Apostle living at the time of the New Testament
Paul, also known as Saul, the apostle to the Gentiles and author of many New Testament epistles.
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Also known as Saul
Paul, also known as Saul, was one of the most influential figures in early Christianity. He was born in Tarsus as a Roman citizen and trained as a Pharisee under Gamaliel. Initially a persecutor of the church, Paul had a dramatic conversion experience on the road to Damascus, where the risen Jesus appeared to him. After this, he became a zealous preacher of the gospel, undertaking several missionary journeys throughout the Mediterranean world. Paul played a key role in spreading Christianity among the Gentiles and in articulating its theological foundations. He wrote many of the epistles in the New Testament, providing guidance and instruction to the early churches. Paul faced numerous challenges, including opposition from Jewish leaders, internal disputes among believers, and physical hardships. He was eventually arrested and taken to Rome, where tradition holds that he was martyred during the reign of Nero. Paul's life and teachings had a profound impact on the development of Christian thought and practice.
Part of: Paul's Circle · The Herods · The Jerusalem Church · The High-Priestly Family · Roman Officials
Barnabas went to Tarsus to fetch Saul, taught with him a full year in Antioch, and the two were then set apart by the Spirit at Antioch for the first mission. Barnabas is named first in the list of Antioch leaders and Saul last.
Sources: Scripture
When the Jerusalem disciples feared the newly converted Saul, Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told of his Damascus encounter. The one who later split from Paul over John Mark is the man who first opened Jerusalem to Paul.
Sources: Scripture
Paul and Barnabas parted sharply over taking Mark on the second journey. Yet Paul later lists Mark among his co-workers and asks for him as useful for ministry, so the breach over Mark was healed.
Sources: Scripture
After the council Silas, a leading man among the brothers, was chosen to accompany Paul. The two were beaten and jailed in Philippi and sang in prison, then preached together in Thessalonica and Berea.
Sources: Scripture
Silas is widely identified with the Silvanus of Paul's letters, who joins Paul and Timothy in greeting the Thessalonians and whom Peter names as his scribe. This would tie Peter and Paul through one co-worker.
Sources: Scripture
Paul took Timothy, already well spoken of by the brothers in Lystra and Iconium, on the second journey, calling him his beloved and faithful child in the Lord and sending him as his representative to several churches.
Sources: Scripture
Titus, a Greek, went up with Paul to Jerusalem uncircumcised. Later he was Paul's troubleshooter with Corinth and the one left in Crete, called Paul's true child in a common faith. Acts never names him.
Sources: Scripture
Paul calls Luke the beloved physician and lists him among his co-workers; in prison near the end Paul says only Luke is with him. Acts switches to "we" at Troas, Philippi, and on the voyage to Rome.
Sources: Scripture
Paul stayed with Aquila and Priscilla in Corinth because they shared his trade of tentmaking, and he worked with them. This couple then traveled with him to Ephesus.
Sources: Scripture
Paul sends greetings to a church in their house in Rome, and from Ephesus a church meets at their house. They risked their necks for Paul.
Sources: Scripture
Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian Jew, watered what Paul had planted in Corinth. Paul insists they are co-workers, not rivals, and he urges Apollos to revisit Corinth.
Sources: Scripture
Hebrews is anonymous. Luther suggested Apollos, noting the Alexandrian style and scriptural skill. Others propose Barnabas (early North African tradition, Tertullian), Priscilla, or Paul. Origen concluded only God knows who wrote it.
Sources: Tertullian, On Modesty 20 · Origen, in Eusebius, Church History 6.25 · Martin Luther
Paul calls Philemon a beloved fellow worker who owes him his own self, refreshes the hearts of the saints, and hosts a church in his house. Paul hopes to visit him soon.
Sources: Scripture
Paul sends back Onesimus, once useless but now useful, asking Philemon to receive him no longer as a slave but as a beloved brother. Colossians 4:9 calls Onesimus one of you, placing him in Colossae.
Sources: Scripture
Tychicus is a beloved brother, faithful minister and fellow servant, who travels with Paul from Corinth toward Asia and is later sent to Ephesus and possibly Crete.
