Paul

Paul, also called Saul of Tarsus, was a Pharisee who persecuted the church until the risen Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. He became an apostle to the Gentiles, made missionary journeys, wrote many of the New Testament letters, and was taken to Rome as a prisoner.

Saul the persecutor

• Acts 7:58
  And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
  Show context · Read Acts 7 →
• Acts 8:1-3
  ¹And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ²And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.God-fearing men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. ³As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
  Show context · Read Acts 8 →
• Philippians 3:5-6
  ⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.
  Show context · Read Philippians 3 →

Conversion

• Acts 9:1-9
  ¹And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest ²And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.and requested letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way, he could bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. ³And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. ⁴And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?” ⁵And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.“Who are You, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” He replied. ⁶And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” ⁷And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the voice but did not see anyone. ⁸And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could not see a thing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. ⁹And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.For three days he was without sight, and he did not eat or drink anything.
  Show context · Read Acts 9 →
• Acts 9:15-18
  ¹⁵But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” ¹⁷And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized,
  Show context · Read Acts 9 →
• Galatians 1:15-16
  ¹⁵But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased ¹⁶To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,
  Show context · Read Galatians 1 →

Missionary journeys

• Acts 13:2-4
  ²As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.And after they had fasted and prayed, they laid their hands on them and sent them off. ⁴So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.So Barnabas and Saul, sent forth by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
  Show context · Read Acts 13 →
• Acts 13:9
  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas
  Show context · Read Acts 13 →
• Acts 16:9-10
  ⁹And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
  Show context · Read Acts 16 →
• Acts 17:22-23
  ²²Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars’ hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.Then Paul stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you.
  Show context · Read Acts 17 →

Sufferings

• Acts 16:22-25
  ²²And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered that they be stripped and beaten with rods. ²³And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely:And after striking them with many blows, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to guard them securely. ²⁴Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. ²⁵And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
  Show context · Read Acts 16 →
• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28
  ²³Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.Are they servants of Christ? I am speaking like I am out of my mind, but I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death. ²⁴Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. ²⁵Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I spent a night and a day in the open sea. ²⁶In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;In my frequent journeys, I have been in danger from rivers and from bandits, in danger from my countrymen and from the Gentiles, in danger in the city and in the country, in danger on the sea and among false brothers, ²⁷In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure. ²⁸Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.Apart from these external trials, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.
  Show context · Read 2 Corinthians 11 →
• 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
  ⁷And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. ⁸For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. ⁹And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me.
  Show context · Read 2 Corinthians 12 →

Arrest and journey to Rome

• Acts 21:30-33
  ³⁰And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.The whole city was stirred up, and the people rushed together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. ³¹And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.While they were trying to kill him, the commander of the Roman regiment received a report that all Jerusalem was in turmoil. ³²Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.Immediately he took some soldiers and centurions and ran down to the crowd. When the people saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. ³³Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he be bound with two chains. Then he asked who he was and what he had done.
  Show context · Read Acts 21 →
• Acts 25:11
  For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cesar.If, however, I am guilty of anything worthy of death, I do not refuse to die. But if there is no truth to their accusations against me, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!”
  Show context · Read Acts 25 →
• Acts 28:16
  And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
  Show context · Read Acts 28 →
• Acts 28:30-31
  ³⁰And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him. ³¹Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.Boldly and freely he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
  Show context · Read Acts 28 →

His letters and last words

• Romans 1:1
  Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
  Show context · Read Romans 1 →
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8
  ⁶For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. ⁷I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Henceforth 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.From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but to all who crave His appearing.
  Show context · Read 2 Timothy 4 →
• 2 Peter 3:15-16
  ¹⁵And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;Consider also that our Lord’s patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him. ¹⁶As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.He writes this way in all his letters, speaking in them about such matters. Some parts of his letters are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.
  Show context · Read 2 Peter 3 →

See also

• Peter
• Great Commission
• Persecution
• Grace

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.