Mystical Foundations of St. Paul's Ethical Doctrines

The vital role of St.Paul in the history of Christianity needs no proof. Christian life of Paul began with his own vision of Christ; This conversion resulted in his theological and ethical teachings. So that, his “Christ-Mysticism” has been regarded as the heart of his ideas and thought. Accordingly, love, as the major element of Paul’s ethic and the gift of “spirit”, parallel to faith, as the main element of his theology and the fruit of grace, make the fulfillment of true Law possible. In Pauline mysticism, “being-in-Christ” follows a “new creation” in piety and edification. This attitude, together with a moral-mystical interpretation of sacraments substitutes Law of love for the Law of works. In this article, Paul’s ethics is surveyed with regard to his special personality, his fanatical legalism, his following psychological crisis, and finally his visionary experience of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Pauline and Stoic Ethics are comparatively discussed.