Apostle · Evangelists and missionarie · New Testament
The Story of Paul
Also: Saul of Tarsus, Saul, Paulo (Kiswahili), Paũlũ (Gĩkũyũ)
Pharisee who persecuted the church, met the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, and became the apostle to the Gentiles.
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Introduction
Saul, a Jew of the tribe of Benjamin born in Tarsus and a Pharisee, studied under Gamaliel and persecuted the church, approving of Stephen's death. Acts 22:3Philippians 3:5–6Acts 8:1–3
On the road to Damascus the risen Jesus appeared to him. He was baptized and began to proclaim Jesus as the Son of God. Acts 9:1–201 Corinthians 15:8
Also called Paul, he travelled with Barnabas, Silas, Timothy and others, planting churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece, and wrote letters to churches and co-workers. Acts 13:9Acts 13:2–4Acts 16:1–10Romans 1:1
Arrested in Jerusalem, he appealed to Caesar and was taken to Rome, where Acts leaves him preaching under guard for two years. Acts 21:30–33Acts 25:11–12Acts 28:16Acts 28:30–31
Told in: Acts
Life at a glance
- Born
- Tarsus in Cilicia; a Roman citizen from birth Acts 22:3Acts 22:27–28
- Tribe and party
- Benjamin; a Pharisee Philippians 3:5
- Teacher
- Gamaliel Acts 22:3
- Trade
- Tentmaker Acts 18:3
- Called
- Apostle to the Gentiles Romans 11:13Galatians 2:7–8
- Last recorded
- Two years in Rome under guard, preaching openly Acts 28:30–31
Only what Scripture records. Where the Bible is silent, nothing is filled in.
Follow the life of Paul
Events in the order Scripture presents them. Expand an event to read its passage here, or open the chapter in the reader.
Persecuting the church
Saul guards the coats of those stoning Stephen, approves of his death, and goes from house to house dragging believers to prison.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Galatians 1:13–14 · Philippians 3:6
People: Stephen
Places named: Jerusalem
The road to Damascus
On his way to arrest believers, Saul is surrounded by light and hears Jesus ask, Saul, why do you persecute me? Blinded, he is led to Damascus, where Ananias lays hands on him; he sees again and is baptized.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Acts 22:3–16 (Paul's own account in Jerusalem.) · Acts 26:9–18 (Paul's account before Agrippa.) · Galatians 1:15–16 · 1 Corinthians 15:8–10
People: Jesus
Places named: Damascus
Preaching in Damascus and escape
Saul proclaims Jesus in the synagogues; when the Jews plot to kill him, the disciples lower him through the wall in a basket.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: 2 Corinthians 11:32–33
Supporting passage: Galatians 1:17 (Paul mentions going to Arabia and returning to Damascus.)
Places named: Damascus
Welcomed by Barnabas in Jerusalem
The disciples in Jerusalem fear him until Barnabas brings him to the apostles; he preaches boldly and is sent to Tarsus.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: Galatians 1:18–24
People: Barnabas, Simon Peter
Places named: Jerusalem, Tarsus
Teaching in Antioch
Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch, where they teach for a year and the disciples are first called Christians; they carry famine relief to Judea.
The first missionary journey
Sent out by the church at Antioch, Barnabas and Saul preach in Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe. Paul is stoned at Lystra and survives; they appoint elders and return.
The council in Jerusalem
When some insist that Gentile believers be circumcised, Paul and Barnabas go to Jerusalem; the apostles and elders agree not to burden the Gentiles.
More about this event
Parallel account: Galatians 2:1–10 (Many read this as Paul's account of the same visit; others link it to the famine visit of Acts 11.)
People: Barnabas, Simon Peter, Silas, Titus
Places named: Jerusalem
Parting from Barnabas; Timothy joins
Paul and Barnabas disagree over taking Mark and separate. Paul takes Silas, and at Lystra Timothy joins them.
The call to Macedonia and Philippi
A vision calls Paul to Macedonia. In Philippi Lydia is baptized; Paul and Silas are beaten and jailed, sing at midnight, and the jailer's household believes.
More about this event
Later recollection of this event: 1 Thessalonians 2:2
Places named: Troas, Philippi
Thessalonica, Berea and Athens
Paul preaches in Thessalonica and Berea amid opposition, then in Athens speaks at the Areopagus about the unknown god.
Eighteen months in Corinth
In Corinth Paul works as a tentmaker with Priscilla and Aquila and stays a year and a half after the Lord tells him in a vision not to be afraid.
Two years in Ephesus
In Ephesus Paul teaches daily in the hall of Tyrannus; extraordinary miracles happen, books of magic are burned, and a riot breaks out over the goddess Artemis.
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Places named: Ephesus
Farewell to the Ephesian elders
Travelling to Jerusalem, Paul raises Eutychus at Troas and at Miletus says farewell to the elders of Ephesus, who weep that they will not see him again.
Arrested in Jerusalem
Despite warnings Paul goes to Jerusalem. He is seized in the temple and rescued by Roman soldiers, and speaks to the crowd about his conversion.
