Reference: Paul
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The distinguished "apostle of the Gentiles;" also called SAUL, a Hebrew name. He is first called Paul in Ac 13:12; and as some think, assumed this Roman name according to a common custom of Jews in foreign lands, or in honor of Sergius Paulus, Ac 13:7, his friend and an early convert. Both names however may have belonged to him in childhood. He was born at Tarsus in Cilicia, and inherited from his father the privileges of a Roman citizen. His parents belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and brought up their son as "a Hebrew of the Hebrews," Php 3:5. Tarsus was highly distinguished for learning and culture, and the opportunities for improvement it afforded were no doubt diligently improved by Paul. At a suitable age he was sent to Jerusalem to complete his education in the school of Gamaliel, the most distinguished and right-minded of the Rabbis of that age. It does not appear that he was in Jerusalem during the ministry of Christ; and it was perhaps after his return to Tarsus that he learned the art of tent-making, in accordance with a general practice among the Jews, and their maxim, "He that does not teach his son a useful handicraft, teaches him to steal," Ac 18:3; 20:34; 2Th 3:8.
We next find him at Jerusalem, apparently about thirty years of age, high in the confidence of the leading men of the nation. He had profited by the instructions of Gamaliel, and became learned in the law; yielding himself to the strictest discipline of the sect of the Pharisees, he had become a fierce defender of Judaism and a bitter enemy of Christianity, Ac 8:3; 26:9-11. After his miraculous conversion, of which we have three accounts, Ac 9:22,26, Christ was all in all to him. It was Christ who revealed himself to his soul at Damascus, Ac 26:15; 1Co 15:8; to Christ he gave his whole heart, and soul, mind, might, and strength; and thenceforth, living or dying, he was "the servant of Jesus Christ." He devoted all the powers of his ardent and energetic mind to the defense and propagation of the gospel of Christ, more particularly among the Gentiles. His views of the pure and lofty spirit of Christianity, in its worship and in its practical influence, appear to have been peculiarly clear and strong; and the opposition which he was thus led to make to the rites and ceremonies of the Jewish worship, exposed him everywhere to the hatred and malice of his countrymen. On their accusation, he was at length put in confinement by the Roman officers and after being detained for two years or more at Caesarea, he was sent to Rome for trial, having himself appealed to the emperor. There is less certainty in respect to the accounts, which are given of Paul afterwards by the early ecclesiastical writers. Still it was a very generally received opinion in the earlier centuries, that the apostle was acquitted and discharged from his imprisonment at the end of two years; and that he afterwards returned to Rome, where he was again imprisoned and put to death by Nero.
Paul appears to have possessed all the learning which was then current among the Jews, and also to have been acquainted with Greek literature; as appears from his mastery of the Greek language, his frequent discussions with their philosophers, and his quotations from their poets-Aratus, Ac 17:28; Meander, 1Co 15:33; and Epimenides, Tit 1:12. Probably, however a learned Greek education cannot with propriety be ascribed to him. But the most striking trait in his character is his enlarged view of the universal design and the spiritual nature of the religion of Christ, and of its purifying and ennobling influence upon the heart and character of those who sincerely profess it. From the Savior himself he had caught the flame of universal love, and the idea of salvation for all mankind, Ga 1:12. Most of the other apostles and teachers appear to have clung to Judaism, to the rites, ceremonies, and dogmas of the religion in which they had been educated, and to have regarded Christianity as intended to be engrafted upon the ancient stock, which was yet to remain as the trunk to support the new branches. Paul seems to have been among the first to rise above this narrow view, and to regard Christianity in its light, as a universal religion. While others were for Judaizing all those who embraced the new religion by imposing on them the yoke of Mosaic observances, it was Paul's endeavor to break down the middle wall of separation between Jews and Gentiles, and show them that they were all "one in Christ." To this end all his labors tended; and, ardent in the pursuit of this great object, he did not hesitate to censure the time-serving Peter, and to expose his own life in resisting the prejudices of is countrymen. Indeed, his five years' imprisonment as Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Rome arose chiefly from this cause.
These various journeys of St. Paul, many of them made on foot, should be studied through on a map; in connection with the inspired narrative, in Acts, and with his own pathetic description of his labors, 2Co 11:23-29, wherein nevertheless the half is not told. When we review the many regions he traversed and evangelized, the converts he gathered, and the churches he founded, the toils, perils, and trials he endured, the miracles he wrought, and the revelations he received, the discourses, orations, and letters in which he so ably defends and unfolds Christianity, the immeasurable good which God by him accomplished, his heroic life, and his martyr death, he appears to us the most extraordinary of men.
The character of Paul is most fully portrayed in his epistles, by which, as Chrysostom says he, "still lives in the mouths of men throughout the whole world. By them, not only is own converts, but all the faithful even unto this day, yea, and all the saints who are yet to be born until Christ's coming again, both have been and shall be blessed." In them we observe the transforming and elevating power of grace in one originally turbulent and passionate-making him a model of many and Christian excellence; fearless and firm, yet considerate, courteous, and gentle; magnanimous, patriotic, and self-sacrificing; rich in all noble sentiments and affections.
EPISTLES OF PAUL. -There are fourteen epistles in the New Testament usually ascribed to Paul, beginning with that to the Romans, and ending with that to the Hebrews. Of these the first thirteen have never been contested; as to the latter, many good men have doubted whether Paul was the author, although the current of criticism is in favor of this opinion. These epistles, in which the principles of Christianity are developed for all periods, characters, and circumstances, are among the most important of the primitive documents of the Christian religion, even apart from their inspired character; and although they seem to have been written without special premeditation, and have reference mostly to transient circumstances and temporary relations, yet they everywhere bear the stamp of the great and original mind of the apostle, as purified, elevated, and sustained by the influences of the Holy Spirit.
It is worthy of mention here, that an expression of Peter respecting "our beloved brother Paul" is often a little misunderstood. The words "in which" in 2Pe 3:16, are erroneously applied to the "epistles" of Paul; and not to "these things" immediately preceding, that is, the subjects of which Peter was writing, as the Greek shows they should be. Peter finds no fault, either with Paul, or with the doctrines of revelation.
The arrangement of Hug is somewhat different; and some critics who find evidence that Paul was released from his first imprisonment and lived until the spring of A. D. 68, assign the epistles Hebrews, 1Timothy, Titus, and 2Timothy to the last year of his life. See TIMOTHY.
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But, Saul, went on to lay waste the assembly, along the houses, going in, and, dragging off both men and women, was
But, Saul, was the more gaining power; and was confounding the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, shewing, by comparison, that - This, is the Christ.
And, when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he made attempts to join himself unto the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
Who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. The same, calling for Barnabas and Saul, sought to hear the word of God.
Then, the proconsul, seeing what had happened, believed, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are.
and, because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought, for they were tent-makers by their trade.
yourselves, acknowledge that, for my necessities and for those who were with me, hard wrought these hands!
I, therefore, imagined to myself, that, against the name of Jesus the Nazarene, it was needful, many hostile things, to bring about, - which also I did in Jerusalem, yea and, many of the saints, I myself, in prisons, shut up, - the authority, from the High-priests, having received: and, when they were to be put to death, I brought against them my vote; read more. and, throughout all the synagogues, ofttimes punishing them, I would fain have compelled them to defame; and, being excessively maddened against them, I went on to pursue them as far as even the outlying cities.
And, I, said - Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said - I, am Jesus, whom, thou, art persecuting!
Be not deceiving yourselves, - evil communications corrupt gentle manners: -
Ministers of Christ, are they? As one deranged I am talking, I, above measure! - in toils, superabundantly, in prisons, superabundantly, in stripes, to excess, in deaths, oft, - From Jews, five times, forty-save-one, have I received, read more. Thrice, have I been beaten with rods, once, have I been stoned, thrice, have I been shipwrecked, a day and night, in the deep, have I spent; In journeyings oft, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own race, in perils from Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils by the sea, in perils among false brethren, in toil and hardship, in watchings, oft, in hunger and thirst, in fasting, oft, in cold and nakedness: - Apart from the things without, my daily care, - my anxiety for all the assemblies; - Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and, I, am not burning?
For neither, from man, did I accept it, nor was taught it , - but through a revealing of Jesus Christ.
Circumcised, the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, - regarding law, a Pharisee,
Said one from among them, a prophet, of their own! - Cretans! always false, mischievous wild-beasts, idle gluttons:
As also, in all letters, speaking in them concerning these things, - in which letters are some things, hard to be understood, which, the uninstructed and unstable, wrest, - as also the other scriptures, - unto their own destruction.
Easton
Saul (q.v.) was born about the same time as our Lord. His circumcision-name was Saul, and probably the name Paul was also given to him in infancy "for use in the Gentile world," as "Saul" would be his Hebrew home-name. He was a native of Tarsus, the capi
Tarsus was also the seat of a famous university, higher in reputation even than the universities of Athens and Alexandria, the only others that then existed. Here Saul was born, and here he spent his youth, doubtless enjoying the best education his native city could afford. His father was of the straitest sect of the Jews, a Pharisee, of the tribe of Benjamin, of pure and unmixed Jewish blood (Ac 23:6; Php 3:5). We learn nothing regarding his mother; but there is reason to conclude that she was a pious woman, and that, like-minded with her husband, she exercised all a mother influence in moulding the character of her son, so that he could afterwards speak of himself as being, from his youth up, "touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Php 3:6).
We read of his sister and his sister's son (Ac 23:16), and of other relatives (Ro 16:7,11-12). Though a Jew, his father was a Roman citizen. How he obtained this privilege we are not informed. "It might be bought, or won by distinguished service to the state, or acquired in several other ways; at all events, his son was freeborn. It was a valuable privilege, and one that was to prove of great use to Paul, although not in the way in which his father might have been expected to desire him to make use of it." Perhaps the most natural career for the youth to follow was that of a merchant. "But it was decided that...he should go to college and become a rabbi, that is, a minister, a teacher, and a lawyer all in one."
According to Jewish custom, however, he learned a trade before entering on the more direct preparation for the sacred profession. The trade he acquired was the making of tents from goats' hair cloth, a trade which was one of the commonest in Tarsus.
His preliminary education having been completed, Saul was sent, when about thirteen years of age probably, to the great Jewish school of sacred learning at Jerusalem as a student of the law. Here he became a pupil of the celebrated rabbi Gamaliel, and here he spent many years in an elaborate study of the Scriptures and of the many questions concerning them with which the rabbis exercised themselves. During these years of diligent study he lived "in all good conscience," unstained by the vices of that great city.
After the period of his student-life expired, he probably left Jerusalem for Tarsus, where he may have been engaged in connection with some synagogue for some years. But we find him back again at Jerusalem very soon after the death of our Lord. Here he now learned the particulars regarding the crucifixion, and the rise of the new sect of the "Nazarenes."
For some two years after Pentecost, Christianity was quietly spreading its influence in Jerusalem. At length Stephen, one of the seven deacons, gave forth more public and aggressive testimony that Jesus was the Messiah, and this led to much excitement among the Jews and much disputation in their synagogues. Persecution arose against Stephen and the followers of Christ generally, in which Saul of Tarsus took a prominent part. He was at this time probably a member of the great Sanhedrin, and became the active leader in the furious persecution by which the rulers then sought to exterminate Christianity.
But the object of this persecution also failed. "They that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." The anger of the persecutor was thereby kindled into a fiercer flame. Hearing that fugitives had taken refuge in Damascus, he obtained from the chief priest letters authorizing him to proceed thither on his persecuting career. This was a long journey of about 130 miles, which would occupy perhaps six days, during which, with his few attendants, he steadily went onward, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter." But the crisis of his life was at hand. He had reached the last stage of his journey, and was within sight of Damascus. As he and his companions rode on, suddenly at mid-day a brilliant light shone round them, and Saul was laid prostrate in terror on the ground, a voice sounding in his ears, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" The risen Saviour was there, clothed in the vesture of his glorified humanity. In answer to the anxious inquiry of the stricken persecutor, "Who art thou, Lord?" he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest" (Ac 9:5; 22:8; 26:15).
This was the moment of his conversion, the most solemn in all his life. Blinded by the dazzling light (Ac 9:8), his companions led him into the city, where, absorbed in deep thought for three days, he neither ate nor drank (Ac 9:11). Ananias, a disciple living in Damascus, was informed by a vision of the change that had happened to Saul, and was sent to him to open his eyes and admit him by baptism into the Christian church (Ac 9:11-16). The whole purpose of his life was now permanently changed.
Illustration: Scene of Paul's Journeys and of the Early Churches
Immediately after his conversion he retired into the solitudes of Arabia (Ga 1:17), perhaps of "Sinai in Arabia," for the purpose, probably, of devout study and meditation on the marvellous revelation that had been made to him. "A veil of thick darkness hangs over this visit to Arabia. Of the scenes among which he moved, of the thoughts and occupations which engaged him while there, of all the circumstances of a crisis which must have shaped the whole tenor of his after-life, absolutely nothing is known. 'Immediately,' says St. Paul, 'I went away into Arabia.' The historian passes over the incident (comp. Ac 9:23; 1Ki 11:38-39). It is a mysterious pause, a moment of suspense, in the apostle's history, a breathless calm, which ushers in the tumultuous storm of his active missionary life." Coming back, after three years, to Damascus, he began to preach the gospel "boldly in the name of Jesus" (Ac 9:27), but was soon obliged to flee (Ac 9:25; 2Co 11:33) from the Jews and betake himself to Jerusalem. Here he tarried for three weeks, but was again forced to flee (Ac 9:28-29) from persecution. He now returned to his native Tarsus (Ga 1:21), where, for probably about three years, we lose sight of him. The time had not yet come for his entering on his great life-work of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.
