Σαῦλος → Παῦλος · שאול → פולוס
Persecutor · Convert · Missionary · Theologian
"Apostle to the Gentiles"
"And the Lord said to him, Go, for this one is a vessel of election to Me, to bear My name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of My name."— Acts 9:15-16 (KJ3)
c. AD 5 · Tarsus, Cilicia
Born a Roman citizen in Tarsus, named Saul (שאול, "asked for") after Israel's first king. Raised in a devout Pharisaic household of the tribe of Benjamin. Educated under the renowned teacher Gamaliel in Jerusalem, "much more a zealot of the ancestral traditions of my fathers" (Galatians 1:14).
c. AD 33-36
As a young man, Saul witnessed and approved of Stephen's martyrdom (Acts 7:58; 8:1). He "ravaged the assembly, having entered, going in according to the houses; dragging away men and women, he gave them over into prison" (Acts 8:3). Obtaining letters from the high priest, he set out for Damascus to arrest believers there.
c. AD 36
A light from heaven struck Saul blind. He heard the risen Christ say: "Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?" Jesus identified Himself with His persecuted assembly. Saul was led blind into Damascus for three days (Acts 9:3-9; 22:6-11; 26:12-18). This conversion is recorded three times in Acts, highlighting its significance.
c. AD 36
God sent Ananias to Saul, calling him "a vessel of election to Me, to bear My name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel" (Acts 9:15). Saul's sight was restored, he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and was baptized (Acts 9:10-19). Immediately he began proclaiming Christ in the synagogues.
c. AD 36-39
Paul withdrew to Arabia for approximately three years—a time of preparation, reflection, and receiving revelation from Christ (Galatians 1:17-18). He returned to Damascus before visiting Jerusalem, where Barnabas brought him to the apostles and testified of his conversion (Acts 9:26-30).
c. AD 39
The Jerusalem believers feared Saul, but Barnabas brought him to the apostles and testified of his conversion. Saul preached boldly until threats on his life sent him back to Tarsus (Acts 9:26-30). Years later, Barnabas sought him out to help teach the assembly at Antioch, where believers were first called "Christians" (Acts 11:25-26).
Paul and Barnabas, commissioned by the assembly at Antioch, set out on the first organized mission to the Gentiles. John Mark joined as assistant but departed early. This journey established the pattern of preaching first in synagogues, then turning to Gentiles.
After the Jerusalem Council, Paul set out with Silas (later joined by Timothy and Luke). The Holy Spirit redirected them to Macedonia (Acts 16:9), bringing the Gospel to Europe for the first time. Major assemblies were planted in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth.
Paul's longest journey focused on strengthening existing assemblies and extended ministry in Ephesus (nearly 3 years). This journey included the collection for Jerusalem's poor and concluded with Paul's fateful return to Jerusalem despite warnings (Acts 20:22-23).
After two years imprisonment in Caesarea, Paul appealed to Caesar. The voyage included a devastating shipwreck at Malta. Paul finally arrived in Rome where he spent two years under house arrest, preaching the Kingdom of God "with all boldness, without hindrance" (Acts 28:30-31).
Because the Lord Himself shall come down from Heaven with a commanding shout of an archangel’s voice, and with God’s trumpet. And the dead ones in Christ will rise again first.
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJ3)
AD 50-51 · Paul's earliest extant letter, encouraging new believers and clarifying Christ's return.
For even when we were with you, we commanded this to you: If anyone wills not to work, neither let him eat.
— 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (KJ3)
AD 51-52 · Correcting misunderstandings about Christ's return and the Day of the Lord.
I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live in faith in the Son of God, the One loving me and giving Himself over on my behalf.
— Galatians 2:20 (KJ3)
AD 53-55 · The "Magna Carta of Christian liberty" defending justification by faith alone.
And now faith, hope, and love, these three things remain; but the greatest of these is love.
— 1 Corinthians 13:13 (KJ3)
AD 55 · Addressing assembly divisions and moral issues. Contains the great "love chapter."
And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, I will rather gladly boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ might dwell on me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJ3)
AD 56 · Paul's most personal letter, defending his ministry and explaining power in weakness.
For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
— Romans 8:38-39 (KJ3)
AD 57 · Paul's theological masterpiece presenting the fullest exposition of the Gospel.
for by grace you are saved, through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God; not of works, that not anyone should boast;
— Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJ3)
AD 60-61 (Prison) · Explaining the mystery of the assembly and the armor of God.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, Rejoice!
— Philippians 4:4 (KJ3)
AD 61-62 (Prison) · The "Epistle of Joy" with the magnificent Christ-hymn.
For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and having been filled, you are in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority,
— Colossians 2:9-10 (KJ3)
AD 60-61 (Prison) · Exalting Christ's supremacy against false teaching.
no longer as a slave, but beyond a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, and how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
— Philemon 1:16 (KJ3)
AD 60-61 (Prison) · A personal appeal for Onesimus, a runaway slave.
Let no one despise your youth, but become an example of the believing ones in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
— 1 Timothy 4:12 (KJ3)
AD 63-65 · Paul's manual for assembly organization and leadership.
For the saving grace of God has appeared to all men, instructing us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live prudently and righteously and godly in the now age,
— Titus 2:11-12 (KJ3)
AD 63-65 · Guiding assembly establishment in Crete with sound doctrine.
I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. For the rest, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me in that Day, and not only to me, but also to all the ones loving His appearance.
— 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (KJ3)
AD 66-67 (Prison) · Paul's final letter, his "last will and testament."
δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosyne) — righteousness/justification
The legal declaration by which God counts sinners as righteous, not by their own works but through faith in Christ. God's righteousness is imputed to believers based on Christ's perfect obedience and atoning death.
χάρις (charis) — grace, unmerited favor
God's free, undeserved favor shown to sinners. Grace is not earned but freely given. It is the foundation of salvation, empowering believers to live godly lives. Paul often contrasts grace with law and works.
ἐν Χριστῷ (en Christō) — "in Christ"
Paul's most distinctive phrase, appearing over 160 times. Believers are spiritually united with Christ in His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. All spiritual blessings flow from this union.
πνεῦμα ἅγιον (pneuma hagion) — Holy Spirit
The Spirit indwells all believers, sealing them for redemption and empowering godly living. The Spirit produces fruit, distributes gifts, and enables believers to put to death the deeds of the flesh.
ἐκκλησία (ekklēsia) — assembly, assembly
Paul develops the assembly as Christ's body, with Christ as head and believers as interconnected members. The assembly is also Christ's bride, God's temple, and the mystery of Jews and Gentiles united in one body.
ἔσχατος (eschatos) — last things
Paul's teaching on Christ's return, the resurrection of the dead, the rapture of believers, final judgment, and the eternal state. He presents the "blessed hope" as motivation for holy living.
Paul's epistles provide the doctrinal foundation for Christian theology. His exposition of justification, grace, and union with Christ shaped all subsequent theological development, from Augustine to Luther to modern evangelicalism.
As "Apostle to the Gentiles," Paul transformed Christianity from a Jewish sect into a universal faith. His missionary journeys established the pattern for cross-cultural evangelism that continues today.
Paul established organizational principles for local assemblies—elders, deacons, worship practices, spiritual gifts, and assembly discipline. His pastoral epistles remain guides for assembly leadership.
Paul modeled faithfulness through incredible suffering—beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment, and finally martyrdom. His example inspired countless Christians facing persecution.
"For I am already being poured out, and the time of my release is present. I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith."— 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (KJ3)
What was Paul's original name before his conversion?