Who’s the most important person in Christian history? Obviously Jesus. But who’s number two? Probably Paul. Why? Well, let’s find out together.
Quick Facts About Paul
Where’s His Story?
Paul’s story is told in the Book of Acts and in the many letters written by him that make up a large portion of the New Testament.
When Did He Live?
Paul lived in the first century AD, during the height of the Roman Empire. His life overlapped with the early church as it spread beyond Jerusalem and into Asia Minor, Greece, and eventually Rome.
Who Was He?
Paul was a Pharisee by training and a Roman citizen by birth, and he eventually became a key leader and missionary in the early church.
What Is He Known For?
He is known for his dramatic conversion after encountering the resurrected Jesus, his missionary journeys across the Roman world, and for writing letters to the early church.
Who Did He Know?
Paul knew many members of the early church—Barnabas, Peter, Timothy, Silas, and other Christians. His story begins with a direct encounter with the Lord Jesus, and his relationships with the Jerusalem church shaped much of his ministry.
What Books of the Bible Did Paul Write?
Paul is traditionally credited with writing thirteen books of the New Testament. These include Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon.
When Does Paul Show Up in the Bible?
Paul’s story begins in Acts 7, where he first appears as a young man named Saul. In this story, he’s mentioned in passing, standing by while Stephen, an early Christian, is martyred. Soon after, in Acts 9, he encounters the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, and everything about his life changes.
You can follow Paul’s story through the rest of Acts and in several letters throughout the New Testament. His life takes him across the Roman world, as he plants churches and writes letters that shape early Christianity.
Paul’s story happens after these Bible stories:
- The creation of the world and the fall in Genesis
- Moses leading God’s people out of Egypt
- David defeating Goliath and becoming king
- The ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus
- The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2)
Paul’s story happens before this Bible story:
- John’s vision of the end of the age in Revelation
Where Does Paul’s Story Take Place?
Paul’s story happened against the backdrop of the Roman Empire, which stretched across much of the known world. This empire brought diverse cultures together with roads, trade, and common languages.
But beneath that appearance of order, tension, violence, and struggle shaped daily life for both Jews and Gentiles (non-Jewish people).
Political Tension
Rome promised peace, but it came with a high cost. Life was good for the elite, but those on the margins faced high taxation, forced labor, and the fear of punishment from cruel leaders.
Being a Roman citizen gave Paul privileges that many others didn’t have, but it also placed him in an empire that demanded a high degree of loyalty.
In Paul’s day, there was no concept of a division between church and state. Declaring Jesus Lord wasn’t just spiritual; it was political. So Paul navigated a space where declaring allegiance to Jesus could get him in serious trouble.
Religious Complexity
Paul’s world was spiritually diverse.
Paul spread the message of Christ with several groups of people, but the two groups he spent most of his time engaging with came from one of two faith backgrounds:
- Those who grew up in the Roman Empire with little or no knowledge of Jewish faith practices.
- Those who grew up in communities that held on to Jewish laws and traditions tightly.
When Paul preached the message of Jesus Christ, he often entered synagogues (Jewish worship centers) first, speaking to Jews who shared his background.
Then he moved into marketplaces and homes, bringing the same message to Gentiles who’d never opened the Hebrew Scriptures.
Everyday Life
Religion shaped business, meals, family rhythms, and politics. To follow Jesus in that environment meant making choices that often stood out.
Paul knew this tension firsthand. He grew up in Tarsus, a city known for philosophy and trade. As a young man, he studied Jewish law in Jerusalem.
Later, his missionary journeys carried him through Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey), Greece, and finally Rome. Everywhere he went, the cultural landscape shaped how his message was heard and received.
Through Paul’s story, we glimpse the early church trying to find its footing in a world both hostile and open, both hungry and resistant.
Who Was Paul?
Paul’s Role
Paul is often referred to as an apostle, although he wasn’t one of the original twelve disciples.
Instead, he was chosen and sent by the risen Jesus to carry the Christian message across the Roman world. His role was unique: part missionary, part pastor, part writer, part theologian. And, on the side, he also made tents.
Through his letters, we see him teaching churches, correcting errors, offering encouragement, and constantly pointing people back to Jesus Christ.
Paul’s Bold Teaching
No one could accuse Paul of cowardice or indecision. Through his words and stories of his journeys, we witness a man with bold convictions.
Paul’s letters often sound fiery and urgent, and he could be confrontational when the truth of the gospel was at stake. But beneath that intensity was a pastor’s heart. He wrote with deep love for the communities he served, praying for their strength and grieving over their struggles.
