Paul (meaning, “little”) was the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was born in Tarsus, (Acts 22:3) the chief city of Cilicia, in Asia Minor, in the early years of the first century A. D., from Jewish parents of Pharisaic training. He was descended from the tribe of Benjamin, and because of this bore the name of “Saul,” however he was also born as a Roman citizen, and had the additional name of “Paul” He was “Saul Paul.” So he was a Hellenistic, not a Palestinian, Jew, who knew both Greek and Aramaic (and likely Latin also).
Paul’s Early Life
Paul was raised as a Pharisee, and educated at Jerusalem, at the feet of Gamaliel, who was a celebrated Rabbi. His vernacular tongue was Greek, but his residence in Palestine gave him a knowledge of the Syro-Chaldaic of that day, which in the New Testament is referred to as “Hebrew.” Paul’s education was likely from the University of Athens, which is probably how he became acquainted with the writings of several of the ancient Greek poets, whom he occasionally quotes in Scripture. Like all Jews, he was raised to work a specific trade, which, in his case, was that of a tent-maker (Acts 18:3). To those in the first century, Paul had it all, Jewish traditions, Greek culture and philosophy, and the pride of a Roman citizen.
Biblical Narrative
Saul the Pharisee
Paul’s residence at Jerusalem augmented his natural regard for Judaism, and led him, while still a young man, to take a charge against Christianity. He was roused into active hostility to Christianity by Stephen. Stephen stressed the spiritual aspects of worship of God, independent of one place or of one nation, and this universal outlook stirred the Pharisees to violent opposition. The apostles (Peter in particular) had antagonized the Sadducees by preaching the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. But Stephen, like Jesus, was understood by the Pharisees to be undermining the seclusive privileges of the Jews. Paul would then, consenting to the martyrdom of Stephen and watch over the clothes of those who were stoning him (Acts 7:58; 8:1, 3). Stephen’s death gave Saul a taste of blood, and he set out on a fierce persecution of Christians and scattered them far and wide. While he continued with his threatening and slaughter, he sought and obtained a commission from the high-priest to go into Damascus in order to pursue further persecution (Acts 9:1, 2; 22:4, 6; 26:9-12).
Paul’s Conversion (A. D. 34)
While Paul was approaching Damascus, a vivid and miraculous light shone from heaven which blinded him and caused him and those traveling with him to fall to the earth, trembling with fear. (Acts 9:3, 4, 8; 22:6) It was at this moment that Jesus appeared to Paul, directing him to go into the city to learn what he should do. (Acts 9:4-6; 22:10; 26:14- 18) After he stood up, Paul was led into Damascus (since he was blind) and remained there for three days. (Acts 9:7-9; 22:11) After which time, Ananias, who was sent by the Lord, came to him, restored his sight, and baptized him. (Acts 9:10-18; 22:12-16).
The whole course of Paul’s life was changed when he saw Jesus. He never doubted seeing Jesus. He never wavered in his loyalty to Him. His whole life was afterward an expression of this experience. He began to prove that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah of Israel because He had proven his claims by rising from the dead.
The Start of Paul’s Ministry
After he withdrew to Arabia for a season, he returned to Damascus and immediately entered into his apostolic work, preaching the gospel in the synagogues of Damascus, to the excitement and amazement of the multitudes who heard him, and to the confusion the Jews (Acts 9:20-22; Gal. 1:17). In order to escape from the Jews, who were now plotting to take his life and guarding the gates of the city, he was lowered down from the walls by night and proceeded to Jerusalem. At first, the disciples were afraid of him, but, being convinced of the change in his character, they received him into their fellowship (Acts 9:26-28). Arousing the Jews of Jerusalem by his bold teachings, he was again forced to flee for his life; going this time to his home city of Tarsus (Acts 9:29, 30).
Paul and Barnabas Go to Antioch
Being sought and found there by Barnabas, the two of them proceeded to Antioch, where they remained a whole year, and established the first Gentile church; and it was here that the disciples were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:25, 26). Paul and Barnabas were sent by the disciples of Antioch into Judaea to relieve the poor of that section; and returning brought John Mark with them (Acts 11:29, 30; 12:25). Being commanded by the Holy Ghost, the church at Antioch set aside Paul and Barnabas as missionaries to the Gentiles.
