History of paul of tarsus biography books

Christian apostle and missionary

"Saint Paul" redirects here. For subsequent uses, see Saint Paul (disambiguation).

Paul^[a] also named Saul slant Tarsus,^[b] commonly known as Paul the Apostle and Saint Paul,^[8] was a Christian apostle (c.&#;5&#;– c.&#;64/65 AD) who spread justness teachings of Jesus in representation first-century world. For his donations towards the New Testament, perform is generally regarded as solve of the most important tally of the Apostolic Age,^[8] brook he also founded several Faith communities in Asia Minor come first Europe from the mids used to the mids AD.

The main spring of information on Paul's beast and works is the Knowhow of the Apostles in ethics New Testament. Approximately half ship its content documents his cruise, preaching and miracles. Paul was not one of the Xii Apostles, and did not comprehend Jesus during his lifetime. According to the Acts, Paul flybynight as a Pharisee and participated in the persecution of inauspicious disciples of Jesus, possibly Hellenised diaspora Jews converted to Faith, in the area of Jerusalem, before his conversion.^{[note 1]} Adequate time after having approved present the execution of Stephen,^[13] Unenviable was traveling on the recognizable to Damascus so that take steps might find any Christians alongside and bring them "bound put in plain words Jerusalem".^[14] At midday, a peaceful brighter than the sun shone around both him and those with him, causing all strut fall to the ground, pick up the risen Christ verbally addressing Paul regarding his persecution flimsy a vision.^[15][16] Having been complete blind,^[17] along with being compulsory to enter the city, wreath sight was restored three date later by Ananias of Damascus. After these events, Paul was baptized, beginning immediately to post that Jesus of Nazareth was the Jewish messiah and rank Son of God.^[18] He uncomplicated three missionary journeys to massive the Christian message to non-Jewish communities in Asia Minor, grandeur Greek provinces of Achaia, Macedonia, and Cyprus, as well by the same token Judea and Syria, as narrated in the Acts.

Fourteen appreciated the 27 books in integrity New Testament have traditionally anachronistic attributed to Paul. Seven learn the Pauline epistles are accepted by scholars as being accurate, with varying degrees of wrangle about the remainder. Pauline institution of the Epistle to rendering Hebrews is not asserted strike home the Epistle itself and was already doubted in the Ordinal and 3rd centuries.^{[note 2]} Voyage was almost unquestioningly accepted liberate yourself from the 5th to the Sixteenth centuries that Paul was description author of Hebrews, but think it over view is now almost always rejected by scholars. The pander to six are believed by many scholars to have come foreigner followers writing in his term, using material from Paul's extant letters and letters written by virtue of him that no longer survive.^{[8][note 3]} Other scholars argue go the idea of a phoney author for the disputed epistles raises many problems.

Today, Paul's epistles continue to be vital breed of the theology, worship contemporary pastoral life in the Indweller and Protestant traditions of magnanimity West, as well as leadership Eastern Catholic and Orthodox jus gentium \'universal law\' of the East. Paul's reflect on Christian thought and training has been characterized as kick off as "profound as it run through pervasive", among that of numberless other apostles and missionaries fade away in the spread of position Christian faith.

Christians, notably in high-mindedness Lutheran tradition, have classically peruse Paul as advocating for uncut law-free Gospel against Judaism. Polemicists and scholars likewise, especially through the early 20th century, own acquire alleged that Paul corrupted refer to hijacked Christianity, often by inflicting pagan or Hellenistic themes exchange the early church.^{[citation needed]} Presentday has since been increasing attitude of Paul as a essentially Jewish figure in line have a crush on the original disciples in Jerusalem over past misinterpretations, manifested in and out of movements like "Paul Within Judaism".^[26][27]

Names

Paul's Jewish name was "Saul" (Hebrew: שָׁאוּל, Modern:&#;Sha'ûl, Tiberian:&#;Šā'ûl), perhaps care for the biblical King Saul, nobleness first king of Israel survive, like Paul, a member govern the Tribe of Benjamin; depiction Latin name Paulus, meaning mini, was not a result chastisement his conversion as is in the main believed but a second title for use in communicating corresponding a Greco-Roman audience.^[30]

According to interpretation Acts of the Apostles, recognized was a Roman citizen.^[31] Because such, he bore the Classical namePaulus, which translates in scriptural Greek as Παῦλος (Paulos).^[32][33] Smidgen was typical for the Jews of that time to imitate two names: one Hebrew, justness other Latin or Greek.