At length the city of Antioch, the capital of Syria, became the scene of great Christian activity. There the gospel gained a firm footing, and the cause of Christ prospered. Barnabas (q.v.), who had been sent from Jerusalem to superintend the work at Antioch, found it too much for him, and remembering Saul, he set out to Tarsus to seek for him. He readily responded to the call thus addressed to him, and came down to Antioch, which for "a whole year" became the scene of his labours, which were crowned with great success. The disciples now, for the first time, were called "Christians" (Ac 11:26).
The church at Antioch now proposed to send out missionaries to the Gentiles, and Saul and Barnabas, with John Mark as their attendant, were chosen for this work. This was a great epoch in the history of the church. Now the disciples began to give effect to the Master's command: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."
The three missionaries went forth on the first missionary tour. They sailed from Seleucia, the seaport of Antioch, across to Cyprus, some 80 miles to the south-west. Here at Paphos, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, was converted, and now Saul took the lead, and was ever afterwards called Paul. The missionaries now crossed to the mainland, and then proceeded 6 or 7 miles up the river Cestrus to Perga (Ac 13:13), where John Mark deserted the work and returned to Jerusalem. The two then proceeded about 100 miles inland, passing through Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia. The towns mentioned in this tour are the Pisidian Antioch, where Paul delivered his first address of which we have any record (Ac 13:16-51; comp. Ac 10:30-43), Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They returned by the same r
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And he said - Who art thou, Lord? And, he, said - I, am Jesus, whom, thou, art persecuting!
And Saul arose from the earth, and, his eyes being opened, he could see nothing; and, taking him by the hand, they led him into Damascus, -
And the Lord said unto him - Rise! go into the street which is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, one Saul, by name, of Tarsus. For lo! he is praying, -
And the Lord said unto him - Rise! go into the street which is called Straight, and seek, in the house of Judas, one Saul, by name, of Tarsus. For lo! he is praying, - And hath seen a man in a vision, Ananias by name, coming in and laying on him his hands, to the intent he should see. read more. And Ananias, answered - Lord! I have heard from many concerning this man, how many evil things unto thy saints he hath done in Jerusalem; And, here, he hath authority from the High-priests to bind all them that call upon thy name. But the Lord said unto him - Be going thy way; for, a choice vessel unto me, is this man, to bear my name before both thenations and kings, and the sons of Israel; For, I, will let him understand how many things he must needs, for my name, suffer.
Now, when a considerable number of days were being fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him;
But the disciples, taking him by night, through the wall, let him down, lowering him in a basket.
But, Barnabas, taking him, brought him unto the apostles, and related unto them, - how, in the way, he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken unto him; and how, in Damascus, he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; read more. And was both speaking and discussing with the Grecian Jews, - but, they, were setting to work to kill him.
And Cornelius said - Four days ago, counting unto this very hour, I was keeping, the ninth hour, as one of prayer, in my house. And lo! a man stood before me, in bright clothing, And saith - Cornelius! thy prayer hath been heard, and, thine alms, have been remembered before God. read more. Send, therefore, unto Joppa, and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter. The same is being entertained in the house of one Simon a tanner, by the sea. Immediately, therefore, I sent unto thee: Thou, also hast, well, done in coming. Now, therefore, all we, before God are present, to hear all things that have been enjoined upon thee by the Lord. And Peter, opening his mouth, said - Of a truth, I find that God is no respecter of persons; But, in every nation, he that feareth him and worketh righteousness, is acceptable unto him. As touching the word he hath sent unto the sons of Israel, announcing the glad tidings of peace through Jesus Christ - the same, is Lord, of all, Ye yourselves, know what hath come to pass throughout the whole of Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the immersion which John proclaimed, respecting Jesus who was of Nazareth: - How God anointed him with Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed by the adversary, because, God, was with him. We also, are witnesses of all things which he did, both in the country of the Jews and Jerusalem; whom they even slew by suspending upon a tree; - The same, God raised up on the third day, and gave him to become, manifest, Not unto all the people, but unto witnesses who had been fore-appointed by God, unto us, who, indeed, did eat and drink with him after his rising from among the dead. And he charged us to proclaim unto the people, and bear full witness, that - This, is he that hath been marked out by God to be judge of living and dead. Unto the same, do all the prophets bear witness, That, remission of sins, is to be received through his name, by every one that believeth on him.
And, finding him, he brought him unto Antioch. And so it was with them, that, for a whole year, they were brought together in the assembly, and taught a considerable multitude; also that the disciples, first in Antioch, were called, Christians.
And, setting sail from Paphos, Paul's company came into Perga of Pamphylia; but, John, withdrawing from them, returned unto Jerusalem.
And Paul, standing up, and making a sign with his hand, said - Ye men of Israel! and such as revere God! hearken: - The God of this people Israel, chose our fathers, and, the people, he exalted, by their sojourn in the land of Egypt, - and, with a high arm, brought he them out of it; read more. And, for the time of about forty years, bare with their manners in the desert; And, overthrowing seven nations in the land of Canaan, gave them their land as an inheritance - about four hundred and fifty years. And, after these things, he gave them judges, until Samuel the prophet. And, from that time, they asked for themselves a king, and God gave them Saul, son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, during forty years; And, setting him aside, raised up, David, unto them for king, - of whom he also said, bearing witness - I have found David, the son of Jesse, - a manaccording to my heart, who will do all my will. From this man's seed, hath God, according to promise, brought unto Israel, a saviour - Jesus: John, beforehand proclaiming, before the face of his coming in, an immersion of repentance, unto all the people of Israel. And, as John was fulfilling his course, he was saying - Whom are ye supposing that I am? I, am not he! But lo! there cometh, after me, one of whom I am not worthy, the sandals of his feet, to loosen. Brethren! sons of the race of Abraham, and those who among you revere God, - unto you, hath this word of salvation been sent forth. For, they who were dwelling in Jerusalem, and their rulers, not recognising him, have, by judging him, fulfilled, the very voices of the prophets which every sabbath are being read; And, though no single cause of death they found, yet claimed they of Pilate that he should be slain. And, when they had finished all those things which, concerning him, had been written, taking him down from the tree, they put him in a tomb. But, God, raised him from among the dead: Who appeared, during many days, unto them who had come up with him from Galilee unto Jerusalem; who, indeed, noware his witnesses unto the people. We, therefore, unto you, bring the good news, as to the promise which, unto our fathers, was made, - That God hath fulfilled, the same, for our children, by raising up Jesus: as also, in the second psalm, it is written - My son, art, thou: I, this day, have begotten thee. And, in that he raised him from among the dead, no more destined to return unto corruption, on this wise hath he spoken - I will give unto you the faithful lovingkindnesses of David. Wherefore also, in a different place , he saith - Thou wilt not give thy man of lovingkindness to see corruption. For, David, indeed, unto his own generation having done service, by the counsel of God, fell asleep, and was added unto fathers, and saw corruption; But, he whom God hath raised, did not see corruption. Be it known unto you, therefore, brethren, - that, through this man, unto you, remission of sins is declared; And, from all things from which ye could not, by the law of Moses, be justified, by this man, everyone that believeth, is justified. Be taking heed, therefore, lest that come upon you which hath been spoken in the prophets - See, ye despisers, and marvel, and disappear: in that, a work, am, I, working in your days, - a work, which in nowise will ye believe, though one relate it in full unto you. And, as they were going out, they kept on beseeching that, on the ensuing sabbath, might be spoken unto them these things. And, when the congregation was broken up, there followed many of the Jews, and of the devout proselytes, with Paul and Barnabas; who, indeed, in speaking unto them, went on persuading them to abide in the favour of God. And, on the coming sabbath, almost all the city, was gathered together, to hear the word of God. But, the Jews, seeing, the multitudes, were filled with jealousy, - and began speaking against the things which, by Paul, were being spoken, defaming them. And Paul and Barnabas, speaking boldly, said - Unto you, was it necessary, that the word of God should first be spoken: seeing ye are thrusting it from you, and, unworthy, are judging yourselves of the age-abiding life, lo! we turn unto the nations; For so hath the Lord commanded us - I have set thee for a light of nations, that thou mayest be for salvation unto the end of the earth. And they of the nations, hearing this , began to rejoice, and to be glorifying God, and they believed - as many as had become disposed for life age-abiding. And the word of the Lord went on to be carried through the whole country. But, the Jews, urged on the devout women of the higher class, and the chief men of the city, and roused up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, - and thrust them out from their bounds. But they, shaking off the dust of their feet against them, came into Iconium.
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian country, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia;
but, passing by Mysia, they came down unto Troas. And, a vision, by night, unto Paul appeared: - A man of Macedonia, there was, standing and beseeching him, and saying - Come over into Macedonia, and bring us succour!
So then, he began reasoning in the synagogue with the Jews, and with them who worshipped; and, in the market-place, every day, with them who happened to be at hand. But, certain both of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers, were encountering him; and some were saying - What might this picker-up-of-scraps wish to be saying? And, others - Of foreign demons, he seemeth to be a declarer: because, of Jesus and the Resurrection, he was announcing the joyful tidings. read more. And so, laying hold of him, they brought him up, to the Hill of Mars, saying - Can we get to know what this new teaching is, which, by thee, is being spoken. For, certain foreign things, art thou bringing into our hearing: We are minded to get to know, therefore, what these things please to be! Now, all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners, unto nothing else, were devoting their leisure, than to be telling or hearing, something newer. And Paul taking his stand in the midst of the Hill of Mars, said - Ye men of Athens! In every way, how unusually reverent of the demons ye are, I perceive. For, passing through, and carefully observing your objects of devotion, I found an altar also, in which was inscribed - Unto an Unknown God. What, therefore, not knowing, ye reverence, the same, do, I, declare unto you. The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell, nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things; he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place, that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us. For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are. Being, then, offspring, of God, we ought not to be supposing that, unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man, the Divine, is like. The times of ignorance, therefore, overlooking, God, as things now are, is charging all men everywhere to repent, inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out, - offering faith unto all, by raising him from among the dead?
And, when they requested him for a longer time to abide, he consented not; but, bidding them adieu, and saying - Again, will I return unto you, God willing, he sailed away from Ephesus; read more. and, putting in at Caesarea, going up and saluting the assembly, went down unto Antioch; and, spending some time, he went forth, passing through, in order, the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece;
But, from Miletus, he sent unto Ephesus, and called for the elders of the assembly.
And, I, answered - Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me - I, am Jesus the Nazarene, whom, thou, art persecuting!
But Paul, getting to know that, the one part, were Sadducees and, the other, Pharisees, began to cry aloud in the council - Brethren! I, am, a Pharisee, son of Pharisees: - Concerning a hope, even of a rising again of the dead, am I to be judged.
But Paul's sister's son hearing of the lying-in-wait, happening to be near, and coming into the castle, - reported it unto Paul.
I myself will hear thee in full, said he, whensoever, thine accusers also, are come; and gave orders that, in the palace of Herod, he should be kept under guard.
If then, on the one hand, I am doing wrong, and, anything worthy of death, have committed, I excuse not myself from dying; but, on the other hand, if there is, nothing, in the things whereof these are accusing me, no man, hath power to give, me, unto them as a favour: - Unto Caesar, I appeal!
And, I, said - Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said - I, am Jesus, whom, thou, art persecuting!
And, having arranged with him a day, there came unto him, to the lodging, a larger number; unto whom he proceeded to expound, bearing full witness as to the kingdom of God, and persuading them concerning Jesus, both from the law of Moses, and from the prophets, - from morning till evening.
And he abode two whole years in his own hired house, and made welcome all who were coming in unto him, - proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom of speech, without hindrance.
By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of Holy Spirit; so that I, from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum, have fulfilled the glad-message of the Christ, -
Salute Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and my fellow-captives, who, indeed, are of note among the Apostles, who also before me had come to be in Christ.
Salute Herodion, my kinsman. Salute them of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Salute Tryphaena and Tryphosa, sisters who have toiled in the Lord. Salute Persis, the beloved sister , who, indeed, hath toiled much in the Lord.
Moreover, although I came unto Troas for the glad-message of the Christ, and a door for me had been opened in the Lord,
Neither went I up unto Jerusalem unto them who, before me, were apostles, - but I went away into Arabia, and again returned unto Damascus.
Howbeit ye know that, by reason of a weakness of the flesh, I myself announced the glad-message unto you, formerly;
Howbeit ye know that, by reason of a weakness of the flesh, I myself announced the glad-message unto you, formerly; And, your trial, in my flesh, ye despised not, neither spat ye in disgust , but, as a messenger of God, ye welcomed me - as Christ Jesus.
So that, my bonds, have become manifest in Christ, in the whole palace, and unto all the rest, -
Circumcised, the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, - regarding law, a Pharisee, Regarding zeal, persecuting the assembly, regarding the righteousness that is in law, having become blameless.
Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, saluteth you; and Mark, the first cousin of Barnabas, - concerning whom ye have received commands - if he come unto you, give him welcome;
Fausets
(See ACTS.) The leading facts of his life which appear in that history, subsidiary to its design of sketching the great epochs in the commencement and development of Christ's kingdom, are: his conversion (Acts 9), his labours at Antioch (Acts 11), his first missionary journey (Acts 13; 14), the visit to Jerusalem at the council on circumcision (Acts 15), introduction of the gospel to Europe at Philippi (Acts 16),: visit to Athens (Acts 17), to Corinth (Acts 18), stay at Ephesus (Acts 19), parting address to the Ephesian elders at Miletus (Acts 20), apprehension at Jerusalem, imprisonment at Casesarea, and voyage to Rome (Acts 21-27). Though of purest Hebrew blood (Php 3:5), "circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, (bearing the name of the eminent man of that tribe, king Saul), an Hebrew of the Hebrew," yet his birthplace was the Gentile Tarsus. (Ac 21:39, "I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.") His father, as himself, was a Pharisee (Ac 23:6). Tarsus was celebrated as a school of Greek literature (Strabo, Geogr. 1:14).
Here he acquired that knowledge of Greek authors and philosophy which qualified him for dealing with learned Gentiles and appealing to their own writers (Ac 17:18-28. Aratus; 1Co 15:33, Menander; Tit 1:12, Epimenides). Here too he learned the Cilician trade of making tents of the goats' hair cloth called "cilicium" (Ac 18:3); not that his father was in straitened circumstances, but Jewish custom required each child, however wealthy the parents might be, to learn a trade. He possessed the Roman citizenship from birth (Ac 22:28), and hence, when he commenced ministering among Gentiles, he preferred to be known by his Roman name Paul rather than by his Hebrew name Saul. His main education (probably after passing his first 12 years at Tarsus, Ac 26:4-5, "among his own nation." Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, Sinaiticus manuscripts read "and" before "at Jerusalem") was at Jerusalem "at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers" (Ac 22:3). (See GAMALIEL.)
Thus the three elements of the world's culture met in him: Roman citizenship, Grecian culture, Hebrew religion. Gamaliel had counseled toleration (Ac 5:34-39); but his teaching of strict pharisaic legalism produced in Saul's ardent spirit persecuting zeal against opponents, "concerning zeal persecuting the church" (Php 3:6). Among the synagogue disputants with Stephen were men "of Cilcia" (Ac 6:9), probably including Saul; at all events it was at his feet, while be was yet "a young man," that the witnesses, stoning the martyr, laid down their clothes (Ac 6:9; 7:58; De 17:7). "Saul was consenting unto his death" (Acts 6; 7); but we can hardly doubt that his better feelings must have had some misgiving in witnessing Stephen's countenance beaming as an angel's, and in hearing his loving prayer for his murderers. But stern bigotry stifled all such doubts by increased zeal; "he made havock of (elumaineto, 'ravaged as a wild beast') the church, entering into the houses (severally, or worship rooms), and haling men and women committed them to prison" (Ac 8:3).
But God's grace arrested Paul in his career of blind fanaticism; "I obtained mercy upon, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief" (1Ti 1:12-16). His ignorance was culpable, for he might have known if he had sought aright; but it was less guilty than sinning against light and knowledge. There is a wide difference between mistaken zeal for the law and willful striving against God's Spirit. His ignorance gave him no claim on, but put him within the range of, God's mercy (Lu 23:34; Ac 3:17; Ro 10:2). The positive ground of mercy is solely God's compassion (Tit 3:5). We have three accounts of his conversion, one by Luke (Acts 9), the others by himself (Acts 22; 26), mutually supplementing one another. Following the adherents of "the (Christian) way ... unto strange cities," and "breathing out threatenings and slaughter," he was on his journey to Damascus with authoritative letters from the high priest empowering him to arrest and bring to Jerusalem all such, trusting doubtless that the pagan governor would not interpose in their behalf.
At midday a light shone upon him and his company, exceeding the brightness of the sun; he and all with him fell to the earth (Ac 26:14; in Ac 9:7 "stood speechless," namely, they soon rose, and when he at length rose they were standing speechless with wonder), "hearing" the sound of a "voice," but not understanding (compare 1Co 14:2 margin) the articulate speech which Paul heard (Ac 22:9, "they heard not the voice of Him that spoke") in Hebrew (Ac 26:14), "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" (in the person of My brethren, Mt 25:40). "It is hard for thee to kick against the goads" (not in Ac 9:5 the Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Alexandrinus manuscripts, but only in Ac 26:14), which, as in the case of oxen being driven, only makes the goad pierce the deeper (Mt 21:44; Pr 8:36). Saul trembling (as the jailer afterward before him, Ac 16:30-31) said, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" the usual question at first awakening (Lu 3:10), but here with the additional sense of unreserved surrender of himself to the Lord's guidance (Isa 6:1-8).
The Lord might act directly, but He chooses to employ ministerial instruments; such was Ananias whom He sent to Saul, after he had been three days without sight and neither eating nor drinking, in the house of Judas (probably a Christian to whose house he had himself led, rather than to his former co-religionists). Ananias, whom he would have seized for prison and death, is the instrument of giving him light and life. God had prepared Ananias for his visitor by announcing the one sure mark of his conversion, "behold he prayeth" (Ro 8:15). Ananias had heard of him as a notorious persecutor, but obeyed the Lord's direction. In Ac 26:16-18 Paul condenses in one account, and connects with Christ's first appearing, subsequent revelations of Jesus to him as to the purpose of his call;" to make thee a minister and witness of these things ... delivering thee from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee." Like Jonah, the outcast runaway, when penitent, was made the messenger of repentance to guilty Nineveh.
The time of his call was just when the gospel was being opened to the Gentiles by Peter (Acts 10). An apostle, severed from legalism, and determined unbelief by an extraordinary revulsion, was better fitted for carrying forward the work among unbelieving Gentiles, which had been begun by the apostle of the circumcision. He who was the most learned and at the same time humblest (Eph 3:8; 1Co 15:9) of the apostles was the one whose pen was most used in the New Testament Scriptures. He"saw" the Lord in actual person (Ac 9:17; 22:14; 23:11; 26:16; 1Co 15:8; 9:1), which was a necessary qualification for apostleship, so as to be witness of the resurrection. The light that flashed on his eyes was the sign of the spiritual light that broke in upon his soul; and Jesus' words to him (Ac 26:18), "to open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light" (which commission was symbolized in the opening of his own eyes through Ananias, Ac 9:17-18), are by undesigned coincidence reproduced naturally in his epistles (Col 1:12-14; 2Co 4:4; Eph 1:18, contrast Eph 4:18; 6:12).
He calls himself "the one untimely born" in the family of the apostles (1Co 15:8). Such a child, though born alive, is yet not of proper size and scarcely worthy of the name of man; so Paul calls himself" least of the apostles, not meet to be called an apostle" (compare 1Pe 1:3). He says, God's "choice" (Ac 9:15; 22:14), "separating me (in contrast to his having been once a "Pharisee", from pharash, i.e. a separatist, but now 'separated' unto something infinitely higher) from my mother's womb (therefore without any merit of mine), and calling me by His grace (which carried into effect His 'good pleasure,' eudokia), revealed His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the pagan," independent of Mosaic ceremonialism (Ga 1:11-20). Ananias, being "a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews there," was the suitable instrum
See Verses Found in Dictionary
The hand of the witnesses, shall be upon him first to put him to death, and the hand of all the people, afterwards, - so shalt thou consume the wicked thing out of thy midst.
And Shimei said to the king - Good, is the word, as my lord the king hath spoken, so, will thy servant do. And Shimei dwelt in Jerusalem many days. But it came to pass, at the end of three years, that two of the servants of Shimei fled unto Achish son of Maachah king of Gath, - and they told Shimei, saying - Lo! thy servants are in Gath.
And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Now, art, thou, troubling Israel?
But none saith - Where is GOD my maker, Who giveth songs in the night;
For thou wilt not abandon my soul to hades, neither wilt thou suffer thy man of lovingkindness, to see corruption:
By day, will Yahweh command his lovingkindness, And, in the night, shall His song be with me, My prayer be to the GOD of my life.
But, he that misseth me, wrongeth his own soul, all who hate me, love death.
The fear of man, setteth a snare, but, he that trusteth in Yahweh, shall be placed on high.
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw My Lord, sitting upon a throne high and lifted up, and, his skirts, did fill the temple, Seraphim, were standing above him; six wings severally, had each one, - With twain, he covered his face And with twain, he covered his feet And with twain, he did fly. read more. And they continued crying out one to another, and said, Holy - holy - holy, is Yahweh of hosts, - the fulness of the whole earth, is his glory. And the foundations of the porch, were moved at the voice of him that cried, - and the house, was filled with smoke. Then said I - Woe to me! - for I am undone, Because a man of unclean lips, am, I, And in the midst of a people of unclean lips, do I dwell, - For the King. Yahweh of hosts, have mine eyes seen! Then flew unto me one of the seraphim, And in his hand, a live coal, - With tongs, had he taken it from off the altar. Then touched he my month, and said - Lo! this hath touched thy lips, - Thus shall be taken away, thine iniquity, And, thy sin, by propitiation be covered. Then heard I the voice of My Lord, saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said - Here am I - send me.
I - Yahweh, have called thee in righteousness, And will firmly grasp thy hand, - And will keep thee And give thee - As the covenant of a people, As the light of nations:
Yea he said - It is too small a thing, for being my Servant, That thou shouldest raise up the tribes of Jacob, And the preserved of Israel, shouldst restore, - So I will give thee to become a light of nations, That, my salvation, may reach as far as the end of the earth.
In that day, will I raise up the pavilion of David, that is lying prostrate, - and wall up the breaches of them, and, his ruins, will I raise up, and will build it, as in the days of age-past times: That they on whom my name hath been called, may take possession, of the residue of Edom and of all the nations, Declareth Yahweh, who executeth this.
And, if, thy right eye, is causing thee to stumble, pluck it out, and cast it from thee, - for it profiteth thee, that, one of thy members, should perish, and not, thy whole body, be cast into gehenna.
But, seeing the wind, he was affrighted, and, beginning to sink, cried out, saying - Lord! save me!
And deliver him up unto the nations, to mock and to scourge and to crucify, - and, on the third day, he will, arise.
And, he that falleth on this stone, will be sorely bruised; but, on whomsoever it may fall, it will utterly destroy him.
Then, saith he unto his servants - The marriage, indeed, is ready, - but, the invited, were not, worthy;
Naked, and ye clothed me, sick, and ye visited me, in prison, was I, and ye came unto me.
And, answering, the king will say unto them: Verily, I say unto you - Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my least brethren, unto me, ye did it.
And the multitude began to question him saying - What, then, shall we do?
And, when they were parting his garments, they cast lots.
And, the Word, became, flesh, and pitched his tent among us, and we gazed upon his glory, - a glory, as an Only-begotten from his Father. Full of favour and truth.
Because, out of his fulness, we all, received, even favour over against favour.
Ye, worship, that which ye know not; We, worship, that which we know; because, salvation, is, of the Jews.
If then, I, have washed your feet, - I The Lord, and, The Teacher, ye also, ought to wash, one another's, feet;
Pilate, therefore, entered again into the judgment-hall; and addressed Jesus, and said unto him - Art, thou, the king of the Jews? Jesus answered - Of thyself, art, thou, this thing saying; or did, others, tell thee concerning me? read more. Pilate answered - Am, I, a Jew? Thine own nation, and the High-priests, delivered thee up, unto me! What, hast thou done? Jesus answered - My kingdom, is not of this world: If, of this world, had been my kingdom, mine own officers, would have been striving, that I should not be delivered up unto the Jews: but, now, my kingdom, is not from hence. Pilate, therefore, said unto him - And yet, thou, art, not a king? Jesus answered - Thou, sayest, that, a king, I am: I, for this, have been born, and, for this, have come into the world, - that I may bear witness unto the truth: Every one who is of the truth, hearkeneth unto my voice.
For this cause, Pilate, began seeking to release him; but, the Jews, cried aloud saying - If this man thou release, thou art not a friend of Caesar, for, every one who maketh himself king, speaketh against Caesar.
And, leaping forward, he stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God.
And now brethren, I know that by way of ignorance ye acted, - just as even your rulers.
But, a messenger of the Lord, by night, opened the doors of the prison; and, leading them out, said -
But a certain man, rising up in the high-council, by name Gamaliel, a law-teacher honoured by all the people, gave orders to put the men, outside, for a little, - And said unto them - Men of Israel! be taking heed unto yourselves, what ye are about to inflict upon these men. read more. For, before these days, there rose up one Theudas, affirming, himself, to be somebody, - unto whom was inclined a number of men, about four hundred; who was slain, and, all as many as had been trusting in him, were disbanded, and came to nothing. After him, rose up Judas the Galilaean, in the days of the enrolling, and drew a people into revolt after him; and, he, perished, and, all, as many as had trusted in him, were scattered. Now, therefore, I say unto you - stand aloof from these men, and let them alone; because if, of men, be this project or this work, it will be overthrown, - But, if it is, of God, ye will not be able to overthrow them: lest once, even fighters against God, ye be found.
