Wednesday in the Word

what the Bible means and how we know

Paul

Who was Paul?

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Who was Paul? | WednesdayintheWord.com

Who is Paul in the New Testament?

Paul (Hebrew name: Saul) was an apostle of Jesus Christ and the author of most of the New Testament.

His Roman name is Paul and his Jewish name was Saul. When we first meet him in Scripture, he is referred to as Saul. Acts 13:9 describes the apostle as “Saul, who was also called Paul.”  From then on, Saul is referred to as Paul.

Paul was a Jew born in Tarsus in the Roman province of Cilicia (Acts 22:3).

Paul was a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28).

We know nothing of his parents, but Paul’s sister and his sister’s son (Acts 23:16) are mentioned in Scripture.

He was from the tribe of Benjamin and trained as a Pharisee in Jerusalem under the ranking rabbi of the time Gamaliel (Phil 3:4-6; Acts 22:3).

Like all young Jewish men, he learned a trade: tent-making (Acts 18:3), a trade which was common in Tarsus.

With the support of the Sanhedrin, Paul persecuted Christians, imprisoning men and women alike (Acts 8:3; Acts 9:1-2; Acts 26:10-11; Galatians 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:13).

Paul was present at the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58).

As Paul traveled from Jerusalem to Damascus to hunt down Jewish Christians (Acts 8:1-3), he met the risen Lord and converted to Christianity (Acts 9).

At Paul’s conversion, Jesus told Paul that Paul would be his messenger to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Acts 26:15-18; Galatians 1:11-16).

After his conversion Paul spent some time in Arabia, probably being taught by the Risen Lord Jesus (Gal 1:15-21).

Eventually Barnabas brought Paul to Antioch (Acts 11:19-29) to help with the newly formed church there.

Paul made three missionary journeys in which in converted many Gentiles and started many churches.

Paul was imprisoned twice in Rome. The first time he was released (approximately 63 AD). The second ended with his execution (approximately 66 AD).

Chronology of Paul

Paul’s Missionary Journeys (Map & Chart)

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Paul in Scripture

Act 13:9; Act 13:13; Act 13:16; Act 13:43; Act 13:45; Act 13:46; Act 13:50; Act 14:9; Act 14:11; Act 14:12; Act 14:14; Act 14:19; Act 15:2; Act 15:12; Act 15:22; Act 15:25; Act 15:35; Act 15:36; Act 15:38; Act 15:40; Act 16:1; Act 16:3; Act 16:9; Act 16:10; Act 16:14; Act 16:17; Act 16:18; Act 16:19; Act 16:25; Act 16:28; Act 16:29; Act 16:36; Act 16:37; Act 17:2; Act 17:4; Act 17:10; Act 17:13; Act 17:14; Act 17:15; Act 17:16; Act 17:22; Act 17:33; Act 18:1; Act 18:5; Act 18:8; Act 18:9; Act 18:12; Act 18:14; Act 18:18; Act 19:1; Act 19:4; Act 19:6; Act 19:11; Act 19:13; Act 19:15; Act 19:21; Act 19:26; Act 19:29; Act 19:30; Act 20:1; Act 20:7; Act 20:9; Act 20:10; Act 20:11; Act 20:13; Act 20:16; Act 20:37; Act 21:4; Act 21:11; Act 21:13; Act 21:18; Act 21:26; Act 21:29; Act 21:30; Act 21:32; Act 21:37; Act 21:39; Act 21:40; Act 22:25; Act 22:28; Act 22:29; Act 22:30; Act 23:1; Act 23:3; Act 23:5; Act 23:6; Act 23:10; Act 23:12; Act 23:14; Act 23:16; Act 23:17; Act 23:18; Act 23:20; Act 23:24; Act 23:31; Act 23:33; Act 24:1; Act 24:10; Act 24:24; Act 24:26; Act 24:27; Act 25:2; Act 25:3; Act 25:4; Act 25:6; Act 25:8; Act 25:9; Act 25:10; Act 25:14; Act 25:19; Act 25:21; Act 25:23; Act 26:1; Act 26:24; Act 26:25; Act 26:28; Act 26:29; Act 27:1; Act 27:3; Act 27:9; Act 27:11; Act 27:21; Act 27:24; Act 27:31; Act 27:33; Act 27:43; Act 28:3; Act 28:8; Act 28:15; Act 28:16; Act 28:25; Rom 1:1; 1Co 1:1; 1Co 1:12; 1Co 1:13; 1Co 3:4; 1Co 3:5; 1Co 3:22; 1Co 16:21; 2Co 1:1; 2Co 10:1; Gal 1:1; Gal 5:2; Eph 1:1; Eph 3:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:1; Col 1:23; Col 4:18; 1Th 1:1; 1Th 2:18; 2Th 1:1; 2Th 3:17; 1Ti 1:1; 2Ti 1:1; Tit 1:1; Phm 1:1; Phm 1:9; Phm 1:19; 2Pe 3:15.