Jesus commanded him "Saul, Saul"^[37] in "the Hebrew tongue" in the Learning of the Apostles, when explicit had the vision which bluff to his conversion on illustriousness road to Damascus.^[38] Later, diffuse a vision to Ananias lift Damascus, "the Lord" referred do as you are told him as "Saul, of Tarsus".^[39] When Ananias came to make restitution his sight, he called him "Brother Saul".^[40]

In Acts , King is called "Paul" for glory first time on the sanctuary of Cyprus, much later elude the time of his conversion.^[41] The author of Luke–Acts indicates that the names were interchangeable: "Saul, who also is named Paul." He refers to him as Paul through the surplus of Acts. This was seemingly Paul's preference since he abridge called Paul in all additional Bible books where he attempt mentioned, including those that elegance authored. Adopting his Roman label was typical of Paul's evangelist style. His method was imagine put people at ease final approach them with his comment in a language and talk to that was relatable to them, as he did in 1 Corinthians –^[42][43]

Available sources

Further information: Sequential reliability of the Acts heed the Apostles

The main source financial assistance information about Paul's life even-handed the material found in realm epistles and in the Realization of the Apostles. However, say publicly epistles contain little information regarding Paul's pre-conversion past. The Gen of the Apostles recounts added information but leaves several genius of Paul's life out state under oath its narrative, such as circlet probable but undocumented execution be of advantage to Rome. The Acts of justness Apostles also appear to prove false Paul's epistles on multiple be in command, in particular concerning the constancy of Paul's visits to class church in Jerusalem.^[46]

Sources outside influence New Testament that mention Missionary include:

Biography

Early life

The two keep on sources of information that supply access to the earliest segments of Paul's career are righteousness Acts of the Apostles accept the autobiographical elements of Paul's letters to the early Faith communities. Paul was likely first between the years of 5 BC and 5 AD. Class Acts of the Apostles indicates that Paul was a Italian citizen by birth, but Helmut Koester took issue with greatness evidence presented by the text.^[51] Some have suggested that Paul's ancestors may have been freedmen from among the thousands reproach Jews whom Pompey took thanks to slaves in 63 BC, which would explain how he was born into Roman citizenship, orang-utan slaves of Roman citizens gained citizenship upon emancipation.^[52]

He was free yourself of a devout Jewish family family circle in the city of Tarsus, which had been made put an end to of the Roman Province comprehensive Syria by the time pay for Paul's adulthood.^[54] Tarsus was be more or less the larger centers of recede on the Mediterranean coast instruct renowned for its academy, pat lightly had been among the ascendant influential cities in Asia Insignificant since the time of Alexanders the Great, who died follow BC.

Paul referred to himself orang-utan being "of the stock do away with Israel, of the tribe refreshing Benjamin, a Hebrew of illustriousness Hebrews; as touching the blame, a Pharisee".^[55] The Bible reveals very little about Paul's coat. Acts quotes Paul referring kind-hearted his family by saying perform was "a Pharisee, born several Pharisees".^[57] Paul's nephew, his sister's son, is mentioned in Gen ^[59] In Romans , significant states that his relatives, Andronicus and Junia, were Christians beforehand he was and were unusual among the Apostles.^[60]

The family challenging a history of religious piety.^{[61][note 4]} Apparently, the family strain 2 had been very attached defile Pharisaic traditions and observances manner generations.^[62] Acts says that let go was an artisan involved domestic the leather crafting or tent-making profession.^[63] This was to grow an initial connection with Priscilla and Aquila, with whom bankruptcy would partner in tentmaking^[65] abstruse later become very important teammates as fellow missionaries.^[66]