But there rose up certain of those out of the synagogue which is called the synagogue of them of Libertium and Cyrene and Alexandria, and certain of them from Cilicia and Asia, - disputing with Stephen;
But there rose up certain of those out of the synagogue which is called the synagogue of them of Libertium and Cyrene and Alexandria, and certain of them from Cilicia and Asia, - disputing with Stephen;
In which season, Moses, was born, and was exceeding goodly, - who was nourished up three months in the house of his father;
And, so Moses was trained in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in his words and works.
And, thrusting him forth outside the city, proceeded to stone him. And, the witnesses, laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
But, Saul, went on to lay waste the assembly, along the houses, going in, and, dragging off both men and women, was
And he said - Who art thou, Lord? And, he, said - I, am Jesus, whom, thou, art persecuting!
But, the men who were accompanying him, stood speechless, - hearing, indeed, the voice, but beholding no one.
But the Lord said unto him - Be going thy way; for, a choice vessel unto me, is this man, to bear my name before both thenations and kings, and the sons of Israel;
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and, laying upon him his hands, said - Saul, brother! The Lord, hath sent me, - Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way by which thou wast coming, - that thou mayest recover sight, and be filled with Holy Spirit.
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and, laying upon him his hands, said - Saul, brother! The Lord, hath sent me, - Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way by which thou wast coming, - that thou mayest recover sight, and be filled with Holy Spirit. And, straightway, there fell from him - from his eyes, - as it were scales; he recovered sight also, and, arising, was immersed:
And, straightway, in the synagogues, he began proclaiming Jesus, that, This, is the Son of God. And all who were hearing were astonished, and began to say - is not, this, he who destroyed, in Jerusalem, them that invoke this name; and, here, for this purpose, had come, in order that he might lead them, bound, unto the High-priests? read more. But, Saul, was the more gaining power; and was confounding the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, shewing, by comparison, that - This, is the Christ. Now, when a considerable number of days were being fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him;
And, when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he made attempts to join himself unto the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
And, when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he made attempts to join himself unto the disciples; and all were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But, Barnabas, taking him, brought him unto the apostles, and related unto them, - how, in the way, he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken unto him; and how, in Damascus, he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus. read more. And he was with them, coming in and going out in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord; And was both speaking and discussing with the Grecian Jews, - but, they, were setting to work to kill him.
And was both speaking and discussing with the Grecian Jews, - but, they, were setting to work to kill him. And the brethren, discovering it, brought him down into Caesarea, and sent him away unto Tarsus.
And, when Peter came up unto Jerusalem, they of the circumcision began to find fault with him, Saying - he went in unto men uncircumcised, and did eat with them. read more. But Peter, making a beginning, went on to set forth the matter unto them in order, saying - I was in the city of Joppa praying, and saw in a trance, a vision: - coming down a sort of vessel, like a large sheet, by four corners, being let down out of heaven, and it came even unto me: Into which steadfastly looking, began to observe, and saw the quadrupeds of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the creeping things, and the birds of heaven. Moreover heard a voice also, saying unto me - Rise, Peter! slay and eat. But I said - By no means, Lord, because, a common or unclean thing, hath at no time entered into my mouth. And a voice answered, a second time, out of heaven - What things, God, hath cleansed, be not, thou, making common. And, this, took place thrice, - and the whole was drawn up again into heaven; And lo! immediately, three men halted at the house wherein we were, sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. And there went with me these six brethren also; and we entered into the house of the man, And he related to us how he had seen the messenger in his house, standing, and saying - Send away unto Joppa, and fetch Simon, who is surnamed Peter; Who shall speak words unto thee, whereby thou shall be saved, thou, and all thy house. And, as I began to be speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as upon us also at the beginning. And I was put in mind of the word of the Lord, how he used to say - John, indeed, immersed with water; but, ye, shall be immersed in Holy Spirit. If therefore the like free-gift God gave unto them, as even unto us, when we had believed upon the Lord Jesus Christ, who was, I, that could withstand God?
And there were some from among them, Cyprians and Cyrenians, who, indeed, coming unto Antioch, began speaking, even unto the Grecian Jews, announcing the glad tidings as to the Lord Jesus;
And the matter was reported in the hearing of the assembly that was in Jerusalem, concerning them; and they sent forth Barnabas, as far as Antioch; Who, arriving, and seeing the favour which was of God, rejoiced, and went on to beseech all, with the purpose of their heart, to abide inthe Lord; read more. Because he was a good man, and full of Holy Spirit and faith; and a considerable multitude were added unto the Lord. He went away, however, unto Tarsus, to seek up Saul; And, finding him, he brought him unto Antioch. And so it was with them, that, for a whole year, they were brought together in the assembly, and taught a considerable multitude; also that the disciples, first in Antioch, were called, Christians. Now, in these days, there came down from Jerusalem, prophets, unto Antioch. And one from among them, by name Agabus, rising up, gave a sign, through means of the Spirit, that, a great famine, was coming over all the inhabited earth; which, indeed, came to pass under Claudius. And, according as any one of the disciples was being prospered, they each one of them set apart something for ministering, to send unto the brethren, who dwelt in Jerusalem; - Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
Which thing they also did, sending it unto the Elders, through the hand of Barnabas and Saul.
And, when Herod was about to bring him forth, on that night, was Peter sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, guards, also, before the door, were keeping the prison. And lo! a messenger of the Lord stood over him, and a light shone in the cell; and, smiting the side of Peter, he roused him up, saying - Rise up quickly! And his chains fell off out of his hands. read more. And the messenger said unto him - Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And he did so. And he saith unto him - Throw around thee thy mantle, and be following me. And, coming out, he began following, and knew not that it was true which was coming about through means of the messenger; but supposed that, a vision, he was beholding. And, passing through the first ward and the second, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city, the which, of its own accord, opened unto them; and, coming out, they went on through one street, and, straightway, the messenger was parted from him.
And, Barnabas and Saul, returned unto Jerusalem, fulfilling the ministering, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.
And, Barnabas and Saul, returned unto Jerusalem, fulfilling the ministering, taking with them John who was surnamed Mark.
A good while, therefore, tarried they, using boldness of speech in dependence upon the Lord, who was bearing witness unto his word of favour, granting signs and wonders to be coming to pass through their hands.
Said, with a loud voice - Stand up on thy feet, erect! And he sprang up, and began to walk about.
And, when much discussion had arisen, Peter standing up, said unto them - Brethren! Ye yourselves, well know that, in days long past, amongst you, God chose that, through my mouth, the nations should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And, the heart-observing God, bare witness, - unto them, giving the Holy Spirit, just as, even unto us; read more. and made no distinction at all betwixt us and them, by their faith, purifying their hearts. Now, therefore, why are ye proving God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which, neither our fathers, nor we, have been able to bear. But, through the favour of the Lord Jesus, we believe we shall be saved, in like manner as, even they.
And he came even unto Derbe, and unto Lystra; and lo! a certain disciple, was there, by name Timothy, son of a believing Jewish woman, but whose father was a Greek, - who was well-attested by the brethren in Lystra, and Iconium. read more. The same, would Paul have go forth with him, and took and circumcised him, on account of the Jews who were in those places; for they one and all knew that, his father, was, a Greek.
And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian country, being forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; but, coming along Mysia, they were attempting to journey into Bithynia, - and, the Spirit of Jesus, suffered them not;
Now, when, the vision, he had seen, straightway, we sought to go forth unto Macedonia, concluding that God, had summoned us to tell the glad tidings unto them.
and, leading them forth outside, said - Sirs! what must I be doing, that I may be saved? And, they, said - Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house.
But the Jews, being, jealous, and taking unto themselves certain wicked men, of the rabble, and making a riot, were setting the city in an uproar; and, besieging the house of Jason, were seeking to lead them forth unto the populace, -
But, certain both of the Epicurean and of the Stoic philosophers, were encountering him; and some were saying - What might this picker-up-of-scraps wish to be saying? And, others - Of foreign demons, he seemeth to be a declarer: because, of Jesus and the Resurrection, he was announcing the joyful tidings. And so, laying hold of him, they brought him up, to the Hill of Mars, saying - Can we get to know what this new teaching is, which, by thee, is being spoken. read more. For, certain foreign things, art thou bringing into our hearing: We are minded to get to know, therefore, what these things please to be! Now, all Athenians and the sojourning foreigners, unto nothing else, were devoting their leisure, than to be telling or hearing, something newer. And Paul taking his stand in the midst of the Hill of Mars, said - Ye men of Athens! In every way, how unusually reverent of the demons ye are, I perceive. For, passing through, and carefully observing your objects of devotion, I found an altar also, in which was inscribed - Unto an Unknown God. What, therefore, not knowing, ye reverence, the same, do, I, declare unto you. The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell,
The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell,
The God that made the world and all things that are therein, the same, being, Lord, of heaven and earth, not in hand-made shrines, doth dwell, nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things;
nor, by human hands, is waited upon, as though in want of anything, himself, giving unto all life and breath and all things; he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place,
he made also, of one, every nation of men to dwell upon all the face of the earth, - marking out fitting opportunities, and the bounds of their dwelling place, that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us.
that they might be seeking God - if, after all, indeed, they might feel after him and find him, - although, in truth, he is already not far from any one of us. For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are.
For, in him, we live and move and are: as, even some of your own poets, have said - For, his offspring also, we are. Being, then, offspring, of God, we ought not to be supposing that, unto gold or silver or stone, graven by art and device of man, the Divine, is like.
inasmuch as he hath appointed a day, in which he is about to be judging the habitable earth in righteousness, by a man whom he hath pointed out, - offering faith unto all, by raising him from among the dead?
and, because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought, for they were tent-makers by their trade.
And Paul said - I, indeed, am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, - a citizen, of no obscure city; but I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people!
I, am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but nurtured in this city, at the feet of Gamaliel, - trained after the strictness of our ancestral law; being jealous for God just as, all ye, are this day;
Now, they who were with me, beheld, indeed, the light, but heard not, the voice, of him that was speaking with me
But, as I could not see clearly owing to the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them who were with me, I came into Damascus.
And he said - The God of our fathers, hath chosen thee to get to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, - and to hear a voice out of his mouth.
And he said - The God of our fathers, hath chosen thee to get to know his will, and to see the Righteous One, - and to hear a voice out of his mouth.
And it came to pass, when had returned unto Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance,
And it came to pass, when had returned unto Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance, and saw him, saying unto me - Haste thee, and go forth speedily out of Jerusalem, inasmuch as they will not accept thy witness concerning me.
and saw him, saying unto me - Haste thee, and go forth speedily out of Jerusalem, inasmuch as they will not accept thy witness concerning me.
and saw him, saying unto me - Haste thee, and go forth speedily out of Jerusalem, inasmuch as they will not accept thy witness concerning me. And, I, said - Lord! they themselves, well know that I was imprisoning and beating in every synagogue them who were believing on thee.
And the captain answered - I, for a large sum, this citizenship acquired! And, Paul, said - But, I, am even, free- born!
But Paul, getting to know that, the one part, were Sadducees and, the other, Pharisees, began to cry aloud in the council - Brethren! I, am, a Pharisee, son of Pharisees: - Concerning a hope, even of a rising again of the dead, am I to be judged.
But, on the following night, the Lord, standing over him, said - Be of good courage! for, as thou hast fully borne witness of the things concerning me in Jerusalem, so must thou, in Rome also, bear witness.
My manner of life, then, from my youth, which, from its commencement, was formed among my nation, even in Jerusalem, know all Jews, inasmuch as they were aforetime observing me, from the outset, - if they please to bear witness, - that, according to the strictest sect of our own religion, I lived, a Pharisee.
and, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice, saying unto me, in the Hebrew language - Saul! Saul! why, me, art thou persecuting? It is hard for thee, against goads, to be kicking!
and, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice, saying unto me, in the Hebrew language - Saul! Saul! why, me, art thou persecuting? It is hard for thee, against goads, to be kicking!
and, when we were all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice, saying unto me, in the Hebrew language - Saul! Saul! why, me, art thou persecuting? It is hard for thee, against goads, to be kicking!
But rise and stand upon thy feet; for, to this end, have I appeared unto thee, - To appoint thee an attendant and a witness, both of the things as to which thou hast seen me, and of those as to which I will appear unto thee:
But rise and stand upon thy feet; for, to this end, have I appeared unto thee, - To appoint thee an attendant and a witness, both of the things as to which thou hast seen me, and of those as to which I will appear unto thee: Rescuing thee from among the people, and from among the nations, unto whom, I, am sending thee - read more. To open their eyes; that they turn from darkness unto light, and the authority of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among them who have been made holy by the faith respecting me.
To open their eyes; that they turn from darkness unto light, and the authority of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among them who have been made holy by the faith respecting me.
Whom God hath set forth as a propitiatory covering, through faith in his blood, for a showing forth of his righteousness, by reason of the passing-by of the previously committed sins,
Whom God hath set forth as a propitiatory covering, through faith in his blood, for a showing forth of his righteousness, by reason of the passing-by of the previously committed sins,
For ye have not received a spirit of servitude, leading back into fear, but ye have received a spirit of sonship, whereby we are exclaiming - Abba! Oh Father!
