Paul Pop Quiz Answer

Thanks to those who posed answers. I'm sure Paul did indeed teach a cluster of truths "everywhere--in all the churches." But the specific quote I had in mind is found in 1 Corinthians 4:17, which I think is the only place where Paul explicitly says something like, "I taught ____ everywhere in every church."

I'm tempted to think NIV is a tad underwhelming here in its last segment, and lacks the emphasis of the Greek: "Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. " Timothy isn't just going to remind them of things that "agree with" what Paul teaches; he is going to remind them of precisely what Paul taught them in word and deed, which they are failing: they were failing to live a Cross-shaped life (suing one another, privileging personal pleasure, ignoring the poor at the Lord's dinner).

Paul gives his "Spiritual C. V." in a variety of ways in the Corinthian correspondence, but in particular there are five places which emphasize his cross-shaped way of life: 1 Cor 4:8-17; 9; (2:2-5 is also a possibility); 2 Cor 4:7-18; 6:3-10; 11:19-33. This is how Paul lived when with them, it's how he lived in front of all churches at all time, and it's the content he taught them: Cross as benefit, and Cross as way of life. (Is there a connection with e.g., Mark 8:34-38?)

The implications for a truly "Pauline" ministry are startling.