Paul
From hunting Christians to writing much of the New Testament.
New Testament · c. AD 5 – c. 64/67 · Acts, Romans to Philemon · Also known as Saul of Tarsus, The apostle to the Gentiles
About Paul
Saul of Tarsus was a zealous Pharisee who approved of the stoning of Stephen and hunted followers of Jesus. On the road to Damascus, a blinding light and a voice changed everything. Known as Paul, he travelled thousands of miles across the Roman world planting churches, was beaten, shipwrecked and imprisoned — and wrote letters that make up a large part of the New Testament.
Paul was a Jew from Tarsus, trained as a Pharisee and a Roman citizen. Thirteen New Testament letters carry his name; scholars debate the authorship of some of them. His letters are among the earliest Christian writings we have.
The story
At Stephen’s feet
When Stephen was stoned in Jerusalem, "the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul." He approved. Then he began dragging believers from their homes.
Acts 7:58-8:3
The road to Damascus
"Suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" It was Jesus. Saul rose blind.
Acts 9:1-9
A chosen vessel
God sent a frightened believer named Ananias to the man who had come to arrest people like him. "He is a chosen vessel unto me," the Lord said, "to bear my name before the Gentiles." Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes.
Acts 9:10-19
Singing at midnight
Beaten and locked in stocks in Philippi, "at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them." An earthquake opened the doors — and the jailer and his household believed.
Acts 16:22-34
Strength in weakness
Paul wrote of a "thorn in the flesh" he begged God to remove. The answer: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Near the end, from prison: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
2 Corinthians 12:7-10; 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Key moments
- At Stephen’s stoning: Holding the coats. (Acts 7:58)
- Damascus road: "Why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9:3-4)
- Called to the Gentiles: "A chosen vessel." (Acts 9:15)
- Midnight in Philippi: Prayers and songs in prison. (Acts 16:25)
- Finishes the course: "I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)
Questions about Paul
In meetBible these answers are given in Paul’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
What happened on the road to Damascus?
Acts records it: "Suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" I asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" The answer: Jesus, the one I was persecuting. I rose unable to see and was led by the hand into Damascus.
How many letters did you write?
Thirteen New Testament letters carry my name, from Romans to Philemon. Scholars debate whether some were written by me directly or by close associates in my name. Hebrews is anonymous — some once attributed it to me, but the text never says so.
What was your thorn in the flesh?
I called it "a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me." I never named it. People have guessed at an illness, poor eyesight or persecution — but Scripture doesn’t say. What it does record is God’s answer: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness."
Connected people
- Jesus: Met on the road
- Peter: Fellow apostle
- Stephen: Witnessed his death
- Barnabas: Travel companion
- Silas: Cellmate & co-worker
- Timothy: Protégé
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 9.