Paul: Difference between revisions

{{성경인물

|title=Paul

|Period=A.D. 30–64

==Life of Paul==

===Childhood===

Paul was born in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia in southern Asia Minor. Raised by devout Jewish parents, he was [[Circumcision|circumcised]] on the eighth day, following Jewish tradition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3%3A5&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:5 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> The Bible provides limited information about Paul’s family, though relatives such as Andronicus, Junia, and Lucius are mentioned as fellow saints and fellow workers in the spread of the gospel.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2016%3A7%2C%2011%2C%2021&version=NIV |title=Romans 16:7, 11, 21 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> From a young age, Paul studied under the renowned teacher Gamaliel,<ref>[https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gamaliel-I Gamaliel I], ''Britannica''</ref> gaining a deep understanding of Jewish [[Law of Moses|law]]. It is also believed that he learned the craft of tent-making, a skill that later allowed him to support himself during his apostolic ministry.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2018%3A1-3&version=NIV Acts 18:1-3]</ref><ref name=":3">[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A33-35&version=NIV Acts 20:33-35]</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2012%3A13-15&version=NIV 2 Corinthians 12:13-15].</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%204%3A10-12&version=NIV 1 Thessalonians 4:10-12]</ref>  

===Young Adulthood: Persecuting Early Church===

Paul belonged to the [[The Pharisees|Pharisees]], one of the three major sects of Judaism, alongside the [[Sadducees]] and the [https://www.britannica.com/topic/Essene Essenes]. The Pharisees were distinguished by their strict observance of the Law, often incorporating additional customs and traditions not found in the Scripture.<ref>[https://www.christianity.com/jesus/birth-of-jesus/genealogy-and-jewish-heritage/how-were-the-pharisees-legalistic.html Who Were the Pharisees in the Bible?], ''Christianity.com'', August 21, 2023</ref> Deeply committed to this legalistic faith, Paul regarded the Church of God as a [[Heresy|heretical]] movement that violated the Law and was, therefore, an ''object of hostility''. As a rising leader within Judaism,<ref>[https://books.google.co.kr/books?id=DdTrCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82+apostle+paul+age&source=bl&ots=Sca1NyEwoN&sig=ACfU3U3VDLjUr40cKffj0r-Ydg4kaYASxg&hl=ko&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi65t-Shf2FAxUdh1YBHeRkDl8Q6AF6BAgvEAM#v=onepage&q=%CE%BD%CE%B5%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%20apostle%20paul%20age&f=false When Paul Met Jesus: How an Idea Got Lost in History], Stanley E. Porter, Cambridge University Press, 2016, pg. 18-21 </ref> he played a key role in persecuting the church.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%201%3A13&version=NIV |title=Galatians 1:13 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref><ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2022%3A4-5&version=NIV Acts 22:4-5]</ref> Paul was involved in the execution of Stephen, witnessing his death.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207%3A58-59%2C%208%3A1-2&version=NIV Acts 7:58-59, 8:1-2]</ref> Biblical passages, such as “Saul began to destroy the church”<ref name=":2" /> and “still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples,”<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209%3A1&version=NIV Acts 9:1]</ref> reflect his aggressiveness during this period.

===Conversion in Damascus<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%209&version=NIV Acts 9]</ref>===

Paul played a leading role in the arrest of the early Church saints in [[Jerusalem]], handing them over to prison. While traveling to Damascus to extend these arrests to [[Christian|Christians]] in other regions, he was suddenly surrounded by a light from heaven. A voice then spoke to him.  

  “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”  

[[file:Paul the Apostle, first missionary journey.svg |300px |바울의 1차 전도 여행 행로]]

*'''Experienced a Life-Threatening Crisis in Lystra<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2014%3A8-21&version=NIV Acts 14:8-21].</ref>'''

In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth, enabling him to walk through the power of the Holy Spirit. The local people, astonished by the miracle, exclaimed, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Mistaking Barnabas for ''Zeus'' and Paul for ''Hermes'', they attempted to offer sacrifices to them, In response, Paul and Barnabas tore their clothes and shouted, “We too are only men, human like you,” proclaiming the power of [[God]]. Shortly thereafter, Jews from other regions, who had been pursuing Paul, arrived and incited the crowd against him. The crowd stoned Paul. They then dragged him out of the city, believing him to be dead. However, Paul miraculously survived and continued his gospel ministry. The following day, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Derbe, where they made many disciples.

