# St. Paul — Unspoken Sermons character guide > St. Paul in Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Paul, the apostle Paul **First appearance:** 0004-the-child-in-the-midst ## Snapshot The apostle whose vision of light as the saints' inheritance MacDonald unfolds into an argument that God himself is the reward, not merely its giver. ## Who they are Paul appears here less as a doctrinal authority than as a witness to something MacDonald wants his readers to see: that the inheritance of the saints is not a place or a possession but light itself, God himself, the source in whom all loveliness has its being. The tension MacDonald draws out is between a faith that clings to promises as guarantees and a faith that rests in the character of the one who made them. Paul's language about living and moving and having our being in God becomes the thread that ties the book's scattered sermons into a single vision. ## Relationships ### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father) _professional_ God calls Paul as an apostle, directing his missionary work and revelation. ### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ) _professional_ Jesus appears to Paul in a vision, commissioning him as an apostle to the Gentiles. ### [The Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/the_child) _psychological_ Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth. ### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father) _professional_ God calls Paul as an apostle, directing his missionary work and revelation. ### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ) _professional_ Jesus appears to Paul in a vision, commissioning him as an apostle to the Gentiles. ### [God the Father](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/god_the_father) _professional_ God calls Paul as an apostle, directing his missionary work and revelation. ### [Jesus Christ](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/jesus_christ) _professional_ Jesus appears to Paul in a vision, commissioning him as an apostle to the Gentiles. ### [The Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/the_child) _psychological_ Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth. ### [The Child](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/the_child) _psychological_ Paul uses the child as a metaphor for spiritual simplicity and new birth. ## In the story ### [The Higher Faith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-higher-faith) Quoted for his teaching 'In everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God,' supporting the idea that nothing is too small or too great for prayer. ### [The New Name](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-new-name) Mentioned as an example of one who drew near to the ideal, judging himself no longer. ### [Love Thy Neighbour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/love-thy-neighbour) Quoted regarding love as the fulfilling of the law and his wish to be accursed for his brethren. ### [The God of the Living](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-god-of-the-living) Referenced for his teaching on the spiritual body and the resurrection. ### [The Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-way) Mentioned as an example of one who could say, 'I did wrong, but I did it in ignorance,' contrasting with the youth's refusal. ### [The Hardness of the Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-hardness-of-the-way) Mentioned as one in whom the spirit and flesh were in frequent strife, illustrating the ongoing conflict of the Christian life. ### [The Cause of Spiritual Stupidity](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-cause-of-spiritual-stupidity) Referenced as an example of one who was denied a request but given God's grace instead, illustrating God's fatherly dealings with all His children. ### [The Word of Jesus on Prayer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-word-of-jesus-on-prayer) Cited for his experience of unanswered prayer regarding a thorn in the flesh, and God's response: 'My grace is sufficient for thee; power is made perfect in weakness.' ### [Abba, Father!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/abba-father) His writings on adoption (νἱοθεσία) and the cry 'Abba, Father' are central to the chapter; his concept of sonship is clarified and defended against misinterpretation. ### [The Truth in Jesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-truth-in-jesus) Quoted from Philippians 3:16, emphasizing walking in the light and the scope for honest opinion. ### [The Mirrors of the Lord](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-mirrors-of-the-lord) Author of the epistle quoted; his practical mysticism and emphasis on obedience and childlike insight are highlighted. ### [Kingship](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/kingship) Paul is cited for his bold expression that Jesus was made 'like a sin' on the cross, highlighting the depth of Christ's witness. ### [Righteousness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/righteousness) Paul's writings on righteousness are the central text, emphasizing a righteousness that comes through faith in Christ, not from the law. ### [The Inheritance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-inheritance) Mentioned in the context of early Christians questioning Paul and the assurance of reunion with loved ones. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters/st_paul - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/characters