Paul
Also: Saul of Tarsus, Saul
A persecutor of the Church transformed on the road to Damascus (Acts 9); author of many New Testament letters.
- Early Church
- Linked to a book of the Bible
- Missionary
- Martyr· according to tradition
Awaiting theological review
Who was Paul?
A Jew of Tarsus, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, who persecuted the first Christians until the risen Jesus stopped him on the road to Damascus. He became the great missionary to the Gentiles, founded churches across the eastern Mediterranean, and wrote letters that are a large part of the New Testament.
The story
Consents to Stephen's death and persecutes the Church
The risen Jesus stops him on the road to Damascus
What happened to Paul on the road to Damascus? →Baptised by Ananias; begins to preach Jesus
Arabia, then Jerusalem to see Peter
Sent out with Barnabas from Antioch
The Council of Jerusalem: Gentiles welcomed without circumcision
What did the Council of Jerusalem decide? →Preaches in Athens at the Areopagus
Arrested in Jerusalem; appeals to Caesar
Under house arrest in Rome, still preaching
Martyred in Rome under Nero
2 Timothy 4:6–8· Tradition holds
What we know — and how
Scripture tells us
- He was circumcised the eighth day, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee as to the law.(Philippians 3:5–6)
- He was born in Tarsus, educated at the feet of Gamaliel, and was a Roman citizen by birth.(Acts of the Apostles 22:3; Acts of the Apostles 22:25–28)
- He supported himself as a tentmaker.(Acts of the Apostles 18:1–3)
- He suffered beatings, stonings, shipwrecks and imprisonment, and spoke of a thorn in the flesh that God did not remove.(2 Corinthians 11:23–28; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10)
- He opposed Peter to his face at Antioch over eating with Gentiles.(Galatians 2:11–14)
Tradition holds
- He was beheaded in Rome under Nero, as befitted a Roman citizen, and was buried on the Ostian Way, where the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls stands.Source: Early Christian testimony (e.g. Clement of Rome, Eusebius); detailed sources pending review
- The Church celebrates Peter and Paul together on 29 June as the founding apostles of the Church of Rome.Source: General Roman Calendar
Historians debate
- Whether Paul personally wrote all thirteen letters under his name (especially 1–2 Timothy, Titus, Ephesians, Colossians, 2 Thessalonians). The Church receives all of them as inspired Scripture.
- Whether he reached Spain, as he hoped (Romans 15:24); Clement of Rome says he reached the limits of the West.(Romans 15:24)
- The exact chronology of his journeys and imprisonments.
Unknown
- His appearance, the nature of his thorn in the flesh, and whether he was ever married.
Virtues
- Zeal
- Endurance
- Love for the churches
- Humility before grace
- Courage
Failures
- Persecuting the Church
- Sharp disagreement with Barnabas (Acts 15:39)
Why Paul matters
Paul shows that no one is beyond the reach of grace: the persecutor became the apostle. His letters still shape how the Church understands faith, grace, the Cross and the Body of Christ.
Related people
Places
Tarsus · Jerusalem · Damascus · Antioch · Philippi · Athens · Corinth · Ephesus · Rome
Interactive map coming in a later phase.