Complete Biblical Biography
The life of Saul of Tarsus, who became the Apostle Paul β from persecutor of the church to the greatest missionary in Christian history. Every detail from Scripture.
Key Facts:
Born in Tarsus of Cilicia (modern-day Turkey)
Tribe of Benjamin
Hebrew by birth and culture
Pharisee by training
Student of Gamaliel (one of the most respected rabbis of the time)
Key Facts:
Roman citizen by birth (not purchased)
This citizenship provided legal protections and rights throughout his ministry
Later appealed to Caesar using this right (Acts 25:11)
Key Facts:
Hebrew name: Saul (Χ©ΦΈΧΧΧΦΌΧβ, meaning "asked for" or "prayed for")
Roman/Greek name: Paul (ΠαῦλοΟ, meaning "small" or "humble")
Named after King Saul, also from the tribe of Benjamin
Transitioned to using "Paul" during his ministry to the Gentiles
Key Facts:
Obtained official authorization from the high priest
Arrested both men and women
Entered homes to seize believers
Voted for executions ("gave my voice against them")
Forced believers to blaspheme
Pursued Christians to cities outside Jerusalem
Key Elements:
Light from heaven brighter than the noonday sun
Audible voice of Jesus Christ
Jesus identified Himself directly: "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest"
Saul struck blind for three days
Direct commission from Christ to be a minister and witness
Specific mission to the Gentiles revealed
Key Facts:
Jesus called Paul "a chosen vessel"
Mission defined: bear Christ's name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel
Prophesied Paul would suffer greatly for Christ's name
Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost
Paul was baptized immediately after receiving sight
Key Facts:
Immediately began preaching Christ as the Son of God
Did not consult with the other apostles first
Spent time in Arabia (location and duration not specified)
Returned to Damascus and continued preaching
Proved from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ
Key Facts:
Initial distrust from Jerusalem disciples
Barnabas vouched for Paul
Stayed with Peter for 15 days
Also met James (the Lord's brother)
Preached boldly, which provoked persecution
Sent to Tarsus for safety
Key Facts:
Spent several years in Syria and Cilicia
Unknown personally to Judean churches but reputation spread
Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch
Taught in Antioch for a year
Antioch became a major base for Paul's ministry
Key Facts:
Received the gospel directly from Christ by revelation
Commissioned as apostle to the Gentiles
This commission recognized by Peter, James, and John
Given special revelation of the mystery (Gentiles as fellow heirs)
Called himself "the least of the apostles" due to his past persecution
Jews from Thessalonica came and stirred up trouble. Paul sent to Athens; Silas and Timothy stayed.
Some mocked, but some believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite and Damaris.
Jews brought Paul before Gallio the proconsul, but Gallio refused to judge. Paul stayed many days, then sailed to Syria with Aquila and Priscilla.
Seven sons of Sceva (Jewish exorcists) defeated by evil spirit (Acts 19:13-16)
Many magicians burned their books (Acts 19:18-19)
Demetrius the silversmith caused riot over Diana worship (Acts 19:23-41)
Paul about to be scourged, but revealed his Roman citizenship.
Felix kept Paul in prison for two years (hoping for a bribe). When Porcius Festus replaced Felix, Paul was left in bonds to please the Jews.
Some believed, some did not.
Five times: 39 lashes from Jews (39 lashes = "forty stripes save one")
Three times: beaten with rods
Once: stoned (Lystra β Acts 14:19)
Three times: shipwrecked (note: Acts 27 shipwreck happened AFTER this was written)
Constant dangers: waters, robbers, Jews, Gentiles, false brethren
Physical hardships: hunger, thirst, cold, sleeplessness
Emotional burden: care for all the churches
Key Facts:
Nature of thorn not specified (physical ailment? persecution? spiritual opposition?)
Called "messenger of Satan"
Purpose: to keep Paul humble after great revelations
Paul prayed three times for removal
God's answer: grace is sufficient; strength made perfect in weakness
**1 Timothy 1:3** β "As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia..." (Paul was in Macedonia after his Roman imprisonment)
**Titus 1:5** β "For this cause left I thee in Crete..." (Paul visited Crete after Acts 28)
**Titus 3:12** β "When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter." (Paul planned to winter in Nicopolis)
**2 Timothy 4:13** β "The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee..." (Visit to Troas after Acts 28)
**2 Timothy 4:20** β "Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick." (Recent visits to Corinth and Miletus)
Traveled to Macedonia (1 Timothy 1:3)
Left Timothy at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3)
Visited Crete and left Titus there (Titus 1:5)
Planned to winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:12)
Visited Troas (2 Timothy 4:13)
Visited Corinth and Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20)
Possibly traveled to Spain (Romans 15:24, 28 expresses his desire; Clement of Rome suggests he reached Spain)
More severe conditions
Sense of impending death
Many companions departed
Final instructions to Timothy
**Clement of Rome (AD 95-96):** Wrote that Paul "reached the extreme limit of the West" (interpreted as Spain) and "bore his testimony before the rulers" before his martyrdom
**Eusebius (4th century church historian):** Stated Paul was beheaded in Rome during Nero's persecution
**Tertullian (2nd-3rd century):** Wrote that Paul was beheaded in Rome
**Traditional Date:** AD 67 or 68 (during reign of Nero)
**Traditional Method:** Beheading (as a Roman citizen, Paul would not have been crucified)
**Traditional Location:** Rome, possibly at a place now called Tre Fontane (Three Fountains)
Paul's transformation from the chief persecutor of the church to the chief apostle to the Gentiles stands as one of the most dramatic conversions in history. His encounter with the risen Christ on the Damascus road completely reversed his life's direction.
Paul planted churches throughout the Roman Empire:
**Asia Minor:** Antioch (Pisidia), Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Ephesus
**Europe:** Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Corinth, Athens
**Mediterranean Islands:** Cyprus, Crete, Malta
Paul's epistles provide the theological foundation for much of Christian doctrine:
Justification by faith alone
Grace vs. works
The gospel clearly defined
The church as the body of Christ
The mystery of Christ revealed
Christian living and sanctification
The resurrection and eternal life
Paul suffered more than perhaps any other apostle: beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, imprisoned, hungry, cold, in constant danger. Yet he counted it all joy for the sake of Christ and the gospel.
Paul finished his course. He kept the faith. He fought the good fight. He was ready to be offered, looking forward to the crown of righteousness.
More than half of the New Testament epistles were written by Paul, providing instruction, doctrine, correction, and encouragement to the churches.
God's chosen vessel to bear Christ's name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Through Paul's ministry, the gospel spread throughout the known world of his day, and the inclusion of Gentiles in God's salvation plan was firmly established.
From chief persecutor to chief apostle to the Gentiles, Paul's life demonstrates the transforming power of Christ. He endured beatings, stonings, shipwrecks, imprisonments, and ultimately martyrdom β all for the sake of the gospel.
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
β 2 Timothy 4:6-8