Paul

Paul
Saint Paul, the oil painting bequeathed by William Cartwright, is dated before 1686.
Period	A.D. 30–64
Birth to death	Martyred during Emperor Nero’s reign.
Birthplace	Tarsus
Activity area	Judea, Asia Minor, Greece, Rome
Major achievements	Converted from Judaism to Christianity. Wrote 13-14 New Testament books. Expanded the early Church through his three missionary journeys.

Paul (Greek: Παῦλος) was a key New Testament apostle who, after persecuting the early Church as a Jewish leader, converted to Christianity. He expanded the early Church and the gospel of the kingdom beyond the Jewish region to Asia Minor, Greece, and Rome, writing nearly half of the New Testament’s 27 books. Born in Tarsus, he was a zealous Pharisee, fluent in Greek, and held Roman citizenship. His Roman name was Paul (Παῦλος), and his Jewish name was Saul (שָׁאוּל‎). Initially, mentioned by both names in the book of Acts, he is referred to as Paul thereafter.

Historical Background

Following the ascension of Jesus Christ, early Church saints actively disseminated the gospel, resulting in a growing number of believers. Among these converts were some Jewish leaders, including priests. This expansion of Christianity provoked envy among Jewish authorities, who responded by imprisoning the apostles. Deacon Stephen, an early Church leader, was executed by being stoned on charges of blasphemy. Saul, a young Jewish leader, was also implicated in this persecution. In the wake of Stephen’s martyrdom and the intensification of Jewish persecution, Christians who fled Jerusalem dispersed widely, continuing to spread the gospel and thereby facilitating its broader dissemination.

For details, refer to: Book of Acts

Life of Paul

Childhood

The region of Tarsus, where Paul was born and raised

Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was circumcised on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition. The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel. From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel, gaining a deep understanding of Jewish law. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.

Young Adulthood: Persecuting Early Church

Paul belonged to the Pharisees, one of the three major sects of Judaism, alongside the Sadducees and the Essenes. The Pharisees were distinguished by their strict observance of the Law, often incorporating additional customs and traditions not found in the Scripture. Deeply committed to this legalistic faith, Paul regarded the Church of God as a heretical movement that violated the Law and was, therefore, an object of hostility. As a rising leader within Judaism, he played a key role in persecuting the church. Paul was involved in the execution of Stephen, witnessing his death. Biblical passages, such as “Saul began to destroy the church” and “still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,” reflect his aggressiveness during this period.

Conversion in Damascus

Conversion on the Way to Damascus by Caravaggio, 1600–1601

Paul played a leading role in the arrest of the early Church saints in Jerusalem, handing them over to prison. While traveling to Damascus to extend these arrests to Christians in other regions, he was suddenly surrounded by a light from heaven. A voice then spoke to him.

“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 
“Who are you, Lord?”  
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

After falling to the ground, Paul rose and opened his eyes but was unable to see. He fasted and prayed for three days. On the third day, Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision, instructing him to find Paul. Following Jesus’ command, Ananias laid hands on Paul, and something like scales fell from Paul’s eyes, restoring his sight. Paul then received baptism in the name of Christ. This event marked a dramatic turning point in Paul’s life, leading to his conversion from Judaism to Christianity. He immediately began preaching Christ in synagogues, converting many Jews. When the Jews conspired to kill Paul, watching the city gates day and night, the disciples helped him escape by lowering him in a large basket outside the city walls. Facing similar threats in Jerusalem, the brothers sent Paul to his hometown of Tarsus for safety.

Barnabas and Ministry

The gospel was spread in Antioch, the principal city of Syria, leading to a significant number of people coming to believe in Jesus. The apostle Barnabas, sent from the Jerusalem church to Antioch, played a key role in increasing the number of believers there. Barnabas brought Paul from Tarsus to Antioch, where they worked together, preaching the gospel for a year. As the number of believers grew and the preaching of Christ became more widespread, the followers began to be referred to as Christians from this period onward.

1st Missionary Journey

Paul and Barnabas delivered the contributions collected by the Antioch church to the Jerusalem church, providing aid to the Jewish community affected by a severe famine. Upon returning to Antioch, they took on the significant role of global missionary work. Their mission began in Salamis on the island of Cyprus, Barnabas’s hometown, and extended through Pamphylia’s Perga, Pisidian Antioch, and other regions. Many Gentiles who heard the gospel rejoiced and converted to Christianity. In response, the Jews, who incited influential city leaders and devout women, persecuted Paul and Barnabas. Despite facing opposition, Paul and his fellow workers continued to revisit previously traveled regions to strengthen the faith of the believers.

