Paul (Acts 7:58–8:3; Acts 9:1–30; Acts 13:1–5; Acts 15:1–12; Acts 15:36–41; Acts 16:6–12; Acts 16:22–34; Acts 17:16–34; Acts 18:1–11; Acts 19:8–10; Acts 20:17–38; Acts 21:10–36; Acts 23:11; Acts 25:10–12; Acts 28:16–31; Acts 13:9; Acts 22:3; Acts 22:20; Acts 27:1; Romans 1:1; Romans 11:13; Galatians 1:13–24; Galatians 2:1–14; Philippians 3:4–8; 2 Corinthians 11:23–28)

Saul of Tarsus, an Apostle of Gentiles

Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who laid waste the church, was met by Jesus near Damascus, was sent out from Antioch with Barnabas, carried the word through Asia and Macedonia and Greece, was seized in the temple at Jerusalem, and is last seen in Acts in Rome, preaching the kingdom of God.

Paul tells of himself: “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; as touching zeal, persecuting the church” (Philippians 3:5-6). He was “born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel” (Acts 22:3). Acts first names him as the young man Saul at Stephen's death (Acts 7:58), and later says “Saul, who is also called Paul” (Acts 13:9).

On the way to Damascus the Lord Jesus stopped him (Acts 9:3-6). The Lord told Ananias, “he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake” (Acts 9:15-16). The rest of Acts follows him from Antioch to Cyprus, Asia, Macedonia, Greece, Jerusalem and Rome; his own list of hardships includes “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck” (2 Corinthians 11:25). The site's maps of Paul's journeys follow these routes.

Thirteen letters in the New Testament open with his name; Romans begins “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). Christians differ on who wrote some of them. Acts ends with Paul in Rome, receiving all who came to him, “preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, none forbidding him” (Acts 28:31). The Bible does not narrate his death.

Strengths

• Boldness in speech
• Endurance in hardship
• Readiness to go into danger
• Working with his own hands
• Care for the churches

Weaknesses

• Zeal that persecuted
• Sharp contention

Themes

• Calling
• Grace to the Gentiles
• Suffering for the name
• Witness before rulers
• Care for the churches

Saul consents to Stephen's death (Acts 7:58–8:3; Acts 22:20)

The witnesses lay their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul, who is consenting to Stephen's death and then lays waste the church.

The light on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–9; Acts 9:10–19)

Breathing threatening against the disciples, Saul is stopped by a light and a voice that says it is Jesus whom he persecutes; he is led blind into Damascus.

The light on the road to Damascus

Saul went to the high priest and asked for letters to Damascus, “that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:2). Near Damascus “suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” (Acts 9:3-4). He asked, “Who art thou, Lord?” (Acts 9:5) and was answered, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest” (Acts 9:5).

“And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink” (Acts 9:9). The Lord sent Ananias, a disciple at Damascus, who laid hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 9:17). Then “he arose and was baptized” (Acts 9:18).

Preaching at Damascus, and Barnabas at Jerusalem (Acts 9:19–30; Galatians 1:15–24)

Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues, is let down the wall in a basket, and is brought to the apostles by Barnabas. Galatians adds a time in Arabia, and says that at Jerusalem he saw only Cephas and James.

Sent out from Antioch with Barnabas (Acts 13:1–5)

At Antioch the Holy Spirit says to separate Barnabas and Saul; after fasting and prayer they are sent away and sail to Cyprus.

The question about circumcision (Acts 15:1–12)

Paul and Barnabas are appointed to go up to Jerusalem about the question whether Gentiles must be circumcised, and rehearse what God did among the Gentiles through them.

Paul and Barnabas part (Acts 15:36–41)

After a sharp contention over Mark, Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus and Paul chooses Silas and goes through Syria and Cilicia.

Called to Macedonia, jailed at Philippi (Acts 16:6–12; Acts 16:22–34)

After a vision of a man of Macedonia, Paul and Silas are beaten with rods and put in the inner prison, where the jailor asks what he must do to be saved.

Paul at Athens (Acts 17:16–34)

Provoked by a city full of idols, Paul reasons in the marketplace and speaks on the Areopagus; some mock, some believe.

Paul at Athens

“His spirit was provoked within him as he beheld the city full of idols” (Acts 17:16). Philosophers brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is, which is spoken by thee?” (Acts 17:19).

Paul began, “Ye men of Athens, in all things, I perceive that ye are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, TO AN UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:22-23). He spoke of “The God that made the world and all things therein” (Acts 17:24), and of the man whom God ordained, “whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead” (Acts 17:31).

