What can we learn from Paul?

No one is too far gone for God’s grace: the worst persecutor became the greatest missionary (1 Tim 1:15; 1 Cor 15:10). Salvation comes by grace, through faith, not by works: this is the heart of Paul’s gospel (Eph 2:8-9). God’s power is made perfect in weakness; suffering does not stop the gospel, it advances it (2 Cor 12:9; Phil 1:13). Run the race to the end, faithful to the mission, with eyes fixed on the prize (Phil 3:14; 2 Tim 4:7).

1st century AD · converted around AD 34, martyred in Rome around AD 67 according to tradition

Paul in the Bible

The Apostle to the Gentiles. Name meaning: Paulus, a Roman name meaning “small”; his Jewish name is Saul (like the first king of Israel, of the same tribe of Benjamin), “asked for”

Saul of Tarsus, a zealous Pharisee who persecuted the church, is turned around by the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. Having become Paul, “the apostle to the Gentiles,” he founds churches in Asia Minor, Macedonia, and Greece over the course of three great journeys, then bears witness in chains all the way to Rome. His thirteen letters set out the gospel of grace: salvation by faith in Christ alone.

Main books: Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon

Key moments

He approves of the stoning of Stephen Acts 8:1
Jesus appears to him on the road to Damascus Acts 9:3–5
Set apart with Barnabas by the Holy Spirit Acts 13:2
Vision: “Come over into Macedonia, and help us” Acts 16:9
Paul and Silas sing in the prison at Philippi Acts 16:25–26
Speech on the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:22–23
“I appeal unto Caesar” Acts 25:11
Shipwreck, then arrival in Rome Acts 28:16

Strengths

Zeal
Perseverance
Love for the churches
Doctrinal depth
Humility before grace

Weaknesses

Before his conversion, Paul was “a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious” (1 Tim 1:13), and he called himself “the least of the apostles” because he had persecuted the church (1 Cor 15:9). As an apostle, he had so sharp a disagreement with Barnabas over Mark that they parted ways (Acts 15:39); he also knew the weakness of a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Cor 12:7).

Lessons for today

No one is too far gone for God’s grace: the worst persecutor became the greatest missionary (1 Tim 1:15; 1 Cor 15:10).
Salvation comes by grace, through faith, not by works: this is the heart of Paul’s gospel (Eph 2:8-9).
God’s power is made perfect in weakness; suffering does not stop the gospel, it advances it (2 Cor 12:9; Phil 1:13).
Run the race to the end, faithful to the mission, with eyes fixed on the prize (Phil 3:14; 2 Tim 4:7).

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

People around Paul

Barnabas — The one who introduced him to the apostles, companion on the first journey
Silas — Companion on the second journey
Timothy — His “child” in the faith and co-worker
Priscilla and Aquila — Tentmakers like him, and co-workers
Stephen — The martyr whose death he approved
Luke — The beloved physician, travel companion

Stories with Paul

Quiz: how well do you know Paul?

In which city was Paul born?

On which road does the risen Jesus appear to Saul?

On which island is Paul shipwrecked on his way to Rome?

There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.