Sources: Scripture
Paul commends Phoebe, a servant (diakonos) of the church at Cenchreae, and a prostatis (patron) of many including Paul. Since Romans ends with her commendation, she is often thought to have carried the letter to Rome.
Sources: Scripture
Paul says the Colossians learned the gospel from Epaphras, their beloved fellow servant, who is also one of them. He now shares Paul's imprisonment and prays hard for them.
Sources: Scripture
Paul says he was brought up in Jerusalem at the feet of Gamaliel, educated according to strict ancestral law. The same Gamaliel counseled restraint toward the apostles in the council.
Sources: Scripture
The witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul, who approved of Stephen's killing. Paul later confesses standing by and guarding the clothes of those who killed him.
Sources: Scripture
Stephen disputed with members of the synagogue of Freedmen, Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia. Tarsus is in Cilicia, so some think Saul took part. Acts does not name him until the stoning.
Sources: Scripture
Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, is sent by the Lord to lay hands on the blinded Saul. Paul later describes him as a devout man of the law with a good reputation among Jews there.
Sources: Scripture
On Cyprus the proconsul Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man, summoned Barnabas and Saul and believed when he saw Elymas struck blind. This is the first Roman official recorded as a convert.
Sources: Scripture
Luke first uses "Paul" right after the encounter with Sergius Paulus and thereafter calls Saul only Paul. Jerome suggested he took the name from this convert. A Roman cognomen was likely carried from birth.
Sources: Jerome, Commentary on Philemon (preface)
Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and heard Paul speak of faith in Christ. When Paul discussed righteousness, self-control, and judgment, Felix grew afraid and sent him away. Felix also hoped for a bribe.
Sources: Scripture
After two years under Felix, Paul appealed to Caesar before Festus. King Agrippa and Bernice came to Caesarea and heard him in a formal audience, and Agrippa said Paul might have been set free had he not appealed to Caesar.
Sources: Scripture
Paul calls himself a citizen of no mean city, Tarsus in Cilicia, though he was brought up in Jerusalem. Barnabas later fetched him from Tarsus.
Sources: Scripture
Paul calls Andronicus, Junia, Herodion, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater his syngeneis. The word can mean blood relatives or fellow Jews. Whether Jason is Paul's host at Thessalonica is uncertain.
Sources: Scripture
Paul greets Andronicus and Junia as prominent "among the apostles" and as having been in Christ before him. Whether Junia was a woman and whether "among" means "counted as apostles" or "esteemed by apostles" is argued.
Sources: Scripture
Demas appears with Luke among Paul's greetings and as a fellow worker, yet in Paul's last letter he has deserted Paul, in love with the present world. Luke alone remains.
Sources: Scripture
Aristarchus of Thessalonica was seized in the Ephesian riot, travelled with Paul in the collection party, and sailed with him toward Rome. Paul calls him a fellow prisoner.
Sources: Scripture
Paul sent Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia. A man named Erastus, the city treasurer, sends greetings from Corinth in Romans. Paul notes that Erastus stayed at Corinth.
Sources: Scripture
Acts lists the Antioch leaders: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (foster-brother of Herod the tetrarch), and Saul. The list mixes a Cypriot Levite, a man from Cyrene, and one raised alongside Herod's court circle.
Sources: Scripture
Manaen is described as having been brought up with Herod the tetrarch before becoming a prophet and teacher at Antioch beside Barnabas and Saul. The Greek syntrophos may mean foster-brother or childhood companion.
Sources: Scripture
Paul calls James, Cephas, and John "pillars" at Jerusalem, and lists James first. James presides at the Jerusalem Council. Peter tells the church to "tell James" after escaping from prison.
Read more: Grokipedia: James, brother of Jesus (AI-written, unreviewed) ↗
Sources: Scripture
At Caesarea Paul stayed with Philip the evangelist, who had four unmarried daughters who prophesied. The prophet Agabus arrived there and bound his own feet and hands with Paul's belt.
Sources: Scripture
Agabus foretold a great famine, which Luke says happened under Claudius. Antioch's disciples sent relief by Barnabas and Saul to Judea.
Sources: Scripture
After debate, Peter and James spoke, and the letter was carried to Antioch by Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, with Paul and Barnabas.
