In the Christian tradition, confession is viewed not as a direct appeal to any living witness of sins, such as the Apostle Paul, but as a sacrament through which the believer attains the purification and renewal of the soul.

Spiritual Renewal through Confession

In the Christian tradition, confession is viewed not as a direct appeal to any living witness of sins, such as the Apostle Paul, but as a sacrament through which the believer attains the purification and renewal of the soul. The Apostle Paul holds a distinguished place in Church history as one of the greatest teachers and witnesses of the Christian faith; however, he is not considered a “confessor” in the sense understood in today’s ecclesiastical context.

One source notes, “To convey this idea, the Church is portrayed as a spiritual ‘healer,’ sin as a disease, and confession as the cure: ‘Have you sinned?

Enter the church and repent of your sin... Here is a doctor, not a judge; here no one is condemned, but everyone receives forgiveness of sins.’” This excerpt from the description of John Chrysostom ( link txt) emphasizes that confession is primarily healing in nature, aimed at restoring spiritual health and guiding the believer back to the path of righteousness.

Moreover, another source explains that “the Sacrament of Penance, also known as confession, was established by the Church in ancient times” and serves to return the believer to the original state granted by Baptism. In this view, confession is presented as a renewal of Baptism—a covenant with God—and a means of cleansing the conscience ( link txt). This approach implies that the acknowledgment of sins occurs within the context of church communion with a spiritual director or priest, who acts as a spiritual doctor helping to correct the life of the penitent.

Thus, when it comes to grievous sins, tradition requires their confession within the framework of the sacrament of penance rather than through personal instruction or confessing to a specific apostle, even if it concerns a monumental figure like the Apostle Paul. His role in Church history is that of preaching the Gospel and instructing the community, not serving as a constant confessor. Confession, on the other hand, functions as a means of spiritual renewal, helping the believer recognize their sinfulness and obtain the grace to continue life in Christ.

Supporting citation(s):
“More often, however, confession was secret. In the Christian tradition, the Church is perceived as a spiritual ‘healer,’ sin as a disease, confession as a cure, and the priest as a doctor: ‘Have you sinned? Enter the church and repent of your sin... Here is a doctor, not a judge; here no one is condemned, but everyone receives the forgiveness of sins’ (Saint John Chrysostom)... Sin is a fall, a delusion of man: confession helps him to rise and set on the right path.” (source: link txt)

“Repentance begins with remorse and turning, which mature into determination and culminate in returning to the Father... The Sacrament of Penance, also known as confession, was established by the Church in ancient times. In Acts it is stated that ‘many of those who believed came (to the apostles), confessing and revealing their deeds’... For a Christian, all sins are forgiven in Baptism.” (source: link txt)

Thus, within the context of the Christian tradition, confession should be understood as a sacrament through which spiritual healing and reconciliation with God occur, rather than as a personal declaration before the Apostle Paul.