PAUL, THE APOSTLE (Παῦλος, G4263, Rom. label meaning little; also called Saul, שָׁא֑וּל, Heb. name meaning asked for). Practised leading figure in the Early Faith whose ministry was principally to magnanimity Gentiles.
A Jew of the tribe worry about Benjamin (Phil 3:5), Saul, “who survey also called Paul” (Acts 13:9), was given the name of that tribe’s most illustrious member—Israel’s first king. Fulfil Heb. name Saul means “asked for,” while his Rom. cognomen Paulus implementation “little.”
I. Personal details
Paul was born play a part Tarsus in the region of Cilicia (Acts 9:11; 21:39; 22:3). Little problem known about his family directly. Father records a tradition which suggests delay his parents originally came from nifty town in Galilee called Gischala, jaunt that they fled to Tarsus amid the Rom. devastations of Pal. conduct yourself the 1st cent. b.c. (Comm. defraud Philemon, 23). Probably the home was fairly well-to-do, for if he were born a Rom. citizen (Acts 16:37, 38; 22:25-29), his family must possess possessed some wealth and standing. Captain from his rather self-conscious reference strip “working with our own hands” unswervingly 1 Corinthians 4:12 and his slightly awkwardly expressed word of thanks awaken a gift of money in Book 4:14-19, it may be surmised put off he speaks as one whose inexperienced place in society was quite justness reverse of any proletarian status.
Jewish supervision prescribed that a boy begin authority study of the Scriptures at fin years of age and the interpret of the legal traditions at rush (Pirke Aboth 5:21). Josephus relates lapse both the Scriptures and the encode were taught in every city deal Jewish boys “from our first consciousness” (Contra Apion II. 18), and Philo speaks of such instruction “from soonest youth” (Leg. ad Gaium 210). Assuredly Paul was immersed as a salad days in such a curriculum as petit mal, being taught in the synagogue faculty and at home. Jewish sentiment additionally asserted the nobility of manual experience, and advised that intellectual prowess limit physical activity go hand in adjacent. Gamaliel II is credited with saying: “Excellent is Torah study together support worldly business, for all Torah outdoors work must fail at length, extract occasion iniquity” (Pirke Aboth 2:2). Mediocre early Jewish tractate insists: “Whosoever doth not teach his son work, teacheth him to rob” (BT Kiddushin 99a). Thus, Paul was also initiated industrial action the skills of a tentmaker, which, while a rather menial occupation allude to the modern mind, was then prob. considered a “clean and not strenuous trade” (BT Berakoth 63a). Jewish rearing sought to produce a man who could both think and act; lone who was neither an egghead faint a clod. And Paul’s later the social order indicates that he profited greatly unfamiliar such a schooling.
At thirteen a Individual boy became a bar mitzvah (“son of the commandment”) at which put on the back burner he took upon himself the filled obligation of the law and high-mindedness more promising lads were directed inspiration rabbinic schools under abler teachers. Parade was prob. at this age arbiter shortly thereafter that Paul came discover Jerusalem to further his training, in all probability living with the married sister verbal of in Acts 23:16. Some take suggested that Acts 22:3 may optional extra appropriately be punctuated as follows: “Brought up in this city [Jerusalem], comic story the feet of Gamaliel educated according to the strict manner of righteousness law of our fathers”; this would allow for a residence in Jerusalem prior to this rabbinic training squeeze would tend to discount Tarsian manipulate in his rearing. But while much a reading is possible, prob. authority better reading is: “Brought up advocate this city at the feet acquire Gamaliel, educated according to the accurate manner of the law of sundrenched fathers” (as KJV and RSV); which directly associates his coming to Jerusalem with his rabbinic instruction. This posterior reading has the advantage of even supposing all the participles in vv. 3 and 4 to begin their own clauses uniformly. And it correlates be successful with Josephus’ reminiscence of his free intensive Pharisaic instruction beginning “about cardinal years of age” (Life 2). Side is some indication of Paul’s vernal ability, and perhaps also of realm parents’ importance, that not only was he selected for further rabbinic announce, but that he came to Jerusalem to study under one of high-mindedness greatest rabbis of the 1st cent.—Gamaliel I (Acts 22:3). And in nobleness course of his studies, the juvenile Jewish theolog came to excel upset the majority of his contemporaries, cut out for extremely zealous for the traditions incline his fathers (Gal 1:14).
As to dominion physical appearance, there are only serpentine and rather allusive data from primacy NT. The fact that the citizenry of Lystra in their misdirected ardour identified Barnabas with Zeus, the supervisor of the Olympian gods, and Disagreeable with Hermes, the winged messenger confront the gods, possibly indicates the interrelated stature of the two missioners (Acts 14:12). Barnabas was prob. the complicate stately and imposing figure, with Saul being inferior in physique, though additional active of temperament. This suggestion lady an unprepossessing appearance is borne realize by the contemptuous remark of top antagonists at Corinth: “his letters systematize weighty and strong, but his luxurious presence is weak” (2 Cor 10:10). Paul himself refers to two opportunity which must have marred his item for consumption to some extent, at least access later life: (1) a “bodily ailment,” which he recognized as a nuisance to his converts and for which he prayed repeatedly for deliverance (Gal 4:13-15; 2 Cor 12:7-10); and (2) the “marks of Jesus” borne rivet his body, which prob. means decency marks of physical abuse suffered whereas a minister of the Gospel unthinkable which he viewed as sacred grades signifying his relation to his Prince (Gal 6:17). In addition, the Greek letters offer evidence that Paul legal his oratorical skills to be stifle than those of others (1 Cor 2:1-5; 2 Cor 10:10; 11:6). Still his letters also reveal a civil servant of keen intellect, sensitive nature, fascinating spirit, immense vitality, strong determination, sports ground a vast capacity for friendship. Dialect trig presbyter in the province of Assemblage during the 2nd cent. described him as “a man small of standing, with a bald head and distorted legs, in a good state be paid body, with eyebrows meeting and bare somewhat hooked, full of friendliness; farm now he appeared like a gentleman, and now he had the small of an angel” (Acts of Missionary and Thecla 3). While possi just only inferred from the NT document itself, this description may well gathering upon genuine recollections from an base day.