Class.	Content
Period	A.D. 47–49
Distance Traveled	About 2,544 km [1,581 mi]
Major Routes	① Antioch in Syria → ② Seleucia → ③ Cyprus (Salamis, Paphos) → ④ Perga → ⑤ Antioch in Pisidia → ⑥ Iconium → ⑦ Lystra → ⑧ Derbe (Return Journey) ⑨ Lystra → ⑩ Iconium → ⑪ Antioch in Pisidia → ⑫ Perga → ⑬ Addaliah → ⑭ Antioch in Syria
Achievements	·The church in Antioch, Syria, was established by Greek-speaking Jewish believers. ·The first missionaries were sent to the Gentile region of Antioch, Syria.

• Experienced a Life-Threatening Crisis in Lystra

The Stoning of St. Paul by Jean Baptiste de Champaigne, 1667

In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth, enabling him to walk through the power of the Holy Spirit. The local people, astonished by the miracle, exclaimed, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Mistaking Barnabas for Zeus and Paul for Hermes, they attempted to offer sacrifices to them, In response, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and shouted, “We too are only men, human like you,” proclaiming the power of God. Shortly thereafter, Jews from other regions, who had been pursuing Paul, arrived and incited the crowd against him. The crowd stoned Paul. They then dragged him out of the city, believing him to be dead. However, Paul miraculously survived and continued his gospel ministry. The following day, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Derbe, where they made many disciples.

• Return to Lystra

After completing their mission in Derbe, Paul and his fellow workers visited Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch to strengthen the believers. Despite having narrowly escaped death by stoning in Lystra, Paul proceeded with his journey without hesitation. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in each church, entrusting them with the responsibility to lead the churches faithfully.

2nd Missionary Journey

Before beginning their second missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas disagreed over whether to include John Mark in their team, resulting in their separation. Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus, while Paul departed with Silas. During the journey, Timothy and Luke joined Paul’s group. On his second missionary journey, Paul traveled through various regions of Asia Minor and Macedonia, preaching in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea. In Berea, Paul’s fervent preaching attracted those who diligently examined the Scriptures, including prominent Greek women. While in Corinth for a year and a half, many people converted to Christianity.

Class.	Content
Period	A.D. 49–52
Distance Traveled	About 4,909 km [3,050 mi]
Major Routes	① Antioch in Syria → ② Derbe → ③ Lystra → ④ Iconium → ⑤ Antioch in Pisidia → ⑥ Troas → ⑦ Neapolis → ⑧ Philippi → ⑨ Amphipolis → ⑨ Apollonia → ⑪ Thessalonica → ⑫ Berea → ⑬ Athens → ⑭ Corinth (Return Journey) ⑮ Cenchrea → ⑯ Ephesus → ⑰ Caesarea → ⑱ Jerusalem → ⑲ Antioch in Syria (Return)
Achievements	The first spread of the gospel in Europe

• Lydia’s Baptism

Upon arriving in Philippi, the first city in Macedonia, Paul and his fellow workers sought a place of prayer on the Sabbath and addressed the women gathered by the riverside outside the city gates. Among them was Lydia, a seller of purple cloth from Thyatira, who accepted the gospel. That day, Lydia and her household were baptized, marking the first baptisms in Europe.

• Preaching to Jailer (Prison Guard)

Paul and Silas expelled a spirit from a slave girl who had been engaged in fortune-telling. When her owners realized they had lost their source of profit, they seized Paul and Silas, accusing them of causing a public disturbance, and had them imprisoned. That night, while Paul and Silas were praying, a severe earthquake struck, causing the prison doors to open and the chains of all the prisoners to fall off. The jailer, believing the prisoners had escaped, was about to commit suicide. Paul intervened, stopped him, and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. The jailer and his entire household were converted and baptized that same night.

• Debating With the Philosophers

St. Paul Preaching in Athens by George Baxter, After 1855

When Paul arrived in Athens, he was distressed by the city’s proliferation of idols, including an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” He discussed in the synagogue with Jews and other residents, including a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Paul proclaimed the existence of God, who created all nations from one man. Consequently, many individuals, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, accepted the gospel.

