Paul – An Outline of his Life

Paul writes the letter of Romans to explain that salvation is offered through the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is one of 13 letters attributed to Paul in the New Testament.

Paul the Pharisee

Born a Jew

Descended from tribe of Benjamin

Educated as a Pharisee

Spoke and wrote in Greek

Roman Citizen

Influenced by Hellenism

Zeal for the persecution of Christian communities

Romans 11:1; Acts 22:3; Acts 23:6

Paul the Apostle

Strong identification with Christ after meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus

Used term Apostolos to show Christ appointed him

Remained a Jew- now with an enlightenment of knowing Jesus and being under God’s call

Claim to be Apostle met with contention

Lived to expand the Good News of Christ so others may know of God’s free grace

Acts 9, 1 Cor. 11

Paul the Theologian

Theology shaped by education as Pharisee

Emphasises living under Lordship of Christ

God offers his free gift of salvation- to receive this, one must turn from sin and accept Jesus as God’s son whom was raised from the dead

Responses to accepting Jesus as Messiah include baptism and renouncing idols

Theology was an emerging perspective, rather than fixed and unchangeable

Galatians 1:1-11, 2 Peter 3:15, Acts 17

Paul the Author

Paul moved westward in his mission attempts

Wrote to individuals and churches to encourage them and teach them in the ways of living for Christ

Scholars believe of the 13 letters attested to Paul, 7 are genuine- Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Philippians, 1 Thess, and Philemon.

Paul used a secretary for some letters, wrote with his own hand for others.

Used collaborators- Silas (Silvanus), Sosthenes, and Timothy

Romans 16:32, 2 Thess 3:17, I Cor 16:21, Philemon 1:1

Bibliography

Castelli, Elizabeth A., Imitating Paul: A Discourse of Power (Louiseville: John Knox Press, 1991).

Elwell, Walter, “Apostle” in Bakers Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1996).

Longenecker, Bruce W., ed., Narrative Dynamics in Paul: A Critical Assessment (London: John Knox Press, 2002).

Luedmann, Gerd, Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles: Studies in Chronology (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1980).

Murphy-O’Connor, Jerome, Paul the Letter-Writer: His World, His Options, His Skills (Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 1966).

Roetzel, Calvin J., “Paul, the Apostle”, in The New Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible, Vol 4, ed., Katharine Sakenfeld (Grand Rapids: Abingdon Press, 2009) 405-420

Schnelle, Udo, Apostle Paul: His Life and Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003).

Stott, John, The Message of Romans (Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994).

Tobin, Thomas H., The Spirituality of Paul (Delaware: Michael Glazier Inc., 1987).

W.C van Unnik, “Tarsus or Jerusalem: The City of Paul’s Youth”, in Sparsa Collecta (Leiden: Brill, 1973).

Von Loewenich, Walther, Paul: His Life and Work (London: Oliver and Boyd Ltd., 1960).

Watson, Francis, Paul, Judaism and the Gentiles: Beyond the New Perspective (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007).

Wenham, David, Paul: Follower of Jesus or Founder of Christianity? (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995).