# St. Paul — The Imitation of Christ character guide

> St. Paul in The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Paul

**First appearance:** 0003-book-i-admonitions-profitable-for-the-spiritual-life

## Who they are

Apostle to the Gentiles, cited for teachings on the spiritual life.

## Relationships

### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/god_the_father)

_psychological_

St. Paul is a chosen apostle whose writings convey God's will and serve as instruction for the faithful.

### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/jesus_christ)

_psychological_

St. Paul is a devoted apostle who spreads the teachings of Jesus Christ and models Christian discipleship.

## In the story

### [Of Resisting Temptation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xiii)

Quoted regarding God providing a way of escape with temptation.

### [Of the Joy of a Good Conscience](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/vi)

Quoted directly: 'For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth.'

### [Of the lack of all comfort](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/ix)

Mentioned indirectly through the reference to the tree of life from Revelation, attributed to the apostle John.

### [XII: Of the Royal Way of the Holy Cross](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xii)

Referenced as one caught up to the third heaven yet not secure from suffering; his words on suffering are quoted.

### [Of bearing injuries, and who shall be approved as truly patient](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xix)

Referenced indirectly through the phrase 'Thou hast not yet resisted unto blood,' which echoes Hebrews 12:4, an epistle attributed to Paul.

### [Of the recollection of God's manifold benefits](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxii)

Referenced indirectly through the apostles who rejoiced to suffer rebukes for Christ's name, reflecting Pauline themes of humility and suffering.

### [XXXV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxxv)

Quoted regarding the sufferings of this present time not being worthy of comparison with future glory.

### [Against Vain Judgments of Men](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xxxvi)

Cited as an example of one who sought to please all men in the Lord yet was judged by man's judgment, and who committed all to God.

### [That Man Hath No Good in Himself, and Nothing Whereof to Glory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xl)

Quoted indirectly: 'save only in my infirmities' (2 Corinthians 12:5) as a model of humility.

### [That all troubles are to be endured for the sake of eternal life](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/xlvii)

Referenced indirectly through the quotation 'Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?' (Romans 7:24).

### [That we must give ourselves to humble works when we are unequal to those that are lofty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/li)

Quoted indirectly: 'The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.'

### [LIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/liii)

Referenced as the blessed Apostle Peter (likely a scribal error; contextually Peter is mentioned, but Paul is not directly cited; however, the reference to 'blessed Apostle Peter' is present in the text).

### [Of the corruption of Nature and the efficacy of Divine Grace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/lv)

Quoted indirectly: 'I delight in Thy law after the inward man,' 'with the flesh I serve the law of sin,' 'to will to do good is present with me, but how to perform it I find not,' and 'I can do all things through Thy grace which strengtheneth me.'

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/chapters/endnotes)

Referenced through epistles (e.g., Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 12:2, Philippians 3:20).

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters/st_paul
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_imitation_of_christ_se/characters