Sources: Scripture
Paul visited Peter for fifteen days, later opposed Peter at Antioch over table fellowship after men from James arrived, and even Barnabas was led astray.
Sources: Scripture
Ananias the high priest ordered Paul struck and later went down to Caesarea with Tertullus to accuse him before Felix. Josephus identifies him as Ananias son of Nedebaeus.
Sources: Scripture · Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews
The Jews of Corinth brought Paul to Gallio, proconsul of Achaia, who dismissed the charge as a matter of Jewish law. The synagogue ruler Crispus had believed.
Sources: Scripture
A Delphi inscription naming Gallio as proconsul under Claudius is used to date Paul's stay in Corinth to about AD 51-52, the best fixed point in Pauline chronology.
Sources: Delphi inscription (Claudius and Gallio)
Lysias, the tribune, rescued Paul from the temple mob, discovered he was a Roman citizen, and sent him to Felix with a letter. His Roman name Claudius suggests he acquired citizenship under the emperor Claudius, consistent with his remark that he bought it.
Sources: Scripture
Paul stayed two years in custody under Felix, who left him in prison to please the Jews. Festus succeeded Felix and Paul appealed to Caesar.
Sources: Scripture
Tertullus flattered Felix and accused Paul for the high priest's delegation.
Sources: Scripture
Julius treated Paul kindly at Sidon and later stopped soldiers from killing prisoners after the shipwreck to save Paul.
Sources: Scripture
Publius, chief man of Malta, hosted Paul and his company three days, and Paul healed his father.
Sources: Scripture
Paul appealed to Caesar, which in the late 50s AD means Nero. Philippians mentions the praetorium and Caesar's household. Nero is not named in the NT.
Sources: Scripture
More background: search Wikipedia ↗
=Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy “for use in the Gentile world,” as “Saul” would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in the south-east of Asia Minor. That city stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, which was navigable thus far; hence it became a centre of extensive commercial traffic with many countries along the shores of the Mediterranean, as well as with the countries of central Asia Minor. It thus became a city distinguished for the wealth of its inhabitants. Tarsus was also the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even than the universities of Athens and Alexandria, the only others that then existed. Here Saul was born, and here he spent his youth, doubtless enjoying the best education his native city could afford. His father was of the straitest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Acts 23:6; Phil. 3:5). We learn nothing regarding his mother; but there is reason to conclude that she was a pious woman, and that, like-minded with her husband, she exercised all a mother influence in moulding the character of her son, so that he could afterwards speak of himself as being, from his youth up, “touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:6). We read of his sister and his sister’s son (Acts 23:16), and of other relatives (Rom. 16:7, 11, 12). Though a Jew, his father was a Roman citizen. How he obtained this privilege we are not informed. “It might be bought, or won by distinguished service to the state, or acquired in several other ways; at all events, his son was freeborn. It was a valuable privilege, and one…
(small, little). Nearly all the original materials for the life St. Paul are contained in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. and A.D. 5.) Up to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles, the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his father was of the tribe of Benjamin, (Philemon 3:5) and a Pharisee, (Acts 23:6) that Paul had acquired by some means the Roman franchise (“I was free born,”) (Acts 22:23) and that he was settled in Tarsus. At Tarsus he must have learned to use the Greek language with freedom and mastery in both speaking and writing. At Tarsus also he learned that trade of “tent-maker,” (Acts 18:3) at which he afterward occasionally wrought with his own hands. There was a goat’s-hair cloth called cilicium manufactured in Cilicia, and largely used for tents, Saul’s trade was probably that of making tents of this hair cloth. When St. Paul makes his defence before his countrymen at Jerusalem, (Acts 22:1) ... he tells them that, though born in Tarsus he had been “brought up” in Jerusalem. He must therefore, have been yet a boy when was removed, in all probability for the sake of his education, to the holy city of his fathers. He learned, he says, at the feet of Gamaliel.” He who was to resist so stoutly the usurpations of the law had for his teacher one of the most eminent of all the doctors of the law. Saul was yet “a young man,” (Acts 7:58) when the Church experienced that sudden expansion which was connected with the ordaining of the…