• Partnership With the Aquila Couple

In Corinth, Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla, a couple who were tentmakers. Since they shared the same job, Paul worked alongside them to support his livelihood. Paul preached in the synagogue every Sabbath, proclaiming Jesus. Despite facing opposition from the Jews, many, including Crispus, the synagogue leader, converted to Christianity. During this period, Jesus appeared to Paul in a vision to offer encouragement:

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

Paul remained in Corinth for a year and a half, preaching the gospel in accordance with a revelation from Jesus.

3rd Missionary Journey

After a brief stay in Antioch, Paul embarked on another missionary journey. He revisited Galatia and Phrygia, regions from his earlier journeys, to strengthen the believers’ faith. Paul continued preaching the gospel in Ephesus, Troas, Macedonia, Achaia, and Miletus.

Class.	Content
Period	A.D. 53–58
Distance Traveled	About 5,322 km [3,307 mi]
Major Routes	① Antioch in Syria → ② Around Galatia → ③ Around Phrygia → ④ Ephesus → ⑤ Troas → ⑥ Macedonia → ⑦ Achaia → ⑧ Philippi (Return Journey) ⑨ Troas → ⑮ Assos → ⑪ Mitylene → ⑫ Miletus → ⑬ Patara → ⑭ Tyre → ⑮ Ptolemais → ⑯ Caesarea → ⑰ Jerusalem
Achievements	Retracing the places of the 1st and 2nd missionary journeys to strengthen the faith of the saints

• Uproar of the Worshipers of the Goddess Artemis

The Preaching of St. Paul at Ephesus by Eustache Le Sueur, 1649

The word of God spread widely, reaching both Jews and Greeks throughout Asia. In Ephesus, Paul taught the gospel daily at the synagogue of Tyrannus. During this period, a silversmith who made and sold silver shrines of the goddess Artemis became hostile toward Paul, inciting the local merchants and causing a public uproar. They captured Paul’s fellow workers and filled the city with chants in praise of Artemis. Once the unrest settled, Paul encouraged the believers and departed for Macedonia.

• Journey to Jerusalem Ready to Face Death
  

In Miletus, Paul met with the elders of the church in Ephesus and informed them that he was bound for Jerusalem. He declared his unwavering commitment, stating, “I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may complete the task of testifying to the gospel.” Paul also urged the elders, saying, “Keep watch over all the flock that none of you will ever see me again.” Overcome with emotion, the elders wept as they bid him farewell.

While Paul stayed at Philip’s house in Caesarea, the prophet Agabus prophesied that Paul would be bound and suffer in Jerusalem. Concerned for his safety, the saints tearfully begged him not to go, but Paul remained resolute, reaffirming his decision to continue to Jerusalem.

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Acts 21:13

• Photos of Paul’s Mission Sites

• 
  Ephesus
• 
  Thessalonica
• 
  Athens
• 
  Salamis
• 
  Antioch in Pisidia
• 
  Philippi
• 
  Miletus
• 
  Caesarea
• 
  Rome

Arrested in Jerusalem

St. Paul in Prison by Gustave Doré, 1886

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and reported his missionary activities to the saints, who glorified God upon hearing his account. A few days later, Jews from Asia arrived and incited the crowd, accusing Paul of desecrating the Law and the Temple. This led to a violent uproar, with the crowd attempting to kill Paul. The Roman commander, accompanied by soldiers, intervened and restored order. He then bound Paul with chains. Paul addressed a large assembly of Jews, recounting his conversion from Judaism to Christianity and preaching about Jesus Christ. As the crowd grew increasingly hostile and sought to kill Paul, the commander took him into the barracks for protection.

The commander instructed his men to flog Paul and investigate the cause of the disturbance. At this juncture, Paul questioned the centurion, asking, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?” At that time, it was illegal to punish a Roman citizen without a formal trial. Upon realizing this, those preparing to interrogate Paul withdrew. That night, Jesus appeared to Paul and encouraged him, stating, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

1st Imprisonment

The Jews conspired to kill Paul, but he evaded the threat with the assistance of his nephew and arrived safely in Caesarea. Governor Felix, though aware of Paul’s innocence, delayed the trial until the arrival of the commander Lysias due to concerns about Jewish opposition. Paul was held under house arrest in Caesarea for two years without facing a trial.

Preaching Before King Agrippa

When Porcius Festus succeeded Governor Felix, the high priest and Jewish leaders brought accusations against Paul, prompting a new trial in Caesarea. The Jews alleged that Paul was the leader of the Nazarene sect and other charges, but failed to present substantial evidence. During the trial, Paul boldly testified about Jesus. Festus, aiming to appease the Jewish leaders, proposed sending Paul to Jerusalem for trial. Paul refused and instead appealed to the Roman Emperor. King Herod Agrippa II, who was visiting Festus, expressed a desire to hear Paul’s case. Before Agrippa, Paul confidently preached about Jesus. Subsequently, Paul was dispatched to Rome to stand trial before the Emperor, as he had requested.

