How did the apostle Paul die?

Answer

The Bible does not mention the specific details of the apostle Paul’s death. In 2 Timothy 4:6–8, Paul appears to be aware of his impending death: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

Second Timothy was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome for the second time between AD 64 and 67. Various Christian traditions exist regarding Paul’s death, but the most widely accepted account comes from Eusebius, an early church historian. Eusebius reported that Paul was beheaded by order of the Roman emperor Nero or one of his officials. This event took place shortly after a significant fire in Rome, which Nero falsely attributed to the Christians.

It is believed that around the same time, the apostle Peter was also martyred during the early Christian persecutions. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down, while Paul, being a Roman citizen, was beheaded. This is supported by the statement in Acts 22:28, where Paul asserts his Roman citizenship. Roman citizens were typically exempt from crucifixion.

The accuracy of these traditions is uncertain. Since the Bible does not provide details on Paul’s death, the circumstances surrounding it remain unclear. However, based on available information, it appears likely that Paul met his end through beheading.

Paul was willing to die for his faith. He expressed his readiness to die for Christ “Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”, (Acts 21:13). Jesus had foretold that Paul would endure much suffering for the sake of Christ’s name “for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”, (Acts 9:16). From the accounts in the Book of Acts about Paul’s life, we can infer that he died proclaiming the gospel of Christ, using his final moments to testify to the liberating truth “and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”, (John 8:32).