Modern scholarship has rightly determined that not all the letters attributed to Paul were likely written by Paul. That is "much ado about nothing" in my view. What is more important in rightly understanding Paul is to be able to discern the three voices of Paul. Now there may be more but these three are the most obvious in my view. There is Paul the mystic, Paul the rabbi, and Paul the clerical apologist. For me, Paul the mystic is the only voice worth listening too. This is precisely the reason that humanity is given the Holy Spirit. It is to be able to discern mystical revelatory truth from God.
Paul the Mystic:
Paul the mystic is the Paul that was blinded on the Damascus road. Paul the mystic is the Paul that was taken in a vision to the third heaven. Paul the mystic is the Paul that wrote to the one new humanity. Paul the mystic is the Paul that wrote of universal reconciliation. Paul the mystic is the one who wrote about a plan that was set in motion before creation. Paul the mystic is the one who knew the universal Christ or Christ consciousness. Paul the mystic showed that the Messiah had a spiritual ministry to all humanity. Here is an example of Paul the mystic: 2Co 5:18-19 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; (19) that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. God reconciled the entire cosmos to himself which surely includes every human being. It should be easily discerned what voice is Paul the mystic. In order to discern Paul the mystic, one needs to listen to the Spirit that was promised to guide one into all truth.
A second example of Paul the mystic is this: 2Co 4:18 because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. Paul the mystic here describes the invisible world that is the true nature of reality. It is spiritual and pure consciousness. Paul here is describing the esoteric nature of reality in metaphysical terms.
Another example of Paul the mystic is as follows: Col 1:23-27 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. (24) Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. (25) I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— (26) the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord's people. (27) To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. This passage explains in detail the gospel and it equates the gospel with the word of God, meaning that for Paul, the phrase word of God was synonymous with the gospel. What was the gospel? That Christ is in each person. It is Christ in YOU!
Paul the Rabbi:
Paul the rabbi is the source of the schizophrenia found in all of his writings. Paul would show multiple personalities in his writing. Paul the rabbi would throw shade on the mystical revelation of Paul the mystic because he was afraid that his mystical revelation would do irrevocable harm to the law and in that he was conflicted. An example of Paul the rabbi is his many "God forbid" comments. When it was revealed to him that grace trumps sin, the rabbi said "should we sin so grace may abound? God forbid!" In that statement Paul the rabbi did violence to the mystical revelation he received. The concept that sin trumps grace, leads to a new understanding of God that develops love for God that results in self control when grace is truly understood and believed. Paul the rabbi never gave the mystical revelation of Paul the mystic a chance.
Paul the Clergy Apologist:
Paul the clergy apologist is a pseudo Paul from a later period that tried to use Paul's authority to establish a clerical hierarchy. However, in that capacity this pseudo Paul also interspersed the mystical teachings of Paul in his writing. The pastorals fall into this category. During the first and second century it was common for one to write in the name of a revered authority. And example of Paul the clergy apologist is this: 1Ti 2:12-15 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. (13) For Adam was formed first, then Eve; (14) and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. (15) Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty. This was very likely not taught by Paul although it may have have been by Paul the rabbi. It is most definitely not mystical revelation from the creative source.
The Bottom Line:
Paul the mystic received revelation about the New Humanity, the body of Christ, the fact that the Christ indwells humanity, the fact that there is no wall of separation, no favoritism on the part of God. There is no distinction between male and female when it comes to God's love. It is pointed out by John in his gospel that the purpose of the Holy Spirit is to give discernment, and to clarify teaching. It does not matter that Paul did not write everything his name is attached too. Nor, is it important to adhere to everything that his name was attached too in perpetuity. What is important is to spiritually recognize the mystical revelation Paul received especially the definition of love and the description of the fruit of the spirit. It is far less important who wrote it and much more important what was written.
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