2nd Imprisonment

Upon his arrival in Rome, Paul was placed under house arrest and guarded by soldiers. Despite this confinement, his commitment to evangelism remained strong. Paul called together the Jewish leaders in Rome and outlined the reasons for his presence there. Interested in his teachings, the Jewish leaders arranged to meet with Paul at his residence. Paul spent the entire day from morning until evening discussing Christ and the Scriptures. Over approximately two years, Paul continued to teach all who visited him about the kingdom of God and Christ. During this period, he also composed four letters—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—to support and encourage the saints and churches. These letters were carried by Paul’s co-workers and delivered to individuals or churches.

Last Work

The Martyrdom of Paul by Mattia Preti, 1656–1659

The Pastoral Epistles, comprising the books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, document activities of Paul which were not detailed in the book of Acts. These writings indicate that Paul may have continued his evangelistic work for several years after his release from Roman imprisonment. There is also a tradition that Paul traveled to Spain to further spread the gospel. The early Church tradition holds that Paul was martyred in Rome, with his death likely linked to the AD 64 persecution under Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome and executed approximately 300 Christians.

Paul’s Influence

Pauline Epistles

The New Testament, comprising a total of 27 books, is divided into 13 books written by Jesus’ disciples such as Peter, John, Luke, and Matthew, and 14 books by Paul. Paul’s writings account for half of the New Testament. These writings are often referred to as the Pauline Epistles because they are primarily in the form of letters. Paul wrote a total of 9 epistles to churches (Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, and 2 Thessalonians) and 4 epistles to individuals (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon). Additionally, there is 1 epistle addressed to a specific group (Hebrews). Depending on the intended audience or the location from which the letters were written, they are sometimes classified as Pastoral Epistles (1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus) or Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon).

For details, refer to: Paul’s Epistles

First Overseas Missionary

Paul is regarded as the first overseas missionary who disseminated the gospel during the early Church period. In accordance with Jesus’ prophecy, he boldly preached about Jesus to Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. Biblical scholars estimate that Paul traveled approximately 16,000 kilometers (10,000 miles) during his missionary journeys, a distance comparable to traveling from New York to Beijing. His travels spanned nine modern-day countries and about 50 cities and locations. His extensive movement across regional boundaries was likely facilitated by his status as a Roman citizen.

Lesson

Devotion to Preaching the Gospel

Paul Shipwrecked in Malta by Laurent de La Hyre, 1630

In short, Paul dedicated his life to preaching, even though his high education and influence could have afforded him a comfortable life. After accepting Jesus Christ, he considered worldly pursuits to be worthless and focused solely on spreading the gospel. He supported his missionary journeys through relentless labor and fully committed himself to his evangelistic mission. As his death approached, Paul took pride in having lived a life of great value and purpose, free from regret.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6–8

Relying on God

Paul traveled to Rome and the Mediterranean coast several times, pioneering routes that had never been taken before. His journeys were marked by relentless hardship. He endured threats of murder, severe violence, and flogging, facing dangers from cities, deserts, rivers, and seas. Additionally, he experienced deprivation, hunger, betrayal by false brethren and his own people, threats from robbers, slander from believers, and various physical ailments. Paul admitted that at times his suffering was so intense that he despaired even of life. Despite these trials, he remained committed to preaching the gospel and overcame every obstacle through his reliance on God. His unwavering dedication to the principle, “If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord,” resulted in great outcomes wherever he traveled.

Passion for the Salvation of Souls

Paul allocated more than half of his missionary activities to nurturing the faith of new believers. He revisited regions where he had previously faced life-threatening situations to bolster their faith. Moreover, he addressed issues with churches either by visiting them personally or by sending letters to correct practices related to Old Testament laws or Jewish customs. His mission encompassed more than just preaching the gospel; he worked to create a foundation for saints to adapt to local cultures, appointed reliable overseers to guide them, and remained actively concerned with the well-being and care of the churches and their members. Paul tailored his approach to different groups: he identified with the weak to support them, aligned himself with Jewish customs to reach Jewish people, and adapted his methods to various individuals. His actions reflected a love that considered others, following the example of Jesus Christ.

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See also

• Book of Acts
• Paul's Epistles
• Antioch
• Barnabas
• Luke