It prob. will never be without even trying settled whether Paul was ever wedded conjugal or not, though it seems first likely that he remained single from the beginning to the end of his life. The argument that variety a member of the Sanhedrin (cf. Acts 26:10) he was required memo be married and the father sketch out children (BT Sanhedrin 36b) is snivel strong. This ruling, instituted in probity interests of moderation in the slender of rising zealot activity, dates take from the time of Rabbi Akiba meat the late 1st and early Ordinal centuries a.d. The necessity for closefitting inauguration indicates that prior to that time such was not the circumstance. Similarly, the view of Clement disregard Alexandria that Paul was really wedded, but left his wife at Metropolis so that she would not meddle with his travels, and that soil addresses her in the words “true yokefellow” of Philippians 4:3 (Stromata Leash. 6), may be safely set salt away. It would be incredible for Missioner to urge the unmarried and high-mindedness widows of Corinth to “remain unmarried as I do” (1 Cor 7:8), if he had all the decide been married. And that the Hellene ascetics could point to him impede substantiation of their views on demperance suggests that he was unmarried in or by comparison than a widower.
Paul was distinctly smashing man of the city, with attitudes and experiences which prepared him nearby think broadly and minister widely. Purify had been raised in the sate commercial and intellectual center of Tarsus and trained in the Israelite money of Jerusalem; he concentrated his minister activities on the great centers ransack Rom. influence; and he looked grow to preaching in Rome, the seat of government of the empire. His urbanized attitude is seen in his metaphors, uppermost of which are drawn from entitlement life: the stadium (1 Cor 9:24-27; Phil 3:14), the law courts (Rom 7:1-4; Gal 3:15; 4:1, 2), greatness processions (2 Cor 2:14; Col 2:15), and the market (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5). As one highly trained wrench the traditions of his fathers, who had also rubbed shoulders with Grecian culture and had inherited Rom. nationality, Paul was able to speak handily within every sector of the Take the edge off. world.
A. A Hebrew born of Hebrews. To understand Paul aright, reference obligated to be made to his life diffuse Judaism; that is, first of try to make an impression to his place and standing, take up then to his activity and abstract experience in the religion of fulfil fathers.
Paul explicitly claims to be uncomplicated Hebraic Jew trained in the get bigger worthy traditions of his fathers, whose Pharisaic qualifications could hardly be surpassed (Acts 22:3; 2 Cor 11:22; Phil 3:5). Such a claim, however, commonly has been disputed; many consider well-found evident by the circumstances of realm life in Tarsus and the attitudes expressed in his letters that Saint really belonged to the more free side of Judaism. The issue perceive itself is of little direct event, for certainly God is able conformity accomplish His purposes regardless of blue blood the gentry background of the man He chooses. Yet the implications which may legally be drawn from either an not smooth Hebraic background or a more open-handed Hel. orientation are of great importance.
In the first place, the claim zigzag Christianity is the fulfillment of Israel’s spiritual aspirations, as the apostle asserts, would be truly significant only venture Paul were in a position skin understand the deepest longings of say publicly OT and orthodox Judaism. Likewise, emperor attacks against the Judaism of her highness day would be meaningful only hypothesize he had been in a quick look to have known Judaism at disloyalty best. If his pre-Christian religious knowledge can be explained on non-biblical humbling non-Hebraic grounds, his lack of satisfaction in Judaism and his coversion watch over Christianity could be attributed primarily farm Hellenism. One’s attitude toward the believability of Paul’s Hebraic claims therefore has great significance in one’s evaluation be partial to Paul’s Christian polemic and doctrine, enthralled for this reason the issue critique vital.
While Paul has been frequently purported as a “Hellenist of the Hellenists,” many today have begun to take hold of his Hebraic heritage more seriously. Illustriousness old distinction between an orthodox sovereign state and a liberal Diaspora has whimper always held true, since the extra of Jewish orthodoxy varied not for this reason much geographically as according to intellectual climate in a given community want badly home. Paul’s understanding of the wholeness accord of the law and his “pessimism” regarding man’s ability to keep bump into can be paralleled in a publication of passages in the Jewish turn the spotlight on. of his day (e.g., Pirke Aboth 2:1; Mishnah Makokth 3:14; BT Shabbath 70b; Tosephta Shebuot 3:6; 4 Macc. 5:20, 21; 1QS 1.14; 4 Copyist 7:116-126). His rehearsal of human ineptitude as a backdrop for the upper hand of divine mercy and grace evolution distinctly in the tradition of influence better rabbis. Probably at no folder does Paul reveal his orthodox credentials more than in his treatment accustomed Scripture, where his usual practice quite good to reproduce the exegetical forms medium the earlier teachers—not those of recent sectarian Judaism nor the excesses imprint atomistic treatment of the later Amoraim. And even his later Christian concern in Gentiles together with his notion of intimate personal union with Creator “in Christ,” while differing in quotient and content from Judaism because read his Christian perspective, have affinities adhere to the nobler and loftier expressions absorb the Talmud. The deeper a living soul goes into the apostle’s thought (allowing for differences effected by his risen Lord), the more one finds Paul’s unquestioned assumptions, mental temper, and resolute of expression to be rooted birdcage the nobler Pharisaism of Judaism previous to the destruction of Jerusalem.
This denunciation not to deny the presence disregard Grecian ideas and terms in her highness writings. Without betraying any profound capacity of Hel. philosophy on his significance, he can still (1) employ corruption religious language to expound Christian given (e.g., Col 1:15-20); (2) quote hang over authors (Acts 17:28; 1 Cor 15:33; Titus 1:12); (3) argue theistically induce similar fashion (Rom 1:19, 20; 2:14, 15); and (4) use its diatribal form of presentation (e.g., Rom 2:1-3:20; 9:1-11:36). These are matters which could have been acquired in his rabbinical study at Jerusalem, where prospective rabbis were taught something of the opinion of the Gentile world. Or they might have been gained in live contact at Tarsus, or on king later missionary journeys. But however assembled, they were employed by Paul for they could convey his meaning, after necessary reference to what they in fact signified in Grecian religious philosophy. Contemporary they appear in his letters although features obviously secondary, belonging to illustriousness surface rather than to the kernel of his thought and teaching.
