The apostle Paul felt a deep responsibility for those converted under his labors. Above all things, he longed that they should be faithful, "that I may rejoice in the day of Christ," he said, "that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain." Philippians 2:16. He trembled for the result of his ministry. He felt that even his own salvation might be imperiled if he should fail of fulfilling his duty and the church should fail of co-operating with him in the work of saving souls. He knew that preaching alone would not suffice to educate the believers to hold forth the word of life. He knew that line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, they must be taught to advance in the work of Christ.

Apostlen Paulus følte sig dybt ansvarlig for disse mennesker, der var blevet omvendt ved ham. Frem for alt higede han efter, at de skulle være trofast, "så I derved skaffer mig den ros på Jesu Kristi dag," sagde han, "at jeg ikke har løbet forgæves." Fil. 2,16. Han bævede for resultatet af sin gerning. Han følte, at selv hans egen frelse var i fare, hvis han svigtede i opfyldelsen af sin pligt, og hvis menigheden skulle svigte i sin medvirken sammen med ham for sjælenes frelse. Han vidste, at prædiken alene ikke ville være nok til at opdrage de troende til at holde fast ved livets ord. Han vidste, at de linje for linje, ved forskrift efter forskrift, lidt her og lidt der, måtte oplæres til at gå fremad i Kristi gerning.