For I bear them witness that they have, a zeal for God, - but not according to correct knowledge;
But what saith it? Near thee, is the declaration, In thy mouth and in thy heart, - that is, the declaration of the faith, which we proclaim: - That, if thou shalt confess the declaration with thy mouth - That Jesus is, Lord, and shalt believe with thy hear - That, God, raised him from among the dead, thou shalt be saved; -
Him that is weak in his faith, receive ye, - not for disputing opinions: - One, indeed, hath faith to eat all things, whereas, he that is weak, eateth herbs: read more. Let not, him that eateth, despise him that eateth not, and let not, him that eateth not, judge him that eateth; for, God, hath received him. Who art, thou, that judgest another's domestic? To his own master, he standeth or falleth; he shall, however, be made to stand, - for his master is able to make him stand. For, one, indeed esteemeth one day beyond another, whereas, another, esteemeth every day: - let, each one, in his own mind be fully persuaded. He that regardeth the day, unto the Lord, regardeth it, - and, he that eateth, unto the Lord, doth eat, for he giveth thanks unto God; and, he that eateth not, unto the Lord, doth not eat and give God thanks. For, none of us, unto himself liveth, and, none, unto himself dieth;
No longer, then, upon one another, let us be sitting in judgment, but, this, judge ye rather - not to be putting a cause of stumbling before your brother or an occasion to fall. I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus - that, nothing, is profane of itself, - save to him who reckoneth anything to be profane, unto that man, it is profane, read more. If, in fact, because of food, thy brother is being grieved, no longer, by the rule of love, art thou walking: - do not, by thy food, that man, be destroying, on whose behalf Christ died! Therefore, suffer not to be defamed, your own good thing; For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in Holy Spirit; For, he that in this doeth service unto the Christ, is acceptable unto God, and approved unto men. Hence, then, the things pertaining to peace, let us pursue, and the things which belong to the upbuilding one of another: Do not, for the sake of food, be throwing down the work of God! All things, indeed, are pure; but, ill, is it for the man who with occasion of stumbling doth eat, - Well, is it not to eat flesh nor to drink wine nor to do aught whereby thy brother is caused to stumble. The faith which thou hast, have to thyself before God: happy, he that bringeth not judgment upon himself by that which he approveth; But, he that is in doubt, if he eat, hath condemned himself, - because, it was not of faith, and, everything which is not of faith, is sin.
I became, unto the weak, weak, - that, the weak, I might win; - to all men, have I become all things, that, by all means, some, I might save.
On the contrary - that, the things which the nations sacrifice, unto demons, and not unto God, they sacrifice; and I wish not that ye should become, sharers together with the demons!
For, I myself, received from the Lord - that which I also delivered unto you, - how that, the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was being delivered up, took a loaf,
For, he that speaketh with a tongue, not unto men, doth speak, but, unto God, - for, no one, understandeth, although, in spirit, he is speaking sacred secrets;
For I delivered unto you, among the first things, what also I received: - how that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures,
And, last of all, just as if unto the unseasonable birth, he appeared, even unto me;
Be not deceiving yourselves, - evil communications corrupt gentle manners: -
Because, The letters, it is true (saith one), are weighty and strong, but, the presence of the body, is weak, and, the discourse, contemptible; -
Ministers of Christ, are they? As one deranged I am talking, I, above measure! - in toils, superabundantly, in prisons, superabundantly, in stripes, to excess, in deaths, oft, - From Jews, five times, forty-save-one, have I received, read more. Thrice, have I been beaten with rods, once, have I been stoned, thrice, have I been shipwrecked, a day and night, in the deep, have I spent; In journeyings oft, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own race, in perils from Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils by the sea, in perils among false brethren, in toil and hardship, in watchings, oft, in hunger and thirst, in fasting, oft, in cold and nakedness: - Apart from the things without, my daily care, - my anxiety for all the assemblies; - Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is caused to stumble, and, I, am not burning? If, to boast, is needful, in the things that concern my weakness, will I boast. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus, knoweth - He who is blessed unto the ages - that I am not speaking falsely: In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of Damascenes, to apprehend me, -
In Damascus, the governor under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of Damascenes, to apprehend me, - And, through a window, was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
To be boasting, is needful, - it is not, indeed, profitable, yet will I come to visions and revelations of the Lord: -
Wherefore, lest I should be unduly lifted up, there was given to me a thorn o in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, that he might buffet me, - lest I should be unduly lifted up. In this behalf, thrice, besought I, the Lord, that it might depart from me; read more. And at once he said unto me - Sufficient for thee, is my favour, for, my power, in weakness, is made complete. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may spread a tent over me. Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, am powerful.
The signs, indeed, of an apostle, were wrought out among you, in all endurance, - bothin signs, and wonders, and mighty works: For what is there wherein ye were made inferior to the rest of the assemblies, - save that, I myself, would not allow myself to be a burden unto you? Forgive me this wrong! read more. Lo! this third time, I am holding myself, in readiness, to come unto you, and I will not allow myself to be a burden; for I seek not yours, but you; - for, the children, ought not to lay up, for the parents, but the parents for the children; - And, I, most gladly, will spend, and be fully spent, for your souls: - If I, exceedingly, love you, am I, the less, loved? But let it be! - I, myself, did not burden you, - Notwithstanding, being crafty, with guile, I caught you? Was there, anyone of those whom I have sent unto you, through whom I have overreached you? I exhorted Titus, and sent with him the brother, - Did, Titus, overreach you? Was it not, in the same spirit, we walked? Was it not, in the same steps? All this time, think ye, that, unto you, we are making a defence? Before God in Christ, we speak; - but all these things, beloved, for your upbuilding. For I fear - lest, by any means, when I come, not such as I wish, should I find you, and, I, should be found by you, such as ye do not wish; - lest, by any means, I should find strife, jealousy, outbursts of wrath, factions, railings, whisperings, puffed up pretensions, confusions; - Lest, when I again come, my God should humble me in regard to you, - and I should grieve over many who had before sinned, and not repented of the impurity, and fornication, and wantonness which they had committed.
For I make known unto you, brethren, as to the glad-message which was announced by me, that it is not after man; For neither, from man, did I accept it, nor was taught it , - but through a revealing of Jesus Christ. read more. For ye have heard, as to my own manner of life, at one time, in Judaism, how that, exceedingly, was I persecuting the assembly of God, and laying it waste, And was making advancement, in Judaism, above many contemporaries in my nation, being, surpassingly zealous, of my paternal instructions.
And was making advancement, in Judaism, above many contemporaries in my nation, being, surpassingly zealous, of my paternal instructions. But, when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me through his favour, was well-pleased
But, when God, who set me apart from my mother's womb and called me through his favour, was well-pleased to reveal his Son in me, that I might announce the glad-message regarding him among the nations, straightway, I conferred not with flesh and blood,
to reveal his Son in me, that I might announce the glad-message regarding him among the nations, straightway, I conferred not with flesh and blood, Neither went I up unto Jerusalem unto them who, before me, were apostles, - but I went away into Arabia, and again returned unto Damascus.
Neither went I up unto Jerusalem unto them who, before me, were apostles, - but I went away into Arabia, and again returned unto Damascus. Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days; But, other of the apostles, saw I none, save James the brother of the Lord: -
But, other of the apostles, saw I none, save James the brother of the Lord: - Now, as touching the things which I am writing to you, lo! before God, I am not guilty of falsehood: - read more. After that, I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, And was still unknown, by face, unto the assemblies of Judaea which were in Christ, -
And I went up by revelation, and laid before them the glad-message which I proclaim among the nations; privately, however, to them of repute, - lest, by any means, in vain, I should be running, or had run.
And I went up by revelation, and laid before them the glad-message which I proclaim among the nations; privately, however, to them of repute, - lest, by any means, in vain, I should be running, or had run. But, not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; -
But, not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised; - But, this was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, - who, indeed, came in secretly to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: -
But, this was because of the false brethren secretly introduced, - who, indeed, came in secretly to spy out our freedom, which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: - Unto whom, not even for an hour, gave we place by the required submission, - in order that, the truth of the glad-message, might still abide with you. read more. Moreover, from them who were reputed to be something, - whatsoever at one time, they were, maketh no difference to me, God accepteth not a man's person, - unto me, in fact, they who were of repute added nothing further; But, on the contrary, - when they saw that I had been entrusted with the glad-message to the uncircumcision, even as, Peter, with that to the circumcision, For, he that energised in Peter, into an apostleship to the circumcision, energised also in me, for the nations, - And when they perceived the favour which had been given unto me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave, the right hand of fellowship, unto me and Barnabas, in order that, we, should go unto the nations, and, they, unto the circumcision: -
So thoughtless, are ye? Having made a beginning in Spirit, are ye, now, in flesh, to be made complete?
Howbeit ye know that, by reason of a weakness of the flesh, I myself announced the glad-message unto you, formerly;
Tell me! ye who, under law, are wishing to be: The law, do ye not hear?
Which things, indeed, may bear another meaning; for, the same, are two covenants, - one, indeed, from Mount Sinai, into bondage, bringing forth, the which is Hagar, - And, the Hagar, is Mount Sinai, in Arabia, - she answereth, however, unto the present Jerusalem, for she is in bondage with her children;
And, the Hagar, is Mount Sinai, in Arabia, - she answereth, however, unto the present Jerusalem, for she is in bondage with her children;
Ye have been set aside from Christ, ye who, by law, are to be declared righteous, - out of his favour, ye have fallen;
I, however, brethren - if, circumcision, I yet proclaim, why am I yet persecuted? After all, the stumbling-block of the cross hath been set aside.
See! with what large letters, unto you, I have written, with my own hand: -
For, not even they who are getting circumcised, are, themselves, observing law, - but are wishing you to be circumcised, that, in your flesh, they may boast themselves.
The eyes of your heart having been enlightened, that ye may know - what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
Unto me - the less than least of all saints, was given this favour, unto the nations, to announce the glad-message of the untraceable riches of the Christ,
Being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God - by reason of the ignorance that existeth within them, by reason of their hearts being turned into stone,
Giving thanks, always, for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto your God and Father;
Because our struggle is not against blood and flesh, but, against the principalities, against the authorities, against the world-holders, of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies.
Circumcised, the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, - regarding law, a Pharisee, Regarding zeal, persecuting the assembly, regarding the righteousness that is in law, having become blameless.
Howbeit I have been made to rejoice in the Lord greatly - that, now, at length, ye have flourished in your care for me, - although, indeed, ye were caring, but lacked opportunity.
Ye know, moreover, even ye, Philippians, - that, in the beginning of the glad-message, when I went forth from Macedonia, not, so much as one assembly, with me had fellowship - in the matter of giving and receiving - save, ye alone, - That, even in Thessalonica, both once and again, unto my need, ye sent: -
But I have all things in full, and have more than enough, I am filled, having welcomed from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, - a fragrance of sweet smell, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing unto God.
Giving thanks unto the Father that hath made you sufficient for your share in the inheritance of the saints in the light, Who hath rescued us out of the authority of the darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of his love; read more. In whom, we have our redemption - the remission of our sins, -
That I may make it manifest as behoveth me to speak.
For, they themselves, concerning us, do tell - what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from the idols - to be serving a living and true God,
For, they themselves, concerning us, do tell - what manner of entrance we had unto you, and how ye turned unto God from the idols - to be serving a living and true God, And awaiting his Son out of the heavens - whom he raised from among the dead, - Jesus: Who is to rescue us out of the anger that is coming.
And awaiting his Son out of the heavens - whom he raised from among the dead, - Jesus: Who is to rescue us out of the anger that is coming.
But, though we had previously suffered, and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the glad-message of God with much conflict.
But, though we had previously suffered, and been insulted, even as ye know, in Philippi, we waxed bold in our God to speak unto you the glad-message of God with much conflict.
For ye remember, brethren, our toil and hardship: night and day, working, so as not to be a burden unto any of you, we proclaimed unto you the glad-message of God, Ye, are witnesses - God also, how kindly and righteously and blamelessly, unto you who were believing, we were found to behave;
To the end ye might be walking in a manner worthy of God, who is calling you unto his own kingdom and glory,
For, ye, became, imitators, brethren, of the assemblies of God which are in Judaea, in Christ Jesus, in that, the same things, ye, also suffered by your own fellow-countrymen, even as, they, also by the Jews:
And to be ambitious to be quiet, and to be attending to your own affairs, and to be working with your hands, - even as, unto you, we gave charge - That ye should walk reputably toward those without, and, of no one, have, need.
Grateful, am I unto him that empowered me, Christ Jesus our Lord, in that, faithful, he accounted me, putting me into ministry, - Though, formerly, a defamer, and persecutor, and insulter; nevertheless mercy was shown me, because, without knowledge, I acted, in unbelief: read more. Yet exceeding abundant was the favour of our Lord, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Faithful, the saying! and, of all acceptance, worthy, - that, Christ Jesus, came into the world, sinners, to save: of whom, the chief, am, I; - Nevertheless, on this account, was mercy shewn me, - that, in me, the chief, Christ Jesus might shew forth his entire longsuffering, for an ensample of them about to believe on him unto life age-abiding.