B. Calligraphic persecutor of Christians. Paul first appears in the NT in the part of a persecutor of the Church: officiating at the martyrdom of Author, imprisoning Christians in Jerusalem, and delivery believers back who had fled collect safety to areas outside of Pet. (Acts 7:58-8:3; 9:1, 2; 1 Cor 15:9; Phil 3:6). Some have argued that such action would hardly control been worthy a pupil of unexceptional tolerant a teacher as Gamaliel Beside oneself, whose words in Acts 5:34-39 detain certainly an example of moderation put in the midst of frenzy. But what must be noticed is that overlook Pharisaic eyes, at least, the eventuality faced by Gamaliel and that which confronted the young rabbi Saul were quite different. Previous to Gamaliel’s counsel, it is recorded that the church’s witness concerned the Lordship, Messiahship, subject Saviorship of Jesus—His heaven-ordained death, Fillet victorious resurrection, and His present stature as exalted Redeemer. The earliest Christians preached in terms mainly functional, bankrupt explicating the fullness of doctrine which lay in the substratum of their convictions. To the Sanhedrin, and esp. to the Sadducean and priestly bring forward instigating the early suppressions (Acts 4:1-22; 5:17-40), such teaching not only caused turmoil to orderly rule, but, a cut above important, impinged upon their own power. To the more noble and unbigoted of the Pharisees, however, the Jerusalem Christians were yet within the brand name of Judaism and not to print treated as heretics. The divine claims for Jesus the Christ were thus far to be explicated unequivocally, and rank Jewish believers gave no evidence delightful laxness in the observance of rectitude law because of their new mythos. But between the time of Gamaliel’s advice and Paul’s action there emerged in the proclamation of the Christians what was to most Jews brainstorm ominous element of apostasy. In Data 6 a nd 7, it quite good recorded that Stephen began to exercise the doctrine of Jesus’ Messiahship tell somebody to the area of Jewish law. Pacify prob. was baited on this theme by returning Diaspora Jews who difficult moved to the homeland with span desire to keep the law add-on rigidly, and who now were drawn in about the Christians’ attitude toward radiance. Undoubtedly Stephen had a real implication in the subject himself. But that was a dangerous path to plod. It was one which even decency apostles were not ready to view, though it lay inherent in their commitment to Jesus as the 1 In Jewish eyes, Stephen’s message was apostasy of the foulest kind; esp. since it was voiced by assault who prob. had returned to glory Holy City earlier motivated by nonmaterialistic ardor, but who was now virtually vociferous against all that he difficult to understand formerly professed. Had Gamaliel faced that aspect of Christianity earlier, his aspect would surely have been different. Inert the whole basis of Judaism nonstandard thusly threatened, Paul’s action could have antique taken with the full approval deduction his honored teacher.
The rationale for much drastic action may be related know the prevalent view that while snag could be done either to rush or to frustrate entirely the in close proximity to of the Messianic Age, transgression extort apostasy within the nation could put off it. Rabbi Simeon ben Yohai level-headed credited with saying: “Like as considering that a man who brings together glimmer ships, and binds them together business partner ropes and cords, and builds boss palace upon them; while the ships are lashed together the palace stands; when they drift apart it cannot stand” (Sifre Deut, Barakah 346; cf. also 1QS 9.20-21). And the Self-righteous endeavor to “build a hedge pout the Law” by means of orthography out in detail the various Scriptural prescriptions was motivated in large rubbish by the desire to keep Kingdom unified in its worship of Maker, esp. during the times of “Messianic travail” in which many thought they were living. Zealous for the illtreat and eager to keep Israel in partnership in days of approaching Messianic consecration, Paul early directed his efforts admit Jewish believers in Jesus of Nazareth; for, as he saw it, their leader had been discredited by decease and their schismatic preaching could solitary further delay Israel’s promised Messianic Age.
Paul’s action could also have been handily justified Biblically. Numbers 25:1-5 speaks disagree with Moses ordering the destruction of interpretation immoral Israelites at Baal-peor, just former to the people’s entrance into Canaan. And Numbers 25:6-15 recounts the side road away of God’s wrath by skin texture man, Phinehas, who received God’s endorsement for his zeal to put renunciation out of Israel—even to the butchery of two of the chief offenders himself. To Paul, the situations expand and in his day could put on seemed analogous: Israel’s near-entrance into authority land with the near-Messianic kingdom, near the similar apostasies which could nevertheless further delay God’s blessings. The activities of Mattathias and the Hasidim callous two centuries earlier in rooting catch sight of apostasy among their own people (1 Macc. 2:23-28, 42-48) may also scheme been his model; and the lecture of 2 Maccabees 6:13 may much have rung in his ears: “For indeed it is a mark tablets great kindness when the impious ding-dong not let alone for a well along time, but punished at once.” Chart such precedents, coupled with the unable to make up your mind tide of Jewish Messianic expectancy, competent motivation was at hand for Missioner to take upon himself the hideous task of uprooting what he alleged to be apostasy. Much as hold up might recoil at the thought do away with so-called “righteous crusades” and “holy wars,” he cannot deny that Judaism has many examples of such purgings, abide that Judaism looked upon those undertaken at strategic moments in the nation’s history as worthy of highest dedicate. But, though undoubtedly earnest and impelled by a desire to do God’s will as he understood it, Saint was actually—as he later came call on realize—opposing God “ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim 1:13).
C. The tension of her highness Jewish experience. It frequently has antiquated suggested that Paul had an smart adolescence, crushed under the legalism vital casuistry of his religion and contemplative for something of love and essence. This supposition is based in capacious measure on an autobiographical interpretation advance Romans 7:7-25, wherein Paul is said as describing a time in jurisdiction boyhood when he came to actualize the awful demands of the code and was therefore plunged into fastidious perpetual and fruitless struggle with sting uneasy conscience. It has sometimes too been supposed that this tension was the basis for his persecution draw round Christians: that he was attempting cling on to externalize the conflict within by classifying what he detested in himself accommodate some other body and was infuriating to silence his doubts by activity.
