Who was Saul of Tarsus?

John Baiamonte, Ph.D.

Grace Memorial Parishioner, Vestry Member, and Christian Education Leader

This week, I would like to examine the life and the major contributions of Saul of Tarsus to the development of Christianity.  Known originally as Saul of Tarsus, he was a Greek-speaking Jew from Tarsus (Turkey) and was born around 4 BCE. Saul lived as a devout Pharisee and made his living as a tentmaker.  As a Roman citizen from a wealthy family, he was educated in Jerusalem and studied under the famous Jewish rabbi Gamaliel. 

He mastered the Old Testament and Jewish history, and after graduation he continued his education by studying Jewish law.  Saul then became a member of the Sanhedrin, an elite group of 71 men who governed Israel.  

His pre-conversion actions as Saul were violent.  He persecuted Christians, arresting men and women and dragging them to prison.  Saul approved and watched the stoning death of Deacon Stephen, the first Christian martyr.  He actively sought out Christians, intending to bring them bound to Jerusalem for punishment and potentially death.  Chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles described Saul as “breathing out murderous threats.”  Saul earnestly tried to stop the growth of Christianity.  

The conversion (31-36 AD) of Saul was a pivotal event where the zealous persecutor of Christians experienced a divine encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.  His miraculous transformation can be found in Acts 9:1-9.  He was blinded by a brilliant light from heaven and heard the heavenly voice of Jesus asking, “Why do you persecute me?”  Saul was led into Damascus where Ananias, a disciple of Jesus, healed him and baptized him.  Upon his recovery Saul later changed his name to Paul, embraced Christianity, and dedicated his life to missionary work, becoming a prolific writer and the founder of churches.

By Bartolomé Esteban Murillo - [2], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17427199

Paul became the leading missionary to non-Jews.  He emphasized faith in Jesus over strict adherence to the Jewish law.  He revealed Jesus’ identification with the Gentiles.  Paul’s conversion is viewed as a supreme example of divine grace and proved that no one is beyond redemption.  
Following his conversion, Paul traveled tens of thousands of miles around the Mediterranean in three missionary journeys, established numerous churches and authored at least 7 of the13 books of the New Testament, known as the Epistles of Paul or the Letters of Paul.  They are important because they provide an insight into the beliefs and controversies of early Christianity.  The epistles are considered foundational texts for both Christian theology and ethics.

Most scholars believe that Paul actually wrote seven of the thirteen Pauline epistles:  Galatians, Roman, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Philemon, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians.  Three of the epistles that bear his name are generally seen as pseudepigraphic: 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus.  Whether Paul wrote three other epistles that bear his name (2 Thessalonians, Ephesians and Colossians) is hotly debated in academic circles.  The last six epistles are generally believed by scholars to have come from followers writing in his name, using material from his surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survived.  Finally, scholars generally don’t consider the Epistle to the Hebrews was written by Paul.

Many scholars argue that Paul suffered from some physical ailment such as vision loss or damaged hands.  Paul himself admitted in his writings that he used secretaries, which may explain the non-Pauline epistles.  Some scholars believe the disputed epistles were written in his name, using material from his surviving letters and letters written by him that no longer survive.

Paul was human and was in my opinion affected by the culture of his time and the fact that he was a devoted Pharisee.  Consequently, some of his writings were controversial.  His views on women were complex.  In 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12 he instructs women to “remain silent in the churches" and “not to teach.”  They were to “learn in silence with full submission.”  He often cited order or Jewish custom as context.  On the other hand, he commended female leaders like Deaconess Phoebe and co-workers Prisca and Junia.  Paul often affirmed the ministry of women despite the gender prejudices of his culture.  This topic is too complex and needs to be saved for another blog.  

He is often criticized for not condemning slavery in his letter to Philemon (16).  However, he does request Philemon to view his slave Onesimus as a brother in Christ which was a revolutionary idea that transcends legal status and challenges the idea of ownership within the culture.  Basically, what Paul was saying was that all believers in Christ are equal partners in God’s grace.  He wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus as he would welcome Paul himself Philemon (17).  Paul sowed the seeds for liberation by redefining the fundamental human status within the early church.

Paul was almost certainly the most important person in the history of early Christianity.  He was Christianity’s most influential missionary in spreading the teachings of Jesus.  Paul was called by God to use his brilliant intellect to expound on critical matters of Christian doctrine through his letters. He was totally committed to Christ and his teachings for which he was martyred by beheading in 64/65 AD by order of Emperor Nero.

This short blog cannot do justice to the importance of St. Paul.  It is offered to introduce you to the life and importance of the Apostle Paul.  If you are interested in his teachings, I recommend you read his epistles in the New Testament or read one of hundreds of books on his life and his contributions to Christianity.  I have four books on St. Paul in my library, and I would be glad to loan them to you.