Bible Characters
Who Was Paul in the Bible? From Persecutor to Apostle to the Gentiles
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ who wrote 13 letters of the New Testament. Also known by his Hebrew name Saul, he was a Pharisee from Tarsus who persecuted Christians until the risen Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-6; Acts 13:9). He then spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel, especially to Gentiles, and planting churches across the Roman world.
Paul's life is recorded in Acts 7-28 and in his own letters. He is not the same person as King Saul of the Old Testament, though both came from the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5; 1 Samuel 9:1-2).
Quick Facts About Paul
| Name meaning | Saul means "asked for" (Hebrew); Paulus means "small" (Latin) |
|---|---|
| Testament | New Testament |
| Key books | Acts, Romans through Philemon |
| Time period | Born about AD 5-10; converted about AD 33-34; died about AD 67 (traditional dating) |
| Known for | Conversion on the Damascus road, missionary journeys, 13 New Testament letters, apostle to the Gentiles |
Saul of Tarsus: Background
Paul was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (Acts 22:3). He was Jewish, of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the eighth day, and a Pharisee (Philippians 3:5). He was also a Roman citizen by birth, which later gave him legal protections (Acts 22:25-28).
He was brought up in Jerusalem and trained under Gamaliel, a respected teacher of the law (Acts 22:3; Acts 5:34). He describes himself as advancing in Judaism beyond many of his peers and being extremely zealous for the traditions of his fathers (Galatians 1:14). He also worked as a tentmaker, a trade he continued during his ministry (Acts 18:3).
Paul had two names. Saul was his Jewish name, and Paul was a Roman name. Acts uses Saul until partway through his first missionary journey, then notes that Saul was also called Paul and uses that name from then on (Acts 13:9).
Persecutor of the Church
Saul first appears at the stoning of Stephen, where the witnesses laid their coats at his feet, and he approved of the killing (Acts 7:58; Acts 8:1). He then began to destroy the church, going from house to house and dragging men and women off to prison (Acts 8:3).
He later wrote that he had persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it (Galatians 1:13), and he called himself the least of the apostles for that reason (1 Corinthians 15:9).
Conversion on the Road to Damascus
Saul obtained letters from the high priest to arrest followers of Jesus in Damascus (Acts 9:1-2). Near the city, a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking why he was persecuting Him. When Saul asked who was speaking, the voice answered that He was Jesus, whom Saul was persecuting (Acts 9:3-5).
Saul was blinded for three days (Acts 9:8-9). God sent a disciple named Ananias to him. When Ananias hesitated because of Saul's reputation, the Lord told him:
"But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'" (Acts 9:15)
Ananias laid hands on Saul, his sight was restored, and he was baptized (Acts 9:17-18). He began preaching in the synagogues of Damascus that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). Paul recounts this event twice more in Acts (Acts 22:6-16; Acts 26:12-18).
Who Was Paul in the Bible After His Conversion?
Early years
After his conversion, Paul went to Arabia, then returned to Damascus. Three years later, he went to Jerusalem to meet Peter, staying with him fifteen days (Galatians 1:17-18). The disciples in Jerusalem were afraid of him until Barnabas brought him to the apostles and vouched for him (Acts 9:26-27). When his life was threatened, the believers sent him to Tarsus (Acts 9:29-30).
Barnabas later brought Paul to Antioch, where they taught for a year. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:25-26). See who was Barnabas in the Bible for more on their partnership.
First missionary journey (Acts 13-14)
The church at Antioch sent Barnabas and Saul out at the direction of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:2-3). They preached in Cyprus and in the cities of southern Galatia, including Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. At Lystra, Paul was stoned and left for dead, but he got up and continued (Acts 14:19-20).
The Jerusalem council (Acts 15)
A dispute arose over whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the law of Moses. The apostles and elders met in Jerusalem, and after Peter and James spoke, they agreed that Gentiles did not need to be circumcised (Acts 15:1-2, 7-11, 19-20).