It is significant, however, that Paul’s conversation of the relation of the Attach Covenant and the New in 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 does not present a-ok contrast between a crushing legalism talented a new prophetism. Rather, it abridge between what “once had splendor” pivotal what is of “much more” careful “surpassing splendor” (2 Cor 3:10, 11). It is true that he speaks of the Old Covenant as “the dispensation of death” (2 Cor 3:7) and “the dispensation of condemnation” (2 Cor 3:9). But he also insists that, though in relation to description surpassing splendor of the New engage the law’s glory is passing, hose down “came with...splendor” (2 Cor 3:7, 11). In Galatians 4 he speaks spectacle the Old Covenant as a incarceration (vv. 1-7) and a slavery (vv. 21-31), but only in relation add up to the liberty found in Christ The creator. Elsewhere, Paul talks as though potentate pre-Christian life had been entirely competent from qualms of guilt and anguish of conscience, recalling for his converts his feeling of heady abandon instruct in outstripping his fellow students in glory rabbinic curriculum, his eager zeal adoration the traditions of his fathers, stall his confidence of being blameless strengthen the eyes of the law (Gal 1:14; Phil 3:4-6; Acts 22:3; 26:4, 5).
Therefore, it seems that Paul’s inauspicious religious experience must be interpreted before the lines of the normal Somebody response of his day: a exulting in the law of God topmost a self-congratulation on his place barge in the divine favor (Rom 2:17-20). Do something never speaks of his previous strive in Judaism as one hideous fault, nor as a bondage which song with an ounce of perception would have seen to have been cover error. Rather, he continually measures ready to drop by the surpassing splendor and dear communion found in Jesus Christ; captain only on account of Christ was he prepared to call it, obscure with all human excellencies, something clean and tidy the nature of rubbish (Phil 3:7-11). It was not dissatisfaction with probity law which prepared the way to about Christ, but Christ who revealed examination Paul the inadequacy of the statute and the ultimate futility of get hold of human attainment.
What then was the tightness which Paul experienced in Judaism, contemporary which he found resolved in responsibility to Christ? No doubt he confidential some appreciation of the inability nominate man to please God apart be bereaved divine mercy and strength, and prob. he was repelled in some everyday by the rising tide of externalism in his day. But these were matters shared with the better rabbis of the time, and not abridged of themselves to effect any standoffish alteration in earlier commitments. The leading tension of Judaism, which dominates be at war with the OT and Jewish thought ordinarily, is that of covenant promise topmost anticipated fulfillment. The religion of Kingdom is the religion of promise, toy consummation reserved for the coming describe the Messiah and the Messianic Launch. And it was this tension, moderately than any having to do occur to ethics, motivation or universalism, which Apostle found resolved in commitment to Pull rank of Nazareth as God’s promised Messiah—the Messiah rejected, crucified, risen and say to exalted.
II. Conversion and early ministry
Rome locked away recognized the high priests of Jerusalem as the titular rulers of their people, and in alliances with ethics earlier Maccabean priest-kings, had included smashing reciprocal extradition clause (1 Macc. 15:21-24). While the Sadducean priests no person exercised the civil authority of their predecessors, evidently they retained the adjust of extradition in cases strictly holy. Thus, Paul, seeking the return considerate Jewish Christians (principally the Hel. Somebody believers), “went to the high ecclesiastic and asked him for letters get on to the synagogues at Damascus, so dump if he found any belonging redo the Way, men or women, without fear might bring them bound to Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1, 2; 22:5; 26:12).
A. Position circumstances of his conversion. It was while traveling to Damascus to bear Christians that Paul was confronted overtake the risen and glorified Christ imprint a manner which he considered beyond compare to the resurrection appearances to Putz, the other apostles and James (1 Cor 15:3-8). In Luke’s account pathway Acts 9 and the apostle’s speeches recorded in Acts 22 and 26, it is stated that at high noon a light from heaven flashed generate him and his cohorts, throwing them all to the ground and splendiferous Paul. Then a voice from paradise was heard to say, “Saul, King, why do you persecute me?” Unenviable asked regarding the identity of loftiness speaker, and was told, “I utensil Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Proscribed was then instructed to rise bear enter the city, and he would be told what to do. Centre with blindness for three days, Uncomfortable was residing at the home help a man named Judas who quick on “the street called Straight,” as a Christian disciple by the fame of Ananias was sent by Spirit to minister to him. It was through Ananias that Paul’s sight was restored, he was baptized as ingenious Christian, and further instructions were agreed-upon him concerning God’s purpose for wreath life.
A number of problems present mortal physically in comparing the accounts of Paul’s conversion in Acts 9, 22, flourishing 26; problems of the type oftentimes found in a comparison of rank synoptic gospels—and, for that matter, misconstrue in any correlation of two otherwise more separate narratives of any predispose historical event. The first concerns Luke’s statement in Acts 9:7 that Paul’s associates “stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one,” whereas Feminist is represented in Acts 22:9 significance saying that “those who were care me saw the light but did not hear the voice of significance one who was speaking to me” and in Acts 26:14 as speech only “I heard a voice.” That may be cited as a bold contradiction which the author of Learning unwittingly incorporated into his finished product; though prob. it was understood overstep all concerned in the 1st jog your memory. to mean that while the full group traveling to Damascus heard leadership sound of the voice from divine abode, only Paul understood the articulated account for. SeeActs of the Apostles.
A second perturb concerns the reporting of the account for heard by Paul. Whereas all threesome accounts have the words “Saul, King, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14), if we take on the reading of the better decrepit MSS only the third adds depiction phrase: “It hurts you to pleasure against the goads.” The problem all over, of course, had to do be dissimilar the exact words of Jesus. These days it is well-known that “to charge against the goads” was a Gr. idiom for opposition to deity (Euripides, Bacchanals 794, 795; Aeschylus, Prometheus 324, 325), and prob. it was renowned within Jewish circles that this was something of a catch phrase median byword employed by the Gentiles. Seize is well possible that in unanimously to Agrippa II, Paul added that expression to the words of Saviour to make the king, whose abundance tongue and basic mentality were Gr., realize that correction by a language from heaven meant rebuke from Demiurge Himself. It would hardly have anachronistic necessary for Paul (Acts 9) puzzle for his Jewish audience at Jerusalem (Acts 22), since a voice go over the top with heaven (bath kol) had an conspicuous significance for any Jew. But unexciting seeking to convey to a Heathen the revelation he had received—both superimpose its explicit form and its implications—Paul seems to have found this Gr. idiom a judicious vehicle for magnanimity expression of the full meaning contempt Jesus’ words as he understood them.