PAUL (small), or SAUL (asked for). 1. Life. - Paul, or Saul, was a native of Tarsus, in Cilicia, and inherited the privileges of a Roman citizen. Acts 22:28-29. His original Hebrew name was "Saul," which he exchanged afterward in his intercourse with the Gentiles for the Hellenistic or Latin form, "Paul." His descent and education were Jewish, but he had also a good knowledge of the Greek language and literature, and quotes from three poets not much known - Aratus, Acts 17:28,- Menander, 1 Cor 15:33; and Epimenides. Tit 1:12. Being a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born in the Greek city of Tarsus, and a Roman citizen, he combined the three great nationalities of the Roman empire, and was providentially prepared for his apostolic mission among Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and barbarians. Under the instruction of Gamaliel, a distinguished rabbi at Jerusalem, Acts 5:34, he became master of the Jewish law. Acts 22:3; Gal 1:14, and was also taught a useful mechanical trade, according to the custom of the rabbis. Acts 18:3. His residence at Jerusalem commenced at an early period, Acts 26:4, and he was probably from twenty-two to twenty-five years old when Christ commenced his public ministry. He belonged to the strict sect of the Pharisees. Acts 23:6. The preaching of the apostles, and especially the fact of Christ's resurrection, on which they placed their chief stress, excited a violent opposition among the Jews. Stephen, an eloquent and powerful advocate of the new religion, was seized and stoned to death. Among the spectators and promoters of this bloody deed was Paul. Acts 7:58; comp. Gen 22:20. His temperament, talents, and education fitted him to become a leader in the persecution; and he commenced his career with a degree of fanatical zeal bordering on madness. He even…
PAUL (small), or SAUL (asked for). 1. Life. - Paul, or Saul, was a native of Tarsus, in Cilicia, and inherited the privileges of a Roman citizen. Acts 22:28-29. His original Hebrew name was "Saul," which he exchanged afterward in his intercourse with the Gentiles for the Hellenistic or Latin form, "Paul." His descent and education were Jewish, but he had also a good knowledge of the Greek language and literature, and quotes from three poets not much known - Aratus, Acts 17:28,- Menander, 1 Cor 15:33; and Epimenides. Tit 1:12. Being a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, born in the Greek city of Tarsus, and a Roman citizen, he combined the three great nationalities of the Roman empire, and was providentially prepared for his apostolic mission among Jews and Gentiles, Greeks and barbarians. Under the instruction of Gamaliel, a distinguished rabbi at Jerusalem, Acts 5:34, he became master of the Jewish law. Acts 22:3; Gal 1:14, and was also taught a useful mechanical trade, according to the custom of the rabbis. Acts 18:3. His residence at Jerusalem commenced at an early period, Acts 26:4, and he was probably from twenty-two to twenty-five years old when Christ commenced his public ministry. He belonged to the strict sect of the Pharisees. Acts 23:6. The preaching of the apostles, and especially the fact of Christ's resurrection, on which they placed their chief stress, excited a violent opposition among the Jews. Stephen, an eloquent and powerful advocate of the new religion, was seized and stoned to death. Among the spectators and promoters of this bloody deed was Paul. Acts 7:58; comp. Gen 22:20. His temperament, talents, and education fitted him to become a leader in the persecution; and he commenced his career with a degree of fanatical zeal bordering on madness. He even…
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182 verses in 15 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G3972
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.
And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephenʼs 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.
But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord. He approached the high priest
He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
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.
“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
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.”
and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.
When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
This they did, sending their gifts to the elders with Barnabas and Saul.
When Barnabas and Saul had fulfilled their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, bringing with them John, also called Mark.
Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch), and Saul.
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.”
an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, a man of intelligence, summoned Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas
After setting sail from Paphos, Paul and his companions came to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!
After the synagogue was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.
But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy, and they blasphemously contradicted what Paul was saying.
Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “It was necessary to speak the word of God to you first. But since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.
The Jews, however, incited the religious women of prominence and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and drove them out of their district.
This man was listening to the words of Paul, who looked intently at him and saw that he had faith to be healed.
When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices in the Lycaonian language: “The gods have come down to us in human form!”
Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul found out about this, they tore their clothes and rushed into the crowd, shouting,
Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won over the crowds. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, presuming he was dead.
