01-paul of tarsus and his world

PAUL OF TARSUS AND PAUL OF TARSUS AND HIS WORLDHIS WORLD

CONTEXT AND LIFECONTEXT AND LIFE

RATIONALERATIONALE

Following the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI to Following the invitation of Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate a year dedicated to the figure of Paul of celebrate a year dedicated to the figure of Paul of Tarsus, we take up this challenge to study this great Tarsus, we take up this challenge to study this great apostle full of fire for Jesus and His Church.apostle full of fire for Jesus and His Church.In this journey we look at Paul of Tarsus…who he In this journey we look at Paul of Tarsus…who he was and what he was able to do.was and what he was able to do.We will understand Paul in two moments…We will understand Paul in two moments…– In the first place we look at his life and his missionary In the first place we look at his life and his missionary

journeys (Acts of the Apostles)journeys (Acts of the Apostles)– Then we move on to examine each of his letters (Pauline Then we move on to examine each of his letters (Pauline

Epistles)Epistles)

So let the journey begin…So let the journey begin…

PAUL AND HIS WORLDPAUL AND HIS WORLD

We will use the following article to We will use the following article to understand the context of Paulunderstand the context of Paul– C. H. C. H. DODDDODD, «Background Reading Material , «Background Reading Material

for the Teacher» in for the Teacher» in A Source Book of the Bible A Source Book of the Bible for Teachersfor Teachers, ed. Robert , ed. Robert WaltonWalton, SCM Press, , SCM Press, 1970.1970.

We will also view the following film: We will also view the following film: – Paul – From Tarsus to the WorldPaul – From Tarsus to the World, Daughters of , Daughters of

St. Paul, Bandra, Mumbai.St. Paul, Bandra, Mumbai.

1. Greco-Roman World1. Greco-Roman World

A casual reader of the Gospels will be astounded at A casual reader of the Gospels will be astounded at the the sudden enlargement of the stage of actionsudden enlargement of the stage of action as we move to the as we move to the other parts of the New other parts of the New TestamentTestament. From the narrow confines of Palestine – . From the narrow confines of Palestine – Judaea and Galilee – one moves to the Judaea and Galilee – one moves to the Near and Near and Middle East as far west as the Adriatic SeaMiddle East as far west as the Adriatic Sea. .

This is the This is the Hellenistic worldHellenistic world – a multi-cultural world – a multi-cultural world bound by the use of the Greek language with Greek bound by the use of the Greek language with Greek social and political ideals. social and political ideals. – It is the result of the It is the result of the conquests of Alexander the Greatconquests of Alexander the Great. .

After his death there was decline and dissolution.After his death there was decline and dissolution.

1. Greco-Roman World1. Greco-Roman World

RomeRome then comes on the scene. At first it is one then comes on the scene. At first it is one more competitor for power - a brutal and ruthless more competitor for power - a brutal and ruthless one. In the end it turns out to be a force that one. In the end it turns out to be a force that imposes order and peaceimposes order and peace on the Hellenistic world on the Hellenistic world bringing to the existing cultural unity political bringing to the existing cultural unity political cohesion. cohesion. Hence it is appropriate to speak of the Hence it is appropriate to speak of the Greco-Greco-Roman worldRoman world. . Caesar AugustusCaesar Augustus is largely is largely responsible for turning the aggressive power into the responsible for turning the aggressive power into the presider of a civilized international society. He presider of a civilized international society. He reigned in the transition from BC to AD. reigned in the transition from BC to AD. – The imperial rule is accepted willingly by most of the The imperial rule is accepted willingly by most of the

eastern subjects barring pockets of discontent (Jews of eastern subjects barring pockets of discontent (Jews of Palestine). After years of anarchy and misrule the people Palestine). After years of anarchy and misrule the people realized that their lot had improved.realized that their lot had improved.