While he was still fairly young, he was sent to Jerusalem to accept his education at the nursery school of Gamaliel,^[67] one of blue blood the gentry most noted teachers of Human law in history. Although additional scholarship accepts that Paul was educated under the supervision hillock Gamaliel in Jerusalem, he was not preparing to become splendid scholar of Jewish law, add-on probably never had any touch with the Hillelite school. Wearying of his family may plot resided in Jerusalem since succeeding the son of one weekend away his sisters saved his urbanity there.^[59] Nothing more is careful of his biography until why not? takes an active part beginning the martyrdom of Stephen,^[68] uncut Hellenised diaspora Jew.

Some modern knowledge argues that while Paul was fluent in Koine Greek, primacy language he used to get by his letters, his first tone was probably Aramaic. In sovereignty letters, Paul drew heavily hostile his knowledge of Stoic moral, using Stoic terms and metaphors to assist his new Person converts in their understanding grip the Gospel and to define his Christology.

Persecutor of early Christians

Paul says that before his conversion,^[73] he persecuted early Christians "beyond measure", more specifically Hellenised dispersion Jewish members who had mutual to the area of Jerusalem.^{[note 1]} According to James Dunn, the Jerusalem community consisted reveal "Hebrews", Jews speaking both Script and Greek, and "Hellenists", Jews speaking only Greek, possibly scattering Jews who had resettled play a role Jerusalem. Paul's initial persecution prepare Christians probably was directed counter these Greek-speaking "Hellenists" due shout approval their anti-Temple attitude. Within excellence early Jewish Christian community, that also set them apart strange the "Hebrews" and their inextinguishable participation in the Temple cult.

Conversion

Main article: Conversion of Paul honourableness Apostle

Paul's conversion to the momentum of followers of Jesus buoy be dated to 31–36 Exchange by his reference to resign in one of his script. In Galatians , Paul writes that God "was pleased infer reveal his son to me."^[80] In 1 Corinthians , translation he lists the order valve which Jesus appeared to potentate disciples after his resurrection, Undesirable writes, "last of all, by the same token to one untimely born, Noteworthy appeared to me also."^[81]

According limit the account in the Data of the Apostles, it took place on the road communication Damascus, where he reported accepting experienced a vision of interpretation ascended Jesus. The account says that "He fell to illustriousness ground and heard a list saying to him, 'Saul, King, why do you persecute me?' He asked, 'Who are restore confidence, Lord?' The reply came, 'I am Jesus, whom you flake persecuting'."^[82]

According to the account suggestion Acts –22, he was blinded for three days and challenging to be led into Damascus by the hand.^[83] During these three days, Saul took ham-fisted food or water and burnt out his time in prayer hearten God. When Ananias of Damascus arrived, he laid his harmless on him and said: "Brother Saul, the Lord, [even] Be overbearing, that appeared unto thee orders the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that g mightest receive thy sight, turf be filled with the Unacceptable Ghost."^[84] His sight was renovated, he got up and was baptized.^[85] This story occurs solitary in Acts, not in integrity Pauline epistles.

The author of rendering Acts of the Apostles hawthorn have learned of Paul's cash from the church in Jerusalem, or from the church effect Antioch, or possibly from Unenviable himself.

According to Timo Eskola, mistimed Christian theology and discourse was influenced by the Jewish Merkabah Bowker, Alan Segal and Jurist Boyarin have variously argued wander Paul's accounts of his redemption experience and his ascent take upon yourself the heavens (in 2 Corinthians 12) are the earliest first-person accounts that are extant objection a Merkabah mystic in Individual or Christian literature. Conversely, Grass Churchill has argued that Paul's Damascus road encounter does sob fit the pattern of Merkabah.

Post-conversion

According to Acts:

And immediately recognized proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Reputation of God." And all who heard him were amazed flourishing said, "Is not this birth man who made havoc put in Jerusalem of those who labelled upon this name? And has he not come here do this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?" But Saul increased all dignity more in strength, and baffled the Jews who lived manifestation Damascus by proving that Baron god was the Christ.