More about this event
Places named: Caesarea, Jerusalem
Before the council, governors and King Agrippa
Acts 23:1–35 · Acts 24:1–27 · Acts 25:1–27 · Acts 26:1–32
After a plot against him Paul is taken to Caesarea, where he defends himself before Felix, Festus and Agrippa, and appeals to Caesar.
More about this event
Places named: Caesarea
Voyage and shipwreck
Sailing for Rome, the ship is caught in a storm and wrecked off Malta; all on board reach land safely, and Paul heals the sick on the island.
In Rome
Paul reaches Rome, speaks to the Jewish leaders, and lives two years in his own rented house under guard, proclaiming the kingdom of God without hindrance.
Mentioned across the Bible
Later passages that recall, mention or interpret Paul. These are not new events in the person’s lifetime.
Later recollections of these events
- Galatians 1:13–14 recalls “Persecuting the church”
- Philippians 3:6 recalls “Persecuting the church”
- Acts 22:3–16 recalls “The road to Damascus” — Paul's own account in Jerusalem.
- Acts 26:9–18 recalls “The road to Damascus” — Paul's account before Agrippa.
- Galatians 1:15–16 recalls “The road to Damascus”
- 1 Corinthians 15:8–10 recalls “The road to Damascus”
- 2 Corinthians 11:32–33 recalls “Preaching in Damascus and escape”
- Galatians 1:18–24 recalls “Welcomed by Barnabas in Jerusalem”
- 1 Thessalonians 2:2 recalls “The call to Macedonia and Philippi”
Later recollection
- 2 Peter 3:15–16 — Peter mentions our beloved brother Paul and his letters.
Direct reference
- 2 Corinthians 11:23–28 — Paul lists his sufferings.
- 2 Corinthians 12:1–10 — Visions and the thorn in the flesh.
- Galatians 2:11–14 — Paul opposes Cephas at Antioch.
- 2 Timothy 4:6–8 — I have fought the good fight.
- 2 Timothy 4:16–17 — At his first defence the Lord stood by him.
Family and relationships
- BarnabasBrought him to the apostles; partner on the first journeyActs 9:27Acts 13:2
- SilasCompanion on the second journeyActs 15:40
- TimothyCo-worker; Paul calls him his true child in the faithActs 16:1–31 Timothy 1:2
- TitusCo-worker; my true child after a common faithTitus 1:42 Corinthians 8:23
- LukeThe beloved physicianColossians 4:142 Timothy 4:11
- John MarkLeft the first journey; later useful to PaulActs 13:132 Timothy 4:11
- PriscillaFellow workerActs 18:2–3Romans 16:3
- AquilaFellow workerActs 18:2–3Romans 16:3
- LydiaFirst believer in Philippi; hosted himActs 16:14–15
- PhoebeCommended to RomeRomans 16:1–2
- Simon PeterFellow apostleGalatians 1:18
- StephenSaul approved of his deathActs 8:1
- GamalielTeacherActs 22:3
- ApollosConnected: Fellow worker of Paul1 Corinthians 3:6
- Philip the evangelistConnected: Hosted him of PaulActs 21:8
Books associated with Paul
- Acts Main narrative figure
Chapters 9 and 13–28. Acts 13:9
- Romans Named as author in the text
Written down by Tertius (Romans 16:22). Romans 1:1
- 1 Corinthians Named as author in the text
Sosthenes is named as co-sender. 1 Corinthians 1:1
- 2 Corinthians Named as author in the text
Timothy is named as co-sender. 2 Corinthians 1:1
- Galatians Named as author in the text Galatians 1:1
- Ephesians Named as author in the text
The letter names Paul. Many scholars question whether Paul wrote it; others defend Pauline authorship. Ephesians 1:1
- Philippians Named as author in the text
Timothy is named as co-sender. Philippians 1:1
- Colossians Named as author in the text
Timothy is named as co-sender. Pauline authorship is debated by some scholars. Colossians 1:1
- 1 Thessalonians Named as author in the text
Silvanus and Timothy are named as co-senders. 1 Thessalonians 1:1
- 2 Thessalonians Named as author in the text
Silvanus and Timothy are named as co-senders. Authorship is debated by some scholars. 2 Thessalonians 1:1
- 1 Timothy Named as author in the text
Addressed to Timothy. The letters to Timothy and Titus name Paul; many modern scholars question his authorship, others maintain it. 1 Timothy 1:1
- 2 Timothy Named as author in the text
Addressed to Timothy; authorship debated as above. 2 Timothy 1:1
- Titus Named as author in the text
Addressed to Titus; authorship debated as above. Titus 1:1
- Philemon Named as author in the text
Timothy is named as co-sender. Philemon 1
- Hebrews Author not stated
Hebrews names no author. It was sometimes attributed to Paul in the past; that attribution is now widely doubted, and this page does not count it as his.
A book named after someone is not necessarily written by them. Authorship traditions are shown as traditions.
Themes and study
Study prompts written by BibleKenya editors. They are not Scripture.
GraceMissionSufferingFaith
- How does Paul describe his former life and his calling in Galatians 1:13-16?
- Compare the three accounts of the Damascus road (Acts 9, 22, 26). What does each add?
- What does Paul say about weakness in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10?
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