2. The Empire: Political and 2. The Empire: Political and Social StructureSocial Structure

Augustus emerged as master of the whole Augustus emerged as master of the whole Hellenistic world as far as the Euphrates. Hellenistic world as far as the Euphrates. – Within the empire there were a few Within the empire there were a few puppet principalitiespuppet principalities

used as a buffer for administrative convenience. used as a buffer for administrative convenience.

Most of the other areas came under a Most of the other areas came under a provincial provincial administrationadministration governed with business-like and governed with business-like and efficient bureaucracy. efficient bureaucracy. – Frontier provincesFrontier provinces were placed under military governors were placed under military governors

with legionary with legionary troopstroops and these governors were called and these governors were called ‘‘legates’legates’. They were under the direct supervision of the . They were under the direct supervision of the emperor. emperor.

– Peaceful provincesPeaceful provinces away from the frontier had civilian away from the frontier had civilian governors with the title ‘governors with the title ‘proconsul’proconsul’. They were appointed . They were appointed by the Senate with the indirect pressure of the emperor.by the Senate with the indirect pressure of the emperor.

– Minor provincesMinor provinces – like Judaea were administered by – like Judaea were administered by governors of inferior rank called ‘governors of inferior rank called ‘procurator’procurator’ or ‘prefect’. or ‘prefect’.


Within the province the Within the province the governor was invested governor was invested with all powers with all powers and was subject only to the and was subject only to the remote control of the Emperor. He was responsible remote control of the Emperor. He was responsible for justice and headed a court.for justice and headed a court.However there was room for However there was room for local governmentlocal government. . In the eastern provinces there were many In the eastern provinces there were many self-self-governing citiesgoverning cities – ancient – ancient city-statescity-states like Athens like Athens or Ephesus; or others founded by or Ephesus; or others founded by Hellenistic Hellenistic monarchsmonarchs such as Antioch-on-the-Orontes – the such as Antioch-on-the-Orontes – the capital of the province of Syria; or capital of the province of Syria; or Roman coloniesRoman colonies such as Phillipi in Macedonia. such as Phillipi in Macedonia. The The citiescities had their own magistrates and senate had their own magistrates and senate and were led by former legionaries who took pride and were led by former legionaries who took pride in being Roman citizens and had some autonomy. in being Roman citizens and had some autonomy. This was much less than the Greek times, but still This was much less than the Greek times, but still there was there was a degree of civic libertiesa degree of civic liberties. .


In most cities there were In most cities there were colonies of Jewscolonies of Jews. They were . They were valuable settlers and were given favorable treatmentvaluable settlers and were given favorable treatment. . – And, at the same time there was an undercurrent of And, at the same time there was an undercurrent of anti-anti-

SemitismSemitism in many places fuelled by jealousy more than in many places fuelled by jealousy more than by religious motives. On the other hand, many showed by religious motives. On the other hand, many showed interest in some aspects of the interest in some aspects of the Jewish religionJewish religion, and this , and this had an impact on Hellenistic thought.had an impact on Hellenistic thought.

The The Greek cities and the Roman coloniesGreek cities and the Roman colonies had an had an element element of democracyof democracy evident in some forms of popular assembly or evident in some forms of popular assembly or town meetings to look after some of the administrative town meetings to look after some of the administrative elements of societyelements of society. . – These municipal committees tended to mirror the These municipal committees tended to mirror the rigidly rigidly

stratified structurestratified structure of imperial society as a whole. At the of imperial society as a whole. At the toptop was the Roman was the Roman nobilitynobility with wealth and ample with wealth and ample privileges and at the privileges and at the basebase was the was the slaveslave classclass whose whose labor held the entire edifice up. labor held the entire edifice up.


SlavesSlaves had a hard life – though the Romans gave had a hard life – though the Romans gave them some protection against extreme brutality. them some protection against extreme brutality.

