If you’ve spent any time diving into the writings of the Apostle Paul, you’ve likely wrestled with some big questions. Questions like: Could Paul ever have been wrong about something? Could his views have changed over time? And what did Paul really mean when he talked about being “in Christ”?
The Humanity of Paul
First, let’s be clear: Paul was human. He wasn’t some untouchable, infallible being floating around in the first century. He was a guy who had strong opinions, made mistakes (just ask Barnabas or John Mark), and grew in his understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus.
Even in his letters, you can see Paul wrestling with new ideas as he encounters different people and situations. For instance, his early letters, like 1 Thessalonians, are less developed theologically compared to his later writings, such as Romans or Ephesians.
So, could Paul have been wrong about something? The short answer is yes.
The longer answer? It depends on what you mean by “wrong.”
Paul might not have had a fully developed understanding of every theological nuance from the start, but that doesn’t mean his insights lack value. It means he was growing, just like the rest of us.
Who Is “In Christ”?
One of the most profound ideas Paul wrestled with was the concept of being “in Christ.” This phrase appears repeatedly in his letters and is central to understanding his theology. But what did Paul mean by it? Did he see it as a designation for only those who explicitly believed in Jesus, or was it something bigger?
In his earlier writings, Paul seems to emphasize belief as a key component. For example, in Galatians 3:26-28, he writes, “So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Here, Paul connects faith and baptism with being “in Christ.”
But later, in letters like Colossians and Ephesians, Paul’s language broadens. He starts talking about Christ as the one in whom “all things” hold together (Colossians 1:17) and describes a cosmic unity where Christ fills “everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:23). It’s almost as if Paul’s understanding of what it means to be “in Christ” expands to include not just believers, but all of creation.
Also, in the book of Acts, Paul announces to idol-worshipping pagans that God is their Father which would mean that they were the Children of God, and then he tells them that this same God is the one we all live, move and have our being in.
So, did Paul change his mind? Or was he simply growing in his understanding of what God was revealing to him?
Perhaps both.
A Theology of Growth
One thing we can learn from Paul is that theology isn’t static. It’s dynamic. Paul’s letters show us someone who is constantly learning, rethinking, and deepening his understanding of God’s love. This is a good reminder for us today. Just because we’ve always believed something doesn’t mean we can’t revisit it, question it, or even change our minds.
Take Paul’s views on the inclusion of Gentiles. Early on, he was zealous for the law and couldn’t imagine a world where Gentiles were included in God’s family without becoming Jewish first. But after his encounter with Christ on the road to Damascus, everything changed. He spent years rethinking his theology and came to see that “there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28).
This shift didn’t happen overnight. It took time, reflection, and probably some heated debates. But Paul’s willingness to grow allowed him to become one of the most inclusive voices in early Christianity.
We should also assume that Paul’s ability to change his mind didn’t end on that road to Damascus. He, like the rest of us, has permission to change what he thinks over time.
Could Paul Be Wrong?
The question isn’t just whether Paul could have been wrong. It’s whether we’re willing to embrace the same humility he did. Paul wasn’t afraid to admit when he needed to change his perspective. He wasn’t afraid to say, “I don’t have it all figured out, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Philippians 3:12).
So, could Paul have been wrong? Absolutely. But that’s not a bad thing. It’s a reminder that faith is a journey, not a destination. It’s about growing, learning, and being open to the Spirit’s leading—just like Paul.
What About Us?
If Paul could change his mind, why can’t we? Why do we cling so tightly to our interpretations and traditions, as if admitting we might be wrong is the ultimate failure? In reality, it’s the opposite. Being willing to question, rethink, and grow is a sign of maturity, not weakness.
So, let’s follow Paul’s example. Let’s be willing to admit when we don’t have all the answers.
Let’s stay open to the possibility that God is bigger, more inclusive, and more loving than we’ve ever imagined.
And let’s never stop growing in our understanding of what it means to be “in Christ.”
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The newest book from Keith Giles, “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas” is available now on Amazon. Order HERE>
Keith Giles is the best-selling author of the Jesus Un series. He has appeared on CNN, USA Today, BuzzFeed, and John Fugelsang’s “Tell Me Everything.”
He co-hosts The Heretic Happy Hour Podcast and his solo podcast, Second Cup With Keith which are both available on Spotify, Amazon, Apple, Podbean or wherever you find your podcast fix.