“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; but others said, We will hear thee concerning this yet again” (Acts 17:32). “Certain men clave unto him, and believed” (Acts 17:34).

Tentmaking at Corinth (Acts 18:1–11)

At Corinth Paul stays with Aquila and Priscilla, who share his trade, reasons every sabbath, and dwells a year and six months.

Ephesus, and farewell to its elders (Acts 19:8–10; Acts 20:17–38)

Paul reasons daily in the school of Tyrannus for two years, then at Miletus tells the Ephesian elders he goes bound in the spirit to Jerusalem.

Ephesus, and farewell to its elders

At Ephesus Paul “spake boldly for the space of three months” (Acts 19:8) in the synagogue, then reasoned “daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for the space of two years; so that all they that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks” (Acts 19:8-10).

From Miletus he called the elders of the church and said, “And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Spirit testifieth unto me in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me” (Acts 20:22-23). He reminded them, “these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me” (Acts 20:34). “And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck and kissed him” (Acts 20:37).

Seized in the temple at Jerusalem (Acts 21:8–14; Acts 21:27–36)

At Cæsarea Agabus foretells that the Jews will bind him, and Paul says he is ready to die at Jerusalem; there Jews from Asia stir up the crowd, drag him out of the temple and seek to kill him, until the chief captain takes him and binds him with two chains.

Paul in Rome (Acts 23:11; Acts 25:10–12; Acts 27:1; Acts 28:16–31)

After appealing to Cæsar and a voyage as a prisoner, Paul reaches Rome; Acts ends with him two whole years in his own hired dwelling.

Paul in Rome

The Lord stood by him at Jerusalem and said, “Be of good cheer: for as thou hast testified concerning me at Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome” (Acts 23:11). Before Festus Paul said, “I appeal unto Cæsar” (Acts 25:11), and he was sent to Italy in the charge of a centurion (Acts 27:1).

At Rome “Paul was suffered to abide by himself with the soldier that guarded him” (Acts 28:16). He told the chief of the Jews, “because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain” (Acts 28:20).

“And he abode two whole years in his own hired dwelling, and received all that went in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God” (Acts 28:30-31). There the account ends; it does not say what became of him.

Barnabas (Acts 9:26–27; Acts 13:1–3; Acts 15:36–41)

Brought Saul to the apostles, was sent out with him from Antioch, and parted from him over Mark.

Ananias of Damascus (Acts 9:10–19)

A disciple sent by the Lord to lay hands on Saul, who called him Brother Saul.

Silas (Acts 15:40; Acts 16:22–25)

Chosen by Paul after the parting from Barnabas; beaten and jailed with him at Philippi.

Timothy (Acts 16:1–3; 1 Timothy 1:2)

Paul would have him go forth with him, and writes to him as “my true child in faith” (1 Timothy 1:2).

Titus (Galatians 2:1; Titus 1:4–5)

Paul took him up to Jerusalem, calls him “my true child after a common faith” (Titus 1:4), and left him in Crete.

Lydia (Acts 16:13–15; Acts 16:40)

A seller of purple whose heart the Lord opened to give heed to the things spoken by Paul; she besought him and his company to come into her house.

Luke (Colossians 4:14; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Paul calls him the beloved physician and a fellow-worker, and writes that only Luke is with him.

John Mark (Acts 13:5; Acts 15:37–38; Philemon 1:24; 2 Timothy 4:11)

Went with Paul and Barnabas as attendant; Paul thought it not good to take him again, and letters later name a Mark among his fellow-workers and as useful for ministering.

Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:4–6; 1 Corinthians 16:12)

Paul names him with himself as ministers through whom the Corinthians believed, and calls him the brother he besought to come to them.

Peter (Galatians 2:7–14; Acts 15:7–12)

With James and John, Cephas gave Paul and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; Paul also tells that he resisted Cephas to the face at Antioch.

Gamaliel (Acts 22:3)

Paul says he was brought up at his feet in Jerusalem.

Stephen (Acts 7:58–60; Acts 8:1; Acts 22:20)

The witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul, who was consenting to his death.

Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:1–3)

Tentmakers at Corinth with whom Paul abode and worked.

Philip the evangelist (Acts 21:8–9)

One of the seven; Paul and his company abode with him at Cæsarea.

James, the Lord’s brother (Galatians 1:18–19; Acts 21:18–19)

Paul saw him on his first visit to Jerusalem, and later went in to him with all the elders present.

Festus (Acts 25:10–12)

The governor before whom Paul appealed to Cæsar.

Major sections

• Acts 9
• Acts 13–28
• Galatians 1–2
• Philippians 3
• 2 Corinthians 11

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