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3 Accounts of Paul’s conversion

  • Acts 9:1-18 – as it occurred
  • Acts 22:6-16 – reviewed before the mob at Jerusalem
  • Acts 26:12-19 – reviewed before King Agrippa
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Paul’s recorded sermons

  • Acts 13:16-41 – First recorded sermon at Antioch in Pisidia
  • Acts 17:22-34 – Sermon at Mars Hill in Athens, Greece
  • Acts 20:13-28 – Address to Ephesian Elders at Miletus
  • Acts 21:37-22:29 – Stairway address in Jerusalem
  • Acts 24:1-23 – Defense before Felix at Caesarea
  • Acts 24:24-27 – Address before Felix & Drusilla at Caesarea
  • Acts 26:1-28 – Address before Felix, King Agrippa & Bernice at Caesarea
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Sufferings of Paul

Soon after his conversion, the Lord told Paul he would suffer for the sake of the gospel (Acts 9:15-16).

  • Paul’s record of his sufferings: 1Cor 15:30-32; 2Cor 4:7-18; 2Cor 6:3-10; 2Cor 11:23-28; 2Cor 12:5-10; Gal 5:11; Gal 6:7; 2Tim 3:10-11;
  • Jewish opposition to Paul: Acts 9:23; Acts 9:29; Acts 13:50; Acts 14:5; Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 17:13; Acts 18:12; Acts 21:31; Acts 23:12-13; Acts 25:3.
  • Gentile opposition to Paul: Acts 14:1; Acts 18:9 Acts 19:23; Acts 16:9; Acts 18:13; Acts 19:23

Sufferings recorded in Acts

  • Acts 9:23 – His life was threatened in Damascus.
  • Acts 9:29 – life threatened in Jerusalem
  • Acts 13:50 – persecuted and run out of Antioch in Pisida
  • Acts 14:5 – faced stoning at Iconium
  • Acts 14:19 – stoned and left for dead in Lystra
  • Acts 16:23 – beaten with rods and imprisoned at Philippi
  • Acts 17:5-10 – life threatened in Thessalonica
  • Acts 17:13-14 – forced out of Berea
  • Acts 17:18 – mocked in Athens
  • Acts 18:12 – taken before the judgment seat in Corinth
  • Acts 19:23-41 – opposed by silversmiths in Ephesus
  • Acts 20:3 – Jews plot against him in Greece
  • Acts 21:27-30 – mob in Jerusalem seeks to kill him
  • Acts 22:24-29 – arrested by the Romans and barely escapes being scourged
  • Acts 23:7-11 – rescued from the mob
  • Acts 23:12-22 – plot to assassinate him
  • Acts 23:33-27:2 – imprisonment in Caesarea
  • Acts 27:39-28:1 – shipwreck on Melita
  • Acts 28:3-5 – suffered a snake bite
  • Acts 28:16 – First Roman imprisonment begins
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Paul’s visits to Jerusalem