* '''Debating With the Philosophers<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2017%3A16-34&version=NIV Acts 17:16-34]</ref>'''

When Paul arrived in Athens, he was distressed by the city’s proliferation of [[Idol|idols]], including an altar inscribed “TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.” He discussed in the [[synagogue]] with Jews and other residents, including a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. Paul proclaimed the existence of God, who created all nations from one man. Consequently, many individuals, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, accepted the gospel.

*'''Uproar of the Worshipers of the Goddess Artemis'''

The word of God spread widely, reaching both Jews and Greeks throughout Asia. In Ephesus, Paul taught the gospel daily at the synagogue of Tyrannus. During this period, a silversmith who made and sold [https://biblehub.com/acts/19-24.htm silver shrines] of the goddess Artemis became hostile toward Paul, inciting the local merchants and causing a public uproar. They captured Paul’s fellow workers and filled the city with chants in praise of Artemis.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2019%3A21-41&version=NIV Acts 19:21-41].</ref> Once the unrest settled, Paul encouraged the believers and departed for Macedonia.<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A1&version=NIV Acts 20:1]</ref>

*'''Journey to Jerusalem Ready to Face Death'''<br>

===Arrested in Jerusalem<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2021%3A27-22%3A29&version=NIV Acts 21:27-22:29].</ref>===

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and reported his missionary activities to the saints, who glorified God upon hearing his account. A few days later, Jews from Asia arrived and incited the crowd, accusing Paul of desecrating the Law and the [[Temple]]. This led to a violent uproar, with the crowd attempting to kill Paul. The Roman commander, accompanied by soldiers, intervened and restored order. He then bound Paul with chains. Paul addressed a large assembly of Jews, recounting his conversion from Judaism to Christianity and preaching about Jesus Christ. As the crowd grew increasingly hostile and sought to kill Paul, the commander took him into the barracks for protection.

Upon his arrival in Rome, Paul was placed under house arrest and guarded by soldiers. Despite this confinement, his commitment to evangelism remained strong. Paul called together the Jewish leaders in Rome and outlined the reasons for his presence there. Interested in his teachings, the Jewish leaders arranged to meet with Paul at his residence. Paul spent the entire day from morning until evening discussing Christ and the Scriptures. Over approximately two years, Paul continued to teach all who visited him about the [[Heaven|kingdom of God]] and [[Christ]].<ref>[https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2028%3A16-31&version=NIV Acts 28:16-31].</ref> During this period, he also composed four letters—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—to support and encourage the saints and churches.<ref>[https://www.christianity.com/wiki/bible/what-are-the-prison-epistles.html What Are the Prison Epistles?], Christianity.com, December 17, 2019</ref> These letters were carried by Paul’s co-workers and delivered to individuals or churches.  

===Last Work===

The Pastoral Epistles, comprising the books of 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus, document activities of Paul which were not detailed in the book of Acts. These writings indicate that Paul may have continued his evangelistic work for several years after his release from Roman imprisonment. There is also a tradition that Paul traveled to Spain to further spread the gospel.<ref>[https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/lightfoot_jb/misc/post_acts.cfm St. Paul’s History after the Close of Acts], ''Blue Letter Bible''</ref> The early Church tradition holds that Paul was martyred in Rome, with his death likely linked to the AD 64 persecution under Emperor Nero, who blamed Christians for the Great Fire of Rome and executed approximately 300 Christians.<ref>[https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/neros-rome-burns Nero’s Rome burns], ''History.com''</ref><ref>[https://lineagejourney.com/read/paul-arrest-and-trial-in-rome/ PAUL: ARREST AND TRIAL IN ROME], ''Lineage Journey''</ref>

==Lesson==

===Devotion to Preaching the Gospel===

In short, Paul dedicated his life to preaching, even though his high education and influence could have afforded him a comfortable life. After accepting Jesus Christ, he considered worldly pursuits to be worthless<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians%203%3A8%E2%80%939&version=NIV |title=Philippians 3:8–9 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> and focused solely on spreading the gospel. He supported his missionary journeys through relentless labor<ref name=":3" /> and fully committed himself to his evangelistic mission.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2020%3A23%E2%80%9324&version=NIV |title=Acts 20:23–24 |publisher= |quote= }}</ref> As his death approached, Paul took pride in having lived a life of great value and purpose, free from regret.