Paul, originally named Saul, was one of the most influential early Christian missionaries and leaders of the first century. He is credited with writing nearly half of the books of the New Testament and for spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews). Here is an overview of Paul’s life and ministry according to the Bible:
Paul’s Background
Paul was born in the city of Tarsus, located in modern day Turkey (Acts 22:3). He came from a devout Jewish family of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5) and was raised as a Pharisee, adhering strictly to the Law of Moses and Jewish traditions (Acts 23:6, 26:5). As a youth, Paul likely studied in Jerusalem under the famous rabbi Gamaliel (Acts 22:3).
Paul inherited Roman citizenship from his father (Acts 22:28), a privilege which he used at times during his ministry to avoid punishment and gain access to the Roman legal system. His dual identity as both a Jew and a Roman citizen would play an important role in his future ministry.
Paul’s Conversion
Paul first appears in the Bible as Saul, a zealous persecutor of the early Christians (Acts 7:58, 8:1-3, 9:1-2). After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the Christian movement began to spread rapidly in Jerusalem. Saul was present for the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, and led efforts to arrest Christians and put them on trial (Acts 8:1).
While on his way to Damascus to find and imprison more Christians, Saul had a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-19, 22:6-11, 26:12-18). Blinded by a bright light, Saul heard the voice of Jesus asking “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Jesus instructed him to go into the city where he would be told what to do. Saul was led blind into Damascus where a disciple named Ananias was given a vision to go and heal him.
When Ananias laid hands on Saul, his sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul immediately began preaching in synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. After this miraculous conversion experience, Saul changed his name to Paul. He traveled into Arabia where he received direct revelation and instruction from Christ (Galatians 1:11-17).
Paul’s Early Ministry
After returning to Damascus from Arabia, Paul’s vigorous preaching in Jesus’ name angered the local Jews who sought to kill him (Acts 9:20-25, 2 Corinthians 11:32-33). He escaped Damascus and traveled to Jerusalem where he tried to join the Christian community, led by James and Peter, but they were afraid of him given his former persecution of believers. It was Barnabas who brought Paul to the apostles and declared his conversion story (Acts 9:26-28).
Paul then returned to his home region of Syria and Cilicia (modern Turkey) where he preached for several years before Barnabas sought him out again. This time Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch to teach the church for a year, where the followers of Jesus were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:25-26).
After fulfilling a ministry to Jerusalem during a famine (Acts 11:27-30), Paul and Barnabas were commissioned by the Holy Spirit and sent out by the Antioch church on missionary journeys to spread the gospel to Gentiles throughout the Roman empire (Acts 13:1-3).
Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Paul embarked on three major missionary journeys throughout the Roman empire, preaching the gospel, planting churches, and training local leaders. Here is a brief overview:
First Missionary Journey (Acts 13-14)
Along with Barnabas, John Mark, and others, Paul preached in Cyprus and Galatia (modern Turkey), establishing churches in cities like Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Paul performed miracles, converted many people, and defended the gospel against hostile Jews. He was stoned and left for dead in Lystra but survived the ordeal.
Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36-18:22)
After a dispute with Barnabas over John Mark, Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches. They connected with Timothy in Lystra before Paul was called by the Spirit to bring the gospel to Macedonia (Greece). Churches were established in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Corinth. Paul later spent a year and a half in Corinth teaching God’s word and building up the church.
Third Missionary Journey (Acts 18:23-21:14)
On his third journey, Paul revisited churches in Galatia and Phrygia to strengthen disciples in the faith. He then spent over two years in Ephesus where many miracles were done through him and the gospel spread rapidly (Acts 19). After passing through Macedonia and Greece again, Paul decided to travel to Jerusalem but was warned of coming persecution.
Paul’s Ministry to the Gentiles
One of Paul’s defining characteristics was his passion to bring the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to the Gentile world. As an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul preached to and converted many non-Jews on his missionary travels throughout the Roman empire (Acts 9:15, Romans 11:13).