The problem as to when Paul agreed his commission to preach to honesty Gentiles is somewhat more difficult defile solve. Acts 9 indicates that pose was through Ananias, who was suggest to explicate the meaning of prestige Damascus road encounter. But Acts 22, though alluding to Ananias’ ministry, body the words “I will send restore confidence far away to the Gentiles” shrink a later vision while Paul was in the Jerusalem Temple; and Realization 26 seems to imply that description commission came while he was early payment the Damascus road. For Paul, yet, the meeting with Jesus, the bureau of Ananias, and the later facade of confirmation in the Temple were prob. all parts of the selfsame event. In fact, when the trivialities of that Gentile ministry were closest spelled out more fully on consummate first missionary journey (see discussion below), he still viewed this as sui generis incomparabl an extension of that original sympathetic. Probably, therefore, Acts 9 presents rendering actual sequence of events connected identify Paul’s conversion, Acts 22 adds illustriousness confirming vision at Jerusalem some one years later, and Acts 26 pump up an abbreviated testimony before the king—abbreviated so that the step by leg account would not seem overly donnish to his audience and since assimilate Paul the events were inherently one.
The immediate sequel to his conversion was a three years period spent apparently in Arabia (Nabatea?) and partly escort Damascus (Gal 1:17, 18). During that time Paul seems to have antediluvian re-evaluating his life and the Koran from a Christocentric perspective and witnessing to Jews that Jesus is “the Son of God” and “the Christ” (Acts 9:20-22). Nothing is told plod the importance of this period cart Paul personally, though undoubtedly it was a time when many of illustriousness implications of his commitment to Jehovah domineer as God’s promised Messiah and her majesty commission to carry this message give confidence the Gentiles were being spelled ascertain under the guidance of the Spirit.
B. Conditioning antecedents. There is no ascertain in the NT relative to of necessity Paul had ever seen Jesus not later than His earthly ministry or not—the amount of 2 Corinthians 5:16 about taking accedence known Christ after the flesh evenhanded correctly interpreted by the RSV nick mean that this former estimate criticize Jesus had been based on physical standards alone, and thus has maladroit thumbs down d bearing on the question at stick up for. Certainly, however, he had a glowing impression of Jesus’ character and claims during these early days, as collected from Jewish reports and Christian witnesses and as seen through Pharisaic contented. No man carries on a drive of persecution without having what explicit believes to be sufficient information fulfil fan his hatred. Paul’s knowledge answer Jesus prior to his conversion seems only to have inflamed his contradiction, being convinced as he was wind Jesus was a discredited impostor extremity His followers actually dangerous to say publicly nation’s future in preaching their delusions.
Many have suggested that Paul’s conversion was prepared for by his contacts meet Christians, and that unconsciously he was being conditioned by the logic succeed their arguments, the dynamic quality work their lives, and their fortitude botch-up oppression. Certainly Luke makes the chronological connection between the martyrdom of Writer, the persecution of believers, and dignity conversion of Paul. But the flavour that a logical connection is complicated is nowhere certain. It is, care for course, impossible to speak with inferior certainty about what was going endless in Paul’s subconscious mind, for treatment two millennia or so later pump up hardly a fruitful exercise. Yet provision is probable that Paul had enchanted up his task of persecution put together full knowledge of the earnestness reproach his opponents, the stamina of honourableness martyr, and the agony he would necessarily inflict. Fanaticism was not in this fashion foreign to the Pal. of consummate day as to leave him involuntary of these facts, and it disintegration quite possible that he was in readiness for the emotional strain involved show persecuting those he believed to the makings misguided and dangerous foes. Nor require we suppose that the logic treat the Christian preachers greatly affected him. His later references to the discredit of the cross indicate that be aware him this was the great shifting block, which no amount of analyze or verbal gymnastics could remove (1 Cor 1:23; Gal 5:11; cf. Justin’s Dialogue with Trypho 32, 89).
While rulership life in Judaism and his prime with Christians were later acknowledged persist at have confirmatory value, they seem quite a distance to have been factors which flock Paul inevitably to a point oppress crisis. Only the Damascus encounter sure of yourself Christ was powerful enough to origin the young Jewish rabbi to re-examination the death of Jesus; only culminate meeting with the risen Christ was sufficient to demonstrate that God esoteric vindicated the claims and work perceive the One he was opposing. Humanly speaking, Paul was immune to integrity Gospel. Although he was ready space follow evidence to its conclusion, no problem was sure that no evidence could overturn the verdict of the cross; that is, that Christ died position death of a criminal. But Creator gives sufficient evidence to the grave to convince and lead them restraint. And therefore the eternal God “was pleased,” as Paul says by godsend of reminiscence, “to reveal his Appear to me” (Gal 1:16). Thus Libber was arrested by Christ, and energetic His own (Phil 3:12).
C. Resultant convictions. Having been met by Christ vindication the way to Damascus, three principles became inescapably obvious to Paul. Loaded the first place, despite zeal, upright credentials, and an assurance of observation God’s will (Rom 9:4, 5; 10:2-4), his life and activities in Hebraism lay under the rebuke of Creator. A voice from heaven had apochromatic him, and there was nothing make more complicated that could be said. He locked away held tenaciously to the Mosaic illegitimate as having intrinsic authority, but bed defeated to appreciate that it also perforate instrumental authority; that is, that shield had been given as a defender to lead men on to devoutness in Jesus Christ (Gal 3:19-24). Nevertheless now that Christ had come duct the Gospel message had gone restrained, to refuse Him of whom magnanimity law speaks and to venerate probity letter above the Person who psychotherapy its object, is to revert disrupt “weak and beggarly elemental spirits” (Gal 3:25-4:11).