Paul’s First Missionary Journey
Departing on their mission, and accompanied by Mark (John), Paul and Barnabas went first to Seleucia, then to Cyprus; and while at Salamis, a city in Cyprus, they preached in the Jewish synagogue (Acts 13:1-5). They next proceeded to Paphos, where Elymas, a sorcerer and false prophet, was struck blind for opposing them—a miracle which caused the conversion of the Roman “deputy,” or pro-consul, Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:6-12). After leaving Paphos, the missionaries went to Perga, in Pamphylia, where Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). From there they went to Antioch, in Pisidia, where Paul preached with good effect a powerful sermon to the Jews; which, by request of the Gentiles, he repeated to them the following Sabbath, with marked success (Acts 13:14-48). Leaving Antioch, they went to Iconium, where they made a great number of converts (Acts 13:51, 52; 14:1); and then proceeded to Lystra and Derbe, and at Lystra Paul cured a man who had been lame from birth (Acts 14:2-10). The people of the city, seeing the miracle which Paul had done, thought the apostles to be gods, and were with difficulty restrained from offering sacrifices to them (Acts 14:11-18). Soon after this, a body of Jews, from Antioch (in Pisidia) and Iconium, induced the fickle people of Lystra to stone Paul. Thinking him dead, they left him, but he miraculously recovered, and, together with there, via Lystra, etc., to Perga, in Pamphylia, and into Attalia, and then returned to Syrian-Antioch. Paul’s first missionary tour ended in A. D. 46.
The apostle remained at Antioch for around four years (Acts 14:21-28). After attending the church council at Jerusalem to decide about the circumcision of the Gentile converts, Paul, with a number of others, went back to Antioch, bearing the decision to the Gentile churches In Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:22-35).
Paul’s Second Missionary Journey
Then Paul began his second missionary journey in A. D. 51; passing through Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra, he met Timothy, who accompanied him on his tour (Acts 16:1-3). Traveling from city to city, he accomplished much good; and at Troas was joined by Luke. In response to a vision, Paul next went into Macedonia; at Philippi, Lydia was converted, she and her family baptized, and she prevailed upon Paul to abide at her house (Acts 16:8- 15). Having cast out a spirit of divination from a young’ girl, Paul, together with Silas, his companion, was brought before the magistrate by the girl’s masters, and they were first beaten, then cast into prison, their feet being put in stocks (Acts 16:16-24); but at midnight the prison doors were miraculously opened and their bonds loosed; in consequence of which the jailer was converted and baptized, together with his family (Acts 16:25-34). Having failed to take advantage of the opportunity to effect their escape, the prisoners were released upon the following morning, and departed from Philippi, going to Thessalonica, where Paul made many converts (Acts 16:35 sq.). Paul and his company next visited Bercea, where they were very successful (Acts 17:10-12); thence to Athens, where Paul delivered a powerful sermon but made only a few converts (Acts 17:13-34). Going to Corinth, where he preached upon the Sabbaths, he converted many of the inhabitants of that city, among them Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue; and, being encouraged in his work by the Lord, Who appeared to him in a vision at night, remained there a year and a half. While at Corinth, Paul was greatly encouraged in his labor by the presence of Silas and Timotheus (Timothy), who joined him there, coming from Macedonia (Acts 18:1- 17). Leaving Corinth, he went to Ephesus; thence, touching at Caesarea, he hastened to Jerusalem, and then returned to Antioch in A. D. 53. (Acts 18:18- 22)
Paul’s Third Missionary Journey
After a brief break, Paul began his third tour in A. D. 54, passing quickly through Galatia and Phrygia. (Acts 18:23) He again visited Ephesus where he baptized twelve disciples of John the Baptist, who, when they had received the Holy Spirit, “spake with tongues, and prophesied.” Paul preached for upwards of two years in the school of Tyrannus during this time and “God wrought special miracles’* by his hands; truly, his success here was wonderful, especially after God had dispersed some wandering Jewish exorcists who were attempting to perform miracles similar to his. (Acts 19:1-20) Leaving Ephesus, Paul next traveled through Macedonia and Greece; then returned to Philippi. (Acts 19:21-20:5) He then visited Troas, where Eutychus, who was killed by falling from the window of a room where Paul was preaching, was restored to life by him. Sailing to Miletus, the apostle sent for the pastors of the church at Ephesus and delivered to them a solemn charge, moving them so that they “wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him.” (Acts 20:6-38) He and his companions then went, via Coos and Rhodes, to Patara, where they boarded a Phoenician ship and sailed to Syria, landing