Bible Characters · Paul
Paul of Tarsus
10 minute readintermediate
A persecutor turned apostle whose letters shaped Christian thought more than any other writer's.
By the end of this lesson
Outline Paul's life and identify the central concerns of his theology.
Passages to read first
- Acts 9:1-22
- Philippians 3:4-14
- 2 Corinthians 11:23-30
- Galatians 1:11-24
Historical context
Paul was a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, trained under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, a Pharisee, and a Roman citizen — a combination that gave him access to synagogue, city and legal protection. His citizenship shapes several episodes in Acts, including his appeal to Caesar.
The lesson
Paul first appears approving Stephen's execution and then actively persecuting the church. On the road to Damascus he is confronted by the risen Jesus with a question that reframes everything: why are you persecuting me? Jesus identifies himself with his people.
After time in Arabia and Damascus, and a slow acceptance by the Jerusalem church aided by Barnabas, he undertakes journeys across Asia Minor and Greece, planting congregations in major cities and then writing to them. Acts closes with him under house arrest in Rome, still teaching.
2 Corinthians 11 lists the cost: imprisonments, floggings, a stoning, shipwrecks, hunger, danger and the daily pressure of concern for the churches. He also describes a thorn in the flesh that was not removed, and the answer he received: my grace is sufficient for you.
His central concerns recur. People are justified by faith in Christ, not by works of the law. Believers are united with Christ in his death and resurrection. Jew and Gentile form one body, which was scandalous and is the point of Ephesians 2. The Spirit forms character. And history ends in resurrection and renewal.
Philippians 3 gives his own summary: everything he once counted as gain, he now counts as loss.
People
Paul · Stephen · Ananias · Barnabas · Timothy · Silas
Places
Tarsus · Damascus · Antioch · Corinth · Ephesus · Rome
Reflection questions
- What does "why are you persecuting me?" reveal about Jesus and his people?
- What have you counted as gain that Paul would call loss?
- How do you respond when a thorn is not removed?
Put it into practice
Read Philippians 3:4-14 and write your own honest list of gains and losses.
Cross references
- Acts 22:1-21
- Romans 7:14-25
- 1 Timothy 1:12-17
- 2 Timothy 4:6-8
Key takeaway
Grace reached the church's worst enemy, and his letters still explain what grace means.
Knowledge check
2 questions. Nothing is graded against you — this is just to see what stuck.
1. What does Jesus ask Paul on the Damascus road?
2. What answer does Paul receive about his thorn?
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Scripture itself — not FaithTrainer — is the authority. These lessons are study aids meant to send you back to the text, your local church and, where you need it, pastoral guidance.
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