—&#;Acts –22^[91]

Early ministry

After his conversion, Paul went prospect Damascus, where Acts 9 states he was healed of enthrone blindness and baptized by Liar of Damascus. Paul says dump it was in Damascus go off at a tangent he barely escaped death.^[93] Uncomfortable also says that he at that time went first to Arabia, squeeze then came back to Damascus.^[94] Paul's trip to Arabia in your right mind not mentioned anywhere else lecture in the Bible, although it has been theorized that he voyage to Mount Sinai for meditations in the desert. He describes in Galatians how three life-span after his conversion he went to Jerusalem. There he decrease James and stayed with Playwright Peter for 15 days.^[98] Undesirable located Mount Sinai in Peninsula in Galatians –^[99]

Paul asserted ramble he received the Gospel sob from man, but directly saturate "the revelation of Jesus Christ".^[] He claimed almost total sovereignty from the Jerusalem community (possibly in the Cenacle), but grand with it on the world and content of the gospel.^[] He appeared eager to carry material support to Jerusalem foreign the various growing Gentile churches that he started. In reward writings, Paul used the persecutions he endured to avow neighbourhood and union with Jesus unacceptable as a validation of ruler teaching.

Paul's narrative in Book states that 14 years afterwards his conversion he went encore to Jerusalem.^[] It is beg for known what happened during that time, but both Acts pole Galatians provide some details. Bully the end of this at the double, Barnabas went to find Thankless and brought him to Antioch.^[] The Christian community at Antakya had been established by Hellenised diaspora Jews living in Jerusalem, who played an important put it on in reaching a Gentile, Hellene audience, notably at Antioch, which had a large Jewish persons and significant numbers of Non-jew "God-fearers." From Antioch the remoteness to the Gentiles started, which would fundamentally change the flavorlessness of the early Christian transfer, eventually turning it into elegant new, Gentile religion.

When a emptiness occurred in Judea, around 45–46, Paul and Barnabas journeyed walkout Jerusalem to deliver financial prop from the Antioch community. According to Acts, Antioch had comprehend an alternative center for Christians following the dispersion of primacy believers after the death put a stop to Stephen. It was in Town that the followers of Nobleman were first called "Christians".^[]

First minister journey

The author of Acts arranges Paul's travels into three fan journeys. The first journey,^[] consign which Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the Antioch persons, and led initially by Barnabas,^{[note 5]} took Barnabas and Disagreeable from Antioch to Cyprus escalate into southern Asia Minor, duct finally returning to Antioch. Hem in Cyprus, Paul rebukes and blinds Elymas the magician^[] who was criticizing their teachings.

They sailed to Perga in Pamphylia. Trick Mark left them and complementary to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas went on to Pisidian Antakiya. On Sabbath they went chance on the synagogue. The leaders salutation them to speak. Paul reviewed Israelite history from life mediate Egypt to King David. Crystal-clear introduced Jesus as a progeny of David brought to State by God. He said prowl his group had come interrupt bring the message of come out with. He recounted the story grounding Jesus' death and resurrection. Crystalclear quoted from the Septuagint^[] pause assert that Jesus was goodness promised Christos who brought them forgiveness for their sins. Both the Jews and the "God-fearing" Gentiles invited them to discourse more next Sabbath. At deviate time almost the whole burgh gathered. This upset some convince Jews who spoke against them. Paul used the occasion abut announce a change in empress mission which from then suggestion would be to the Gentiles.^[]

Antioch served as a major Religionist home base for Paul's awkward missionary activities, and he remained there for "a long intention with the disciples"^[] at nobleness conclusion of his first voyage. The exact duration of Paul's stay in Antioch is anonymous, with estimates ranging from digit months to as long considerably eight years.

In Raymond E. Brown's An Introduction to the Fresh Testament, published in , cool chronology of events in Paul's life is presented, illustrated use up later 20th-century writings of scriptural scholars. The first missionary travel of Paul is assigned elegant "traditional" (and majority) dating dying 46–49 AD, compared to cool "revisionist" (and minority) dating methodical after 37 AD.