Domestic slaveryDomestic slavery had its alleviations. Some had its alleviations. Some masters were considerate and treated the slaves as masters were considerate and treated the slaves as subordinate members of the family. subordinate members of the family. – Many of the slaves were Many of the slaves were well-educatedwell-educated and handled and handled

specialized employment. As valuable property they had to specialized employment. As valuable property they had to be treated carefully.be treated carefully.

– It was possible for a slave to buy his freedom if he worked It was possible for a slave to buy his freedom if he worked hard enough. Others were emancipated on their master’s hard enough. Others were emancipated on their master’s death. These passed into the free community. Many of death. These passed into the free community. Many of them entered the civil service and were ‘rising men’. them entered the civil service and were ‘rising men’.


For the remaining parts of the population who were For the remaining parts of the population who were neither the nobility or slaves there were hardly any neither the nobility or slaves there were hardly any civic privileges. They could join civic privileges. They could join clubsclubs or or voluntary voluntary associationsassociations which had harmless activities such as which had harmless activities such as social intercourse and religious festivals.social intercourse and religious festivals.

Some of the ‘friendly societies’ included both free Some of the ‘friendly societies’ included both free men of the poorest sort and slaves, and were a men of the poorest sort and slaves, and were a means of humanizing a very hard lot. means of humanizing a very hard lot.

These perhaps provided the These perhaps provided the model formodel for the the structure of the structure of the earliest Christian churchesearliest Christian churches..– They had open membership, regularly appointed officials, They had open membership, regularly appointed officials,

a common fund maintained by the members contributions a common fund maintained by the members contributions and their social meals with a religious complexion. and their social meals with a religious complexion.

3. Philosophy and Religion3. Philosophy and Religion

Varied Varied PHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCESPHILOSOPHICAL INFLUENCES are evident in the are evident in the Greco-Roman world. In the eastern province there was a strong Greco-Roman world. In the eastern province there was a strong Hellenistic intellectual influenceHellenistic intellectual influence. With a large . With a large literate literate publicpublic it was common to see the figure of the ‘street corner’ it was common to see the figure of the ‘street corner’ philosopher. People in general were open to philosopher. People in general were open to new ideasnew ideas this this was specially so as trade began to flourish and people from was specially so as trade began to flourish and people from diverse places and cultures began to live together.diverse places and cultures began to live together.The most common philosophical system followed was The most common philosophical system followed was StoicismStoicism. . – TThe core doctrine of Stoicism concerns he core doctrine of Stoicism concerns cosmic determinismcosmic determinism

(logos) and human freedom, and the belief that virtue is to (logos) and human freedom, and the belief that virtue is to maintain a will that is in accord with nature. maintain a will that is in accord with nature.

– With an elaborate logic and metaphysics, it incorporated the most With an elaborate logic and metaphysics, it incorporated the most advanced natural science of the time. But its greatest influence advanced natural science of the time. But its greatest influence was in the matter of was in the matter of ethicsethics. .

– Even though not many followed its strict ethical code, it informed Even though not many followed its strict ethical code, it informed the ‘conscience’ a remarkable achievement in a society without a the ‘conscience’ a remarkable achievement in a society without a moral anchorage. moral anchorage.

– The four cardinal virtues of the Stoic philosophy are The four cardinal virtues of the Stoic philosophy are wisdomwisdom, , couragecourage, , justicejustice, and , and temperance.temperance.


The The RELIGIOUS AMBIENTRELIGIOUS AMBIENT is marked by diversity. is marked by diversity. In In earlier timesearlier times Greek philosophy had been Greek philosophy had been critical critical of popular religion and belief in godsof popular religion and belief in gods. Slowly . Slowly there was a there was a return to religionreturn to religion..Some felt this was due to the Some felt this was due to the loss of confidence in loss of confidence in reasonreason under stress and fearful insecurity. under stress and fearful insecurity.Others felt that it was due to Others felt that it was due to greater acceptance greater acceptance of the dark forcesof the dark forces. Man began to feel the need for . Man began to feel the need for redemption from these evil forces.redemption from these evil forces.Consequently more than returning to traditional Consequently more than returning to traditional religion of Greek and Rome with their pantheon of religion of Greek and Rome with their pantheon of gods, people began to gods, people began to turn to the esoteric, turn to the esoteric, mystery cultsmystery cults of Egypt, Iran and the semitic east – of Egypt, Iran and the semitic east – including Judaism. including Judaism.