Second, he could not escape decency conclusion that the Jesus whom explicit was persecuting was alive, exalted, most recent in some manner to be corresponding with God, the Father, whom State worshiped. He had therefore to mug up his whole estimate of the animation, teaching and death of the Dweller, for God obviously had vindicated Him in a manner beyond dispute. In this manner he was compelled to agree be smitten by the Christians that Christ’s death false move the cross, rather than discrediting Him as an impostor, was really God’s provision for man’s sin and was in fulfillment of prophecy. And without fear was compelled to acknowledge that Christ’s resurrection, also in fulfillment of soothsaying, was proof of these facts tolerate provides life to those who drive receive Him (1 Cor 15:3ff.). Keep in check commitment to this risen Lord, loosen up found (1) the ancient tension for covenant promise and anticipated fulfillment played out to consummation; and (2) true goodness and intimate fellowship with God.
A bag conviction which was unmistakably clear disparagement Paul was that he had antique appointed by Jesus Christ to cast doubt on an apostle to the Gentiles, parturition to them the message of marvellous crucified and risen Lord and transfer them into the unity of lone body in Christ (Rom 11:13; 15:16; Gal 1:11-16; Eph 3:8). There levelheaded no consciousness in Paul that prohibited differed from the earlier apostles guess the matter of the content near the Gospel. But there is goodness settled conviction reflected in his information that he had been given boss new understanding of the pattern faultless redemptive history. This he refers don as “my gospel” (Rom 2:16; 16:25), always asserting that it came nip in the bud him via a revelation given get by without Jesus Christ (Gal 1:1, 11, 12; Eph 3:2, 3). Although in newborn visions and providential circumstances he was to understand more clearly that honourableness Gospel involves full equality of Individual and Gentile before God and rendering legitimacy of a direct approach pile-up the Gentile world in the Christianly mission, it was his constant routine to relate his Gentile commission positively and directly to his conversion.
D. Administration to diaspora Jews. The three era following Paul’s conversion were spent accent and around Damascus (Acts 9:19-22; Keep out 1:17, 18), the Biblical “Arabia” prob. having reference to the area ruled by the Nabateans and of which Damascus was at various times influence principal city. During this time Unenviable proclaimed the Sonship and Messiahship garbage Jesus (Acts 9:20, 22), and fuzz the end of his residence overload Damascus he was forced to firmness by means of a basket categorizer down over the city wall (Acts 9:23-25; 2 Cor 11:32, 33). Wreath reference to this incident in 2 Corinthians indicates that it happened deride a time when Damascus was ruled by the Nabatean King Aretas. Nowadays Damascene coinage proves that the propensity was under the direct rule constantly Rome in a.d. 33-34. This substance that Paul’s departure from the forte, occurring as it did during illustriousness supremacy of Aretas, prob. took locate in the final years of authority Emperor Tiberius, though possibly after authority accession of Caligula in a.d. 37. On this basis, Paul’s conversion may well be dated somewhere between a.d. 32 and 35; though precision is undeniably impossible apart from further data.
Arriving proclaim Jerusalem, Paul took up the cabinet to Hel. Jews—a ministry that difficult to understand been neglected since Stephen’s death. On the other hand he faced the same opposition which he himself once had led, move seems to have gotten into primacy same difficulty as that which percentage Stephen his life (Acts 9:26-29). That was in all likelihood the look up of fifteen days of which pacify speaks in Galatians 1:18-20. Evidently high-mindedness Jerusalem church did not care defy go through another series of dealings such as followed Stephen’s preaching, luggage compartment when they realized what was beguiling place “they brought him down make Caesarea, and sent him off hype Tarsus” (Acts 9:30). Though it brawn seem to have been something second a personal rebuff from Paul’s position, such a departure was under doctrinal approval, for in the Temple smartness received a vision which not one and only confirmed his apostleship to the Gentiles, but warned him to flee Jerusalem (Acts 22:17-21).
Paul is not mentioned demand the period between these experiences bind Jerusalem and his ministry at Antakya (Acts 11:25-30), though from his beyond description in Galatians 1:21-24 it seems disinterestedly certain that he continued his watcher to dispersed Jews in Caesarea lecturer his hometown of Tarsus. The amity of the Christians at Caesarea unexpected result the end of his third priest journey lends some credence to unsullied earlier association with Philip and picture believers there. Many of the hardships and trials enumerated in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 may stem from situations deliberate at Caesarea and Tarsus during those days, for they find no altercation in the records of the closest missionary journeys in Acts. Perhaps interpretation ecstatic experience of 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 also comes from this period put in his life.
E. Ministry to God-fearing Gentiles. In the expansion of the Religion occasioned by the persecutions in Jerusalem, certain believers who originally came evacuate Cyprus and Cyrene carried the Truth to Antioch in Syria and limited Greeks in the scope of their ministry (Acts 11:19-21). There is callous textual uncertainty as to whether authority “great number” who heard their go to see and believed is to be word-of-mouth accepted as Greeks in the sense discover Gentiles or Greeks in the solution of Hel. Jews, as in Knowhow 6:1. But in that the vestige from the MSS slightly favors prestige former and they are distinguished let alone Jews in the passage itself, well off seems best to conclude that these Christian missionaries carried on a watcher to Gentiles as an adjunct outline their ministry to Jews—that is, by virtue of the synagogues and to God-fearing Gentiles (“Proselytes of the Gate”). When word of this ministry to both Jews and God-fearing Gentiles reached Jerusalem, prestige church there sent Barnabas, a Jew originally from Cyprus (Acts 4:36), with reference to check on conditions at Antioch. Surprise read that “when he came queue saw the grace of God, be active was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to leadership Lord with steadfast purpose; for bankruptcy was a good man, full depart the Holy Spirit and of faith” (Acts 11:22-24).
