Reading is generally informative, sometimes inspirational and on rare occasions, life-changing. But Paul's statement, that he is presenting the truth about Christ (Colossians 1:15-20), which God had not fully unpacked previously, is a seriously unique claim. What he writes is not 'automatic writing', but a reasoned explanation of who Jesus Christ is and what He has done. However, his wisdom is not through any superior intellect but by revelation (Galatians 1:11). The Old Testament had contained all the clues to the gospel – the missing piece was Jesus. The Holy Spirit had told him how to understand the Old Testament, and how it is fulfilled in Jesus (Acts 13:32-33).

Paul knew that the Holy Spirit was at work in his mind to enable him to write about God's logic in the gospel. Previously he could not understand how anybody could believe in Jesus, and considered his followers to be a dangerous and subversive sect (Acts 26:9-11). Now he had joined them. After God revealed the truth, Paul changed his mind (repented) and turned to the One he had despised (conversion) as he was born again by the Spirit (Acts 26:14-18). Before, he could do no better than his academic thoughts would allow; now he was crystal clear about the Divinity of Jesus and the nature of His sacrifice.

Paul's letters were read out loud in the churches. Not everybody could read fluently but he clearly intended that what he wrote was God’s Word to be read. Other apostles like Peter were clear that Paul's writings were as much divine Scripture as the Old Testament. 2 Peter 3:15-16 says, "Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction."

Paul, rightly, did not then shrug his shoulders and assume that the Holy Spirit would speak directly to everybody else. He knew that his role was foundational for the church (Galatians 1:13-24). The role of the church leaders (like those in Ephesus) was to read what Paul had written, in order that others might also understand what God had said, repent and be converted and learn to follow Jesus as Saviour and Lord. That remains the task of the church, and all of us who are a part of it, wherever we may live or work.