And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.
The whole assembly fell silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul describing the signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
Then the apostles and elders, with the whole church, decided to select men from among them to send to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Judas called Barsabbas and Silas, two leaders among the brothers,
So we all agreed to choose men to send to you along with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
But Paul and Barnabas remained at Antioch, along with many others, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord.
Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, so he took him and circumcised him on account of the Jews in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
Among those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paulʼs message.
This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”
She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.
When the girlʼs owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities in the marketplace.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
But Paul called out in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself! We are all here!”
Calling for lights, the jailer rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
The jailer informed Paul: “The magistrates have sent orders to release you. Now you may go on your way in peace.”
But Paul said to the officers, “They beat us publicly without a trial and threw us into prison, even though we are Roman citizens. And now do they want to send us away secretly? Absolutely not! Let them come themselves and escort us out!”
As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, along with a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few leading women.
As soon as night had fallen, the brothers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went into the Jewish synagogue.
But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that Paul was also proclaiming the word of God in Berea, they went there themselves to incite and agitate the crowds.
The brothers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then returned with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.
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.
At that, Paul left the Areopagus.
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking; do not be silent.
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews coordinated an attack on Paul and brought him before the judgment seat.
But just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio told the Jews, “If this matter involved a wrongdoing or vicious crime, O Jews, it would be reasonable for me to hear your complaint.
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples
Paul explained: “Johnʼs baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
And when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
God did extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul,
Now there were some itinerant Jewish exorcists who tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those with evil spirits. They would say, “I command you by Jesus, whom Paul proclaims.”
But one day one of the evil spirits responded them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?”
After these things had happened, Paul resolved in the Spirit to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. “After I have been there,” he said, “I must see Rome as well.”
And you can see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in nearly the whole province of Asia, this Paul has persuaded a great number of people to turn away. He says that man-made gods are no gods at all.
Soon the whole city was in disarray. They rushed together into the theatre, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Paulʼs traveling companions from Macedonia.
Paul wanted to go before the assembly, but the disciples would not allow him.
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples. And after encouraging them, he said goodbye to them and left for Macedonia.
On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight.
And a certain young man named Eutychus, seated in the window, was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell from the third story and was picked up dead.
But Paul went down, threw himself on the young man, and embraced him. “Do not be alarmed!” he said. “He is still alive!”
We went on ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, where we were to take Paul aboard. He had arranged this because he was going there on foot.
Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus to avoid spending time in the province of Asia, because he was in a hurry to reach Jerusalem, if possible, by the day of Pentecost.
They all wept openly as they embraced Paul and kissed him.
We sought out the disciples in Tyre and stayed with them seven days. Through the Spirit they kept telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
Leaving the next day, we went on to Caesarea and stayed at the home of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven.
Coming over to us, he took Paulʼs belt, bound his own feet and hands, and said, “The Holy Spirit says: ‘In this way the Jews of Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and hand him over to the Gentiles.’”
Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”
The next day Paul went in with us to see James, and all the elders were present.
So the next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he entered the temple to give notice of the date when their purification would be complete and the offering would be made for each of them.
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they assumed that Paul had brought him into the temple.
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.
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.
As they were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied.
But Paul answered, “I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Now I beg you to allow me to speak to the people.”
Having received permission, Paul stood on the steps and motioned to the crowd. A great hush came over the crowd, and he addressed them in Hebrew:
I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?’
came and stood beside me. ‘Brother Saul,’ he said, ‘receive your sight.’ And at that moment I could see him.
But as they stretched him out to strap him down, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it lawful for you to flog a Roman citizen without a trial?”
“I paid a high price for my citizenship,” said the commander. “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.
The next day the commander, wanting to learn the real reason Paul was accused by the Jews, released him and ordered the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul down and had him stand before them.
Paul looked directly at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
Then Paul said to him, “God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! You sit here to judge me according to the law, yet you yourself violate the law by commanding that I be struck.”
“Brothers,” Paul replied, “I was not aware that he was the high priest, for it is written: ‘Do not speak evil about the ruler of your people.’”
Then Paul, knowing that some of them were Sadducees and the others Pharisees, called out in the Sanhedrin, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee. It is because of my hope in the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.”
