Paul
Israelite / Jew Jewish (tribe of Benjamin), born in Tarsus of Cilicia; a Roman citizen · Early Church · New Testament
- Also called
- Saul, Saul of Tarsus
- Name means
- Paul: 'small'; Saul: 'asked for'
- Role
- Apostle to the Gentiles
- When
- c. AD 33 - 60s
What they did
A Pharisee who persecuted the church until the risen Jesus met him on the road to Damascus; he became a missionary who planted churches across the Roman world and wrote many of the New Testament letters.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
God chose him to carry Christ's name before the Gentiles, and he proclaimed that Jew and Gentile are saved alike by grace through faith in Christ.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (KJV)
Bible references
And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. Acts 9:3-6 (KJV)
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Acts 9:15 (KJV)
Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, Acts 13:9 (KJV)
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: Romans 11:13 (KJV)
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:5-6 (KJV)
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)
Family
- Brothers / sisters
- A sister, whose son warned of a plot against him (Acts 23:16)
Brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel (Acts 22:3); a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28).
A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:
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