Paul's Ethnicity And Roman Citizenship
Paul's Ethnicity and Roman Citizenship
Paul, originally named Saul, was a Jew born in Tarsus, Cilicia, around the same time as Jesus Christ [2]. As a native of Tarsus, he was ethnically Jewish but held Roman citizenship. The New Testament records that Paul was born with Roman citizenship, as he stated, "But I am a Roman born" (Acts 22:28) [1].
The Roman citizenship was significant, as it provided Paul with certain rights and protections under Roman law. Roman citizens were exempt from certain forms of punishment, such as scourging, and had the right to appeal to the emperor [6]. Paul's citizenship was likely inherited from his father, who may have obtained it through military service or other means [8].
The value of Roman citizenship is evident in the reactions of Roman officials when they discovered that Paul was a citizen. In Philippi, the magistrates were alarmed to learn that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, and they came to release them personally (Acts 16:38-39) [3]. Similarly, when Paul was about to be tortured in Jerusalem, he claimed his Roman citizenship, causing the commander to be frightened at having nearly violated Roman law (Acts 22:25-29) [6].
The early Christian interpreters, such as John Chrysostom, noted that Paul's Roman citizenship was not just a matter of his birthplace, but also a tool he used to further his mission [4]. Chrysostom observed that Paul "does not decline availing himself of the aids afforded by the laws" when interacting with those outside the church [4].
The possession of Roman citizenship by Paul highlights the complex identity of early Christians, who could be both Jewish and Roman citizens. This dual identity is significant, as it reflects the multicultural and multijurisdictional context of the early Christian church [5].
The Roman citizenship also influenced Paul's experiences and treatment during his missionary journeys and imprisonments. As a Roman citizen, Paul was entitled to certain privileges, such as being allowed to live in his own lodging while under guard in Rome (Acts 28:16) [7]. This treatment underscores the significance of Roman citizenship in the ancient world and its impact on Paul's life and ministry.
Sources
- Acts “Acts 22:28 (ASV) — And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this citizenship. And Paul said, But I am a Roman born.”
- 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”
- Acts “Acts 16:38 (BSB) — So the officers relayed this message to the magistrates, who were alarmed to hear that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Homily XLVII. Acts XXI. 39, 40 “But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people. And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying.” Observe how, when he discourses to those that are without, he does not decline availing himself of the aids afforded by the laws. Here he awes the tribune by the name of his ”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Acts & Romans: Roman because a citizen of Tarsus. This however is not the point of St. Chrysostom’s remark. In the Catena and Œcumen. it will be seen, that in later times the extended use of the name “Roman” as applied to all subjects of the Roman Empire made a difficulty in the understanding of this passage. Thus Ammonius takes it that St. Paul was a “Roman,” because a native of Tarsus which was subject to the Romans (so Œc.): and that the Jews themselves for the like reason were Romans; but these scorned the appellation as a badge of servitude; Paul on the contra”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 22:25: 22:25-29 Paul claimed his status as a Roman citizen at this critical time when he was about to be tortured to make him confess his supposed crime. Roman citizenship was a valuable asset, and claiming it falsely was a capital offense. Its principal benefits were the prohibition of scourging and the right to appeal to the emperor (25:11). The commander was frightened at having nearly violated Roman law (cp. 16:35-39).”
- Acts (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Acts 28:16: 28:16 Paul was allowed to have his own . . . lodging, apparently in private facilities, though he was guarded by a soldier. Though Paul was traveling in chains, “the word of God cannot be chained” (2 Tim 2:9). Paul was possibly treated so well because of his social status or Roman citizenship (cp. Acts 16:37-38; 22:25-28).”
- Acts (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Acts 22:28: With a great sum obtained I this freedom - So it appears that the freedom, even of Rome, might be purchased, and that it was sold at a very high price. But I was free born - It has been generally believed that the inhabitants of Tarsus, born in that city, had the same rights and privileges as Roman citizens, in consequence of a charter or grant from Julius Caesar. Calmet disputes this, because Tarsus was a free not a colonial city; and he supposes that Paul's father might have been rewarded with the freedom of Rome for some military services, and that it was in conse”