The dispute grew so violent that the commander was afraid they would tear Paul to pieces. He ordered the soldiers to go down and remove him by force and bring him into the barracks.
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul.
They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have bound ourselves with a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul.
But when the son of Paulʼs sister heard about the plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.
Then Paul called one of the centurions and said, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something to tell him.”
So the centurion took him to the commander and said, “Paul the prisoner sent and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”
He answered, “The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul to the Sanhedrin tomorrow on the pretext of acquiring more information about him.
Provide mounts for Paul to take him safely to Governor Felix.”
So the soldiers followed their orders and brought Paul by night to Antipatris.
When the horsemen arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and presented Paul to him.
Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
When the governor motioned for Paul to speak, he began his response: “Knowing that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I gladly make my defense.
He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard, but to allow him some freedom and permit his friends to minister to his needs.
After several days, Felix returned with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him speak about faith in Christ Jesus.
At the same time, he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. So he sent for Paul frequently and talked with him.
After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
where the chief priests and Jewish leaders presented their case against Paul. They urged Festus
But Festus replied, “Paul is being held in Caesarea, and I myself am going there soon.
After spending no more than eight or ten days with them, Festus went down to Caesarea. The next day he sat on the judgment seat and ordered that Paul be brought in.
When Paul arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many serious charges that they could not prove.
Then Paul made his defense: “I have committed no offense against the law of the Jews or against the temple or against Caesar.”
But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem to stand trial before me on these charges?”
Paul replied, “I am standing before the judgment seat of Caesar, where I ought to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you yourself know very well.
Since they were staying several days, Festus laid out Paulʼs case before the king: “There is a certain man whom Felix left in prison.
They only had some contentions with him regarding their own religion and a certain Jesus who had died, but whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
But when Paul appealed to be held over for the decision of the Emperor, I ordered that he be held until I could send him to Caesar.”
The next day Agrippa and Bernice came with great pomp and entered the auditorium, along with the commanders and leading men of the city. And Festus ordered that Paul be brought in.
Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense:
We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice say to me in Hebrew, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
At this stage of Paulʼs defense, Festus exclaimed in a loud voice, “You are insane, Paul! Your great learning is driving you to madness!”
But Paul answered, “I am not insane, most excellent Festus; I am speaking words of truth and sobriety.
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Can you persuade me in such a short time to become a Christian?”
“Short time or long,” Paul replied, “I wish to God that not only you but all who hear me this day may become what I am, except for these chains.”
When it was decided that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial Regiment.
The next day we landed at Sidon, and Julius treated Paul with consideration, allowing him to visit his friends and receive their care.
By now much time had passed, and the voyage had already become dangerous because it was after the Fast. So Paul advised them,
But contrary to Paulʼs advice, the centurion was persuaded by the pilot and by the owner of the ship.
After the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have followed my advice not to sail from Crete. Then you would have averted this disaster and loss.
and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And look, God has granted you the lives of all who sail with you.’
But Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men remain with the ship, you cannot be saved.”
Right up to daybreak, Paul kept urging them all to eat: “Today is your fourteenth day in constant suspense, without taking any food.
But the centurion, wanting to spare Paulʼs life, thwarted their plan. He commanded those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land.
Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and as he laid them on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself to his hand.
The father of Publius was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him, and after praying and placing his hands on him, he healed the man.
The brothers there had heard about us and traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and gave thanks to God.
When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to stay by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
After three days, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, I was taken prisoner in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans.
They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:
Paul stayed there two full years in his own rented house, welcoming all who came to visit him.
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—
Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,
What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?
For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia:
Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.
Paul, an apostle—sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead—
Take notice: I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...
Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.
For we wanted to come to you—indeed I, Paul, tried again and again—but Satan obstructed us.
Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is my mark in every letter; it is the way I write.
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus,
The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you all.
Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of Godʼs elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness,
Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker,
I prefer to appeal on the basis of love. For I, Paul, am now aged, and a prisoner of Christ Jesus as well.
I, Paul, write this with my own hand. I will repay it—not to mention that you owe me your very self.
Consider also that our Lordʼs patience brings salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom God gave him.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.