These These religions of ‘redemption’religions of ‘redemption’ were often shrouded in were often shrouded in mystery with only the initiated aware of the significance and mystery with only the initiated aware of the significance and belief system. belief system. – In many of them there appeared In many of them there appeared two common elementstwo common elements: the : the

ritual actionritual action (or drama) and the (or drama) and the taletale (or myth). While the myth (or myth). While the myth would would recountrecount the the exploits of the god or heroexploits of the god or hero, the ritual action , the ritual action would would enactenact with dramatic symbolism with dramatic symbolism the plot of the myththe plot of the myth. .

– The person partaking in the cult would thus be able The person partaking in the cult would thus be able to encounter to encounter the divine and attain blessed immortalitythe divine and attain blessed immortality. While it in not clear . While it in not clear how many entered into these cults, it is certain that they had a how many entered into these cults, it is certain that they had a deep influence on the thought and ethos of people.deep influence on the thought and ethos of people.

With the merging of these popular religions and philosophy With the merging of these popular religions and philosophy there was a widespread belief in the realm of there was a widespread belief in the realm of darkness and darkness and deathdeath. . – Man imprisoned in this reality can attain knowledge and Man imprisoned in this reality can attain knowledge and

thus escape into the world of light.thus escape into the world of light. This was This was not the rational not the rational scientific knowledge of the Greek kindscientific knowledge of the Greek kind. It was more like a . It was more like a revelation, esoteric visionrevelation, esoteric vision with a goal of attaining union with with a goal of attaining union with the divine. It led to a very strong belief in the influence of the stars the divine. It led to a very strong belief in the influence of the stars on people’s lives. on people’s lives.

4. Christianity in the Greco-4. Christianity in the Greco-Roman WorldRoman World

It was to these people that the It was to these people that the early Christiansearly Christians brought their message. brought their message.

They brought They brought a religion of redemptiona religion of redemption that took that took seriously the powers of darkness while also seriously the powers of darkness while also presenting a buoyant presenting a buoyant confidence in the victory confidence in the victory that Christ had gained over the evil forcesthat Christ had gained over the evil forces..

Like the mystery cults it had a certain Like the mystery cults it had a certain dramatic dramatic symbolismsymbolism though with a simple rite of though with a simple rite of initiationinitiation – – washing in water; and, the drama of its central washing in water; and, the drama of its central mystery was no more than a mystery was no more than a sharing in bread and sharing in bread and winewine in memory of the Lord. in memory of the Lord.

4. Christianity in the Greco-4. Christianity in the Greco-Roman WorldRoman World

There was a tale or myth behind this action – There was a tale or myth behind this action – though the tale was no fiction but though the tale was no fiction but the the factual recounting of the life of Jesusfactual recounting of the life of Jesus who had lived not so long ago. who had lived not so long ago. – The death-and-resurrection had taken place The death-and-resurrection had taken place

within the living memory of many of the listeners. within the living memory of many of the listeners.

In the two symbolic rites – baptism and the In the two symbolic rites – baptism and the eucharist – eucharist – what was past became what was past became presentpresent, and the believer shared in the , and the believer shared in the death and resurrection of Christ thus death and resurrection of Christ thus entering into union with Him.entering into union with Him.

