The statement “I am what I am” from 1 Corinthians 15:10 is a profound declaration by the apostle Paul about his identity and calling in Christ. In the fuller context, Paul is defending his apostleship against those who questioned his authority. After listing witnesses of Christ’s resurrection, Paul goes on to say in verses 8-10:
“Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
So what did Paul mean when he stated “I am what I am”? Let’s explore some key aspects:
1. An acknowledgment of his past and present identity (9000 words)
Paul is contrasting who he was before Christ with who he is now. He openly admits that he was “the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle.” This refers to his former life as a persecutor of the church. Paul (then Saul) had zealously persecuted followers of Christ, even approving of the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58, 8:1). He ravaged the church and tried to destroy it (Galatians 1:13). What a contrast to the great apostle he later became in spreading the gospel!
So “I am what I am” is Paul’s honest admission about his unworthy past as a persecutor of the very faith he now proclaimed. He did not try to hide or downplay his former identity. In fact, he frequently referred to it as evidence of Christ’s transforming power (1 Corinthians 15:9, Ephesians 3:8, 1 Timothy 1:12-14).
At the same time, “I am what I am” affirms Paul’s identity in the present as an apostle called and commissioned by Christ. Jesus himself had appeared to Paul on the road to Damascus and dramatically converted him from persecutor to preacher (Acts 9:1-19). So Paul firmly states he is now what the Lord has made him, an apostle of Christ.
2. An acknowledgment of Christ’s grace that transformed him (7000 words)
This statement is also an acknowledgment of the grace of God that transformed him. Paul says “by the grace of God I am what I am.” He was radically changed by God’s unmerited favor from enemy of the church to apostle to the Gentiles. Paul never got over the wonder of God’s grace that turned his life around.
As he says in 1 Timothy 1:12-14 – “I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”
Paul never moved past needing God’s grace. He depended on it every day, stating in 1 Corinthians 15:10 – “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” The phrase “was not in vain” can also be translated “not without effect.” In other words, God’s grace was not wasted or ineffective but accomplishing its purpose in Paul’s life and ministry.
Grace transformed the great persecutor into the great apostle. By Christ’s power at work within him, Paul went from ravaging the church to establishing churches throughout the Roman world. God’s grace made Paul into the tireless missionary and church planter he became. What an incredible turnaround grace produced!
3. An affirmation of his boasting in Christ alone (6000 words)
In this statement, Paul is also affirming that he will boast in Christ alone. After saying “by the grace of God I am what I am,” Paul immediately states, “His grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them.” Paul is quick to clarify that he is not boasting in his own efforts. Rather, he will boast only in the grace and power of Christ at work in and through him.
As Paul states in 2 Corinthians 10:17-18 – “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” And in Galatians 6:14 – “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
For Paul, there is no place for self-promotion or pride in personal accomplishments. Anything worthy of boasting finds its source in Jesus Christ and him crucified. Paul’s identity and sufficiency come not from himself but from the grace of the Lord Jesus living in and empowering him (2 Corinthians 12:9). That is why he can state “I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”
So “I am what I am” is both a renunciation of self-reliance and self-glory as well as an exaltation in the all-sufficient grace of Christ. PaulFix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.
4. An expression of biblical identity in Christ (5000 words)
Paul’s declaration “I am what I am” ultimately points to the new identity believers have in Christ. In giving his life to follow Jesus, Paul came to understand what it meant to be a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). His very identity was now rooted in Jesus – in being chosen, loved, and empowered by Him.
This biblical truth of finding our identity in Christ is seen in several key passages:
Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Colossians 3:3-4 – “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 – “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Paul came to understand his identity was no longer defined by his old life but by the new life of Jesus living in and through Him. Out of gratitude to Christ for showing him grace, Paul resolved to live fully and wholly for Jesus. In belonging completely to Christ, Paul became who he was created to be.
This profound truth applies to every believer. In giving our lives to Christ, He becomes our supreme identity. Like Paul, we can declare “I am what I am” – loved, accepted, and empowered new creations in Christ!
5. An expression of living out the will of God (4000 words)
For Paul, “I am what I am” is the outworking of seeking to live out the will of God. Paul understood that his conversion and calling as an apostle were according to God’s purpose and by God’s grace (Ephesians 3:7-8). Therefore, Paul desired to walk obediently within that calling every day. As he says in 1 Corinthians 9:16-17 – “If I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.”
Paul did not become an apostle by his own choice or plans. He was apprehended by Jesus for this purpose and sought to daily live out that divine call, depending fully on God’s grace and power to equip him.
In saying “I am what I am”, Paul affirms he will pursue God’s will and fulfill the ministry entrusted to him, not in his own strength but through Christ strengthening him (Philippians 4:13). Paul would apply all diligence, energy, discipline and endurance to making his life count for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Even in weakness, Paul could minister faithfully because God’s power worked through him (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
As believers, we too can declare “I am what I am” – called according to God’s purposes, therefore striving to walk worthy of our calling by His grace (Ephesians 4:1). Whatever we face, our identity and security are in Christ. And out of gratitude, we can offer back to God the lives He purchased through giving His Son Jesus. As Paul says, we can live out each day seeking to glorify Christ in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).
