ABSTRACT
The unsympathetic reader of Paul's epistles might see only some hyperactive, almost neurotic and obsessive personality. But the gracious and caring aspect of the Apostle's personality shines through as he offers pastoral guidance. As the last of the apostles, Paul discerned God's power in human weakness but he never relinquished his authority as a Christian leader and spiritual father to his churches. The idea of a pastoral ministry, understood in secular terms as counselling, is largely alien to Muslims since the imam is only a leader of daily canonical prayer with the additional duty to deliver a standard sermon and a supplementary statement on Friday when the normal early afternoon prayer is replaced by a communal one. The Galatians had abandoned paganism to become Christians. Paul wants them to know their privileges as Christians. He is alarmed when he learns that his disciples are contemplating adherence to a religious version of the very paganism they had renounced.