5. Paul: Jew and Roman Citizen5. Paul: Jew and Roman Citizen

The pioneer leader in the Christian approach to the Greco-The pioneer leader in the Christian approach to the Greco-Roman world was the apostle Paul. We know him thanks to Roman world was the apostle Paul. We know him thanks to his his lettersletters and the narration of his missionary journeys and other and the narration of his missionary journeys and other activities in the activities in the Acts of the ApostlesActs of the Apostles. . It is true that on some points there seems to be some It is true that on some points there seems to be some discrepancy between what we find in these two sources.discrepancy between what we find in these two sources. – But as far as the missionary journeys are concerned it is apparent But as far as the missionary journeys are concerned it is apparent

that the author of that the author of ActsActs was well-informed. Given that some of the was well-informed. Given that some of the later texts use the first person plural it seems as if the material is later texts use the first person plural it seems as if the material is drawn from a kind of travel diary.drawn from a kind of travel diary.

This makes it likely that the author was one of Paul’s traveling This makes it likely that the author was one of Paul’s traveling companions who was an eyewitness to the events narrated. companions who was an eyewitness to the events narrated. Probably it was Luke – the Greek doctor – we are talking Probably it was Luke – the Greek doctor – we are talking about. (Col 4:14, 2 Tim 4:11, Philemon 24). The narrative of about. (Col 4:14, 2 Tim 4:11, Philemon 24). The narrative of ActsActs can be used as an historical frame within which to place can be used as an historical frame within which to place Pauline activity.Pauline activity.


Paul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 21:39), an ancient Greek city, Paul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia (Acts 21:39), an ancient Greek city, and later a strong centre of Hellenistic culture. His parents belonged and later a strong centre of Hellenistic culture. His parents belonged to the Jewish colony there. He was brought up as a Pharisee (Acts to the Jewish colony there. He was brought up as a Pharisee (Acts 23:6; 26:5; Phil 3:5). At the same time he possessed the coveted 23:6; 26:5; Phil 3:5). At the same time he possessed the coveted Roman citizenship, which meant that they had a superior standing in Roman citizenship, which meant that they had a superior standing in the local community. the local community. At home he was Saul – named after the first king of Israel; and, At home he was Saul – named after the first king of Israel; and, outside he was Paul, citizen of Tarsus. outside he was Paul, citizen of Tarsus. He was bilingual, conversant with both Greek and Aramaic. (some He was bilingual, conversant with both Greek and Aramaic. (some say tri-lingual since he could also read the Hebrew Scripture). He was say tri-lingual since he could also read the Hebrew Scripture). He was a citizen of two worlds - familiar with Greek thought (some of his a citizen of two worlds - familiar with Greek thought (some of his works bear traces of Stoicism) even though he was not deeply versed works bear traces of Stoicism) even though he was not deeply versed in Greek philosophy – and also with his Jewish roots. in Greek philosophy – and also with his Jewish roots. He studied the Hebrew scriptures in Jerusalem under the famed He studied the Hebrew scriptures in Jerusalem under the famed Gamaliel and learned the Rabbinical method of interpretation. He Gamaliel and learned the Rabbinical method of interpretation. He was thus perfectly equipped to the task of mediating Judaism to a was thus perfectly equipped to the task of mediating Judaism to a Hellenistic audience.Hellenistic audience.


It also is apparent that Saul the Pharisee and Paul It also is apparent that Saul the Pharisee and Paul the Roman the Roman did not live in harmonydid not live in harmony under the under the same skin. There are signs of psychological tension same skin. There are signs of psychological tension with the Pharisee part predominating his early life. with the Pharisee part predominating his early life. He is proud of his privileges as a member of the He is proud of his privileges as a member of the chosen people (Rom 9:4; Phil 3:5-6) He had an chosen people (Rom 9:4; Phil 3:5-6) He had an irresistible urge to excel. And he sees himself as irresistible urge to excel. And he sees himself as the perfect Pharisee. He was not faultless though. the perfect Pharisee. He was not faultless though. He admits as much in Rom 7:21 – “So, then, I He admits as much in Rom 7:21 – “So, then, I discover the principle that when I want to do right, discover the principle that when I want to do right, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, evil is at hand. For I take delight in the law of God, in my inner self, but I see in my members another in my inner self, but I see in my members another principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me principle at war with the law of my mind, taking me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.”members.”