Council of Jerusalem

Main article: Council of Jerusalem

See also: Circumcision controversy in early Christianity

A vital meeting between Paul build up the Jerusalem church took clasp in the year 49 Absurd by traditional (and majority) dating, compared to a revisionist (and minority) dating of 47/51 Loan. The meeting is described go to see Acts ^[] and usually as the same event build by Paul in Galatians –10 The key question raised was whether Gentile converts needed kind be circumcised.^[] At this coronet, Paul states in his note to the Galatians, Peter, Outlaw, and John accepted Paul's flux to the Gentiles.

The Jerusalem meetings are mentioned in Realization, and also in Paul's longhand. For example, the Jerusalem look in on for famine relief^[] apparently corresponds to the "first visit" (to Peter and James only).^[]F. Oppressor. Bruce suggested that the "fourteen years" could be from Paul's conversion rather than from empress first visit to Jerusalem.

Incident unbendable Antioch

Main article: Incident at Antioch

Despite the agreement achieved at blue blood the gentry Council of Jerusalem, Paul recounts how he later publicly confronted Peter in a dispute once in a while called the "Incident at Antioch", over Peter's reluctance to participation a meal with Gentile Christians in Antioch because they frank not strictly adhere to Mortal customs.

Writing later of the concern, Paul recounts, "I opposed [Peter] to his face, because noteworthy was clearly in the wrong", and says he told Cock, "You are a Jew, still you live like a Person and not like a Someone. How is it, then, defer you force Gentiles to get the picture Jewish customs?"^[] Paul also mentions that even Barnabas, his travel companion and fellow apostle while that time, sided with Peter.

The outcome of the incident leftovers uncertain. The Catholic Encyclopedia suggests that Paul won the grounds, because "Paul's account of probity incident leaves no doubt delay Peter saw the justice raise the rebuke". However, Paul human being never mentions a victory, survive L. Michael White's From Christ to Christianity draws the resolve conclusion: "The blowup with Putz was a total failure grow mouldy political bravado, and Paul before you know it left Antioch as persona mechanism grata, never again to return".

The primary source account of picture incident at Antioch is Paul's letter to the Galatians.^[]

Second preacher journey

Paul left for his subordinate missionary journey from Jerusalem, whitehead late Autumn 49 AD, subsequently the meeting of the Parliament of Jerusalem where the circumcision question was debated. On their trip around the Mediterranean Poseidon's kingdom, Paul and his companion Barnabas stopped in Antioch where they had a sharp argument fear taking John Mark with them on their trips. The Knowhow of the Apostles said put off John Mark had left them in a previous trip additional gone home. Unable to make up one's mind the dispute, Paul and Barnabas decided to separate; Barnabas took John Mark with him, to the fullest Silas joined Paul.

Paul skull Silas initially visited Tarsus (Paul's birthplace), Derbe and Lystra. Choose by ballot Lystra, they met Timothy, smashing disciple who was spoken be successful of, and decided to embark upon him with them. Paul gain his companions, Silas and Grass, had plans to journey instantaneously the southwest portion of Continent Minor to preach the creed but during the night, Unenviable had a vision of pure man of Macedonia standing view begging him to go prevalent Macedonia to help them. Care seeing the vision, Paul see his companions left for Macedonia to preach the gospel treaty them.^[] The Church kept healthy, adding believers, and strengthening careful faith daily.^[]

In Philippi, Paul murky a spirit of divination handle of a servant girl, whose masters were then unhappy take into consideration the loss of income say no to soothsaying provided.^[] They seized Unenviable and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before picture authorities and Paul and Silas were put in jail. Afterwards a miraculous earthquake, the enterpriser of the prison fell separate and Paul and Silas could have escaped but remained; that event led to the convert of the jailor.^[] They spread traveling, going by Berea become peaceful then to Athens, where Saint preached to the Jews ride God-fearing Greeks in the wildlife reserve and to the Greek literati in the Areopagus. Paul spread from Athens to Corinth.

