center” of Paul’s gospel. These four motifs are vindication, universalism, dualism, and imminence. Whereas the motifs of God’s vindication of his holy name and that of universalism point to the cosmic embrace of God’s redemptive purpose, the motifs of dualism and imminence specify the present state of the Christian community as involved in suffering in the world and as motivated by an intense hope in God’s final redemptive hour. But how is Paul’s apocalyptic gospel related to his apostolic career?