Psychology notes for us that such Psychology notes for us that such deep conflict isdeep conflict is very often very often externalizedexternalized with the choice of an object on which to vent with the choice of an object on which to vent this anger and fear. It was this anger and fear. It was thisthis that that made Paul a fearless made Paul a fearless persecutorpersecutor of the Christians. His first contact with the of the Christians. His first contact with the “Nazarenes” comes in his encounter with a radical and “Nazarenes” comes in his encounter with a radical and aggressive representative – Stephen. aggressive representative – Stephen. It was reported that the latter was constantly It was reported that the latter was constantly saying things saying things against God and the templeagainst God and the temple. Hence, he approved of his . Hence, he approved of his murder. Indirectly he was led to hate everything that Jesus murder. Indirectly he was led to hate everything that Jesus Christ - who though man claimed to be Messiah - stood for. Christ - who though man claimed to be Messiah - stood for. After Stephen’s death his ire was raging against all the other After Stephen’s death his ire was raging against all the other followers whom he persecuted with his characteristic energy followers whom he persecuted with his characteristic energy and initiative. He wanted to destroy all the enemies of the and initiative. He wanted to destroy all the enemies of the Law and be the best at this task (Acts 9:1 ff).Law and be the best at this task (Acts 9:1 ff).

6. The Conversion of Paul6. The Conversion of PaulIt was when pursuing this mission on the way to Damascus It was when pursuing this mission on the way to Damascus that Paul had a life-transforming experience. There are three that Paul had a life-transforming experience. There are three accounts of this event in Acts (9:3-9; 22:4-11; and, 26:12-18). accounts of this event in Acts (9:3-9; 22:4-11; and, 26:12-18). But they are just narratives of a deeply spiritual experience. But they are just narratives of a deeply spiritual experience. – We are told of a We are told of a lightlight and a and a voicevoice. The voice identified itself as . The voice identified itself as

belonging to Jesus who Paul was persecuting. It was a very belonging to Jesus who Paul was persecuting. It was a very personal experience and many times in referring to this Paul personal experience and many times in referring to this Paul clearly mentions that he had clearly mentions that he had seen the face of Jesusseen the face of Jesus..

The effects of this experience were far-reaching. From being The effects of this experience were far-reaching. From being a persecutor he now becomes a follower. It brought about a a persecutor he now becomes a follower. It brought about a solution of his personal problem. solution of his personal problem. He now threw in his lot with the persecuted. He broke from He now threw in his lot with the persecuted. He broke from his previous group – the Jews and the Pharisees to belong to his previous group – the Jews and the Pharisees to belong to the ‘outlaw group’ (Gal 2:20). He is now in the service of a the ‘outlaw group’ (Gal 2:20). He is now in the service of a new master. He is not the centre of his life – it is Christ that new master. He is not the centre of his life – it is Christ that lives in him.lives in him.

6. The Conversion of Paul6. The Conversion of PaulWe can only imagine the uproar that resulted when the We can only imagine the uproar that resulted when the young Pharisee began “preaching the faith he once tried to young Pharisee began “preaching the faith he once tried to destroy” (Gal 1:23). Before long, the Jewish religious leaders destroy” (Gal 1:23). Before long, the Jewish religious leaders opposed to the Christian movement were seeking to kill Paul.opposed to the Christian movement were seeking to kill Paul.The persecutor had become the persecuted. So he fled to The persecutor had become the persecuted. So he fled to Arabia (or Nabatea) for awhile. Eventually, he returned to Arabia (or Nabatea) for awhile. Eventually, he returned to Damascus, but he had to flee once more, barely escaping his Damascus, but he had to flee once more, barely escaping his enemies by being lowered secretly in a basket through the enemies by being lowered secretly in a basket through the city wall.city wall.He now moves from being strictly within the Jewish fold and He now moves from being strictly within the Jewish fold and begins to proclaim the Gospel beyond. begins to proclaim the Gospel beyond. – It must have been difficult to move from a closed mentality of It must have been difficult to move from a closed mentality of

the minority community (Jews in Greek territory) to a wider the minority community (Jews in Greek territory) to a wider vision, grander interests and indefatigable energies. vision, grander interests and indefatigable energies.

