paul and Jesus

The apostle Paul and Jesus provide the examples of service that will guide us in our activities. Both of them were totally committed to meeting the needs of the people, yet were not servants and slaves in the sense of being under the command of the people in all things.

Paul both declares his freedom and his willingness to serve others. He writes, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more” (1 Cor. 9:19). Paul is willing to make any adaptation to people under the Law and people not under the Law in order to win others to Christ. He would not, of course, go so far as to compromise the gospel. Moreover, the choice as to which needs to meet is still his.

We draw the same conclusion with regard to Jesus. He fully served, but was not under the control of the people. He remained, always, the Savior of the world. As such, He could not compromise with the world. Wolff is on point with the following comments:

“Jesus came to serve. He was the servant of the Lord par excellence. His service was motivated by love and culminated in death. He served to the point of giving his life. At the same time, he never allowed people to use him for selfish purposes. He never confirmed them in their egotism through his service. His service did not promote the pride of man. The purpose of his service was redemptive, to free man from selfishness and sin as dominating principles” (1970, 31-32).