But, them who are sinning, before all, do thou reprove, that, the rest also, may have, fear: -
Grateful, am I, unto God, - unto whom I am rendering divine service from my progenitors in a pure conscience, that, incessant, hold I the remembrance, concerning thee, in my supplications; day and night,
Said one from among them, a prophet, of their own! - Cretans! always false, mischievous wild-beasts, idle gluttons:
Not by works which we had done in righteousness, but, according to his mercy, he saved us - through means of the bathing of a new birth, and the moulding anew of Holy Spirit. -
For ye have not approached - unto, a searching and scorching fire, and gloom, and mist, and tempest,
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to his great mercy, hath regenerated us unto a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from among the dead,
And account, our Lord's long suffering, to be salvation: - even as, our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given unto him, hath written unto you;
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we for ourselves gazed upon, and our hands did handle, concerning the Word of Life, -
Morish
This apostle was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of pure descent, born at Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, a fact which gave to him the privilege of Roman citizenship. He was a disciple of Gamaliel and a strict Pharisee. He is first introduced to us as a young man, by name SAUL, at whose feet the witnesses who stoned Stephen laid their clothes. He became afterwards a violent persecutor of the saints, both of men and women, acting with great zeal, thinking he was doing God's service. His conversion as the effect of the Lord appearing to him was unique, and he was so completely changed that he became at once as bold for Christ as before he had been a persecutor of Christ in the persons of His saints. He immediately preached in the synagogues that Jesus was the Son of God. This was the distinctive point of his testimony. As the Jews sought his life at Damascus, he departed into Arabia, where doubtless he had deep exercise of heart and learnt more of the Lord.
After three years he went up to see Peter at Jerusalem, where he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. The Jews again seeking his life, he was conducted to Caesarea, and sent to Tarsus, his native place. From thence he was fetched by Barnabas to go to Antioch, where the gospel had been effectual, and there they both laboured. After having, in company with Barnabas, taken supplies to Jerusalem (his second visit), on occasion of a dearth, he commenced his first missionary journey to Cyprus and Asia Minor. He and Barnabas returned to Antioch, where he remained 'a long time.' On a dispute arising as to Gentile converts being circumcised, he went with Barnabas to Jerusalem concerning that question, and returned to Antioch. This city had become a sort of centre of the activity of the Spirit. Being far from Jerusalem it was less influenced by Judaising tendencies, though communion with the saints there was maintained.
Asia Minor, Macedonia and Greece were the sphere of Paul's second missionary journey. Having differed from Barnabas, because the latter wished to take John with them (who had left them on the first journey), Paul selected Silas for his companion, and departed with the full fellowship of the brethren. During part of this journey Timothy was one of the company. He abode a year and a half at Corinth, where he wrote the two EPISTLES TO THE THESSALONIANS. He now visited Jerusalem at the feast, and returned to Antioch. He took his third missionary journey through Galatia and Phrygia. When he visited Ephesus he separated the disciples from the synagogue, and they met in the school of Tyrannus. At Ephesus he wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS, and probably the EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS. After the tumult raised by Demetrius he went to Macedonia, and there wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS. He again visited Corinth and wrote the EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS.
The Jews seeking his life, Paul went through Macedonia, sailed from Philippi, and preached at Troas. At Miletus he gave a solemn parting address to the elders of Ephesus, and took his leave of the disciples at Tyre, where he was cautioned not to go to Jerusalem. At Caesarea also he was warned of what awaited him at Jerusalem, but he avowed that he was ready not only to be bound, but also to die for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Paul arrived at Jerusalem just before Pentecost. In order to prove himself a good Jew he was advised by the brethren to associate himself with four men who had a vow on them, and to be at charges with them. But while carrying this out he was seized by some Asiatic Jews, and beaten, but was rescued by Lysias, the Roman chief captain. After appearing before the council, and again being rescued by him, he was for safety sent off by night to Caesarea. There his cause was heard by Felix, who kept him prisoner, hoping to be bribed to release him. Two years later, when superseded by Festus, Felix, to please the Jews, left Paul in bonds. On appearing before Festus, to save himself from being sent to Jerusalem, there being a plot to waylay and murder him, Paul appealed to the emperor. His case having been heard by Agrippa and Festus, he was finally remitted to Rome. The ship, however, was wrecked at Malta, where they wintered, all on board having been saved.
On his arrival at Rome, Paul sent for the chief men of the Jews and preached to them: some of them believed, though the majority rejected God's grace (thus fulfilling Isa 6:9-10), which should henceforth go to the Gentiles. He, though still a prisoner, abode two years in his own hired house. There he wrote the EPISTLES TO THE COLOSSIANS, the EPHESIANS, the PHILIPPIANS, and also to PHILEMON.
The history of Paul is thus far given in the Acts of the Apostles, but there are intimations in the later epistles that after the two years at Rome he was liberated. His movements from that time are not definitely recorded; apparently he visited Ephesus and Macedonia, 1Ti 1:3; wrote the FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY; visited Crete, Tit 1:5; and Nicopolis, Tit 3:12; wrote the EPISTLE TO TITUS (the early writers say that he went to Spain, which we know he desired to do, Ro 15:24,28); visited Troas and Miletus, 2Ti 4:13,20; wrote the EPISTLE TO THE HEBREWS; and when a prisoner at Rome the second time, wrote the SECOND EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY, when expecting his death. Early writers say that he was beheaded with the sword, which is probable, as he was a Roman citizen.
Paul received his commission directly from Christ who appeared to him in glory, and this source of his apostleship he carefully insists on in the Epistle to the Galatians. New light as to the church in its heavenly character came out by Paul, who was God's special apostle for that purpose. To him was revealed the truth that the assembly was the body of Christ, and the doctrine of new creation in Christ Jesus, in which evidently there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. This caused great persecution from the Jews and from Judaising teachers, who could not readily give up the law, nor endure the thought of Gentiles having an equal place with themselves. This Paul insisted on: it was his mission as apostle to the Gentiles. To Paul also was committed what he calls "my gospel:" this was 'the gospel of the glory' (Christ in glory who put away the Christian's sins being presented in it as the last Adam, the Son of God). 2Co 4:4. It not only brings salvation, great as that is, but it separates the believer from earth, and conforms him to Christ as He is in glory.
Paul was an eminent and faithful servant of Christ. As such he was content to be nothing, that Christ might be glorified. To the Thessalonians he was gentle 'as a nurse cherisheth her children.' 1Th 2:7. He was severe however to the Corinthians when they were allowing sin in their midst, and to them he had to assert his apostolic authority when traducers were seeking to nullify his influence among them. To the Galatians he was still more severe: they were in danger of being shipwrecked as to faith by false Judaising teachers, who were undermining the truth of the gospel.
In the epistles we get a few glimpses of the inner life of Paul. After having been caught up into the third heavens, he prayed for the removal of the thorn in the flesh which had been given him lest he should be puffed up, and was told that Christ's grace was sufficient for him, he could say, "most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.'' 2Co 12:9-10. He also could say, "To me to live is Christ;" and "This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus." Php 3:13-14. As a martyr he reached that goal. The catalogue he gives of his privations and sufferings in 2Co 11:23-28 discloses the fact that but a small part of his gigantic labours is recounted in the Acts of the Apostles.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
Then said be - Go and say unto this people, - Hear on but do not discern, See on but do not perceive: Stupefy thou the heart of this people, And their ears, make thou heavy, And their eyes, overspread, - Lest they see with their eyes And with their ears, should hear, And their heart should discern and come back. And they be healed.
As soon as I am journey to Spain, - I am hoping, in fact, when journeying through to get sight of you, and by you to be set forward thither, - if, with your company, I have first in some measure been satisfied.
This, then, having completed, and sealed unto them this fruit, I will come back by you unto Spain: -
In whom, the god of this age, hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, to the end they may not discern the radiance e of the glad-message of the glory of the Christ - who is the image of God.
Ministers of Christ, are they? As one deranged I am talking, I, above measure! - in toils, superabundantly, in prisons, superabundantly, in stripes, to excess, in deaths, oft, - From Jews, five times, forty-save-one, have I received, read more. Thrice, have I been beaten with rods, once, have I been stoned, thrice, have I been shipwrecked, a day and night, in the deep, have I spent; In journeyings oft, in perils of rivers, in perils of robbers, in perils from my own race, in perils from Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the desert, in perils by the sea, in perils among false brethren, in toil and hardship, in watchings, oft, in hunger and thirst, in fasting, oft, in cold and nakedness: - Apart from the things without, my daily care, - my anxiety for all the assemblies; -
And at once he said unto me - Sufficient for thee, is my favour, for, my power, in weakness, is made complete. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may spread a tent over me. Wherefore, I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in necessities, in persecutions, and straits, in behalf of Christ; for, as soon as I am weak, then, am powerful.
Brethren! I, as to myself, reckon that I have, not yet, laid hold; one thing, however, - the things behind, forgetting, and, unto the things before, eagerly reaching out, With the goal in view, I press on for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus.
But we became gentle in your midst, - as though, a nursing mother, had been cherishing her own children:
Even as I exhorted thee to remain in Ephesus, when I was journeying into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some -
The cloak that I left in Troas, with Carpus, when thou comest, bring; and the scrolls, especially, the parchments.
Erastus, remained in Corinth; but, Trophimus, I left at Miletus, sick.
For this cause left I thee in Crete, that, the things remaining undone, thou mightest completely set in order, and mightest establish, in every city, elders, as, I, with thee arranged: -
As soon as I shall send Artemus unto thee, or Tychicus, give diligence to come to me unto Nicopolis; for, there, have I determined to winter.
Smith
(small, little). Nearly all the original materials for the life St. Paul are contained in the Acts of the Apostles and in the Pauline epistles. Paul was born in Tarsus, a city of Cilicia. (It is not improbable that he was born between A.D. 0 and A.D. 5.) Up to the time of his going forth as an avowed preacher of Christ to the Gentiles, the apostle was known by the name of Saul. This was the Jewish name which he received from his Jewish parents. But though a Hebrew of the Hebrews, he was born in a Gentile city. Of his parents we know nothing, except that his father was of the tribe of Benjamin,
and a Pharisee,
that Paul had acquired by some means the Roman franchise ("I was free born,")
and that he was settled in Tarsus. At Tarsus he must have learned to use the Greek language with freedom and mastery in both speaking and writing. At Tarsus also he learned that trade of "tent-maker,"
at which he afterward occasionally wrought with his own hands. There was a goat's-hair cloth called cilicium manufactured in Cilicia, and largely used for tents, Saul's trade was probably that of making tents of this hair cloth. When St. Paul makes his defence before his countrymen at Jerusalem,
... he tells them that, though born in Tarsus he had been "brought up" in Jerusalem. He must therefore, have been yet a boy when was removed, in all probability for the sake of his education, to the holy city of his fathers. He learned, he says, at the feet of Gamaliel." He who was to resist so stoutly the usurpations of the law had for his teacher one of the most eminent of all the doctors of the law. Saul was yet "a young man,"
when the Church experienced that sudden expansion which was connected with the ordaining of the seven appointed to serve tables, and with the special power and inspiration of Stephen. Among those who disputed with Stephen were some "of them of Cilicia." We naturally think of Saul as having been one of these, when we find him afterward keeping the clothes of those suborned witnesses who, according to the law,
De 17:7
were the first to cast stones at Stephen. "Saul," says the sacred writer significantly "was consenting unto his death." Saul's conversion. A.D. 37.--The persecutor was to be converted. Having undertaken to follow up the believers "unto strange cities." Saul naturally turned his thoughts to Damascus. What befell him as he journeyed thither is related in detail three times in the Acts, first by the historian in his own person, then in the two addresses made by St. Paul at Jerusalem and before Agrippa. St. Luke's statement is to be read in
where, however, the words "it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks," included in the English version, ought to be omitted (as is done in the Revised Version). The sudden light from heaven; the voice of Jesus speaking with authority to his persecutor; Saul struck to the ground, blinded, overcome; the three-days suspense; the coming of Ananias as a messenger of the Lord and Saul's baptism, --these were the leading features at the great event, and in these we must look for the chief significance of the conversion. It was in Damascus that he was received into the church by Ananias, and here to the astonishment of all his hearers, he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, declaring him to be the Son of God. The narrative in the Acts tells us simply that he was occupied in this work, with increasing vigor, for "many days," up to the time when imminent danger drove him from Damascus. From the Epistle to the Galatians,
we learn that the many days were at least a good part of "three years," A.D. 37-40, and that Saul, not thinking it necessary to procure authority to teach from the apostles that were before him, went after his conversion to Arabia, and returned from thence to us. We know nothing whatever of this visit to Arabia; but upon his departure from Damascus we are again on a historical ground, and have the double evidence of St. Luke in the Acts of the apostle in his Second Epistle the Corinthians. According to the former, the Jews lay in wait for Saul, intending to kill him, and watched the gates of the city that he might not escape from them. Knowing this, the disciples took him by night and let him down in a basket from the wall. Having escaped from Damascus, Saul betook himself to Jerusalem (A.D. 40), and there "assayed to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and believed not he was a disciple." Barnabas' introduction removed the fears of the apostles, and Saul "was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem." But it is not strange that the former persecutor was soon singled out from the other believers as the object of a murderous hostility. He was,therefore, again urged to flee; and by way of Caesarea betook himself to his native city, Tarsus. Barnabas was sent on a special mission to Antioch. As the work grew under his hands, he felt the need of help, went himself to Tarsus to seek Saul, and succeeded in bringing him to Antioch. There they labored together unremittingly for a whole year." All this time Saul was subordinate to Barnabas. Antioch was in constant communication with Cilicia, with Cyprus, with all the neighboring countries. The Church was pregnant with a great movement, and time of her delivery was at hand. Something of direct expectation seems to be implied in what is said of the leaders of the Church at Antioch, that they were "ministering to the Lord and fasting," when the Holy Ghost spoke to them: "Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them." Everything was done with orderly gravity in the sending forth of the two missionaries. Their brethren after fasting and prayer, laid their hands on them, and so they departed. The first missionary journey. A.D. 45-49. --As soon as Barnabas and Saul reached Cyprus they began to "announce the word of God," but at first they delivered their message in the synagogues of the Jews only. When they had gone through the island, from Salamis to Paphos, they were called upon to explain their doctrine to an eminent Gentile, Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, who was converted. Saul's name was now changed to Paul, and he began to take precedence of Barnabas. From Paphos "Paul and his company" set sail for the mainland, and arrived at Perga in Pamphylia. Here the heart of their companion John failed him, and he returned to Jerusalem. From Perga they travelled on to a place obscure in secular history, but most memorable in the history of the Kingdom of Christ --Antioch in Pisidia. Rejected by the Jews, they became bold and outspoken, and turned from them to the Gentiles. At Antioch now, as in every city afterward, the unbelieving Jews used their influence with their own adherents among the Gentiles to persuade the authorities or the populace to persecute the apostles and to drive them from the place. Paul and Barnabas now travelled on to Iconium where the occurrences at Antioch were repeated, and from thence to the Lycaonian country which contained the cities Lystra and Derbe. Here they had to deal with uncivilized heathen. At Lystra the healing of a cripple took place. Thereupon these pagans took the apostles for gods, calling Barnabas, who was of the more imposing presence, Jupiter, and Paul, who was the chief speaker, Mercurius. Although the people of Lystra had been so ready to worship Paul and Barnabas, the repulse of their idolatrous instincts appears to have provoked them, and they allowed themselves to be persuaded into hostility be Jews who came from Antioch and Iconium, so that they attacked Paul with stones, and thought they had killed him. He recovered, however as the disciples were standing around him, and went again into the city. The next day he left it with Barnabas, and went to Derbe, and thence they returned once more to Lystra, and so to Iconium and Antioch. In order to establish the churches after their departure they solemnly appointed "elders" in every city. Then they came down to the coast, and from Attalia, they sailed; home to Antioch in Syria, where they related the successes which had been granted to them, and
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The hand of the witnesses, shall be upon him first to put him to death, and the hand of all the people, afterwards, - so shalt thou consume the wicked thing out of thy midst.