– The dividing wall that he had set up between Jews and others in The dividing wall that he had set up between Jews and others in his mind was torn down. His new mission was clear – the his mind was torn down. His new mission was clear – the strategy took some time to develop.strategy took some time to develop.

7. The Hidden Years of Paul7. The Hidden Years of PaulAbout Paul’s early years as a Christian we have little About Paul’s early years as a Christian we have little information. He definitely faced persecution from his information. He definitely faced persecution from his erstwhile friends whom he had now deserted to become the erstwhile friends whom he had now deserted to become the hunted. In 2 Cor 11:23-33 he mentions all the troubles he had hunted. In 2 Cor 11:23-33 he mentions all the troubles he had to face: to face: – Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus Five times at the hands of the Jews I received forty lashes minus

one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the three times I was shipwrecked, I passed a night and a day on the deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from deep; on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, robbers, dangers from my own race, dangers from Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers at sea, dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through dangers among false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through many sleepless nights, through hunger and thirst, through frequent fastings, through cold and exposure…If I must boast, I frequent fastings, through cold and exposure…If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. At Damascus, will boast of the things that show my weakness. At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus, in the governor under King Aretas guarded the city of Damascus, in order to seize me, but I was lowered in a basket through a order to seize me, but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.”window in the wall and escaped his hands.”

7. The Hidden Years of Paul7. The Hidden Years of Paul

Only three years after his conversion was he able Only three years after his conversion was he able to enter Jerusalem to get acquainted with the to enter Jerusalem to get acquainted with the apostles, to be taught by them and to seek their apostles, to be taught by them and to seek their recognition of his own vocation. He stayed awhile recognition of his own vocation. He stayed awhile with Peter and continued preaching. with Peter and continued preaching.

Then, once again facing dangerous opposition, he Then, once again facing dangerous opposition, he withdrew into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, his withdrew into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, his home province where he spent about 12 years (Gal home province where he spent about 12 years (Gal 1:21). Tarsus was his hometown – a place of 1:21). Tarsus was his hometown – a place of security.security.

It is after his arrival in Antioch (Acts 11:25ff) that It is after his arrival in Antioch (Acts 11:25ff) that the story of Paul’s missionary career begins.the story of Paul’s missionary career begins.

7. The Hidden Years of Paul7. The Hidden Years of Paul

We don’t know for sure the details of this period, sometimes We don’t know for sure the details of this period, sometimes called the “unknown years” of Paul’s life. But we do know called the “unknown years” of Paul’s life. But we do know that, eventually, the apostle ended up in that, eventually, the apostle ended up in AntiochAntioch, the great , the great metropolis of Syria.metropolis of Syria.It is here that the numerous local followers of Jesus were first It is here that the numerous local followers of Jesus were first called “Christians.”called “Christians.”The community of Antioch included a substantial proportion The community of Antioch included a substantial proportion of non-Jewish converts. This gentile element acted as a of non-Jewish converts. This gentile element acted as a stimulant for proclamation. We see a community that wants stimulant for proclamation. We see a community that wants to reach out to a still wider public in the Greco-Roman world.to reach out to a still wider public in the Greco-Roman world.Barnabas – a Cypriot Jew is chosen and his companion is Paul. Barnabas – a Cypriot Jew is chosen and his companion is Paul. The junior colleague soon slips into the leading role given his The junior colleague soon slips into the leading role given his vigour and determination.vigour and determination.Paul now begins a decade of remarkable and successful Paul now begins a decade of remarkable and successful missionary journeys throughout that part of the world.missionary journeys throughout that part of the world.

01-paul of tarsus and his world

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