6. A declaration of determination and devotion to Christ (3000 words)
In this short statement, Paul powerfully declares his wholehearted devotion and determination to live fully for Christ. Though he was the “least” of the apostles and unworthy of God’s grace, Paul would pour himself out as an offering of service to Jesus. He was completely captivated by the love of Christ that apprehended him on the Damascus road and would let nothing distract him from pleasing his Savior.
This attitude is seen throughout Paul’s life as he speaks of being “poured out as a drink offering” (Philippians 2:17) and of always carrying around in his body the dying of Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:10). Paul’s passion was knowing Christ, declaring Christ, and making Him known to others (Philippians 3:8-10). Even imprisonment and the threat of death could not deter Paul from finishing the race and ministry Christ had marked out for him (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
For Paul, living wholly for Jesus was also his great joy. He delighted in lifting up the name of Christ and seeing new believers come to faith through the gospel. Paul loved Jesus with all his heart, writing exuberantly of God’s great love shown to us in Christ (Romans 8:31-39). Even in sufferings Paul overflowed with joy in furthering the cause of the gospel (Colossians 1:24).
What a remarkable example for believers! Like Paul, we can fully surrender our lives to the lordship of Jesus Christ, declaring “I am what I am” for your glory. By God’s grace, we can pour out the one life we’ve been given for the fame and honor of our Savior. With Paul we can say, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). To make knowing, proclaiming, and resembling Jesus our highest aim is to truly discover who God created us to be.
7. A contentment in God’s sovereign purposes (2000 words)
There is also a note of contentment in Paul’s statement of “I am what I am.” He expresses acceptance of God’s sovereignty over all things, including Paul’s own life and calling. The Lord who apprehended Paul on the Damascus road was fully able to carry out the purposes He had ordained for Paul’s life.
This attitude of resting in God’s wise and good plans is seen in Paul’s letter to the Philippians. While under house arrest awaiting trial, Paul writes “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:11-13).
Paul had experienced many trials and reversals, but none could shake his core confidence that God was accomplishing His purposes through it all. Even with critics attacking his character and authority, Paul was content in who he was in Christ. By God’s grace, that was enough. The Lord who called Paul would also equip and sustain him by His Spirit.
This humble contentment allowed Paul to serve faithfully in every circumstance. Whether experiencing hardships, deprivations, anxieties or abundance, Paul’s identity and security were anchored in Christ. All that mattered was living wholeheartedly for Him each day. By God’s strength, Paul could faithfully walk the path God set before him.
For believers, we too can rest in the mighty hands of our sovereign God. No matter what we face, we can say with Paul “I am what I am” – loved, accepted, and employed for God’s glory. Our wise Father knows the way we should go. He will supply all we need to serve Him well and finish our race with joy.
8. A surrender to the sovereign purposes of God (1000 words)
At the core of this statement is Paul’s surrender to God’s sovereign plan and purpose for his life. Though Paul had been a rising star among the Pharisees (Philippians 3:4-6), the Lord intervened and rerouted Paul’s steps according to His divine purposes. Paul recognized God’s hand upon Him, declaring to King Agrippa regarding his conversion, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Paul yielded fully to what Jesus had called him to be and do.
This abandonment to God’s will is seen throughout Paul’s ministry. He speaks of being “eager to preach the gospel” not where Christ was already named “lest I build on someone else’s foundation” but rather where the gospel had not yet been heard (Romans 15:20-21). Paul was intent on being faithful to complete the ministry he had received from the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:24).
Paul also learned to accept hardships and disappointments as part of God’s plan to mold him. He writes “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed…” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9). Through it all, Paul knew Jesus was refining and strengthening him to walk in the works prepared for him (Ephesians 2:10).
For the believer, surrendering to God’s sovereign plan is key to walking in His purposes. We can trust Him fully with our lives. He knows the path we should take and will lead us in triumph as we yield to Him. Like Paul, we find our true identity when we give ourselves unreservedly to living for Christ each day. What freedom it brings to declare “I am what I am” – fully devoted to You, Lord!
9. A life poured out for the glory of God (500 words)
This declaration by Paul is ultimately a testimony that his life was fully poured out for God’s glory. “I am what I am” means Paul held nothing back but gave himself completely to magnifying Jesus Christ. His sole ambition was that Christ would be exalted and proclaimed as Lord throughout the earth.
We see this throughout Paul’s ministry, as he faithfully planted churches, trained leaders, and spread the light of the gospel across the Roman world. Paul was consumed with living a life that showcased the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. As he told the Corinthians, “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). Paul’s passion was to make disciples who would reflect Christ’s image to the world.
For Paul, pouring himself out as a drink offering meant joyfully embracing hardship, persecution, and suffering for the advancement of the kingdom. He was willing to be chained, beaten, stoned, shipwrecked and deprived if it meant more souls could be won to Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-28). Paul ultimately gave his life as a martyr under Nero’s persecution.
What an incredible example of single-minded devotion! Paul ran his race with endurance and finished his course with joy because Jesus was his all in all. He held nothing back but resolved, by God’s grace, to live fully and wholly for Christ. This is the essence of what it means to declare as Paul did, “I am what I am” – yielded to You for Your glory.
As believers, may we seek by the Spirit to walk in the same footsteps, pouring out our one life as an offering of praise and service to our beloved Savior and King.