And, he, said - A hundred baths of oil. And, he, said unto him - Kindly take thine accounts, and, sitting down, make haste and write - Fifty!
And, thrusting him forth outside the city, proceeded to stone him. And, the witnesses, laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
And one from among them, by name Agabus, rising up, gave a sign, through means of the Spirit, that, a great famine, was coming over all the inhabited earth; which, indeed, came to pass under Claudius.
And, certain persons, coming down from Judea, began to teach the brethren - Except ye be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. And, when Paul and Barnabas had had no little dissension and discussion with them, it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them should go up unto the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem concerning this question, read more. They, therefore, being set forward by the Assembly, began passing through Phoenicia and Samaria, fully relating the conversion of them of the nations, and were causing great joy unto all the brethren. And, having arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the Assembly and the Apostles and the Elders; and they recounted all things God had done with them. But there had stood forth some of those who, from the sect of Pharisees, had believed, saying - It is needful to be circumcising them, also to charge them to be keeping the law of Moses. And the Apostles and Elders were gathered together to see about this matter. And, when much discussion had arisen, Peter standing up, said unto them - Brethren! Ye yourselves, well know that, in days long past, amongst you, God chose that, through my mouth, the nations should hear the word of the glad tidings, and believe. And, the heart-observing God, bare witness, - unto them, giving the Holy Spirit, just as, even unto us; and made no distinction at all betwixt us and them, by their faith, purifying their hearts. Now, therefore, why are ye proving God, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which, neither our fathers, nor we, have been able to bear. But, through the favour of the Lord Jesus, we believe we shall be saved, in like manner as, even they. And all the throng held their peace, and began to hearken unto Barnabas and Paul relating how many signs and wonders God had done among the nations, through them. And, after they held their peace, James answered, saying - Brethren! hearken unto me. Symeon, hath fully told how God, first visited, to take out of the nations, a people for his name. And, with this, agree the words of the prophets, according as it is written - After these things, will I return, and will rebuild the tent of David that hath fallen, and, the ruins thereof, will I rebuild, and will set it up again: That the residues of men may seek out the Lord, and all the nations upon whom my name hath been called, saith the Lord that doeth these things, Known from age-past times. Wherefore, I, judge, not to be troubling them who, from the nations, are turning unto God; but to write unto them, to abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For, Moses, out of ancient generation, hath, in every city, them who proclaim him; seeing, that in the synagogues, every sabbath, he is read. Then, seemed it good unto the Apostles and the Elders with the whole Assembly to send chosen men from among them unto Antioch, with Paul and Barnabas, - even Judas who is called Barsabbas, and Silas, men taking a lead among the brethren: writing through their hand - The Apostles and the Elder Brethren, unto the brethren throughout Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, who are from among the nations, wish joy! Inasmuch as we had heard that, certain from among us, had troubled you with words, dismantling your souls, - unto whom we had given no instructions, It seemed good unto us, coming to be of one accord, that we should choose men and send them unto you, with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, - men who have given up their lives in behalf of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent, therefore, Judas and Silas, who also, themselves, by word of mouth, can tell you the same things. For it hath seemed good unto the Holy Spirit and unto us, no greater burden, to be laying upon you, than these necessary things: - To be abstaining from idol sacrifices, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication, - From which, if ye keep yourselves, ye shall prosper. Fare ye well.
But, Paul and Barnabas, tarried in Antioch, teaching and telling the joyful tidings, - along with many others also, - of the word of the Lord. And, after certain days, Paul, said unto Barnabas - Let us now return, and visit the brethren in every city in which we have declared the word of the Lord, and see how they are. read more. And, Barnabas, was minded to take with them John also, called Mark; but Paul deemed it right, as to him who had withdrawn from them, back from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them unto the work, not to be taking with them, this, man. And there arose an angry feeling, so that they separated one from the other: and, Barnabas, taking Mark, sailed away unto Cyprus, - whereas, Paul, choosing Silas, went forth, committed unto the favour of the Lord by the brethren,
And, suddenly, a great earthquake took place, - so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, and all the doors were instantlyset open, and the bonds of all were unfastened. And, the prison-keeper, being wakened and seeing that the doors of the prison had been opened, drawing his sword, was about to kill himself, supposing the prisoners to have fled. read more. But Paul called out with a loud voice, saying - By no means, do thyself harm, for we are, one and all, here. And, asking for a light, he sprang in, and becoming, agitated, fell down unto Paul and Silas, and, leading them forth outside, said - Sirs! what must I be doing, that I may be saved? And, they, said - Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of God, with all who were in his house. And, taking them with him, in that hour of the night, he bathed them from their stripes, and was immersed, he, and his, one and all, on the spot; and, leading them up into his house, he set near a table, - and exulted, having, with all his house, believed in God.
After these things, withdrawing from Athens, he came unto Corinth;
and, because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought, for they were tent-makers by their trade.
saying - Contrary to the law, is this one seducing men to be worshipping God. But, as Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said unto the Jews - If, indeed, it had been some wrong or wicked recklessness, O Jews, with reason, in that case, should I have been bearing with you.
Paul, however, still further abiding a good many days with the brethren, bidding them adieu, set sail for Syria; and, with him, Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
and, spending some time, he went forth, passing through, in order, the country of Galatia and Phrygia, confirming all the disciples.
Passing through those parts, however, and exhorting them with much discourse, he came into Greece; and, spending three months, when a plot was laid against him by the Jews, as he was about to sail to Syria, he determined to turn back through Macedonia.
And, when they were come to him, he said unto them - Ye yourselves, well know, from the first day when I set foot in Asia, in what manner came to be with you all the time, doing service unto the Lord, with all humility and tears, and temptations which befell me through the plots of the Jews: read more. in what manner I in nowise shrank from announcing unto you anything that was profitable and teaching you publicly and in your homes; bearing full witness, both to Jews and to Greeks, as to the repentance due unto God, and as to belief on our Lord Jesus. And, now, lo! I, bound in my spirit, am journeying unto Jerusalem; the things which therein shall befall me, not knowing, - save that, the Holy Spirit, from city to city, doth bear me full witness, saying that, bonds and tribulations, await me. But, for no cause whatever, am I making my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to bear full witness as to the good news of the favour of God. And, now, lo! I, know that, no more, shall ye see my face, - ye all, among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom. Wherefore I take you to witness, on this very day, that, pure am I from the blood of all; for I have not shrunk from announcing all the counsel of God unto you. Be taking heed unto yourselves, and unto all the little flock in which the Holy Spirit hath set, you, as overseers, - to be shepherding the assembly of God which he hath acquired through means of the blood of his own. I, know, that there will enter, after my departure, grievous wolves into your midst, not sparing the little flock; and, from among your own selves, will arise men speaking distorted things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Wherefore, be on the watch, remembering that, for three years, night and day, I gave myself no rest, with tears, admonishing each one. Now, therefore, I commend you unto the Lord, and unto his word of favour, - which is able to build up and give the inheritance among all the hallowed ones. The silver or gold or apparel of no one, did I covet: yourselves, acknowledge that, for my necessities and for those who were with me, hard wrought these hands! In all things, I gave you to understand, that, thus toiling, it behoves to be helping the weak, also to be keeping in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, that, he himself, said - Happy is it, rather to give than to receive!
Now, when we came to Jerusalem, the brethren, gladly welcomed us.
but, others, were calling out, something else, in the multitude; and so, as he could not get to know the certainty, because of the tumult, he ordered him to be brought into the castle. And, when he came unto the stairs, so it was that he was borne along by the soldiers, because of the force of the multitude; read more. for the throng of the people was following, crying out - Away with him! But, when he was on the point of being taken into the castle, Paul saith unto the captain - Is it allowed me, to say somewhat unto thee? And he said - With Greek, art thou acquainted? Not, then, art, thou, the Egyptian, who, before these days, stirred up to sedition and led out into the wilderness the four-thousand men of the Assassins? And Paul said - I, indeed, am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, - a citizen, of no obscure city; but I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people! And, when he had given leave, Paul, standing upon the stairs, waved with his hand unto the people; and, when great silence was secured, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying -
Brethren and fathers! Hear ye, the defence, which I now make unto you: -
Now, as they were both making an outcry and tearing their mantles, - dust, also were throwing into the air,
But Paul, getting to know that, the one part, were Sadducees and, the other, Pharisees, began to cry aloud in the council - Brethren! I, am, a Pharisee, son of Pharisees: - Concerning a hope, even of a rising again of the dead, am I to be judged.
By the power of signs and wonders, by the power of Holy Spirit; so that I, from Jerusalem and in a circuit as far as Illyricum, have fulfilled the glad-message of the Christ, -
My love, be with you all, in Christ Jesus.
And all the brethren with me; - unto the assemblies of Galatia:
Neither went I up unto Jerusalem unto them who, before me, were apostles, - but I went away into Arabia, and again returned unto Damascus. Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Howbeit ye know that, by reason of a weakness of the flesh, I myself announced the glad-message unto you, formerly; And, your trial, in my flesh, ye despised not, neither spat ye in disgust , but, as a messenger of God, ye welcomed me - as Christ Jesus. read more. Where, then, is the happiness ye accounted yours? For I bear you witness - that, if possible, your eyes, ye would have dug out, and given unto me.
In which I am suffering hardship, even unto bonds, as an evil-doer; but, the word of God, is not bound.
Watsons
PAUL was born at Tarsus, the principal city of Cilicia, and was by birth both a Jew and a citizen of Rome, Ac 21:39; 22:25. He was of the tribe of Benjamin, and of the sect of the Pharisees, Php 3:5. In his youth he appears to have been taught the art of tent making, Ac 18:3; but we must remember that among the Jews of those days a liberal education was often, accompanied by instruction in some mechanical trade. It is probable that St. Paul laid the foundation of those literary attainments, for which he was so eminent in the future part of his life, at his native city of Tarsus; and he afterward studied the law of Moses, and the traditions of the elders, at Jerusalem, under Gamaliel, a celebrated rabbi, Ac 22:4. St. Paul is not mentioned in the Gospels; nor is it known whether he ever heard our Saviour preach, or saw him perform any miracle. His name first occurs in the account given in the Acts of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, A.D. 34, to which he is said to have consented, Ac 8:1: he is upon that occasion called a young man; but we are no where informed what was then his precise age. The death of St. Stephen was followed by a severe persecution of the church at Jerusalem, and St. Paul became distinguished among its enemies by his activity and violence, Ac 8:3. Not contented with displaying his hatred to the Gospel in Judea, he obtained authority from the high priest to go to Damascus, and to bring back with him bound any Christians whom he might find in that city. As he was upon his journey thither, A.D. 35, his miraculous conversion took place, the circumstances of which are recorded in Acts ix, and are frequently alluded to in his epistles, 1Co 15:9; Ga 1:13; 1Ti 1:12-13.
