Multiple Figures Named Paul in the Bible
The New Testament primarily features one prominent figure named Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, though the name itself was not uncommon [3, 4]. This Paul was originally known by his Hebrew name, Saul, and was born in Tarsus, Cilicia [4, 5]. He was a "bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God" (Romans 1:1 NASB) [2].
The name "Paul" means "small" or "little" [1, 4]. It was common for Jews in the Roman world to have both a Hebrew name and a Roman name [8]. Saul adopted the name Paul, or was known by it, particularly in his ministry to the Gentiles [5, 8]. John Gill notes that while his parents named him Saul as a Jew, the name Paul was likely used among Gentiles, reflecting a common practice for Jews living outside Judea [8].
The transition from "Saul" to "Paul" is noted in the book of Acts. For instance, Acts 13:9 states, "Then Saul (who also is called Paul)..." [8]. This change is often associated with his encounter with Sergius Paulus, the proconsul of Cyprus, during his first missionary journey [10]. Some scholars suggest that he began using his Roman name more consistently after this point [8].
While the Apostle Paul is the most significant biblical figure bearing this name, the New Testament also mentions other individuals who were given names that sound similar or are related. For example, Sergius Paulus was a Roman proconsul who encountered Paul and Barnabas [10]. The name "Publius" (meaning "common") also appears in the Bible, referring to the chief official of Malta who hosted Paul after a shipwreck [6]. Additionally, "Pul" (meaning "bean" or "destruction") is mentioned as a king of Assyria in the Old Testament [7]. However, these are distinct individuals and not to be confused with the Apostle Paul.
The Apostle Paul's identity as a servant of God was a significant aspect of his self-understanding and ministry [11]. Early church fathers like John Chrysostom highlighted Paul's practice of always including his name in his epistles, contrasting it with other biblical authors who did not [9]. This emphasized his personal authority and responsibility in his apostolic calling [9].
Sources
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Paul — small; little”
- Romans “Romans 1:1 (NASB) — Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,”
- STEPBible TIPNR “Biblical proper name: [email protected]=G3972G — Apostle living at the time of the New Testament (refs: #An apostle living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Act.7.58; <br>referred to as)”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Paul — (small, little). Nearly all the original materials for the life St. Paul are contained in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. and A.D. 5.) Up to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles, the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his fathe”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Paul — =Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as "Saul" would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native of Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, a Roman province in the south-east of Asia Minor. That city stood on the banks of the river Cydnus, which was navigable thus far; hence it became a centre of extensive commercial traffic with many countries along the shores of the Mediterranean, as well as with the countries of central Asia Min”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Publius — common”
- Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Pul — bean; destruction”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 13:9: Then Saul (who also is called Paul),.... He was called by both these names; as he was a Jew by birth, his parents called him Saul, that was his Jewish name, and by which he went among the Jews; and as he was a citizen of a Roman city, Tarsus in Cilicia, he went among the Romans, or Gentiles, by the name of Paul, a Roman name; and it was usual with the Jews to be called after this manner, that is, to have one name among themselves, and another among the Gentiles: it is a rule with them (n), that "the Israelites out of the land, their names are as the names of the Genti”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Homily I. Rom. I. 1, 2 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle, separated unto the Gospel of God, (which He promised afore by His prophets in the Holy Scriptures.)” Moses having written five books, has nowhere put his own name to them, neither have they who after him put together the history of events after him, no nor yet has Matthew, nor John, nor Mark, nor Luke; but the blessed Paul everywhere in his Epistles sets 1189 1189 In every one of his Epistles prefixes (Savile). his own name. Now why was this? Because they were writing t”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.” ( v. 6–8 .) Again a Jew sorcerer, as was Simon. And observe this man, how, while they preached to the others, he did not take it much amiss, but only when they approached the proconsul. And then in respect of the proconsul the wonder is”
- Titus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Titus 1:1: Paul, a servant of God,.... So James styles himself, Jam 1:1 and others of the apostles, as Peter and Jude, call themselves the servants of Jesus Christ; and as does the Apostle Paul also; and both seem to be esteemed by them as high characters and titles of honour, by which they chose to be described and known. Paul, before his conversion, was a servant of sin, of divers lusts and pleasures, and which he owns in this epistle, Tit 3:3 but being called by grace, he became free from the vassalage of sin, and became a servant of God, and of righteousness; and henceforward,”