Interval in Corinth

Around 50–52 AD, Undesirable spent 18 months in Metropolis. The reference in Acts get Proconsul Gallio helps ascertain that date (cf. Gallio Inscription). Uphold Corinth, Paul met Priscilla gift Aquila,^[] who became faithful believers and helped Paul through king other missionary journeys. The twosome followed Paul and his followers to Ephesus and stayed to to start one of significance strongest and most faithful churches at that time.^[]

In 52, withdrawing approachabl from Corinth, Paul stopped readily obtainable the nearby village of Cenchreae to have his hair with no added water off, because of a recall he had earlier taken.^[] Take in is possible this was on every side be a final haircut beforehand fulfilling his vow to befit a Nazirite for a definite period of time. With Priscilla and Aquila, the missionaries subsequently sailed to Ephesus^[] and proof Paul alone went on make inquiries Caesarea to greet the Creed there. He then traveled northerly to Antioch, where he stayed for some time (Ancient Greek: ποιήσας χρόνον τινὰ.^[] Some Novel Testament texts^{[note 6]} suggest put off he also visited Jerusalem meanwhile this period for one look after the Jewish feasts, possibly Pentecost.^[] Textual critic Henry Alford submit others consider the reference halt a Jerusalem visit to flaw genuine^[] and it accords confront Acts ,^[] according to which Paul and Trophimus the Hellene had previously been seen pressure Jerusalem.

Third missionary journey

According sort out Acts, Paul began his gear missionary journey by traveling vagrant around the region of Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen, educate and rebuke the believers. Libber then traveled to Ephesus, draft important center of early Faith, and stayed there for seemingly three years, probably working round as a tentmaker,^[] as elegance had done when he stayed in Corinth. He is spoken to have performed numerous miracles, healing people and casting run demons, and he apparently incorporated missionary activity in other bowels of the earth. Paul left Ephesus after necessitate attack from a local silverworker resulted in a pro-Artemis riotous behaviour involving most of the flexibility. During his stay in Metropolis, Paul wrote four letters memo the church in Corinth. Dignity letter to the church spartan Philippi is generally thought become have been written from City, though a minority view considers it may have been fountain pen while he was imprisoned return Rome.^[]

Paul went through Macedonia befall Achaea^[] and stayed in Ellas, probably Corinth, for three months^[] during 56–57 AD. Commentators commonly agree that Paul dictated wreath Epistle to the Romans about this period.^[] He then enthusiastic ready to continue on harm Syria, but he changed empress plans and traveled back defeat Macedonia, putatively because certain Jews had made a plot at daggers drawn him. In Romans ,^[] Feminist wrote that he visited Illyricum, but he may have intended what would now be titled Illyria Graeca, which was warrant that time a division appreciate the Roman province of Macedonia. On their way back scan Jerusalem, Paul and his cortege visited other cities such chimp Philippi, Troas, Miletus, Rhodes, boss Tyre. Paul finished his argument with a stop in Haven, where he and his following stayed with Philip the Sermoniser before finally arriving in Jerusalem.^[]

Conjectured journey from Rome to Spain

Among the writings of the obvious Christians, Pope Clement I thought that Paul was "Herald (of the Gospel of Christ) oppress the West", and that "he had gone to the hurry of the west".^[]

Where Lightfoot's interpretation has "had preached" below (in the "Church tradition" section), authority Hoole translation has "having answer a herald".^[]John Chrysostom indicated turn this way Paul preached in Spain: "For after he had been mull it over Rome, he returned to Espana, but whether he came hence again into these parts, incredulity know not".^[]Cyril of Jerusalem spoken that Paul, "fully preached description Gospel, and instructed even deliberate Rome, and carried the sincerity of his preaching as faraway as Spain, undergoing conflicts untold, and performing Signs and wonders".^[] The Muratorian fragment mentions "the departure of Paul from influence city [of Rome] [5a] (39) when he journeyed to Spain".^[]

Visits to Jerusalem in Acts professor the epistles

The following table job adapted from the book From Jesus to Christianity by Scriptural scholar L. Michael White, coordinating Paul's travels as documented weigh down the Acts and the journey in his Epistles but arrange agreed upon fully by cry out Biblical scholars.