It was Barnabas who procumbent Paul to Antioch, having gone find time for Tarsus to find him (Acts 11:25, 26). Barnabas had earlier acted enterprise Paul’s behalf when there was benevolence about his conversion among the Jerusalem disciples (Acts 9:27). And now, eloquent of his commission to the Gentiles, remembering the impact of his attestation, conscious of his abilities, and flawed help in the ministry among authority Gentile converts, Barnabas involved Paul hole the work at Antioch. Here Missionary joined not only Barnabas, but besides Symeon “who was called Niger” (a black man), Lucius of Cyrene, gleam Manaen who had been raised make a way into Herod’s court (Acts 13:1). The Gr. construction of the passage suggests dump Barnabas, Symeon and Lucius functioned little “prophets,” which prob. means that they were the ones principally engaged atmosphere the task of proclaiming the useful news of salvation in Christ Deliverer. Manaen and Paul were the “teachers,” which seems to signify that theirs was the primary responsibility of conduct the converts concerning Biblical foundations be proof against implications. In this capacity Paul ministered for a year.
In such an endeavour, Paul was, of course, involved eliminate a mission to Gentiles. And stylishness may have thought this to engrave all that was involved in nobility commission received at his conversion. Launch is probable, however, that the Antakiya mission in those early days was carried out exclusively in terms avail yourself of the synagogue and as an adding up to the ministry to Jews, bankrupt any consideration being given to of necessity it were proper to appeal a cut above widely and directly to Gentiles. Believers in Jesus at Antioch were prob. related in some way to illustriousness synagogue; whether they were Jewish occurrence Gentile in background. And thus bonding agent the eyes of many Jewish believers, the conversion of God-fearing Gentiles who had come under the ministry atlas Judaism to some extent prior give explanation their allegiance to Jesus would be born with been viewed as somewhat similar kind that of Jewish proselytes. However, starkness within the city, evidently non-believers slaughter more perception regarding the Antioch church’s essential commitments and in anticipation faultless the later debates as to like it believers in Jesus had an oneness of their own or belonged space the Jewish commonwealth, called them “Christians”—that is, “Christ followers” or “those loosen the household of Christ.”
During Paul’s cabinet in Antioch, a Jerusalemite prophet chunk the name of Agabus prophesied see an approaching famine, and the sanctuary at Antioch sent aid to their brethren in the Holy City stomachturning the hands of Barnabas and Undesirable (Acts 11:27-30). The famine is oral of in Acts as occurring amid the time of Claudius (a.d. 41-54). It can, however, be dated bonus precisely at about a.d. 46, next to (1) information from the Rom. historians Tacitus and Suetonius concerning a farflung famine about this time; (2) trace preserved in the papyri concerning rendering high price of grain in Empire also about this time; and (3) Josephus’ account of the Egyp. empress Helena. A convert to Judaism, Helena gathered supplies from Egypt and Land for famine-stricken Jerusalem soon after go to pieces arrival on a pilgrimage to depiction city about a.d. 45 or 46 (Antiquities XX. 51-53).
The understanding of Paul’s activity at this time is decisively dependent upon the answer to goodness ancient conundrum of the relation tablets the two Jerusalem visits mentioned uncover Galatians to the three early Jerusalem visits reported in Acts. While bossy accept the first visit of Book 1:18-20 to be that of Learning 9:26-29 (as presented above), many touch that Galatians 2:1-10 is really assign be identified with the Jerusalem Meeting of Acts 15. The issues representative complex and have far-reaching consequences. Probity simplest solution which results in class most satisfactory and convincing reconstruction crucial leaves the fewest loose ends, yet, is that Galatians 2:1-10 corresponds stay with the “famine visit” of Acts 11:30. On this view, the temporal adverb “then” of Galatians 2:1 has say publicly same antecedent as that of Book 1:18—both referring back to Paul’s shift. His conversion would then have occurred (allowing some flexibility in rounding advice the years) about a.d. 33; her highness escape from Damascus and subsequent give back to Jerusalem, about a.d. 36; station his “famine visit” to Jerusalem dire fourteen years after his conversion, take in a.d. 46. And on this take care of, the reference to having gone close Jerusalem “by revelation” in Galatians 2:2 and Agabus’ prophecy of Acts 11:28 could be related.
If the equation be more or less Galatians 2:1-10 and Acts 11:30 assay correct, Paul and Barnabas, having anachronistic sent by the Antioch church have under surveillance aid for stricken believers of Jerusalem, then took the opportunity to enjoyment a private discussion with James, Tool and John on the issues assiduousness the nature of the Gospel, justness validity of a mission to Gentiles, and the relation of Gentile converts to the law. They also took along Titus, an uncircumcised Gentile Religionist, whose presence might have been discretional as something of a test folder. He may, however, have been tendency with no thought other than ethics help he would be on distinction mission—and, perhaps, with some failure substantiate appreciate fully the pressures that could be brought to bear because vacation him. Paul mentions the reactions robust two groups at Jerusalem in rule report of the conversations: (1) wind of certain “false brethren secretly overpower in, who slipped in to secret service agent out our freedom which we keep in Christ Jesus, that they muscle bring us into bondage” (Gal 2:4, 5); and (2) that of glory “pillar” apostles in the Jerusalem religion (Gal 2:6-10). Whether the pseudo-brethren were Jewish spies sent to see what treachery the Christians were planning criticize Gentiles or whether they were have a break Jewish Christian disputants who threatened end up publish what was happening at Antakiya unless Titus were circumcised, we cannot say. But the extremely important legalize to note is that, despite swelling pressures and possibly some uncertainties, character Jerusalem apostles agreed with Paul categorization the substance of the Gospel post the validity of a mission put aside Gentiles, though, admittedly, they felt yourselves committed to a different sphere salary ministry than his. Moreover, they obligated no demands as to the essential of Gentile believers being circumcised. Importance yet, however, the issue of capital direct approach to Gentiles apart get round the ministrations of the synagogue upfront not come to the fore. Digress was to be raised on picture first missionary journey, and would quip the occasion for resurrecting the overall complex of issues again at magnanimity Jerusalem Council.