Second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
Paul and Barnabas separated over whether to take Mark with them, and Paul took Silas instead (Acts 15:37-40). Timothy joined them at Lystra (Acts 16:1-3). After a vision of a man from Macedonia, they crossed into Europe (Acts 16:9-10). In Philippi, Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed, and the jailer and his household believed (Acts 16:22-34). Paul also preached in Thessalonica, Berea, Athens and Corinth, where he stayed a year and a half (Acts 17; Acts 18:11).
Third missionary journey (Acts 18:23-21:17)
Paul spent about three years in Ephesus (Acts 20:31). God did extraordinary miracles through him there (Acts 19:11-12), and the city was stirred by a riot of silversmiths who made shrines of the goddess Artemis (Acts 19:23-41). He then returned to Jerusalem, despite warnings that he would be arrested (Acts 21:10-14).
Arrest, Trials and Journey to Rome
In Jerusalem, a crowd seized Paul at the temple, and Roman soldiers took him into custody (Acts 21:27-33). He was held in Caesarea for two years and defended himself before the governors Felix and Festus and King Agrippa (Acts 24-26). As a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11).
On the voyage to Rome, the ship was wrecked in a storm, and all 276 people on board reached land safely on Malta (Acts 27:37, 44; Acts 28:1). In Rome, Paul lived under house arrest for two years and preached the kingdom of God to all who came to him (Acts 28:30-31). The author of Acts, identified by early church tradition as Luke, traveled with Paul on this voyage (Acts 27:1); see who was Luke in the Bible.
Paul's Death
Acts ends before Paul's death. In 2 Timothy, written from prison, Paul expects to die soon:
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Early church tradition holds that Paul was beheaded in Rome under the emperor Nero, around AD 67. The Bible itself does not record his death.
Paul's 13 Letters
Thirteen New Testament letters begin with Paul's name. They are grouped in English Bibles as follows:
| Type | Letters |
|---|---|
| Letters to churches | Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians |
| Prison letters | Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon (written while in custody) |
| Pastoral letters | 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus |
| Personal letter | Philemon |
Paul's letters teach that people are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law (Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:16), and that salvation is a gift of God's grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). Peter referred to Paul's letters and placed them alongside the other Scriptures (2 Peter 3:15-16). For where these letters fall in the Bible, see the books of the Bible in order.
Lessons From Paul's Life
- No one is beyond God's grace. Paul called himself the worst of sinners, shown mercy as an example for others (1 Timothy 1:15-16).
- Endurance in suffering. Paul lists beatings, imprisonments, shipwrecks and hunger he endured for the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-27).
- Contentment in every circumstance. He wrote that he had learned to be content whether well fed or hungry (Philippians 4:11-13).
- Investing in others. Paul trained co-workers such as Timothy and Titus to continue the work (2 Timothy 2:2; Titus 1:5). See who was Titus in the Bible.
Where Paul Appears in the Bible
- Acts 7:58-8:3: Stephen's death and the persecution.
- Acts 9: conversion.
- Acts 13-28: missionary journeys, arrest and journey to Rome.
- Romans through Philemon: his 13 letters.
- 2 Peter 3:15-16: Peter's reference to his letters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Paul in the Bible?
Paul was an apostle who wrote 13 New Testament letters and preached the gospel across the Roman world. Before his conversion he was Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee who persecuted Christians (Acts 9:1-6).
Did God change Saul's name to Paul?
The Bible does not say God changed his name. Saul was his Jewish name and Paul his Roman name, and Acts notes that Saul was also called Paul (Acts 13:9).
Was Paul one of the twelve apostles?
No. Paul was not one of the original twelve, but he was called as an apostle by the risen Jesus (Galatians 1:1). Jesus appeared to him after appearing to the others (1 Corinthians 15:8).
How many books of the Bible did Paul write?
Paul wrote 13 books of the New Testament, from Romans to Philemon. Each of these letters names him as the author in its opening verse.
How did Paul die?
The Bible does not record Paul's death. Early church tradition holds that he was beheaded in Rome under Nero, around AD 67.