Qualitative Growth

Strengthening/Establishing Believers

Following the conversion of people through Paul’s preaching, we see him consistently working to establish/strengthen these believers. The work involved him personally (Acts 14:21-22; 15:41; 16:5; 18:23), as well as him sending other workers in his place (1 Thes 3:1-3), writing letters (Rom 1:11), and praying for them (see Paul’s various prayers contained in his letters).

Shepherding the Flock

An important part of Paul’s ministry toward these believers was to gather them together into communities of faith and appoint qualified leaders - elders - to shepherd or oversee these flocks (Acts 14:23; 20:28; Phil 1:1; 1 Tim 3:1f; Tit 1:5-9; see also Heb 13:17; James 4:14; 1 Pet 5:1-4).

Shaping/Developing Leaders

To accomplish the ongoing work of both establishing/strengthening believers and shepherding the flocks, Paul also worked at developing leaders in the context of the ministry to assist him in this work. We see among those emerging as leaders during his ministry people like Timothy (Acts 16:1-3; Rom 16:21; 1 Cor 4:17; 16:10; 2 Cor 1:1; Phil 3:19-22; 1 Thes 3:1-3, 6; 1 & 2 Tim), Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1-3, 18, 24-27; Rom 16:3-5a; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19), Titus (2 Cor 2:12-13; 7:6, 13-15; Titus) and others (Acts 20:4; Rom 16:1-16, 22-23; Phil 3:25-30; Col 1:7; 4:7-17; 2 Tim 4:9-21).