In presenting Paul's example of preaching, the quality of congruity is emphasized, which is expressed at two levels and contributes to the persuasive power and the effectiveness of the preaching in a special way: in his inner orientation before the turning point of his life and after it and in the comparisons between the presentation of Christ and his autobiography. This congruity is concretely expressed in Paul's participation in the suffering because of preaching Christ. On the basis of selected passages from authentic letters (Gal 1:13-17; Phil 3:3-11; 2 Cor 4:7-10), it can be established that the preaching is a consequence of an integral relation to Christ lived by Paul at an existential level after the turning point of his life. The participation in the suffering is presented as a necessity where the preacher is confronted with his weaknesses and at the same time strengthens his consciousness that Christ himself makes the preaching complete through him.
