What is the story of Saul of Tarsus before he became the apostle Paul?

Answer

It is challenging to overstate the impact of the apostle Paul. He is globally recognized as one of the most significant Christian missionaries. His inspired writings encompass a substantial portion of the New Testament, and it is fair to say that he remains one of the most widely read authors in human history. His sudden transformation from a fervent persecutor of Christians to one of Christianity’s most prominent advocates undoubtedly influenced the early history of the Christian church. But who was Saul of Tarsus before he transformed into the apostle Paul? What information do we have about his life before encountering Christ on the Damascus Road?

Saul of Tarsus was born around AD 5 in the city of Tarsus in Cilicia (now part of Turkey). He was born to Jewish parents who held Roman citizenship, a highly esteemed privilege that their son would also inherit. Around AD 10, Saul’s family relocated to Jerusalem. Sometime between AD 15 and 20, Saul commenced his study of the Hebrew Scriptures in Jerusalem under Rabbi Gamaliel. It was with Gamaliel that Saul embarked on a comprehensive exploration of the Law alongside the renowned rabbi.

There has been some discussion regarding whether Saul was brought up in Jerusalem or in his birthplace of Tarsus, but a direct interpretation of his own statements suggests that Jerusalem was his childhood home «I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the strict manner of the law of the fathers, being zealous for God, just as you all are today. », (Acts 22:3). We are aware that Paul’s nephew was in Jerusalem following Paul’s conversion «When Paul’s sister’s son heard of their ambush, he went and entered the barracks and told Paul. », (Acts 23:16), which l

It lends weight to the idea that Paul’s entire family had moved to Jerusalem when he was young.

It is quite possible that Saul was present for the trial of Stephen—a trial that resulted in Stephen becoming the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:54-60). The historian Luke tells us that Stephen’s executioners laid their garments at the feet of Saul, “and cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.”, (Acts 7:58), who was in full approval of the mob’s murderous actions, “And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria, except the apostles.”, (Acts 8:1). Saul later ravaged the church, entering the homes of believers and committing them to prison. Saul’s anti-Christian zeal motivated him not only to arrest and imprison male Christians (the “ringleaders”) but to lock up female believers as well, “As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.”, (Acts 8:3).

Paul’s post-conversion correspondence to various churches reveals even more about his background. In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul describes himself as a Hebrew, an Israelite, and a descendant of Abraham, “Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I.”, (2 Corinthians 11:22). In his letter to the Philippian church, Paul says he was a Pharisee of th

The tribe of Benjamin «circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; », (Philippians 3:5).

While on his way to Damascus to arrest and extradite Christians back to Jerusalem, Saul was confronted by the very One whom he was persecuting (Acts 9:3-9;22:6-11;26:12-18). What followed was one of the most dramatic conversions in church history. Saul of Tarsus became the apostle Paul, an ardent missionary to an unbelieving world and a fine example of faithful service in the face of fierce persecution (Acts 14:19;Acts 16:22-24;2 Corinthians 11:25-26). Saul’s education, his background as a Pharisee, his Roman citizenship, and his unflagging zeal all contributed to his success as a missionary, once those credentials and traits had been subjugated to the lordship of Christ.