His words resulted in him being threatened, beaten, exiled, arrested, and, according to church tradition, executed for his faith.
The source of Paul’s boldness wasn’t his personal opinions. Instead, it was a radical trust in Jesus’ power, grace, and love. This message offended people because it was so inclusive, kind, and forgiving. It empowered the powerless and gave a voice to people who were commonly ignored.
Paul’s Pastoral Heart
He celebrated the growth of the powerless, pleaded with them to stay faithful, and even singled out friends by name to encourage or correct them. His writings were filled with warmth, gratitude, and longing to see people live out their calling through Christ.
Unity Across Divides
Paul believed the message of Jesus could hold together people who had every reason to remain apart. In his letters, he called Jews and Gentiles, men and women, slaves and free, to see themselves as one body in Christ.
Paul spoke of the church not as a loose network of groups but as a new family created by God’s grace.
Paul spoke of the church not as a loose network of groups but as a new family created by God’s grace. That vision came at a cost.
It meant urging people to forgive, to welcome outsiders, and to let go of privileges they once relied on. Paul’s words pushed against prejudice, class structure, and pride. His passion for unity continues to challenge and inspire the church today.
Paul Struggled, Too
It’s easy to picture Paul as a perfect, endlessly confident Christian, but his writings tell another story.
He admitted to weakness, spoke openly about a “thorn in my flesh,” and confessed that he sometimes despaired under the weight of his mission.
He argued with fellow leaders, worried about the churches he planted, and faced rejection, imprisonment, and beatings. In other words, Paul’s life wasn’t perfect or polished.
What Did Paul Do in the Bible?
Paul’s story begins with him approving the execution of a Christian and ends with him being executed for his faith in Jesus.
He was a Pharisee who opposed the early Christian movement and who encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, where everything changed.
He went on three major missionary journeys, wrote letters to churches and individuals, and defended his faith before rulers.
Along the way, he experienced beatings, imprisonment, shipwreck, and rejection, yet he kept proclaiming Jesus Christ with boldness.
What Are the Famous Stories About Paul?
- Paul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-19)
On the road to Damascus, Saul gets knocked down, sees a bright light from heaven, and hears the voice of the risen Jesus. Blinded and shaken, he’s led into the city where Ananias prays for him. His sight is restored, and he begins his new life as a messenger of Christ. - Paul and Silas in Prison (Acts 16:16-40)
After being beaten and jailed in Philippi, Paul and Silas sing hymns in the night. An earthquake opens the prison doors, and instead of escaping, they stay and share the message of Jesus with the jailer, who comes to faith along with his household. - Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-34)
In the heart of Greek culture, Paul preaches about the “unknown god” and points the philosophers of Athens to the Creator who raised Jesus from the dead. His speech at the Areopagus shows his ability to connect the Christian message with people from different backgrounds. - Paul’s Shipwreck (Acts 27:1-44)
While being taken to Rome as a prisoner, Paul warns the sailors of danger. A violent storm destroys the ship, but everyone survives. Paul’s steady faith in the middle of chaos points to God’s protection and presence. - Paul Before Rulers (Acts 24–26)
Paul defends his faith before governors, kings, and officials. Though facing torture, imprisonment, and potential execution, he boldly proclaims Jesus Christ.
Why Does Paul’s Story Matter?
Paul didn’t exactly begin as a likely candidate for leadership in the early church, yet God called him and equipped him to carry the message of Jesus across the Roman world.
Throughout his life, we see that following Jesus is not about perfection. Paul struggled, he suffered, and he wrestled with weakness. Still, he discovered the power of God’s grace.
What Lessons Does Paul’s Story Teach Us?
God’s Grace Can Transform a Life
Paul went from opposing the followers of Jesus to proclaiming Him as Lord. His story shows that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Faithfulness Matters More Than Comfort
Paul’s life was hard, but he never stopped sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. His perseverance challenges us to trust God even when life is difficult.
Unity Is Part of the Gospel
Paul’s vision of the church brought people of differing faiths, economic backgrounds, social classes, and genders together as one body in Christ. His letters remind us that God’s family is meant to cross every dividing line.
Spiritual Growth Takes Honesty
Paul admitted his weaknesses and struggles. By doing so, he showed us that strength is found, not in pretending we have it all together, but in relying on God’s power.
Reflect or Discuss
- Where in your life do you need the kind of perseverance Paul modeled?
- How has God provided for you in surprising ways, like He did for Paul?
- What part of Paul’s story reminds you that God is at work in your own life right now?