at Tyre and remaining there seven days, then sailed to Ptolemais, where they “saluted the brethren, and abode with them one day.” (Acts 21:1-7) From there the company went to Caesarea, where Agabus foretold what awaited Paul at Jerusalem; despite this, he continued his journey to that city. (Acts 21: 8-26) Arriving at Jerusalem, the apostle was seized and thrown out of the Temple by a mob but was rescued by a Roman officer. As he was being dragged to the castle, he was granted permission to speak to the multitude, and, while he stood on the steps, he made his defense in a speech that has seldom been equaled for grand eloquence and power. (Acts 21:27) Paul skillfully appealed to his judges, and was again taken in charge by the Roman authorities; and the Lord again appeared to him, encouraging him and telling him that he was to bear witness in Rome. (Acts 22:30-23:11)
Paul, the Prisoner of the Lord
While still at Jerusalem, a conspiracy was entered into by certain Jews to kill Paul, but it was prevented by his nephew and the Roman chief captain, Lysius, who sent the apostle, with an escort of 200 soldiers, to Felix, the Roman governor in Cesarea. When Felix learned that Paul was a citizen of Rome, as a native of the Roman province of Cilicia, he agreed to hear his case and ordered the apostle to be kept in Herod’s judgment-hall, where he remained for five days. (Acts 23:12-35; 24:1)
When he was arraigned for trial, a speaker by the name of Tertullus made a plausible speech of accusation, but was effectually answered by Paul, causing Felix to defer the case; keeping him prisoner for two years, during which time the apostle taught the Roman governor and his wife, a Jewess by the name of Drusilla, “concerning the faith in Christ” (Acts 24). Being finally arraigned successively before Festus and Agrippa, the prisoner would have been set free, had he not previously appealed to Caesar (Acts. 25, 26); this being the case, he was sent, a prisoner, on board a ship bound for Rome. Before setting sail, the Paul foretold the perils that awaited them on their voyage, and his prophecies were fulfilled when their ship was wrecked on the shores of the island of Melita (Acts 27; 28:1). Here Paul was bitten by a viper, without injury, and he cured the father of Publius, the chief man of the island, of a fever, and healed many others (Acts 28:1-10). Having experienced a three months’ delay, the stranded party again set out for Rome, where they arrived without further incident; and Paul was delivered to the captain of the guard, who allowed him to live by himself, with but a single soldier as his guard. (Acts 28:11-16)
During his stay in Rome, the apostle preached to the chief of the Jews, and subsequently continued his teaching In his place of residence; he lived for two years (A. D. 61-63) in his own hired house, “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbid ding him” (Acts 28:17-31).
It is at this point that the history of the great, and first, missionary to the Gentiles ends. Nothing is definitely known regarding the remainder of his life. It does not appear that he was tried during his first imprisonment in Rome; and it is probable that, upon his release in A. D. 63, he made another missionary tour through Greece and Asia Minor, and possibly through Spain. Some have thought that he also visited Britain, but though not impossible, the evidence is not substantial. Soon after this tour, he was likely again carried into Rome as a
prisoner but was not treated with kindness and consideration like the first. (II Ti. 2:9).
The Death of Paul
It is commonly supposed that Paul was beheaded in A. D. 65 or 66, when he was between 63 and 67 years old during the persecutions of Nero.
Additional Notes
The Character of Paul
As to his personal temperament and character, Paul himself is the best reference. His humility induced him to abandon the grand title of “Saul” (meaning, “desired”) and assume the humble one of “Paul” (meaning, “the little one”), It is possible this title was assumed because of his bodily size, but it was adopted, no doubt, from the humility which makes him consider himself to be “less than the least of all saints, and not worthy to be called an apostle.” The truest impression of him is to be gained from a study of his speeches and epistles; because, in these, we perceive the warmth and ardor of his nature, his affectionate disposition, the tenderness of his sense of honor, the courtesy and personal dignity of his bearing, and his perfect frankness. We also see the rare combination of subtlety, tenacity, and versatility existing in his intellect, with practical wisdom generally associated with a cooler temperament than his, and forbearance and tolerance seldom joined with such relentless convictions as he entertained.
Paul’s Epistles
The writing of Paul are second only to that of Christ, in volume and importance. The epistles written by Paul are thirteen in number. (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.) They form a unique body of literature, which touches on all points of the Christian faith and duty and the highest topics that can engage our attention.