Saul of Tarsus is one of the most interesting, impactful people we read about in the Bible.
His life reminds us of the power of God. Saul is a Hebrew name that means “desired.” Later in life, Saul is referred to as Paul. The name Paul originates in Latin and means “small or little.”
Names mean something to us today, but even more in Biblical times. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Saul was later called Paul.
As we’ll see, the name change reflects a heart change.
Where Does the Bible First Mention Saul of Tarsus?
We first meet Saul in the book of Acts. Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, and the early church was growing. In Acts 6, we meet the catalyst for Saul’s introduction. Acts 6:8 (NLT) says, “Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people.” He finds himself before the high council known as the Sanhedrin, accused by lying men of blaspheming God and Moses.
Suddenly everyone is staring at Stephen “because his face became as bright as an angel’s” (Acts 6:15). He begins to speak, his words recorded in Acts 7. While speaking, Stephen sees the glory of God:
“Look, I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand!” (Acts 7:56)
Chaos breaks out. People are covering their ears and shouting and running at him. They drag Stephen out of the city and begin to stone him—and that’s when it happens. We meet Saul. Acts 7:58 says, “His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
We may be tempted to think that Saul isn’t that bad. After all, he wasn’t throwing rocks himself. But the Bible makes it very clear.
“Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen . . . Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.” (Acts 8:1, 3)
What Do We Know about Saul of Tarsus’ Background?
We know that Saul comes from Tarsus in Cilicia, an important city (Acts 9:39). Tarsus is in the south-central part of modern-day Turkey. In Acts 22, we read that Saul:
- was raised in Jerusalem
- studied under Gamaliel and was well-trained in the law
- was zealous for God and persecuted followers of “The Way” (what early believers of Jesus called themselves)
- was born a Roman citizen
We find out in 2 Corinthians 11 that Saul was:
- unskilled as a speaker
- not lacking in knowledge
- a Hebrew
- an Israelite
- a descendent of Abraham
Continuing into 2 Corinthians 11-12, we read about Paul’s history of suffering for Christ. He:
- was given 39 lashes five different times by Jewish leaders
- was beaten with rods three different times
- was stoned once
- was shipwrecked three different times
- spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea
- has faced danger and more dangers
- had a thorn in his flesh (a messenger from Satan to torment him and keep him from becoming proud)
What Changed Saul of Tarsus from Persecutor to Christ-Follower?
What changed Saul? The simple answer is Jesus, and the story is nothing short of miraculous. Saul was on an unholy mission. He was on his way to Damascus to round up the followers of Jesus and bring them to a prison in Jerusalem. What happened on the way changed Saul’s life and the course of history.
We read the account in Acts 9. A light from heaven suddenly appeared around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” Saul’s response was, “Who are you, lord?”
Saul got a direct and probably terrifying answer to his question:
“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men journeying with Saul stood there speechless. They heard a voice but didn’t see anyone. Can you imagine? Saul picked himself up and opened his eyes only to realize he was blind. He was led into Damascus, and he didn’t eat, drink, or see for three days.
Meanwhile, the Lord was preparing a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision and told him to go to a particular house and ask for Saul. Now Ananias knew all about Saul and told the Lord exactly what he thought: “But Lord!”
God heard Ananias out, but he didn’t change his command. “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
As we read above, Saul would indeed suffer for the Lord.
Ananias courageously obeyed and went to find Saul. I’m amazed by his greeting; he calls him brother.
“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately Saul regained sight, was baptized, ate something, and regained his strength.
How Did Saul of Tarsus Become Involved in Ministry?
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul remained in Damascus for a few days and didn’t waste any time telling people about the Jesus who had radically changed his life. He went into the same synagogues he was going to ask to help round up followers of Jesus and instead told them that Jesus is the Son of God. Talk about a plot twist! Of course, the people took note of this dramatic change and were amazed.
Saul continued to preach, and his preaching became more powerful. It wasn’t long before some Jewish people plotted to kill him. He heard about it, and in the dead of night, followers of Jesus put Saul in a large basket and lowered him through an opening in the city wall. After his escape, Saul headed back to Jerusalem.
His attempts to meet with the believers in Jerusalem didn’t go well. They were afraid of him. A man named Barnabas helped Saul out. He introduced him to the apostles and told them how Saul came to know Jesus and how boldly he preached Jesus in Damascus. Saul stayed with the apostles and preached Jesus all over Jerusalem.
