Rom 1:5, 15:15, 1Cor 3:10 | PNT | STEP | By whom . Through Jesus Christ, who is the subject spoken of. We have received . Paul refers to himself, and perhaps to other apostles. Grace . The grace, the favor and mercy of heaven granted to all saints. Apostleship . All saints were not apostles, but one must be a saint to be an apostle. Without the general grace he could not have the special gift of apostleship. For obedience to the faith . The apostleship was given in order to lead all nations to obedience to the faith. "The faith" is a synonym for "the gospel". Observe that it is a system of obedience. In the apostolic age there were no recognized believers but obedient believers.

‏ Romans 1:5

By whom. Through Jesus Christ, who is the subject spoken of.

We have received. Paul refers to himself, and perhaps to other apostles.

Grace. The grace, the favor and mercy of heaven granted to all saints.

Apostleship. All saints were not apostles, but one must be a saint to be an apostle. Without the general grace he could not have the special gift of apostleship.

For obedience to the faith. The apostleship was given in order to lead all nations to obedience to the faith. "The faith" is a synonym for "the gospel". Observe that it is a system of obedience. In the apostolic age there were no recognized believers but obedient believers.

‏ Romans 15:15

Nevertheless, brethren. Though they were able to admonish each other, he has written to them boldly and plainly, as was his right, because of the grace, the apostleship to the Gentiles, given him of God.

‏ 1 Corinthians 3:10

According to the grace of God which is given to me. Given when? When he was called to be an apostle.

I have laid the foundation. The figure of the building is retained. Paul is a discreet master-builder. He had laid the foundation at Corinth, when he was preaching Christ, and working through faith in him (1Co 2:4,5). Notice it is not "a foundation", but "the foundation", because God's spiritual temple can have only one (1Co 3:16).

Another buildeth thereon. After Paul left Corinth, Apollos and other teachers continued to build upon the foundation that Paul had laid.

Let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. Since there is only one foundation of the temple, viz.: Jesus Christ, there should be most careful and conscientious building upon it (1Co 3:12).