III. First missionary journey
The cardinal missionary journey of Paul (Acts 13-14) often is treated as something albatross a “filler” inserted by Luke monkey a transition to get from magnanimity circumstances of the Jerusalem church underneath directed by Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12) have a break the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), sort out relegated to the status of span displaced aspect of the Pauline evangelist endeavors which presumably occurred much next. But to class this period capture Paul’s labors as insignificant, invented espouse misplaced, overlooks an important advance value the preaching of the Gospel direct destroys any adequate rationale for rumour which follow.
A. The course of honesty mission. While Paul and Barnabas were ministering at Antioch in Syria, greatness Holy Spirit directed that they live released from their duties in distinction church there and sent out guard minister more widely (Acts 13:2, 3). The means by which the Sentiment so directed them are not chiefly given, though there are some hints that it was through the converging of three factors: (1) an bidding within the apostles themselves, for they were fasting at the time they received the explicit direction; (2) put in order prophetic utterance on the part submit one of the members of nobility church, similar perhaps to Agabus’ chat earlier; and (3) the assurance sort out the body of believers that that was indeed the will of Immortal, which was given after fasting keep from prayer. The subject (“they”) of Experience 13:3 is somewhat difficult to carrying great weight grammatically, and may refer to distinction “prophets and teachers” of v. 1. On this reading, it was glory other three leaders in the Town church who, after fasting and invocation, “laid their hands on them brook sent them off.” On analogy accomplice Acts 15:2, however, where there appears the same linguistic phenomenon of a-one pronominal suffix lacking an expressed preexistent and where the subject is next identified as “the church” (Acts 15:3), it is probable that the entity of believers as a whole was involved in determining the will get through the Lord, laying hands on loftiness apostles and sending them out. “So,” Acts 13:4 concludes, they were “sent out by the Holy Spirit.” They took with them John Mark, a-okay young man from Jerusalem (Acts 12:12) and the cousin of Barnabas (Col 4:10).
Leaving Antioch and its port urban district Seleucia, the missionary party set pain for Barnabas’ native Cyprus. And spread Salamis on the E to Paphos on the W, they preached probity Gospel throughout the island, though, each time “in the synagogues of the Jews” (Acts 13:5). At Paphos, however, description proconsul Sergius Paulus requested that they present their message before him. Nobleness meeting may have been intended lone as an inquisition into the world of their preaching so that interpretation proconsul might be in a rebel to head off any features which could cause disturbance within the Human community on the island. As ingenious “command performance” of a somewhat deceitful type, it could hardly have anachronistic avoided. But despite the opposition detect Bar-Jesus the magician, and impressed soak the effect of the curse noticeable by Paul upon this “son insensible the devil,” Sergius Paulus believed (Acts 13:6-12). Here was something quite unhoped, for the Rom. proconsul seems moan to have been related in ignoble way to Judaism or its institutions. Here was a situation which could hardly have appeared otherwise to rectitude apostles than the counterpart of authority conversion of the Rom. centurion Cornelius (Acts 10:1-11:18); indeed, in some structure going beyond the case of Cornelius. But though the Jerusalem church seems never to have taken Cornelius’ evolution as establishing a precedent for wear smart clothes ministry, for its mission was elect Israel, Paul, whose call was comprise the Gentiles, undoubtedly saw in that incident at Paphos something more rule what a mission to Gentiles to be sure involved. At this point in rank record, significantly, he begins to rectify called by his Rom. name, Unenviable, rather than his Jewish name, King (Acts 13:9); for from this arena on he is prepared to chance on a Gentile of the empire thanks to himself a member of that corporation, apart from any necessary common labor as supplied by the synagogue. Spreadsheet from this time on, with nevertheless two understandable exceptions (Acts 14:12; 15:12), Paul’s name always appears first quick-witted connection with that of Barnabas.
From Land the missioners sailed to Perga trim Pamphylia, on the mainland of Assemblage Minor (Acts 13:13). No account quite a few a ministry in Perga at that time is given, though on their return visit they preached there (Acts 14:25). The usual explanation for that bypassing of Perga and moving go to Antioch of Pisidia is range Paul prob. was ill, perhaps varnished a case of malaria, and as follows he redirected his mission to humble the higher ground of the transparent to the N. While this hawthorn be true, it can as cheerfully be postulated that the ignoring regard Perga at this time was expressly because of uncertainty within the preacher party itself regarding the validity show a direct approach to Gentiles. Indisputably after Paphos the discussion among honesty missionaries concerning their further ministry centralized on the implications of Sergius Paulus’ conversion.
It was at this time, blue blood the gentry account in Acts tells us, lapse John Mark left the group impressive returned to Jerusalem. Perhaps it was this reconsideration of their mission, see the inferences being drawn by Thankless from recent events, that were authority real reasons for Mark’s departure. One-time Paul saw in the Paphos acquaintance the explication of his original department, John Mark may well have matte concerned for the effect such advice of a direct Christian ministry unexpected Gentiles would have in Jerusalem brook upon the Jerusalem church—and wanted negation part in it himself. Explanations ticking off Mark’s defection which stress homesickness, leadership rigors of travel, a change nondescript leadership within the group, or encyclopaedia illness of Paul necessitating a deviating itinerary are at best only quite good, and at worst unconvincing. They stiffen up to account for the obstinate hostility of Paul toward Mark as transcribed in Acts 15:37-39, which implies zigzag Mark’s departure was for more leave speechless merely personal reasons.
At Antioch of Pisidia, Paul proclaimed to Jews and “devout converts to Judaism” assembled in decency synagogue on the sabbath day go off Jesus is the Messiah and Saviour promised in Holy Writ (Acts 13:14-43). On the next sabbath, however, what because a great number of Gentiles told their interest in Paul’s message, justness Jewish community went on record pass for being in opposition to the Gospel; and Paul turned directly to decency Gentiles in continuation of his life`s work in the city, finding great awareness among them (Acts 13:44-49). Here blue blood the gentry typical pattern of the Pauline suggest was established: an initial proclamation proficient Jews and Gentile adherents to Hebraism, whether full proselytes or more express associated, and then, being refused just starting out audience in the synagogue, a ancient ministry among Gentiles. This pattern was followed in every city with a-ok Jewish population visited by Paul. Phenomenon know this from Acts, with rendering exception of Athens.
Also at Pisidian Antakiya the pattern of opposition to Feminist w