Muslims argue that Paul contradicts Jesus by claiming that Christ voluntarily set aside his divine status, while Jesus said he did not come on his own initiative.

Muslim apologists often present a supposed contradiction between the teachings of Jesus and Paul, particularly regarding the nature of Christ's mission. However, a closer examination reveals that both Jesus and Paul consistently affirm that Jesus is the Son of God sent by the Father to accomplish the divine plan of salvation. For instance, in John 5:22-23, Jesus states that He has been given authority by the Father, emphasizing His divine role, while also acknowledging that He was sent by God to fulfill His will. Moreover, in John 6:37-40, Jesus reiterates that He came down from heaven not to do His own will but the will of the Father who sent Him, which aligns perfectly with Paul's assertion in Romans 8:3 that God sent His own Son to redeem humanity. This demonstrates that both figures are in agreement regarding the divine mission of Jesus. Additionally, the claim that Jesus was forced to come is refuted by His own words in Mark 10:45, where He states that He came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many. This indicates that His coming was a voluntary act of love, not a contradiction to His divine nature. Paul echoes this sentiment in Galatians 4:4-7, where he explains that God sent forth His Son to redeem those under the Law, further affirming the cooperative mission between the Father and the Son. In conclusion, rather than contradicting each other, the teachings of Jesus and Paul complement one another, revealing a unified message about Christ's divine nature and His voluntary sacrifice for humanity's salvation.