A New Testament scholar once wrote these words in his Greek New Testament:
Apostolos, non papa!
Paul, he argued, was authoritative but never dictatorial -- "an apostle, not a pope!" There is grave risk of misunderstanding in this assertion. Paul never countenanced the arbitrary. His teachings are based on objective truth revealed to him in and by Christ. Hence we have no right to challenge the words of the apostles, as did C. H. Dodd in his commentary on Romans when he wrote, "Sometimes I think Paul is wrong, and I have ventured to say so." How tragic when we substitute our opinions for the authority of Christ's apostles. Scriptural authority is divine authority. And because it is divine, we must submit to it.