  1. First visit – After he left Damascus and stayed with Peter 15 days (Acts 9:26-30: Galatians 1:18-20).
  2. Second visit – To bring famine relief to Jerusalem (Acts 11:27-30; Galatians 2:1-10).
  3. Third visit – To attend the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-29; Galatians 2:1-10).
  4. Fourth visit – at the end of his second missionary journey (Acts 18:22).
  5. Fifth visit – His final visit resulted in his arrest and put in prison in Caesara (Acts 12:15 to Acts 23:35).
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Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Paul

Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary: Paul the Apostle

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Paul

Easton’s Bible Dictionary: Paul

Fausset Bible Dictionary: Paul

Holman Bible Dictionary: Paul

Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible: Paul the Apostle

Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature: Paul

Morrish Bible Dictionary: Paul

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Paul, the Apostle

McClintock and Strong: Paul

The Nuttall Encyclopedia: Paul

The Jewish Encyclopedia:

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Where to next?

Resource Library

What is…?

Who is…?

Introduction to…

Background & History

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Paul, Chronology of the Apostle

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Chronology of the Apostle Paul | WednesdayintheWord.com

Chronology of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus (Acts 22:3) as a Roman citizen (Acts 22:28). He was educated strictly according to Jewish law (Acts 22:3). Before his conversion to Christianity, he was a pious and loyal Pharisee who persecuted Christians (Acts 22:4; Acts 8.3). Paul was converted while traveling on the the road to Damascus when he met the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-20).

NOTE: Dates are approximate. The sequence is more important.

Approx
Date		Scripture
Reference		DescriptionLetters WrittenRoman Emperor
5 ADActs 22:3; Acts 22:28;
Phil 3:4-6;		Born a Jew in the City of Tarsus; Roman citizen;
studied at the school of Gamaliel in Jerusalem;
a Pharisee.		 Augustus 27 BC- 14 AD
29 ADActs 7:58;Present at Stephen’s stoning.
29-32 ADActs 8:1-3;Persecutor of the church.
32 ADActs 9:1-19;
Acts 22:3-21;
Acts 27:12-18;		Paul converted on the road to Damascus.Tiberius (14-37 AD)
32-35 ADGal 1:15-17;
Acts 9:20-25;
2Cor 11:32-33;		Travels to Arabia and remains there; Returns to Damascus.
35 ADActs 9:26-30;
Gal 1:18		1st visit to Jerusalem with Barnabas, interacts briefly with Peter & James;
Returns to Tarsus via Caesarea.		Caligula (37-41 AD)
44 ADActs 11:19-26Barnabas brings Paul to AntiochClaudius (41-54 AD)
Famine in Rome (42 AD)
46 ADActs 11:27-302nd visit to Jerusalem: Barnabas & Paul take famine relief to Jerusalem. (14 years after conversion)
46-48 ADActs 13-14First Journey
Travels with Barnabas and John Mark; Returns to Antioch.
49 ADActs 15:1-35Jerusalem councilGalatians
(49 AD after journey, before council)		Claudius expels Jews from Rome (49 AD)
49-52 ADActs 15:36 -18:22Second Journey
Travels with Silas and later Timothy		1&2Thessalonians (50ish)Rise of the Zealots (50 AD)
53-57 ADActs  18:23 -21:16Third Journey1Corinthians (55)
2Corthinians (56)
Romans (57)		Nero (54-68 AD)
57-59 ADActs  21:17 -26:32Roman arrest in Jerusalem
Taken to Felix at Caesarea
59 ADActs 27:1 -28:16Journey to Rome
60-62 ADActs 28:17-311st Roman imprisonmentColossians
Philemon
Ephesians
Philippians
63 ADReleased  from prison1Timothy
Titus
65-66 AD2nd Roman imprisonment & execution2TimothyFire at Rome (64 AD)
Persecution under Nero
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Paul’s authority

  • Paul’s authority rests on his divine calling from Jesus Christ.
  • Paul received divine revelation from Jesus (Gal 1:12).
  • Paul received traditional training in and knowledge of the Scriptures (1 Cor 15:3-5).

Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Paul

Paul, the Apostle – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology

Paul – Holman Bible Dictionary

Paul, the Apostle – Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible

Paul – Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Paul, the Apostle – International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

Paul- Kitto’s Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Other references:

Blue Letter Bible Chronology of Paul

Chronology of Roman Emperors (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

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Maps

Journeys

Paul’s Conversion and Early Ministry– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s 1st Journey – Bible-History.com

1st Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s 2nd Journey – Bible-History.com

2nd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s 3rd Journey – Bible-History.com

3rd Missionary Journey of Paul– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s Journeys– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s Arrest and Imprisonment– Holman Bible Atlas

Paul’s Voyage to Rome– Holman Bible Atlas

Pentecost and the Jewish Diaspora– Holman Bible Atlas

Apostles’ Journeys – Bible-History.com

Geography

Israel in New Testament Times – Bible-History.com

New Testament Jerusalem – Bible-History.com

Herod the Great’s Kingdom – Bible-History.com

Herod’s Kingdom Divided – Bible-History.com

The Kingdom of Herod Agrippa I – Holman Bible Atlas

The Kingdom of Agrippa II– Holman Bible Atlas

Expansion of the Early Church in Palestine– Holman Bible Atlas

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Where to next?

Bible Study 101

Resource Library

Resources Book of the Bible

Copyright 2017 Krisan Marotta. http://www.WednesdayintheWord.com
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License

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06 James 2:14-20 Do James and Paul agree?

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06 James 2:14-20 Do James and Paul agree? - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

James 2:14-26 is the “problem” passage of the book of James where it looks like James and Paul disagree.

Review

  • In chapter 1, James said to consider it joy when we face trials because trials test our faith. The process of testing our faith brings us to maturity and makes us into the kind of people we should be.
  • So far in chapter 2, he has argued that if we really believe the gospel we would show no partiality based on external factors. I should show no partiality based on external factors because we all need the same savior, the same Lord and the same grace and mercy.

Context

James and Paul appear to contradict each other because they use the same vocabulary.  They both talk about faith, works and justification, and they both appeal to Abraham to support their claim.

But they use the same language in very different contexts.  They are addressing different problems and answering different questions.

In Galatians, Paul addressed the question raised by the theology of the Judaizers. Must I keep the law in order to be saved?  Do my outward acts of obedience gain me any favor with God?  Paul strongly asserts that our works have no value in bringing us into a right relationship with God.  Our outward acts of obedience can not earn us salvation.

In James, the apostle answers a different question.  James asserts that after establishing a right relationship with God, works will necessarily follow because genuine saving faith changes both what we believe and how we act. James is focusing on the question:  “What does real saving faith look like?”  Essentially, he’s saying, I agree we are saved by faith alone.  But let’s make sure you understand what faith alone really means.  Let’s make sure you know the difference between pseudo-faith and genuine saving faith.

He is NOT asking the question what use is it if a person claims to have faith and still sins on occasion.  The question is NOT will I ever sin again after believing the gospel?  IF that’s the question, all of us are in trouble.

The question is what if I claim to have faith and nothing in my life, nothing in my attitudes, nothing in my values, nothing in the way I speak or the way I treat people or the way I respond to trials changes?  What then, is that faith?  James says no, that is not faith.

Structure

James gives 4 illustrations of genuine saving faith, both positive (what saving faith is) and negative (what saving faith is not), concluding each with a summary statement.