Paul taught that faith in Christ alone, not works of the Law, was sufficient for both Jews and Gentiles to be saved and become sons of God (Galatians 3:26-29, Romans 3:21-24). This stood in contrast to certain Jewish believers who insisted that Gentile converts should follow the Law of Moses and be circumcised in order to be true followers of Jesus (Acts 15:5).
The apostles affirmed that Gentiles were not required to be circumcised or keep the Law, only to abstain from sexual immorality and foods sacrificed to idols (Acts 15:19-21, 28-29). When Peter wavered on this truth, Paul openly rebuked and corrected him (Galatians 2:11-14).
Paul wrote important passages about God’s inclusive salvation offered to all nations through faith, apart from the Law and circumcision (Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-31; Galatians 3:6-9, Ephesians 2:11-22). His letters were foundational for establishing a predominantly Gentile Church made up of Jewish and non-Jewish believers alike.
Paul’s Suffering and Persecution
In fulfillment of Jesus’ words to Ananias (Acts 9:15-16), Paul suffered greatly for the sake of the gospel. He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, robbed, imprisoned, and ultimately gave his life as a martyr for his faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Paul recounted being beaten with rods three times, whipped with 39 lashes on five occasions, beaten with clubs, stoned and left for dead, and repeatedly endured other hardships in his ministry (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Much of the persecution he experienced came from Jewish leaders who rejected Jesus and sought to stamp out the Christian faith, especially among Gentiles.
On a few occasions, Paul’s Roman citizenship and tactics of dividing the Jewish council saved him from being executed by his opponents (Acts 22:24-29, 23:6-10). However, he was eventually imprisoned in Caesarea for two years and appealed to have his case heard before Caesar in Rome (Acts 24-26).
Paul was shipwrecked on the voyage to Rome. After arriving he spent two more years under house arrest, during which he wrote some of his New Testament letters (Acts 28, Philippians 1:12-14). According to Christian tradition, Paul was eventually beheaded in Rome during Nero’s persecution in the late 60s AD.
Paul’s Letters
Thirteen New Testament books bear Paul’s name as author: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. These epistles provided doctrinal foundations, practical teachings, and authoritative correction to churches spread across the Roman empire.
Paul’s letters focused on important theological themes like justification by faith, life in the Spirit, godly conduct, the return of Christ, and the resurrection. He addressed relevant issues like sexual immorality, problematic church members, giving generously, and submitting to governing authorities. Major chunks of Paul’s letters were dedicated to defending his apostleship and correcting false teachings.
The book of Romans stands as Paul’s masterful, systematic presentation of the gospel for all people, Jew and Gentile. Other letters like Galatians and Colossians combat destructive doctrinal errors that had infiltrated the first-century church. 1 Corinthians applies gospel truths to a long list of practical issues facing the church in Corinth.
Paul’s “prison epistles” – Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon – were written during his Roman imprisonment and exude joy in Christ amid difficult circumstances. His final letters to Timothy and Titus (“pastoral epistles”) provide wisdom and instruction for leading local congregations.
Paul’s Influence and Legacy
The Apostle Paul was undoubtedly one of the most important figures in the early Christian church. Converted from persecutor to preacher, Paul travelled thousands of miles spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to Jews and Gentiles alike. His missionary journeys led to the foundation of churches that would grow into influential centers of faith around the Roman empire.
Paul’s writings constitute a significant portion of the New Testament. His teachings on justification by faith, freedom from the Law, and the inclusion of Gentiles helped shape Christianity into a universal faith open to all, regardless of ethnic, social, or gender distinctions (Galatians 3:28). Core Christian doctrines like original sin, substitutionary atonement, and the Trinity took shape in the writings of Paul.
The legacy of Paul’s ministry continues to impact Christian theology and practice today. His example as an ambassador for Christ – in both weak and dire circumstances – has encouraged generations of missionaries and martyrs (2 Timothy 4:16-18). Paul’s teachings provide wisdom and instruction for how Christians should live, act, serve, and lead in light of the gospel.