After an attempt on his life, the believers sent Saul back to his hometown of Tarsus, but God wasn’t done with Saul. The Lord was doing a work in Antioch of Syria, and the church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to see what was happening. He was joyful at what he saw and went to Tarsus to get Saul. After Barnabas brought Saulto Antioch, they spent a year teaching large crowds of people about Jesus.
One day when the prophets and teachers of the church in Antioch were worshiping God and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them to “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them” (Acts 13:1-3). Saul began his first missionary journey alongside Barnabas, and John Mark went as their assistant. They began in Cyprus, preaching in the Jewish synagogues in Salamis.
They traveled throughout the whole island preaching. We see the transition from Saul to Paul in a city called Paphos. It’s subtle, as there is no divine moment where God changes his name. We simply read in Acts 13:9, “Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit . . . ” From then on, the name Paul is the one used in Scripture.
The three sailed to Pamphylia, landing in Perga. John Mark heads back to Jerusalem at this point, and Paul and Barnabas continue inland to Antioch of Pisidia. After boldly preaching to the Jews and Gentiles there, they were run out of town. This became a pattern as they traveled to Iconium, Lycaonia, Lystra, and Derbe.
After preaching in Derbe, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, encouraging the believers and appointing elders in each church. They stopped in Pisidia, Pamphylia, Pergo, and Attalia before returning to Antioch of Syria.
On Paul’s second missionary journey, he took Silas with him. They traveled throughout Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches. They revisited Derbe and Lystra, where they met young Timothy and brought him with them. Before heading for Macedonia, the three traveled to Phrygia, Galatia, and Troas. They ended up in Philippi, where they met and stayed with a worshiper of God named Lydia.
Traveling through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they arrived in Thessalonica. After trouble in Berea, the believers sent Paul to Athens. Silas and Timothy stayed behind with instructions to catch up soon. Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, where he met and stayed with Priscilla and Aquila. Silas and Timothy joined him there, and after a year and a half, they went to Cenchrea. Paul sailed for Syria, bringing Priscilla and Aquila with him. They stopped in Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. He went on to Caesarea, visited the church in Jerusalem, and then back to Antioch for a while before going back through Galatia and Phrygia visiting and encouraging the believers there.
Paul’s third missionary journey seems closely tied to his second journey. He traveled through interior regions until he arrived back in Ephesus. While there, “God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles.”
After a couple of years and a riot in Ephesus, Paul left for Macedonia. He went to Greece, then back to Macedonia. Paul and his companions got on a ship in Philippi and went to Troas for a week before traveling to Assos, Mitylene, and Miletus.
From there, they sailed to the island of Cos, then Rhodes, then Patara—where they got on a ship sailing for Phoenicia. They landed at Tyre in Syria and stayed with believers for a week before reboarding their ship and sailing to Ptolemais for a day, then on to Caesarea to stay with Philip the Evangelist.
Finally, it was time to go to Jerusalem, where Paul’s third journey ended with a beating and arrest.
What Can We Learn from Saul of Tarsus?
The life of Saul of Tarsus is an example of redemption, sacrifice, and suffering. His life shows us that turning to God is never too late. If God can take a man like Saul, transform his heart, and use him to accomplish incredible things for the Kingdom of God, He can do the same for us. No situation is hopeless. No soul is too lost for God to find, redeem, and transform.
Scripture introduces us to a “desired” Saul, and we see his transformation into “small or little” Paul. His life was not small or little, but I think how he saw himself changed. He started as a big deal, a zealot out to destroy the church. Yet when he met Jesus, he was humbled and spent the rest of his life as a servant of his Lord.
Paul’s life teaches us that just because we follow God doesn’t mean our life will be easy. Paul followed Jesus closely, yet he suffered greatly. The Christian life isn’t one of physical safety and ease. In fact, Jesus says in John 16:33, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Paul teaches us to be steadfast, fight the good fight, and finish the race well. Following Jesus isn’t for the faint of heart, but it’s worth it. Let’s follow the example of Saul from Tarsus, one of the first missionaries, and live as humble servants of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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This article is part of our People of Christianity catalog that features the stories, meaning, and significance of well-known people from the Bible and history. Here are some of the most popular articles for knowing important figures in Christianity:
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