PassageIllustrationTypeTowardSummary Statement
James 2:14-17poorly dressed, hungry ChristiannegativeothersJames 2:17
James 2:18-20demons with correct theologynegativeGodJames 2:20
James 2:21-24AbrahampositiveGodJames 2:24
James 2:25-26RahabpositiveothersJames 2:26
  • The far context is trials the test the genuineness of our faith. 
  • The immediate context (2:12-13) is mercy triumphs over judgment. 
  • The gospel sets me free from guilt and the tyranny of sin.  But it is also a kind of “law” in that if I believe it I am obligated to change.
  • That raises the question in James 2:14.
  • James is NOT asking the question: What use is it if a person says he has faith and he still sins on occasion? 
  • The question these illustrations answer is: What if I claim to have faith and the overall pattern, character and direction of my life contradicts the gospel? 

First Illustration

14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:14-17

  • James’ argument is more complex than what use is a faith that doesn’t feed the poor? If only faith were that easy! 
  • “Brother or sister” (2:15) implies a fellow believer.
  • James establishes a situation where you have the knowledge and the means to help a fellow believer, someone you know.
  • The point of his analogy is not about how believers should respond to poverty in their midst.  The point of his analogy is the disconnect between what I say and what I do.
  • He concludes, not only does this kind of “faith” make no difference on the outside, on the inside it is dead. It makes no difference inside either.
  • My words say, I want you to be warmed and filled, but what I actually do is leave you cold and hungry.  Just as you would look at this example and say my words were meaningless, so we would look at a claim to faith that doesn’t change your life as useless. The point is what good is what I say if my actions deny that I believe it is true.

Second Illustration

18But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe–and shudder! 20Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? – James 2:18-20

  • James is answering an objection: But someone will say, ‘We express our faith differently.  If my faith looks different than yours, how can you say I don’t have it?’
  • James responds faith and works are not independent things, which could exist separately. 
  • A person with genuine saving faith will not continue to pursue a sinful, rebellious lifestyle.
  • Believing that God is one and He exists is not enough.  It’s possible to fill our heads with a knowledge of the Bible without bowing in humble submission to what it says. 
  • Consider the demons: Knowledge for knowledge sake is worthless. 
  • Faith that is invisible — faith that changes nothing about me — is a useless faith because it is in fact no faith at all.

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 07 James 2:21-26 Do James and Paul agree, Part 2

Previous: 05 James 2:1-13 What is on the inside counts

Series: James: The Gospel in Shoe Leather

Study: James Resources

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02 Galatians 1:11-2:10 Paul’s defends his gospel

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02 Galatians 1:11-2:10 Paul's defends his gospel - Bible Study | WednesdayintheWord.com

Go to Galatians: Living by Faith for a more detailed teaching on Galatains.

Do you ever doubt this whole Christian thing?  Do you ever worry that this message of grace and peace with God is simply someone’s clever invention?  Maybe that group of 12 just made it up?  Or how do you know you aren’t just here because you’re parents brought you when you were young and it’s a habit now?  Or how do you know you weren’t just duped when you hit bottom in your life and you would just cling to any message of hope? We all have those doubts at times.  Paul’s addresses them in Galatians 1:11-2:10.

In this passage, Paul argues that you can have absolute confidence in the message of the gospel he preaches because the gospel message was revealed by God himself;  it does not result from human invention.

Outline

Galatians 1:11-12—he states his point that he received the gospel through revelation.  Then he supports it by reviewing his biography:
1:13-14 —  what happened before his conversion
1:15-16 — what happened at his conversion
1:16-24 — what happened after his conversion

Galatians 2:1-2:  Paul goes to Jerusalem and meets with the other apostles; Paul notes two significant events resulted from this meeting:
2:3-5 — Titus (a Gentile believer) was not compelled to be circumcised
2:6-10— the other apostles approved Paul’s message and gave him the right hand of fellowship

Please listen to the podcast for more detail and explanation.

Next: 03 Galatians 2:11-21 Paul confronts Peter

Previous: 01 Galatians 1:1-10 Whose voice should you listen to?

Series: Galatians: Listen to the one true voice

Study: Galatians Resources

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