Soon after St. Paul was baptized at Damascus, he went into Arabia; but we are not informed how long he remained there. He returned to Damascus; and being supernaturally qualified to be a preacher of the Gospel, he immediately entered upon his ministry in that city. The boldness and success with which he enforced the truths of Christianity so irritated the unbelieving Jews, that they resolved to put him to death, Ac 9:23; but, this design being known, the disciples conveyed him privately out of Damascus, and he went to Jerusalem, A.D. 38. The Christians of Jerusalem, remembering St. Paul's former hostility to the Gospel, and having no authentic account of any change in his sentiments or conduct, at first refused to receive him; but being assured by Barnabas of St. Paul's real conversion, and of his exertions at Damascus, they acknowledged him as a disciple, Ac 9:27. He remained only fifteen days among them, Ga 1:18; and he saw none of the Apostles except St. Peter and St. James. It is probable that the other Apostles were at this time absent from Jerusalem, exercising their ministry at different places. The zeal with which St. Paul preached at Jerusalem had the same effect as at Damascus: he became so obnoxious to the Hellenistic Jews, that they began to consider how they might kill him, Ac 9:29; which when the brethren knew, they thought it right that he should leave the city. They accompanied him to Caesarea, and thence he went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, where he preached the faith which once he destroyed, Ga 1:21,23.
Hitherto the preaching of St. Paul, as well as of the other Apostles and teachers, had been confined to the Jews; but the conversion of Cornelius, the first Gentile convert, A.D. 40, having convinced all the Apostles that "to the Gentiles, also, God had granted repentance unto life," St. Paul was soon after conducted by Barnabas from Tarsus, which had probably been the principal place of his residence since he left Jerusalem, and they both began to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles at Antioch, A.D. 42, Ac 11:25. Their preaching was attended with great success. The first Gentile church was now established at Antioch; and in that city, and at this time, the disciples were first called Christians, Ac 11:26. When these two Apostles had been thus employed about a year, a prophet called Agabus predicted an approaching famine, which would affect the whole land of Judea. Upon the prospect of this calamity, the Christians of Antioch made a contribution for their brethren in Judea, and sent the money to the elders at Jerusalem by St. Paul and Barnabas, A.D. 44, Ac 11:28, &c. This famine happened soon after in the fourth or fifth year of the Emperor Claudius. It is supposed that St. Paul had the vision, mentioned in Ac 22:17, while he was now at Jerusalem this second time after his conversion.
St. Paul and Barnabas, having executed their commission, returned to Antioch; and soon after their arrival in that city they were separated, by the express direction of the Holy Ghost, from the other Christian teachers and prophets, for the purpose of carrying the glad tidings of the Gospel to the Gentiles of various countries, Ac 13:1. Thus divinely appointed to this important office, they set out from Antioch, A.D. 45, and preached the Gospel successively at Salamis and Paphos, two cities of the isle of Cyprus, at Perga in Pamphylia, Antioch in Pisidia, and at Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, three cities of Lycaonia. They returned to Antioch in Syria, A.D. 47, nearly by the same route. This first apostolical journey of St. Paul, in which he was accompanied and assisted by Barnabas, is supposed to have occupied about two years; and in the course of it many, both Jews and Gentiles, were converted to the Gospel.
Paul and Barnabas continued at Antioch a considerable time; and while they were there, a dispute arose between them and some Jewish Christians of Judea. These men asserted, that the Gentile converts could not obtain salvation through the Gospel, unless they were circumcised; Paul and Barnabas maintained the contrary opinion, Ac 15:1-2. This dispute was carried on for some time with great earnestness; and it being a question in which not only the present but all future Gentile converts were concerned, it was thought right that St. Paul and Barnabas, with some others, should go up to Jerusalem to consult the Apostles and elders concerning it. They passed through Phenicia and Samaria, and upon their arrival at Jerusalem, A.D. 49, a council was assembled for the purpose of discussing this important point, Ga 2:1. St. Peter and St. James the less were present, and delivered their sentiments, which coincided with those of St. Paul and Barnabas; and after much deliberation it was agreed, that neither circumcision, nor conformity to any part of the ritual law of Moses, was necessary in Gentile converts; but that it should be recommended to them to abstain from certain specified things prohibited by that law, lest their indulgence in them should give offence to their brethren of the circumcision, who were still very zealous for the observance of the ceremonial part of their ancient religion. This decision, which was declared to have the sanction of the Holy Ghost, was communicated to the Gentile Christians of Syria and Cilicia, by a letter written in the name of the Apostles, elders, and whole church at Jerusalem, and conveyed by Judas and Silas, who accompanied St. Paul and Barnabas to Antioch for that purpose.
St. Paul, having preached a short time at Antioch, proposed to Barnabas that they should visit the churches which they had founded in different cities, Ac 15:36. Barnabas readily consented; but while they were preparing for the journey, there arose a disagreement between them, which ended in their separation. In consequence of this dispute with Barnabas, St. Paul chose Silas for his companion, and they set out together from Antioch, A.D. 50. They travelled through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches, and then came to Derbe and Lystra, Acts 16. Thence they went through Phrygia and Galatia; and, being desirous of going into Asia Propria, or the Proconsular Asia, they were forbidden by the Holy Ghost. They therefore went into Mysia; and, not being permitted by the Holy Ghost to go into Bithynia as they had intended, they went to Troas. While St. Paul was there, a vision appeared to him in the night: "There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Ma
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And, Saul, was taking pleasure with them in his death. Moreover there arose, in that day, a great persecution against the assembly which was in Jerusalem; and, all, were scattered abroad throughout the countries of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
But, Saul, went on to lay waste the assembly, along the houses, going in, and, dragging off both men and women, was
But, Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going unto the High-priest,
Now, when a considerable number of days were being fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him;
But, Barnabas, taking him, brought him unto the apostles, and related unto them, - how, in the way, he had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken unto him; and how, in Damascus, he had spoken boldly in the name of Jesus.
And was both speaking and discussing with the Grecian Jews, - but, they, were setting to work to kill him.
He went away, however, unto Tarsus, to seek up Saul; And, finding him, he brought him unto Antioch. And so it was with them, that, for a whole year, they were brought together in the assembly, and taught a considerable multitude; also that the disciples, first in Antioch, were called, Christians.
And one from among them, by name Agabus, rising up, gave a sign, through means of the Spirit, that, a great famine, was coming over all the inhabited earth; which, indeed, came to pass under Claudius.
Now there were in Antioch, distributed through the existing assembly, - prophets and teachers: both Barnabas and Symeon who was called Niger, and Lucius the Cyrenian, Manaen also, Herod the tetrarch's foster-brother, and Saul.
And, certain persons, coming down from Judea, began to teach the brethren - Except ye be circumcised according to the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. And, when Paul and Barnabas had had no little dissension and discussion with them, it was arranged that Paul and Barnabas and certain others from among them should go up unto the Apostles and Elders in Jerusalem concerning this question,
And, after certain days, Paul, said unto Barnabas - Let us now return, and visit the brethren in every city in which we have declared the word of the Lord, and see how they are.
and, because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought, for they were tent-makers by their trade.
And Paul said - I, indeed, am a Jew, of Tarsus in Cilicia, - a citizen, of no obscure city; but I beseech thee, give me leave to speak unto the people!
and, this way, I persecuted unto the death, binding and delivering up into prisons both men and women: -
And it came to pass, when had returned unto Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, that I came to be in a trance,
But, when they had stretched him out with straps, Paul said unto the by-standing centurion - A Roman, and uncondemned, is it allowed you to be scourging?
For this cause, God gave them up unto dishonourable passions; for, even their females, exchanged away the natural use into that which is against nature, - In like manner also, even the males, leaving the natural use of the female, flamed out in their eager desire one for another, males with males, the indecency, effecting, - and, the necessary recompence of their error, within themselves, duly receiving; - read more. And, even as they did not approve to be holding, God, in acknowledgment, God gave them up unto a disapproved mind to be doing the things that are not becoming, Filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, baseness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil disposition, Whisperers, detractors, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, vain boasters, inventors of vices, unto parents unyielding, Without discernment, regardless of covenants, without natural affection, unmerciful: - Who, indeed, having acknowledged the righteous sentence of God, - that, they who such things as these do practise, are worthy of death, not only, the same things, are doing, but are even delighting together with them who are practising them .
Thou, therefore, that art teaching someone else, thyself, art thou not teaching? Thou that proclaimest - Do not steal! Art thou, stealing? That sayest - Do not commit adultery! Art thou, committing adultery? That abhorrest sacrilege, Art thou, robbing temples? read more. That in law dost boast, Through the transgression of the law, art thou dishonouring God? For the name of God, because of you, is defamed among the nations, - even as it is written.
For, whom he fore-approved, he also fore-appointed to be conformed unto the image of his Son, that he might be firstborn among many brethren, - And, whom he fore-appointed, the same, he also called, and, whom he called, the same, he also declared righteous, and, whom he declared righteous, the same, he also made glorious: -
Although with the tongues of men, I be speaking, and of messengers, and have not, love, I have become resounding brass, or a clanging cymbal; And, though I have the gift of prophesying, and know all sacred secrets, and all knowledge, - and though I have all faith, so as to be removing mountains, and have not, love, I am, nothing; read more. And, though I morsel out all my goods, - and though I deliver up my body, that I may boast, and have not, love, I am profited, nothing. Love, is patient, is gracious. Love, is not envious, vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Acteth not unbecomingly, seeketh not her own things, is not easily provoked, imputeth not that which is base, Rejoiceth not over unrighteousness, but rejoiceth in sympathy with truth, - All things, covereth, all things, believeth, all things, hopeth, all things, endureth. Love, at no time, faileth; - but, whether prophesyings, they shall be done away, whether tongues, they shall cease, whether gaining knowledge, it shall be done away; For, in part, are we gaining knowledge, and, in part, are we prophesying, - But, as soon as that which is complete is come, that which is in part, shall be done away.
For, I, am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the assembly of God.
Moreover, although I came unto Troas for the glad-message of the Christ, and a door for me had been opened in the Lord, I had no relief in my spirit, because I found not Titus my brother; but, taking my leave of them, I came away into Macedonia.
Moreover we make known unto you, brethren, the favour of God which hath been given in the assemblies of Macedonia, -
I exhorted Titus, and sent with him the brother, - Did, Titus, overreach you? Was it not, in the same spirit, we walked? Was it not, in the same steps?
For ye have heard, as to my own manner of life, at one time, in Judaism, how that, exceedingly, was I persecuting the assembly of God, and laying it waste,
Then, after three years, went I up unto Jerusalem, to become acquainted with Cephas, and tarried with him fifteen days;
Only they were hearing - He that was persecuting us formerly, now, is announcing the glad-message of the faith which he formerly laid waste;
After that, fourteen years later, I, again, went up unto Jerusalem, with Barnabas, taking with me Titus also;
One body, and one spirit, even as ye were also called in one hope of your calling, One Lord, one faith, one immersion, read more. One God and Father of all - who is over all, and through all, and in all. To each one of you, however, hath favour been given, according to the measure of the free-gift of the Christ;
But, fornication, and all impurity, or covetousness, let it not be named among you - even as becometh saints; And shamelessness and foolish talking, or jesting, - which things are beneath you, - but, rather, giving of thanks; read more. For, this, ye know, if ye take note - that no fornicator, or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God. Let no one be deceiving you with empty words; for, because of these things, is coming the anger of God upon the sons of obstinacy:
Circumcised, the eighth day, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, - regarding law, a Pharisee,
All the saints salute you, but especially they who are of Caesar's household.
Whom I have sent unto you, to this very end, - that ye may get to know the things which concern us, and he may encourage you hearts: Together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is from among you: - all things, unto you, will they make known, that are taking place here. read more. Aristarchus, my fellow-captive, saluteth you; and Mark, the first cousin of Barnabas, - concerning whom ye have received commands - if he come unto you, give him welcome; And Jesus, he that is called Justus, - they being of the circumcision; these only, are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men who have been, unto me, a comfort. Epaphras who is from among you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, - at all times, contending in your behalf in his prayers, that ye may be caused to stand complete and fully assured in everything willed by God;
Said one from among them, a prophet, of their own! - Cretans! always false, mischievous wild-beasts, idle gluttons: This witness, is true, - for which cause, be reproving them sharply, that they may be healthy in their faith,
Be putting them in mind, unto rulerships, unto authorities, to be in submission, to be yielding to rule, for every good work, to be, prepared, To be defaming, no one, to be, averse to strife, considerate, shewing, all, meekness unto all men. read more. For, even we, used, at one time, to be - thoughtless, unyielding, deceived, in servitude unto manifold covetings and pleasures, in malice and envy, leading on, detestable, hating one another.
For, even we, used, at one time, to be - thoughtless, unyielding, deceived, in servitude unto manifold covetings and pleasures, in malice and envy, leading on, detestable, hating one another. But, when, the graciousness and affection for man of our Saviour God, shone forth,
But, when, the graciousness and affection for man of our Saviour God, shone forth, Not by works which we had done in righteousness, but, according to his mercy, he saved us - through means of the bathing of a new birth, and the moulding anew of Holy Spirit. -